New Walt Disney World Ambassadors announced for 2024-2025
It’s official! Disney cast members Serena Arvizu and Shannon Smith-Conrad will be the 2024-2025 Walt Disney World Ambassadors.
The 2024-2025 Ambassadors were announced during a special ceremony at Epcot attended by their families, coworkers, and former Disney Ambassadors. Serena and Shannon will officially begin their term in October, just in time to kick off Disney’s 100th anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World Resort.
Walt Disney World’s newest Ambassadors will also be taking over the job during an extra busy time for the company, with more projects underway in the next decade than at any time in Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products history, including the 2024 opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom, the Dec. 5, 2023 debut of “Luminous The Symphony of Us,” a new nighttime spectacular at Epcot, and (also at Epcot), the resort’s next attraction opening – Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana – opening on Oct. 16, 2023 (Disney’s official 100th anniversary).
What is a Disney Ambassador?
The Ambassador Program began in 1965 when Walt Disney named Julie Reihm the first-ever Disney Ambassador. Over the last 58 years, the program has grown to include Ambassadors representing thousands of cast members at Disney parks, resorts, and experiences worldwide.
Photo courtesy of D23
Walt Disney World Ambassadors are selected every two years. Outgoing Ambassadors Ali Manion and Raevon Redding will continue in their roles through the end of the year, helping prepare Serena and Shannon for the unique opportunity only 82 Walt Disney World cast members have experienced since the resort opened in 1971.
Meet the New Walt Disney World Ambassadors
- Serena Arvizu – Serena started her Disney journey in 2016 with the Disney College Program as a hostess at The Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World. She joins the Ambassador Team from Disney Supplier Diversity, where she has been a Sourcing Specialist since December 2020. Serena is most looking forward to shining a light on all the cast members at Walt Disney World and helping to tell their stories of making magic for guests, each other, and the community.
- Shannon Smith-Conrad – Shannon started her Disney journey in 2012 with the Disney College Program at Disneyland Resort. She joins the Ambassador Team from Professional Recruitment, where she has been a Coordinator since November 2021. With a deep passion for helping others, Shannon looks forward to bringing Disney’s magic into the community and volunteering alongside fellow cast as a Disney VoluntEAR.
Congratulations to Serena and Shannon!
For more information on the Ambassador Program, visit DisneyFlorida.com and follow @wdw.ambassador on Instagram.
