On Wednesday, September 27, 2023, the Disneyland Resort held a ceremony in the Opera House on Main Street, USA to reveal who would be the 2024-2025 Ambassador Team. This comes as the current two Disneyland Resort Ambassadors, Nataly Guzman-Garcia and Mark Everett King Jr. see their two year term coming to an end. At this ceremony were over 40 former Disneyland Ambassadors, friends and family of the nominees, and also other cast members. Daps Magic was also invited to witness this special and historic event in person as well.
The ceremony began at about 4:45 PM and was hosted by the current Disneyland Resort Ambassador Team. The two shared some favorite moments during the ceremony and also honored all of the Disney Ambassadors who had come before them. Every Disneyland Resort Ambassador’s name was read, and a slide accompanied them. For those who were in attendance, they also stood to be recognized and honored with applause. Finally, it was time for one team of Ambassadors to step aside and for a new team to be revealed. This was done by Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock.
Potrock shared a few fun memories of the last two years with Nataly and Mark and a video was also shown of their time as Disneyland Ambassadors. He also shared a bit about the Ambassador program, noting that it is nearly 60 years old. It was also noted that this new team would be the 50th Ambassador team for the Disneyland Resort. The speech was funny and heartfelt. It was very clear that rapport that he had with the current Ambassador Team. This is one he also could be seen to look forward to with the new team. He shared how bright of a future each of the finalists would have before revealing who the 2024-2025 Disneyland Resort Ambassador Team would be. At this point, none of the finalist had any clue who would be walking up on the stage as the Disney Ambassadors. After a few humorous moments that stretched out the tension a little bit, Ken Potrock opened a card and revealed that the new ambassador team would be Jada Young and Raul Aquino Rojas.
“A huge congratulations to Jada and Raul,” said Ken Potrock, Disneyland Resort President. “They will do an amazing job representing our cast members and engaging our community. I can’t wait to get to work with them on so many exciting projects over the next two years – Walt’s Ambassador program is in incredible hands.”
Walt’s Ambassador program dates back to 1965 when he chose the first Disneyland Ambassador, Julie Reihm Casaletto. The new team that was announced today will officially begin their term on January 1, 2024. During the following two years, they will be representing the over 34,000 cast members across Disneyland Resort. Some of their duties will include leading cast member and community events (like CHOC Walk in the Park), sharing Disney Cast Life stories on social media, representing the Disneyland Resort to the media, and also representing The Happiest Place on Earth to the world.
“I’m thrilled to be a Disney Ambassador to represent our cast members across the resort and have the opportunity to show up as something bigger than myself,” said Young. Aquino Rojas added, “It’s an honor to be part of the ongoing legacy of the Disneyland Resort and join the historic Disney Ambassador program.”
The current Ambassador team looked back on their two year term in the role and both agreed that “it’s been a dream come true.” Mark Everett King Jr. went on to say that, “My time as a Disney Ambassador has been so rewarding. From the memories I created with fellow cast members and the legacy that Nataly and I have left on the resort… I am departing this role feeling fulfilled and accomplished.”
Nataly Guzman added “It’s surreal how the last few years have gone by so quickly, yet they feel like a lifetime. I am so proud of everything we have accomplished and how much we have been able to grow. We’re just honored we were given this opportunity, especially during the Disney100 Celebration. I can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds for us.”
Following the ceremony, a brief Q&A was held with the new Ambassador Team for those in attendance. The new team was asked a few questions to help the world get to know them. There were questions like how they were feeling now that they are Ambassadors, what their favorite attractions were, and their favorite Disney snacks to name a few.
Following the Q&A, the team had the first of what will be many pictures taken of them as they start their new chapter at the Disneyland Resort. After several pictures were taken, they were whisked away to the Main Street Fire Truck to be the honored guests in a cavalcade before Magic Happens began. This also included more photos by Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Following the cavalcade, a fun photoshoot was held in front of the Mickey Mouse topiary at Main Gate with the current and former Ambassadors. The atmosphere was celebratory as both photos and some videos were taken to celebrate the occasion.
Finally, as the event wrapped up, Jada Young and Raul Aquino Rojas returned to the Opera House for a few minutes to be interviewed by the invited media. The new Ambassadors were asked a few short questions about the process of becoming an Ambassador, how they grew through the process, what it was like to join the Ambassador community, and anything they wanted to say about each other before stepping out on this adventure together. This interview can be seen below.
In the coming years, both Jada Young and Raul Aquino Rojas will be seen in the parks by cast members and guests on random days and also at special events. Together they will represent the continuation of Walt Disney’s dream for “all who come to this happy place.” This will include both guests and cast members. Join Daps Magic in wishing them the very best. If you see them in the parks in the coming days, months, and years, be sure to say hi, wish them well, and thank them for what they do!
Below are biographies of both Jada Young and Raul Aquino Rojas. Check them out and get to know Jada and Raul a little better.
Jada Young
As a native of Long Beach, Calif., Disneyland Resort has always been a huge part of Jada Young’s upbringing. Aside from her early memories of park days with her family, one of her most memorable experiences would be the first time she got to perform with her middle school show choir at the Royal Theater in Fantasyland at Disneyland park. She anchors herself with gratitude to her village of family and friends and the sacrifices they made so she could have these opportunities.
Young’s Disney career began in 2017 at the premier tire shop of Radiator Springs, home to Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters in Cars Land. As an attractions cast member, Young’s leaders have supported her development all around the resort. Throughout the last six years, she’s held leadership roles such as Core Lead and Trainer in both attractions and Special Event Operations. She also worked with the Youth Education Series (Y.E.S.) Program as a facilitator for Disney’s Approach to Leadership and Teamwork. After returning from the resort’s closure, she was a part of the opening team of Avengers Campus and helped kick off the Disney100 celebrations as a Disney Media Rep.
Outside of work, Young cherishes her time spent with family and friends. She enjoys film, live entertainment, volunteering in her community as an advocate for youth and spending time near the ocean. Young’s application to the Disney Ambassador Program was rooted in her value for servant leadership and her hope to continue Walt’s legacy of creating a place welcome to all.
Raul Aquino Rojas
Raul Aquino Rojas was born in Zihuatanejo, Mexico and came to the U.S. when he was a year old, and grew up in Lynwood, Calif. Aquino Rojas’ childhood was filled with much laughter watching “Winnie the Pooh” and many Disney movies, and he visited Disneyland for the first time when he was 7. The fond memories he made with his family from that visit stayed with him for many years and kept the magic alive for him.
In 2019, Aquino Rojas began his Disney career as a Disney PhotoPass Photographer at Disneyland Resort. Aquino Rojas currently enjoys leading his cast both within Disney Photo Imaging and Guest Show Operations teams. In his spare time, he enjoys tapping into his creative passions through photography and writing. You can often find him on adventures hiking and camping out in nature.
Below are photos that were taken by Daps Magic during this very special event. We hope you enjoy them. What do you think of the Disneyland Resort Ambassador program? What do you think of the Disneyland Resort’s new ambassadors? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
2024-2025 Disneyland Resort Ambassador Team Ceremony
2024-2025 Disneyland Resort Ambassador Q&A
2024-2025 Disneyland Resort Ambassador Cavalcade
2024-2025 Disneyland Resort Ambassador Photos & Interviews
