2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

[pratt55]

While at the resort yesterday morning we saw the set up for an event in front of the castle and decided to find out what would be happening. When told that the 2008 Ambassadors would be announced and introduced we decided we would come back at 10:30 to watch the festivites. We ended up next to nominee Liz Hetzel's friends from her church. They told us that she was one of the flying Tinkerbell's during the fireworks show and that she is a wonderful person.

The stage



Seating of invited guests





The woman in the wheelchair was the first head of the Disneyland Ambassador Program.



The woman in the black/white print dress is the current head of the DLand Ambassador program



One of the Dream Team's got to participate later on.



Here comes Mickey, Ed Grier and the 2007 Ambassadors Garnett Schoonover and Adonis Reeves.







Ed making some speeches. He did talk about how hot it was and that it seemed more like Hong Kong weather.









They introduced some former ambassadors. Check out LocalDisneyFan's thread showing the then versus now photos. This lady was the senior of all the Ambassadors present.





Then introductions were made of the former and current directors of the program unfortunately none of them ever turned to wave to the crowd so we just have back of the head shots.

First director of the program



Next Director



The 2007 Ambassadors spoke about some of their favorite memories being Ambassadors.





Introduction of the nominees











The nominees then each got the chance to share their favorite Disney experience.





Dream Team brought the envelopes up to the stage



And the winners are


Liz Hetzel, Entertainment Department



David Gill, Guest Services Department



David gets his pin from Garnett who is from Scottsdale, Arizona by the way.



Confetti was blown.



Then the band escorted them on a trip down main street.



Of course no Disney trip down main street would be complete without some characters.











Ed Grier leaving the ceremony.



About an hour later we were at DCA and saw the 2007 ambassadors with the director of the program getting ready to head into La Trattoria. The Dream Team was there handing out Dream Ears. We received our ears and then had the chance to talk to Garnett and Adonis and congratulate them on having been ambassadors.

[Wendygirl]

Re: 2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

Thank you for posting this. I found it very interesting.

So that means one of the ambassadors, Liz Hetzel, is a flying Tinkerbell! I think that is pretty darn cool. I also noticed that there was only one woman and four men nominated. Interesting considering that the 2007 ambassadors were both women. Guess they wanted to make sure a guy got a position this year. )

[Cmash95]

Re: 2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

I read somewhere that in the beginning ambassadors were only women because walt wanted a pretty girl to represent the park. just like all the cm's on storytellers ride were girls and canoe paddlers were men. not sure if it's true but it is interesting

[Armadillo4]

Re: 2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

Pratt55, thanks for sharing your pics from the Ambassador ceremony with us! It doesn't happen very often, so it's nice to see. I hope you had a great trip to the parks too!

[pratt55]

Re: 2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

I read somewhere that in the beginning ambassadors were only women because walt wanted a pretty girl to represent the park. just like all the cm's on storytellers ride were girls and canoe paddlers were men. not sure if it's true but it is interesting

Somehow I would not be surprised because during the intros of the returning ambassadors it was not until they got to the 90's that a man was introduced. I am sure though that there is someone on this board that knows for sure.

[pratt55]

Re: 2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

So that means one of the ambassadors, Liz Hetzel, is a flying Tinkerbell! I think that is pretty darn cool. I also noticed that there was only one woman and four men nominated. Interesting considering that the 2007 ambassadors were both women. Guess they wanted to make sure a guy got a position this year. )

Her friends that were all around us were a lot of fun. When I asked them who we were supposed to be cheering for they told us 'Liz' and about how she is a Tinkerbell. I asked if she was the one that got stuck a few months back but they said no. Luckily Liz was announced first so that her group of friends could relax and just enjoy the rest of the ceremony.

[pratt55]

Re: 2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

Someone asked me to post pictures of the other ambassadors through the years that we caught on film so here are some additional former ambassadors.

For more shots or to see why they are all looking to the side see this report from localdisnyfan

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/photo_update_10_19_disney-81017.html

[JeffYardDog]

Re: 2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

Someone asked me to post pictures of the other ambassadors through the years that we caught on film so here are some additional former ambassadors.

For more shots or to see why they are all looking to the side see this report from localdisnyfan

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/photo_update_10_19_disney-81017.html

That was me asking. Thanks for posting.

That lady is a high school classmate (from here in Anaheim).

She speaks five languages. A great International Ambassador.

[fantoongal]

Re: 2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

I was so excited to hear this! I know David! He's in Foods btw! He's awesome, super funny! I know there are a few of us who are very glad that foods is being represented!

[garbear]

Re: 2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

What does an ambassador do?

[wonderjen]

Re: 2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

hi. a friend just sent me this link- and it was a fantastic day! liz is my best friend, and so I flew down for the ceremony- it was SO great to be there and see her get the "job". to answer the question of what an ambassador does, the easiest answer is anything that Walt would do if he were still here. The ambassador team is the face of Disneyland to the world.

It was a whirlwind of fun, and an exciting, exciting day. David seems like a great guy (in the afternoon and evening that I got to spend with him), and Adonis and Garnett are fantastic- they were so gracious in welcoming Liz and David into the new role. (and they put on a killer Gala!)

props to all involved!

[pratt55]

Re: 2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

hi. a friend just sent me this link- and it was a fantastic day! liz is my best friend, and so I flew down for the ceremony- it was SO great to be there and see her get the "job". to answer the question of what an ambassador does, the easiest answer is anything that Walt would do if he were still here. The ambassador team is the face of Disneyland to the world.

It was a whirlwind of fun, and an exciting, exciting day. David seems like a great guy (in the afternoon and evening that I got to spend with him), and Adonis and Garnett are fantastic- they were so gracious in welcoming Liz and David into the new role. (and they put on a killer Gala!)

props to all involved!

Welcome to Micechat. Liz seems to have a great deal of nice people supporting her so she must be a wonderful person. It was fun to have someone to cheer for and then to have her name announced first. I hope you liked the pictures.

[RumRunner31]

Re: 2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

The woman in the wheelchair was the first head of the Disneyland Ambassador Program.

That is Cicely Rigdon, and she has a window above the China Closet (it's a "finishing school"). Cicely's history is so amazing - she was 'keeper of the keys' to Walt's Apartment and the one who BUILT the ambassador program. She started as a tour guide and still comes to Candlelight every year to check up on us and make sure we are holding the traditions she built. She is a wonderful woman and one of my idols.

[TDLFAN]

Re: 2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

I have to say that I am still not much enthusiastic of the "team" concept for the Ambassadors. I think it was more prestigious and special when it was a single ambassador chosen for the year.

[JeffYardDog]

Re: 2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

I have to say that I am still not much enthusiastic of the "team" concept for the Ambassadors. I think it was more prestigious and special when it was a single ambassador chosen for the year.

maybe the time commitment was not as extreme in the past as there were less activities to be involved in and Disney's compensation was better so the Ambassador didn't need to have time outside their position.

[pratt55]

Re: 2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

That is Cicely Rigdon, and she has a window above the China Closet (it's a "finishing school"). Cicely's history is so amazing - she was 'keeper of the keys' to Walt's Apartment and the one who BUILT the ambassador program. She started as a tour guide and still comes to Candlelight every year to check up on us and make sure we are holding the traditions she built. She is a wonderful woman and one of my idols.

Great to know. I noticed everyone seemed a little in awe around her and yet she seemed to be very pleasant. Next tie we go I willl have to check out her window.

[mrbill4]

Re: 2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

Liz Hetzel's older brother here (strange, she hates it when people call her my little sister)....... Got some disappointing news for you. I am not sure where you heard about the Tinkerbell thing, but your info may be a bit off. I can't confirm that, sorry.

She works as a stage manager for the park. WonderJen can back me up on this, as she is Liz's best friend. And, I am bummed I didn't get to see her when she came down. (I love ya Jen!)

Liz started at the park in 96, when I was still working there, and she was in Fantasmic! From there, she was in a number of parades, including Eureka where she rollerbladed. Now, she works as a stage manager, and has just become one of the 2008 Abassadors! Go Liz! Have a great day all!

[wonderjen]

Re: 2008 Disneyland Resort Ambassador

Liz Hetzel's older brother here (strange, she hates it when people call her my little sister)....... Got some disappointing news for you. I am not sure where you heard about the Tinkerbell thing, but your info may be a bit off. I can't confirm that, sorry.

She works as a stage manager for the park. WonderJen can back me up on this, as she is Liz's best friend. And, I am bummed I didn't get to see her when she came down. (I love ya Jen!)

Liz started at the park in 96, when I was still working there, and she was in Fantasmic! From there, she was in a number of parades, including Eureka where she rollerbladed. Now, she works as a stage manager, and has just become one of the 2008 Abassadors! Go Liz! Have a great day all!

bill! did you hear any of it on the phone? your mom couldn't because we were all hollerin so much when they called liz's name so we had to call her back

it's true. liz is amazing, and parades and stage managing are her gig. and now ambassador-ing...

from my understanding of the job, they'll be far too busy even as a team to be able to have any other sort of job also- there has so much to do with the 50th, and the year of a million dreams and whatnot. it's still a pretty high honor, even with their being a team.

bummed I didn't get to see you when I was down there bill-