Disney Castmembers Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries

ANAHEIM, CA —In 2019, 1,700 cast and their guests enjoyed delicious food offerings at Disney Festival of Holidays inside Disney California Adventure park during the Service Celebration. Treated as guests, the castmembers spent a special evening of Disney magic, enjoying holiday entertainment, character and photo opportunities, access to favorite attractions and a special presentation of the "World of Color" nighttime spectacular that projected cast members' faces on the water show screens.

Bonnie Elliott, a silhouette artist at Disneyland's Silhouette Studio on Main Street, celebrated her milestone year at the castmember party.

Elliott's profession is one of the time-honored traditions for guests of Disneyland Resort is to visit the Silhouette Studio on Main Street and wonder at the artistry of silhouette artists, such as Bonnie Elliott. It takes years to develop the skills necessary to see the outline, to manage the black paper, and find the visage of small children, parents, and grandparents within.

"Celebrating our cast is a big part of the Disneyland Resort experience," a spokesperson for the resort said. "Each year, Disneyland Resort cast members who have dedicated ten years of Disney service, and every fifth milestone anniversary after that, are treated to an exclusive celebration inside the theme parks. Where else can you do that?

At Disney California Adventure Park, of course.

"The premise of Disneyland is happiness," Elliott said. "I never feel like going to work is a chore. I go from one happy experience to another, and to be honored with an exclusive party in a theme park is evidence of that."

Along with Elliott, 80 attendees celebrated 40 or more years of Disney service, including Mike Larson of custodial guest services, who is currently the longest-tenured cast member working at the resort with 55 years of service.

Those cast members were honored with a special reception at Carthay Circle Restaurant with Disneyland Resort President Rebecca Campbell.

"I am so thankful for all of the years of service that our cast members bring to work each day," said Rebecca. "And I'm even more proud to honor them as we celebrate their commitment and dedication to making the Disneyland Resort the Happiest Place on Earth."