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Thursday, October 21, 2004 |
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Hong Kong Disneyland Appoints its First Ambassador to Spread Magic in 2005
HONG KONG (October 21, 2004) - Hong Kong Disneyland, the world-famous family entertainment experience set to open in late 2005 or early 2006, today announced its very first ambassador, Ms. Angela To, who will act as the official representative for the theme park.
Initiated in 1964 by Walt Disney, the Disney Ambassador program came to life during the celebrations for Disneyland's 10th anniversary. During this time, the program was designed to appoint a dynamic personality to represent the park when Walt was not available.
The tradition of the Disney Ambassador program gathered momentum with the opening of each new park and today every Disney theme park around the world has its own ambassador. The ambassador is selected from among existing cast members (Disneyland employees) and acts as the park's official representative and host as well as an emissary of goodwill in the community.
In Hong Kong, the ambassador's primary role will be to spread the Disney magic to Hong Kong Disneyland guests, cast members and the community at large. More specifically, the ambassador will be involved in special promotional events to enhance the understanding of Hong Kong Disneyland to the general public in Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan.
Among other duties, the Hong Kong Disneyland Ambassador will participate in community initiatives, such as the Disney VoluntEARS program, as well as hosting VIP tours, acting as a host for special ceremonies and, of course, welcoming guests to the park's grand opening celebrations.
The selection process for the Hong Kong Disneyland Ambassador took several months with applicants required to submit essays and participate in a series of interviews. As a result, Hong Kong Disneyland selected six strong applicants possessing Disney qualities who were shortlisted for final interviews.
Hong Kong Disneyland group managing director, Don Robinson, said: "The Hong Kong Disneyland Ambassador plays a very important role in reaching out to our guests and the community as a whole.
"We were seeking someone with outstanding interpersonal skills to help communicate the total entertainment experience available at Hong Kong Disneyland, as well as reflect the Disney ideals and philosophy to our guests around the world. And, most importantly, they had to have a natural enthusiasm and passion for Disney."
Angela To, who has been a cast member with The Walt Disney Company (Asia Pacific) Limited since 2001, will begin her new role as Hong Kong Disneyland Ambassador in January 2005 for a duration of 12 months. Next month, Angela will visit Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, to participate in the Disney Ambassador training program.
Angela said, "I look forward to meeting people from all over the world and sharing with them the magical experience that Hong Kong Disneyland has to offer.
"When I was a child I would read the classic Disney stories and my imagination would be inspired. I never dreamed then that one day I would be a part of the Disney magic."
Over the next few months, Angela will inspire the hearts and minds of people, not only in Hong Kong but also around the region, by sharing with them the timeless tales, loveable characters and creativity that is the magic of Hong Kong Disneyland. She is scheduled to participate in Disney VoluntEARS initiatives, storytelling sessions with children, hospital visits with favorite Disney characters and vibrant festivals such as Chinese New Year.
"My role as ambassador will be to involve the community in everything Hong Kong Disneyland does and make them feel that they are a part of the magic at work," said Angela.
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About Hong Kong Disneyland
The Hong Kong Disneyland project was announced in November 1999 as a venture between The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong SAR Government. With the completion of reclamation for Hong Kong Disneyland Phase I by the Hong Kong SAR Government, Disney began construction in January 2003 with the project scheduled to open in late 2005/ early 2006. The opening day program for Hong Kong Disneyland will include a Disneyland-style theme park and two hotels. The Phase I build-out includes a projected 10 million annual visitor Disneyland-style theme park, 2,100 hotel rooms, and an area for retail, dining and entertainment. The project is estimated to create 18,000 new jobs at opening (both Disney and other employment) growing to 36,000 once the first park reaches build-out. The Hong Kong SAR Government estimated that the first phase of the project will generate a present economic value of HK$148 billion (US$19 billion) in benefits to Hong Kong over a 40-year period.
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