Meet the 2024-2025 Global Disney Ambassador Team
As seen on the Disney Parks Blog written by Dren Yensid and posted on October 4, 2023 1:00 pm
Over the past few months, teams around the globe have been hard at work on interviews, role shadows, media training and more as they prepared to choose the 2024-2025 Global Disney Ambassador team.
While the 2024-2025 Disney Ambassadors officially step into their role on Jan. 1, 2024, they’ll spend the rest of the year training for their new roles with the 2022-2023 Disney Ambassadors as their mentors. Stay tuned to @DisneyParks and your local Disney Ambassadors’ Instagram account for a sneak peek into their experience stepping into the role!
And with that, we’re excited to introduce you to the 2024-2025 Global Disney Ambassador Team!
Disneyland Resort
Jada Young and Raul Aquino Rojas will serve as the 2024-2025 Disney Ambassador team of Disneyland Resort! During their term as the 50th Disney Ambassador team of the Disneyland Resort, they will join in the milestone celebration of the 70th anniversary of Disneyland Resort and the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland park.
As a Californian (born and raised), Disneyland Resort was a huge part of Jada Young’s (pictured above, left) upbringing. After a childhood of visiting the parks, her Disney career began in 2017 at Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters at Disney California Adventure park, where she worked as an attractions cast member. Since then, she’s held leadership roles such as Core Lead and Trainer in attractions and Special Event Operations. She’s also worked with the Youth Education Series (Y.E.S.) Program as a facilitator for Disney’s Approach to Leadership and Teamwork. She was a member of the opening team at Avengers Campus and most recently worked in Cars Land Attractions.
Raul Aquino Rojas (pictured above, right) was born in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, and came to the U.S. when he was a year old, growing up in Lynwood, California. The fond memories he made with his family on his first visit to Disneyland when he was 7 years old stayed with him for many years, keeping his Disney magic alive. In 2019, Raul began his Disney career as a Disney PhotoPass Photographer at Disneyland Resort. He currently enjoys leading his cast both within Disney Photo Imaging and Guest Show Operations teams.
Walt Disney World Resort
Serena Arvizu and Shannon Smith-Conrad will represent Walt Disney World as its 2024-2025 Disney Ambassadors, helping to celebrate exciting and significant milestones with guests, cast and the Florida community during their term – including the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom Park, the debut of a new fireworks nighttime spectacular coming to EPCOT, the groundbreaking of a new affordable housing development in Central Florida, and more.
Serena Arvizu (pictured above, left) and Shannon Smith-Conrad (pictured above, right) both got their start with Disney as Disney College Program participants. Serena worked as a hostess at The Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom, while Shannon worked in Attractions and Transportation. They both fell in love with Disney on their programs and knew they had found their home. Serena and Shannon also participated in Professional Internships with the company and Shannon is a recent Disney Aspire graduate. Serena works as a Sourcing Specialist in Supplier Diversity while Shannon works as a Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Professional Recruitment Coordinator. Now, they get to embark on an exciting new journey with Disney together!
Tokyo Disney Resort
Daisuke Shibata and Nodoka Mikata will take on the role of Disney Ambassadors of Tokyo Disney Resort at a very exciting time as Tokyo DisneySea prepares for the opening of Fantasy Springs, the eighth themed port scheduled to open in spring 2024.
Daisuke Shibata currently works at Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta in the Rooms Division. He looks forward to bringing the excitement of Tokyo Disney Resort to guests both near and far.
Nodoka Mikata works within the Attractions Operations Division. She looks forward to sharing the excitement of the parks with guests, alongside her fellow cast members.
Disneyland Paris
José Alfaro Navarro and Dylan Legras will represent Disneyland Paris during a thrilling and transformative two years as the resort looks toward the reopening of the newly reimagined Disneyland Hotel and the launch of new shows and immersive experiences like “Disney Symphony of Colors.”
José Alfaro Navarro, a native of Spain, studied journalism while working at the Disney Store in Alicante, Spain. Thanks to his talent and experience in amateur theater, he landed his first contract at Disneyland Paris in 2015 as a performer. Seizing new opportunities, José then left to work for six months on a cruise ship, followed by a year on the Visitor Relations team at Walt Disney World Resort. He rejoined the Disneyland Paris Entertainment team in 2019, still working as a performer, before becoming Assistant Show Coordinator in June 2023. In this role, José ensures that show operations run smoothly and efficiently to make every performance a dazzling experience for all guests.
To fulfill a childhood dream, Dylan Legras left his home of Normandy, France, in 2011 to become a cast member at Disneyland Paris. Over the years, he’s held roles in Merchandising, Guest Flow, Attractions and more! In 2014, he spread his wings even further and joined the French pavilion at EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort as a participant in the Cultural Representative Program. After some time pursuing his love of travel, he returned to Disneyland Paris to work part time parallel to his international hotel management studies. Since 2021, Dylan has been a Guest Relations Team Leader, ensuring that every guest has a magical stay.
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
Beyan Tse and Gisele Abejero will be the 10th generation of Disney Ambassadors to represent Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Their journey will also lead up to the resort’s 20th anniversary celebration.
Beyan Tse (pictured above, left) started at Hong Kong Disneyland in 2019 in financial management, alliances, and sourcing and since then, has found further passion in Disney VoluntEARS.
“Dreaming and making dreams come true is at the core of Disney,” Beyan said. “I want to pass on my love for this magical place and all the love I’ve received here. It’s a never-ending circle of happiness.”
Gisele Abejero (pictured above, right), whose love for performing blossomed at Hong Kong Disneyland more than 15 years ago, has spent her career performing in shows including “Festival of the Lion King,” “The Golden Mickeys” and “Mickey and the Wondrous Book.” Her story of passion and empathy is fueled not only by her determination in her role, but her off-stage role as a mother, which she feels has transformed her perspective.
“Children have this incredible ability to remind us to stay young at heart,” Gisele shared. “Their innocence and boundless curiosity are a source of inspiration. I’m thrilled to share stories with them, alongside my Disney family of 15 years, and bring them hope and inspiration.”
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
Dylan Rogers will serve as the 2024-2025 Disney Ambassador of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. She has been with Aulani Resort for six years, starting as a front desk agent, then serving as a groups assistant, front desk lead, and now guest service manager. She is also a Traditions facilitator for 2022-2023 and a Disney Aspire graduate, receiving her Master of Science in Management.
“What an honor,” Dylan told cast members after being selected. “I’m truly humbled to be your Aulani Ambassador. It’s not something that I take lightly, it’s a kuleana, a responsibility that I feel, and I will work my hardest every single day to be worthy of this for all of you.”
Shanghai Disney Resort
Wendy Feng and Alice Wang are excited to take up the mantle of the 2024-2025 Disney Ambassadors of Shanghai Disney Resort.
Wendy Feng (pictured above, left) has worked on the Entertainment Team at Shanghai Disney Resort for nearly three years. Her journey is a unique one, as she started her career as a Fashion Buyer (with a degree in Finance) but followed her passion to perform! A strong sense of belonging at the resort fills her every day with passion, inspiration and love.
Alice Wang (pictured above, right) has worked at Shanghai Disney Resort for more than six years. She comes from the Entertainment Team, where she works as a vocalist. During her time at the resort, she’s presented thousands of performances on various stages throughout the park. She has also served as a Disney Traditions Facilitator and participates in Disney VoluntEARS.
Thank you to our 2022-2023 Disney Ambassadors!
2022-2023 Global Disney Ambassador Team
The Global Disney Ambassador Program is part of a time-honored tradition going back to 1965 when Julie Reihm Casaletto was chosen as Disneyland’s “Tencennial Ambassador.” Since then, cast members from around the world have taken up the mantle as Disney Ambassadors, representing Disneyland Resort; Walt Disney World Resort; Tokyo Disney Resort; Disneyland Paris; Hong Kong Disneyland Resort; Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa and Shanghai Disney Resort.
Disney Ambassadors serve a two-year term as “goodwill emissaries” who shine a light on cast members, share the magic of Disney with guests and inspire hope in local communities.
The tradition of this special program would not be possible without all the wonderful Disney Ambassadors who’ve come before this team, including the 2022-2023 Disney Ambassadors who will act as mentors to the incoming Disney Ambassadors.
The generations of Disney Ambassadors before them help continue the spirit of goodwill and support as they move into roles beyond their Disney Ambassador term. Once their term is complete, Disney Ambassadors receive a special golden Disney nametag that signifies their dedication, inspired by Walt’s very first nametag. Keep an eye out for them the next time you visit a park or resort and be sure to say hello!
For more on the Disney Ambassadors and other #DisneyCastLife stories, follow the Disney Ambassador teams on Instagram:
