Via-DisneyParksBlog
As the sun set behind Cinderella Castle, Magic Kingdom Park’s gates closed early two nights this month to welcome some very important guests into the park for a private event – our cast members! And, these cast members have a lot to celebrate, too – they are being honored for their many years of service at Walt Disney World Resort. From 10 to 50 years with our company, these cast were treated to a night of food, family and plenty of fun at this year’s Walt Disney World Service Celebrations!
Energy levels were high as cast member honorees entered Magic Kingdom Park to experience a celebration full of EARidescent magic. After walking down a Main Street, U.S.A. full of adoring fans, cast honorees enjoyed buffet tables in each of the themed lands full of all-you-can eat entrees, “Legendary Shrimp” and delicious 50th Anniversary desserts. Characters of all kinds (78, to be exact!) surprised honorees with greetings throughout the park, and live DJs and bands made sure to keep the beat pumping – featuring some tracks from Walt Disney World’s 50-year history. Towards the end of the evening, honorees enjoyed a special presentation of “Disney Enchantment” complete with a surprise pre-show featuring beloved firework theme songs from “Wishes” and “Happily Ever After.”
The biggest highlight of the evening was watching the joy on each cast member’s face as they were able to celebrate their achievements with their loved ones. Take Kenethia Watts, for example. A 10-year cast member, she celebrated her very first Service Celebration this month with her mother by her side.
“As a single parent, my mom continually found ways to fill our childhood home on Basin Street, Pensacola with love, support and the unwavering encouragement that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to,” Kenethia explained. “As we watched the stunning fireworks during my Service Celebration, she looked at me and said, ‘Just think…from Basin Street to Main Street, U.S.A.!’ And that moment was so special for the both of us.”
A Service Celebration is an event by cast members, for cast members, and it was an evening full of appreciation and gratitude for all magic makers. Want to take a look at this EARidescent event? Watch the video below!
