‘Twas the season of giving at the Disneyland Resort, and in keeping with our annual tradition, we hope you’ll enjoy caroling about this year’s community support to the tune of “Winter Wonderland.” Happy holidays!

Community called, we were listenin’,
At the ready, our smiles a glistenin’
Bringing holiday cheer,
And donating all year,
Giving is our way at Disneyland.

We gave away – record donations,
To charities, and foundations
$13 million was contributed,
in So Cal it was distributed,
Giving is our way at Disneyland.

For the kids cast members held a toy drive,
Led by the one and only Mickey Mouse
He said: Are you giving?
We said: Yes Mick,
Thousands to the Toys-for-Tots warehouse.

Our wish program — we conspired,
By the children, we were inspired
With characters enchanted,
550 wish trips granted,
Giving is our way at Disneyland.

At a park together we built a playground,
For Anaheim children it did please
Adopt-a-Family helped 700 people,
Marine families received lots of Christmas trees.

Ticket requests, came to fruition,
For nonprofits – theme park admission
16 thousand donations,
to 4 thousand organizations,
Giving is our way at Disneyland.

The call for help, we were listenin’,
VoluntEARs workin’ and whistlin’
85 thousand hours this year,
One hundred sixty events with our gear,
Giving is our way at Disneyland.

In the schools we helped to build art programs,
About 200 grants that we gave
College aid for 10 high school seniors,
Five thousand in tuition each will save.

To volunteer, the feeling’s thrillin’,
Dreams at CHOC, we are a’ fillin’
At the CHOC Walk day,
Or holiday party to play,
Giving is our way at Disneyland.

Giving is our way at Disneyland.
Giving is our way at Disneyland.

Tagged: DLR, Holidays, VoluntEARS

Filed: Community Outreach, Disneyland Resort

This month we give a special “cheers” to Disneyland Resort sommeliers. Watch as Dondi Balisalisa, an advanced sommelier at the award-winning Napa Rose restaurant, tells us how his extensive wine knowledge helps create a magical experience for Disneyland Resort guests.

For more information on Napa Rose, check out the posts below:

• Our Favorite Nibbles With Cocktails at Disneyland Resort Lounges
• Our Favorite Dishes at Disneyland Resort
• A Toast to 10 Years and Four Diamonds for Napa Rose

Tagged: BtS, Dining, DLR, Video

Filed: Behind the Scenes, Cast Member Profiles, Disney Dining, Disneyland Resort

Last Saturday, Disney VoluntEARS celebrated National Family Volunteer Day by helping assemble 26,341 food boxes at the Orange County Food Bank for local seniors in need this holiday season.

That is 421 tons of food – a record for both the amount of food and the most food boxes assembled at the Orange County Food Bank in one day!

Created six years ago in partnership with the Disneyland Resort, the event has grown into one of the largest National Family Volunteer Day events in the country, inspiring employees from companies across Orange County to volunteer with their families.

More than 1,200 volunteers participated this year, including Disneyland Resort cast member Mary Cobb and her family, who are hard at work in this photo!

Tagged: DLR, VoluntEARS

Filed: Community Outreach, Disneyland Resort

Last week I had the opportunity to meet Nate Lord, grandson of one of Walt Disney’s “Nine Old Men,” Ward Kimball. Nate is one of our steam train engineers on the Disneyland Railroad, and perhaps by a little more than coincidence, often operates his grandpa’s namesake train – Engine #5, the Ward Kimball.

Kimball, a Disney Legend and animator who contributed to such Disney classics as “Cinderella,” “Pinocchio” and “Dumbo,” had his very own backyard railroad, and shared his love of steam trains with his grandson, Nate.

Do you credit your grandfather with your passion for steam trains?

He certainly was an influence. He lived in San Gabriel and had the first backyard steam train line, the Grizzly Flats Railroad. His second train was a wood-burning Baldwin named after my mom, Chloe, and we would often operate it together. He also had two huge rooms attached to his garage lined with train models, and in the center of each was a track layout where we would run the trains together for hours.

How did your grandfather get his Disney start?

Walt Disney was hiring at his studio and my grandpa dropped off his portfolio. He wasn’t necessarily looking to be an animator, but Walt opened his portfolio and saw this drawing of two men running, and from that one drawing Walt hired him as an animator. I think identifying talent and placing it in the right spot was something Walt was really good at.

Which Disney character do you think best showcases your grandfather’s animation skills?

Take Jiminy Cricket, for example. My grandpa had the ability to take something like a cricket and turn it into something adorable and now very iconic. There’s actually an image of Jiminy on the front of the Ward Kimball steam train and that’s very sentimental for me because my grandpa is an influence on my conscience, and that’s what Jiminy represents. I also think there’s a piece of my grandpa in each of the characters he animated, like Cheshire Cat from “Alice in Wonderland,” who has that joke-playing sensibility.

What do you like best about working at the Disneyland Resort?

Feeling like I’m in a different world when I’m out on the line. I especially love riding next to the Rivers of America, catching the Mark Twain at the right moment. It’s like being in a different time and place – like the Old West or somewhere – certainly not Orange County.

Tagged: DL, DLR

Filed: Cast Member Profiles, Disney History, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

Happy Veterans Day to all who have served in the U.S. armed forces!

Please join us today in reflecting on all of those who have helped protect our freedoms, including these Disneyland Resort cast members:

Elvia Huizar
Food & Beverage

Elvia worked at the Disneyland Resort during high school and enlisted in the Air Force after a conversation with a fellow cast member. She was stationed abroad in Germany, Korea and Kirkuk, Iraq, where she spent nearly five months serving as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Alex Leal
Security

When Alex joined the Navy he was excited about the opportunities on the horizon. Three tours later, Alex continues to passionately serve his country. A recent tour took him to Kuwait working hand-in-hand with the Army for Navy customs.

Russell Fenton
Facilities Asset Management

Inspired by the Sept. 11 attacks, Russell enlisted in the National Guard and embarked on his first overseas tour in August. He is currently on extended military leave in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, returning to work here at the Disneyland Resort next year.

Andy Grenier
Fire Protection Engineer

Andy maintains his status as a Coast Guard reservist, proudly stepping up when called upon. Last year, he was deployed to New Orleans as part of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill relief efforts.

Tagged: DLR

Filed: Disneyland Resort

It doesn’t seem like too long ago I was an Orange County third-grader.

Yeah, yeah, I guess it was a long time ago, but I never had an experience like Orange County’s third-graders did on Tuesday!

The Disneyland Resort, along with other sponsors, helped welcome nearly 15,000 Orange County third-graders to Angel Stadium for the Gift of History – the world’s largest history lesson. Guinness World Records was on hand to confirm the feat.

Disney Channel’s own Caroline Sunshine from “Shake it Up” emceed the event, with notable speakers – including Mickey Mouse – inspiring the young audience to not only learn about the history of Orange County, but to create it, too!

Tagged: DLR

Filed: Community Outreach, Disneyland Resort

With Veterans Day approaching, the Disneyland Resort is honored to celebrate the men and women who serve our country.

Last month, 12 Air Force Reserve recruits from March Air Reserve Base in Moreno Valley, Calif. were sworn in during a ceremony inside Disney California Adventure park. The event took place in Condor Flats, and following their military oath, the next generation of Airmen experienced Soarin’ Over California.

If you’re looking to celebrate Veterans Day on Friday, join us for a special flag retreat ceremony in Town Square at Disneyland park at 4:45 p.m. (weather permitting) to honor veterans, reservists and active duty members of the armed forces around the country, including those who work right here at the Disneyland Resort!

Tagged: DL, DLR

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort