I’m fortunate to meet many different Walt Disney World Resort cast members while writing stories for our internal magazine, Eyes & Ears. Recently, I spent a lot of time at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, which will mark its 20th anniversary Feb. 2.

During my research, I learned that Kyle Raser, the resort’s current manager of Guest Service Operations, had stayed there years ago when it was known as Disney’s Dixie Landings Resort.

“When I was 14 years old, I lived in Pennsylvania,” Kyle told me. “We were actually supposed to stay at a different resort but because we got so much snow up north we had to change our vacation and the only place available at the time was Dixie Landings. So we came here and fell in love with the place.”

As he explained, “We always say, ‘By chance we stayed here but by choice we stayed here every other year after that.’ My mom and the rest of the family still call it home.”

Like many of our cast members who chased childhood dreams or pursued adult ambitions, Kyle joined the company in 1997 when he moved to Florida and went to work at The Disney Store. In 1999, he became a Walt Disney World Resort cast member. He joined the Port Orleans team in April 2010, making it a kind of homecoming.

“Each night when I walk out of the resort and look back at the entrance, I can’t help but fondly remember my first visit to this place and how lucky I am to have come ‘home’ again,” Kyle said.

Nearly two decades after that first visit, he offers wise advice to the cast members he now leads.

“I always say, ‘Treat every guest like it’s 14-year-old Kyle because you never know if they’re going to come back and work here someday,’” he said. “I like to think that there may be another guest out there who, like me, will be inspired to be part of the future generation of cast members.”

Tagged: WDW

Filed: Cast Member Profiles, Hotels & Resorts, Walt Disney World Resort

Imagine having your own private event at the Disneyland Resort. Perhaps a reception in the lobby of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, an elegant dinner inside the Haunted Mansion or a gala at one of our three resort hotels. Whatever your event may be, cast members like Chris Anderson, a Disneyland Resort catering & convention services manager, can help you turn your meeting or special event into an unforgettable experience. Here’s how!

Tagged: BtS, DLR, Video

Filed: Behind the Scenes, Cast Member Profiles, 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 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

Ray Sidejas, operations manager of custodial guest services at Disneyland Resort, has been keeping “The Happiest Place on Earth” clean for 46 years. His colleagues joke that when asked about retirement, Ray would always say, “I’ll retire in two years.” Then six months or a year later, Ray would give the same response. Evidently, when Ray retired last week, those “two years” finally arrived.

We recently sat down with Ray to talk about his career. It’s obvious when speaking with him that he’s the champion of cleanliness at Disneyland Resort and my guess is Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs is making the same observation in this photo with Ray.

Did you ever see Walt Disney in the park?

Every once in a while I would and I’d think, “That is Walt sitting on a park bench and I’m going to walk right by him.” He would acknowledge the cast and say, “Good morning.” We would all say, “Good morning Mr. Disney,” because we didn’t know what else to say. It’s funny when you saw him on TV you would have an image of him always in a gray suit. To actually see him in a canary yellow sweater and brown trousers was quite surprising.

You received a Walt Disney Legacy award. What do you think your legacy will be at the Disneyland Resort?

Walt always had high standards and would say, “You have to give the guests everything that you can give them – and even surprise them; give them things they don’t expect and you will be successful.” I think my legacy will be continuing that effort.

What is one of your fondest memories from the early years of your Disney career?

Working with Club 55 members. They got their start with Walt Disney and captured his spirit by working closely with him.

Tagged: DLR

Filed: Cast Member Profiles, Disneyland Resort

In our last installment in this series, the top-rated feedback from our Disney Parks YouTube channel suggested we feature a Disneyland Resort parade performer. Well Disney Parks Blog followers, we’re listening!

In this video you’ll meet Kelly Jean, one of more than 90 live performers who bring Mickey’s Soundsational Parade to life inside Disneyland park. The parade features nine floats, with Kelly contributing to the giant jam session as a cymbal dancer in the Aladdin unit.

I must admit I’ve never thought about how much preparation goes into this role until we began this production. I suppose it’s because every time I see this parade the characters are so believable and the performances so polished that it’s never even crossed my mind.

I hope you’ll enjoy this look into the steps before step off. Truly, Kelly is a “cymbal” of Disney magic.

Want to meet more cast members from around Disneyland Resort? Take a look at the posts below:

• Every Role a Starring Role – Maintaining Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland Resort
• Every Role a Starring Role – Disneyland Resort Nurses
• Every Role a Starring Role – Inside the Custodial Guest Services Role at Disneyland Resort

Tagged: BtS, DL, DLR, Video

Filed: Behind the Scenes, Cast Member Profiles, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

The hot days of summer are here and though we love basking in our glorious California sun, our cast members already have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads!

That’s right, with 157 days left, holiday preparations have begun at Disneyland Resort. We recently checked in on the talented artists from the Resort Enhancement team who have started working on the detailed decorations that will create a winter wonderland for guests later this year.

Check out this video to meet Dave Caranci and see how the Resort Enhancement team is getting ready for our merriest time of year!

Tagged: DLR, Video

Filed: Cast Member Profiles, Disneyland Resort