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Before an audience of more than 1,000 Cast Members, media and former Ambassadors, Disneyland Resort President Ed Grier announced the 2009 Disneyland Resort Ambassador Team at Disneyland today. Cast Members Danielle DuBois and Quinn Shurian will serve as the 44th team to represent the resort and its Cast as the 2009 Disneyland Resort Ambassadors.
“Being chosen to represent 20,000 Disneyland Resort Cast Members is an incredible honor and one of the highest achievements of a Disney Cast Member. This program is a unique and important part of our company’s heritage,” said Disneyland Resort President Ed Grier. “These two Cast Members will take the magic and good will of Disneyland throughout our community and beyond in the coming year.”
The prestigious honor of being selected as a Disney Ambassador began during the 10th anniversary of Disneyland, when Walt Disney realized the need for an additional representative to help fulfill the many media, public appearance and VIP hosting requests he received. He selected the very first Ambassador in 1965 and the tradition has continued ever since.
Today, the Ambassador selection process involves months of preparation and interviews with fellow Cast Members and executives where candidates have the opportunity to demonstrate the depth of their Disney knowledge and their passion about being a Disney Cast Member.
The new Ambassador team will represent the company during the recently announced “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign. The celebration runs through 2009 and invites all guests to mark their special occasions at a Disney park in a way only Disney can provide. Their full-time duties include participating in more than 200 events from – Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2009 – including Cast Member recognition ceremonies, grand openings, marketing events, special promotions and media interviews. They will also host dignitaries and other VIPs at Disneyland Resort.
In 2006, DuBois began her career at the Disneyland Resort as a lead and trainer in the imaging department. Prior to that, DuBois lived in Yokohama, Japan and served as an English teacher to students that ranged in age from 3 to 80 years old. After attending California State University, Chico, where she received a degree in communication design, DuBois participated in the Up With People Worldsmart program – an international community service youth group. For one year, DuBois dedicated her time to giving back through performances and activities in 18 countries. DuBois attended College Park High School in Pleasant Hill and currently resides in Irvine, Calif.
Shurian began his career at Disneyland in attractions in 1994 and had roles in Guest Relations and Guest Communications before reaching his current position as a communications specialist in Cast Communications. He also is an Adventure Guide for Adventures by Disney – traveling around the world sharing his passion for Disney with families on vacation. Shurian has been a Disney VoluntEAR for nearly 10 years – dedicating time to various projects around the community. Two of those years he has held spots on the Disney VountEARS Leadership Council. Shurian attended Newbury Park High School and currently resides in Orange, Calif.
