Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland bid farewell to the first group of its 500 Cultural Representatives at Hong Kong International Airport today as they embarked on a training program at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
The Cultural Representatives represent the largest group of Cast Members (Disney's term for employees) in Disney's history to be sent to another Disney theme park to train in their roles before opening a brand new park. The program is an opportunity for Hong Kong Disneyland's first generation of cast members to be immersed in the magical Disney culture while sharing their own Chinese customs and traditions with Walt Disney World guests.
The program will play an important part in Hong Kong Disneyland's cast member training process, and supports the company's philosophy that its people are its most important asset.
As Walt Disney himself once said: "You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place in the world but it requires people to make the dream a reality."
"Hong Kong Disneyland is proud to be providing this invaluable training opportunity for the people of Hong Kong. The Cultural Representative program demonstrates our commitment to being an employer of choice that offers tremendous opportunities for career development," said Greg Wann, Hong Kong Disneyland Vice President, Human Resources.
"It highlights our magical Disney culture - 'the Disney Difference' - that stresses the importance of guest service training, and which has become the cornerstone of our Disney parks," said Wann.
Upon returning to Hong Kong in the summer, the Cultural Representatives will be offered the opportunity to become permanent Hong Kong Disneyland cast members, and will create history as the first generation to spread magic throughout Hong Kong, China and beyond.
The 500 Cultural Representatives were carefully selected out of 5,000 applications with the ability to convey the Disney passion a key requirement.
Strong communication skills, an excellent guest service attitude together with a strong Disney passion were also important criteria in making the selection.
While in Orlando, the Cultural Representatives will have the opportunity to work in various facets of Walt Disney World's hospitality and entertainment businesses, including merchandise, food & beverage, Park operations, custodial and hotels.
The program's completely immersive approach will allow the Cultural Representatives to fully experience the legendary Disney guest service and Disney quality standards.
"The magical Disney culture inspired me to join Hong Kong Disneyland and I am looking forward to bringing the Disney guest service culture to Hong Kong after I complete the Cultural Representative program in the summer. This is definitely a unique training opportunity for me!" said Jolland Chung Hin-lun, one of the Cultural Representatives who will play a role in the operations of Walt Disney World.
"I am excited and proud to be among the first 500 Cultural Representatives to experience the Disney culture in Orlando and I look forward to meeting guests from all over the world and being part of the Disney family," said Jaime Chan Lai-yin, who will bring magic to guests in the merchandize section at Walt Disney World.
What I do is kick them in the pants with a diamond buckled shoe!
~~Aileen Mehle~~
