Hong Kong Disneyland Resort appoints new Ambassadors to continue diversity and inclusion efforts

September 10, 2021

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort has appointed Lily Chan and Tony Dick as its new 2022-2023 Ambassadors, marking the first time for the resort to appoint two cast members and a non-Chinese cast member in the coveted position.

On the back of the pandemic’s impacts and the new norm of operating with flexibility and agility, the pair are at the forefront of Hong Kong Disneyland’s continued diversity and inclusion efforts in true Disney spirit.

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Managing Director, Michael Moriarty enthused “I’m thrilled to see us breaking from the resort’s traditional practices and appointing two cast members as our ninth Ambassadors. Chan and Dick are a great representation of the diversity in cultures, languages, personalities and expertise among our cast member family as well as the resort’s commitment to building an inclusive culture. I truly believe they will complement one another and bring more hopes and possibilities to our cast members, community and beyond.”

Ambassador-elect Chan was born and raised in Hong Kong, and likely shares a similar story with many other girls in the city. A good student at school., Chan later worked as a part-time cast member at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort while completing her degree at the Education University of Hong Kong. Upon graduating, she continued her career in Human Resources department Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, but at the same time found her true spark of magic through her continued work among the local community.

Chan explains “some of my favourite Disney memories are from participating in Disney VoluntEARS services. During the pandemic for example, we worked together to create a series of 30-minute TV programs for Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, delivering happiness to the young patients even across the screen at a time when we needed to think outside of the box.

“While I am thrilled to be an official Ambassador, I hope that every cast member can also be an ambassador when it comes to caring about the resort and also our local community.”

If Chan represents the story of a typical girl here in Hong Kong, then Dick’s story represents another side of the resort’s story. Originally from South Africa, Dick studied Computer Science and Applied Mathematics at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, but due to personal family reasons, he was unable to finish his course. He went on to find his true passion in performing arts, with his talents eventually landing him a position in Entertainment and Costuming department at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in 2014. As a professional performer and singer, Dick has participated in the latest castle stage show ‘Follow Your Dreams’ along with the Halloween musical ‘Let’s Get Wicked’ and the classic ‘Festival of the Lion King’.

Dick shares “although I was forced to give up one dream, in truth it opened up a door for me to pursue another. There was joy and sadness, but perseverance always leads to success no matter what your dream is. I’ve found a second home in Hong Kong and at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.”

With each Ambassador having different backgrounds, stories and experiences, Chan and Dick share the most important commonality – the Disney dream. They have both grown together with the resort and will have the opportunity to bring their unique characteristics into their roles as Ambassadors. With the spirit of diversity and inclusion at the forefront of their mission, the pair hope to spark fresh joy and excitement as the resort looks to continue serving as a key icon for Hong Kong’s tourism industry. At the same time, the resort’s continued efforts in serving the local community will remain a crucial aspect of the Ambassador program as Chan and Dick take up their positions on 1^st January.

The Disney Ambassador program dates to 1965 when Walt Disney selected the very first Ambassador for the 10th anniversary of Disneyland, starting a tradition that has grown with Ambassadors now at parks and resorts all around the world. Every selection year, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort elects its Ambassador from more than 5,000 full-time cast members. Acting as the representative of the resort and cast members, the Ambassador – or in this case Ambassadors – participates in various community services, such as Disney VoluntEARS activities, to bring the unique magic of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort to communities in need and share the positive energy of Disney. The Ambassador is also responsible for hosting guests from all around the world, organising and participating in different events and bringing cast together with the shared purpose of capturing the Disney magic in Hong Kong.

Mobile app gives the latest updates
The Hong Kong Disneyland mobile app keeps guests informed of all the excitement at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, from operating hours to entertainment schedules. Use the GPS-enabled map to make every moment count, by finding your way around the park, making reservations for park restaurants or by checking wait times for each attraction. Magic Access members can also view membership privileges, designed to make your visit even more magical.

Download the Hong Kong Disneyland mobile app for free: iOS users: itunes.apple.com/app/id1077550649; Android users: goo.gl/ZbHHbP

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