In this “Every Role a Starring Role,” we’ll zoom in on Disney PhotoPass Photographer Savina Hernandez, who is on the other side of the lens to talk about Disney PhotoPass Service and her experience capturing guest memories at the Disneyland Resort!
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Earth Month may be wrapping up, but keeping the Disneyland Resort landscape fresh and maintained is a year-round operation! In this installment of “Every Role a Starring Role,” cast member Greg Vierkant explains how he helps every inch of Disneyland Resort horticulture look “show ready” through careful planning!
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Radiator Springs Racers recently embarked on its millionth trip through Radiator Springs, thanks in part to cast members like Joe Shanahan, who helps maintain the ride vehicles. Hear from Joe about his role as an electrician for the attraction in this installment of “Every Role a Starring Role!”
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With 25,000 cast members, it’s no surprise that many find true love while working at the Disneyland Resort. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating two of these couples here on the Disney Parks Blog!
Andrew Salter and Alyssa Allinson met in 2008. The couple worked together at their favorite attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean. Just like Alyssa’s parents, they had their first date at Disneyland park, and even shared their first kiss in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Andrew said, “Over the course of the next four years, I decided I wanted to marry her. I was just having so much fun. I started brainstorming how to ask.” On October 17, 2012, Andrew made arrangements to bring Alyssa to the Disneyland Dream Suite for the first time, where he popped the question. They plan to get married in August.
Nick and Diane Filippone first met in Fantasyland in 1999, when Diane was an attraction hostess and Nick was working in training and development. Their paths crossed again when they helped prepare for the opening of Disney California Adventure park. The couple married in 2004, and walked into their wedding reception to the soundtrack for Soarin’ Over California. Now, they have two little girls, Sarah and Amanda, who love riding Storybook Land Canal Boats and have Nick remind them that, “Mommy used to do that.” After nearly 13 happy years together, Nick and Diane agree that the Disneyland Resort truly is a place where dreams come true.
Did you know that the Disneyland Kennel Club opened as the Ken-L Land Pet Motel on January 18, 1958? Participating in the opening ceremonies were Old Yeller’s son, Duke, and Kevin Corcoran, the youthful star of the film who would become a Disney Legend. If you’ve ever boarded your pets at the Disneyland Kennel Club while visiting the Disneyland Resort, you may remember Ginny Bullock, who will tell you about her role as a Disneyland Kennel Club attendant in this installment of Every Role a Starring Role!
Disneyland Resort entertainment host Alex Nguyen accompanies Disney characters while they interact with guests, making her one lucky cast member! In this installment of Every Role a Starring Role, Alex will explain the responsibilities of her role as an entertainment host, and what it’s like spending so much time with Mickey and his pals.
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When California Grill closes in late January for renovations, Yoshie has decided it’s time to take a break – the job of sushi chef involves many long hours of standing, and Yoshie says she’s ready to sit for a while.
She started at the California Grill back in 1995 when she convinced the chef to add sushi to the menu. And at the time, Yoshie was one of a handful of female sushi chefs in the U.S. “They said the temperature of a woman’s hands is too high to handle fresh fish,” says Yoshie with a shrug. But Yoshie proved the critics wrong as she created delectable sushi for a legion of fans.
Though we’ll miss Yoshie, sushi will stay on the menu, says Chef Brian Piasecki, with Yoshie’s protégés carrying on her work.
5 Questions With Yoshie
What is your favorite sushi to make?
My favorite sushi to make is actually a roll that is on the menu right now – it’s called the Dragon Roll and consists of two types of tuna, tempura shrimp, cucumber and red peppers topped with tobiko (flying fish roe). It is one of my favorites because it looks so beautiful and is truly an artful presentation.
Do you have a favorite moment from all your years at California Grill?
There have been so many over the past 17 years! One that stands out was just a few years ago when a woman came to the California Grill with her family and she was celebrating her 78th birthday. She was fascinated by what I was doing and came over and visited me. I asked her what her favorite type of sushi was and she said that she has never eaten sushi before! That was the perfect cue for me to make her something special to enjoy for her birthday. She was absolutely thrilled and couldn’t believe that she had gone her entire 78 years without enjoying this amazing culinary treat. It was very special to see her reaction and to have her experience this for the first time here at the California Grill.
A funny moment from your years at California Grill?
Probably one of the funniest stories was when I was serving a California roll to a guest and the gentleman actually though that the green wasabi (Japanese horseradish) on his plate was guacamole. Boy, was he surprised, but it was too late because he put the whole green ball in his mouth. He was okay, thank goodness, and we both got a great laugh afterwards.
What’s your favorite meal to cook at home?
I love having the whole family at home for a meal, and one of my favorite dishes to cook is a large pork roast that I can hand-shred for the whole family – along with homemade eggrolls.
What’s next?
I just want to be able to relax and enjoy spending time with my family, my husband, three children and all 10 grandchildren.
Happy Halloween, Disney Parks Blog! On a stormy Halloween night in 1939, a bellhop and four others stepped aboard a Hollywood Tower Hotel elevator and into the fifth dimension. To mark the anniversary of their disappearance, Disneyland Resort cast member Bryan Higashi will tell you about his role hosting guests at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, whenever they drop in!
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