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Daina Baker, a cast member from the entertainment department, was named the 2002 - 2003 Disneyland Resort Ambassador in a ceremony on November 11 at Disney's California Adventure park.

If you have attended, or read about, a special event at any Disney park in the past 37 years, you may have noticed the Disney Ambassador. These cast members serve as the official representatives for their park or resort, acting as hosts, emcees, and guides.

Minnie Mouse and 2000-2001 Ambassador Doina Roman-Osborn disembark from the Welcome Train for Walt Disney's Hometown 100th Birthday Celebration in Marceline, Missouri. Photo by Alex Stroup.

The Ambassador Program was founded in 1965, during Disneyland's 10-year celebration. Walt Disney discovered that he needed someone to help represent Disneyland when he could not attend an event. Julie Reihm was selected to represent Disneyland at anniversary ceremonies, and as a hostess to escort VIPs around Walt's Magic Kingdom.

Today, each Disney resort around the world has one or more Ambassadors, and their job descriptions have expanded. According to Disney, the Disneyland Resort Ambassador serves as the official host of the Disneyland Resort for visiting dignitaries and government officials, and acts as emcee of special ceremonies and events. The Ambassador is trained for radio and TV interviews, and is frequently assigned to handle media inquiries about all aspects of the parks and their activities.

Roy Disney and Disneyland Paris Ambassador Christophe Commin inaugurate the Paris park's 10th Anniversary Celebration. Photo © Disney

Ambassadors are chosen from existing Disneyland Resort cast members. To apply for the position, cast members must have worked at the resort for at least one year, and be 18 years old. The duties of the Ambassador do not allow for absenteeism, so applicants must have demonstrated that they are dependable. Candidates must have incurred no more than nine attendance points, equivalent to three absence days, in the past 12 months. Because of the possibility of international travel, applicants must have or be willing to get a passport.

After attending an information session, and submitting an application and 150-word resume, candidates who meet the requirements are scheduled for a panel interview in groups of three. The panel of interviewers consists of managers from departments that work with the Ambassadors, including Cast Activities, Press and Publicity, VIP Tours, and Entertainment. The applicants read a short script and answer simple questions such as, "How would you describe the Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction?" The panelists then rate each candidate on public speaking ability, poise, and professionalism. Twenty-nine people went through the first interview this year, and nine semifinalists were selected to advance to the next round of interviews.

One department uses Thunderstix to cheer for its candidate.

Semifinalists proceed to individual interviews with seven director-level panelists, where they read from another script, and are asked more difficult questions to demonstrate their ability to think on their feet and be positive and energetic, even in difficult circumstances. All seven panelists must agree on the three finalists, who then embark on a whirlwind schedule of finalist-week activities.

The finalists are assigned to go out and interact with other cast members and the public in social settings. They are each given a new name badge that identifies them as an Ambassador Finalist. This year, the finalists attended the Little Monsters on Main Street cast member event, spent time greeting guests at the parks, and represented the Disneyland Resort at the "Boo! at the Zoo" event at the Santa Ana Zoo. The week ended with a formal dinner at Napa Rose in the Disneyland Resort's Grand Californian Hotel.

Matt Ebeling, surrounded by former Ambassadors.

The candidates then have a final interview with a panel of five executives, including Disneyland Resort President Cynthia Harriss. This last interview is less formal than the preliminary sessions, and gives the executive team the chance to get to know each candidate. The final decision is made after these interviews, and the candidates eagerly await the announcement ceremony. The three finalists had an extra-long wait this year, when the Ambassador ceremony was pushed back 10 days because of festivities from the World Series victory of the Anaheim Angels baseball team.

This year's ceremony was held inside the Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Play It! theater at Disney's California Adventure. The theater was filled with the friends, families, and co-workers of the three finalists. They waved signs and banners, and one group used bright red Thunderstix noisemakers to cheer for its favorite finalist.

Mickey rescues finalist Marty Klein.

The 2002 Ambassador, Matt Ebeling, opened the ceremony by introducing 24 former Ambassadors from 1966 to the present. To help explain what an Ambassador does, he shared a video of highlights from his year as Ambassador. He then read the name of each finalist, but, in true Disney fashion, something went terribly wrong - the trio was nowhere to be found. After enlisting the help of Detective Mickey, the duo searched Disney's California Adventure to find the missing finalists. A handy camera crew went along, and sent back "live" footage of the hunt.

The first finalist had been captured by Cruella DeVil, and was tied up in her trailer. Matt distracted Cruella, while Mickey rescued Marty Klein, a Guest Relations host. The Evil Queen had imprisoned second finalist Daina Baker inside the Animation Building. Matt, Marty, and Mickey were able to free Daina, who had a parting shot for the Evil Queen. The group then raced to Paradise Pier to save the last missing finalist.

Cynthia Harriss thanks Matt Ebeling for his service as Ambassador.

When they arrived, Captain Hook was just about to make Diane Gentzler, a cast member from the Human Resources department, walk the plank into Paradise Bay. With all of the finalists safely accounted for, the group returned to the ceremony, where Cynthia Harriss waited to greet them. She thanked Matt for his service over the past year, remarking that she was glad to have worked with him at so many events, but was especially grateful for all of the events that he had attended in her place. She also noted that his friends would probably be happy to have this year over, so that he would have time to share with them again.

Finally, it was time to name the new Ambassador. Two trenchcoat-clad executives brought a briefcase to Mickey, who read the name of the 2003 Ambassador: Daina Baker. The ceremony concluded with a burst of confetti, and the Ambassador-elect made her first public appearance in a short parade through Disney's California Adventure.

Mickey, Cynthia Harriss, and Matt Ebeling congratulate Daina Baker, Disneyland's newest Ambassador.

Daina Baker immediately begins seven weeks of training for her new role, beginning with a trip to Nordstrom, where the resort will pay for her to select a wardrobe of clothing suitable for all of her official duties, including everything from business casual to formal evening attire. Daina will also work with a linguist to polish her public speaking skills. The training includes 10 days in Walt Disney World, where she will spend time with the Florida Ambassador team; the newly selected WDW Ambassadors also visit Disneyland during their training. Daina will also attends VIP Tour training classes to learn the skills of a VIP Host.

On January 1, 2003, Matt Ebeling officially turns the role over to Daina. For the next 365 days, Daina will have no guaranteed days off or vacation days. The Ambassador position is salaried, but Ambassadors do not learn their exact salary until they are officially selected. At the Disneyland Resort, Ambassadors usually serve alone, and are chosen for 12-month terms running from January to December, although in 1995, the first Ambassador Team was chosen in order to handle the added events surrounding Disneyland's 40th Anniversary. For 1999 to 2000, the team for the first time served for 18 months to work during the Millennium Celebration period. Matt Ebeling was the first solo male Ambassador chosen worldwide.

Daina Baker makes her first public appearance as the 2003 Ambassador.

The Ambassador works closely with the manager of the Ambassador program, who schedules appearances and commitments. Typical duties include hospital visits and parade appearances with the Disney characters, and participating in community outreach events and academic incentive programs. One candidate said that he never realized how active the Ambassador was in educational programs, attending job fairs, giving high-school career-day talks, and making speeches at graduations.

As the official representative of the Disneyland Resort cast, the Ambassador serves as a member of the C.A.S.T. Committee, and attends cast recognition programs, banquets, Spirit Award announcements, and retirement parties. The Ambassador is an active participant in Disney VoluntEARS efforts, and speaks at resort meetings about cast activities. The Ambassador also travels locally and around the world, as the "Emissary of Goodwill" from the Disneyland Resort. Ambassadors may attend grand openings or special events at other Disney resorts.

A Walt Disney World Ambassador greets guests at the 999 Happy Haunts Ball.

When Ambassadors are not otherwise scheduled, they can request cross-training days, where they learn the roles of other cast members. If Ambassadors have always wanted to see what it was like to be a Jungle Cruise skipper, or to learn to pilot the Monorail, they are in a unique position to fulfill that dream.

Once their term is over, Ambassadors return to their role as Disneyland Resort cast members. While some return to their original departments, others explore the new opportunities they were exposed to as Ambassadors. Previous Ambassadors are often called on to represent the resort at major events, like the grand opening of Disney's California Adventure, to act as media hosts during press events, and to return each year as the newest Ambassador is named.

Next time you are at a special Disney event, pay particular attention to see if the Disney Ambassador is there. Whether it's Daina Baker or a future representative, the Ambassador brings a warm, friendly smile, and Walt Disney's legacy of making sure everyone feels welcome.

You can write Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix at avp@mouseplanet.com

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