Continuing Walt’s Legacy: Cast Members Honored at West Coast Walt Disney Legacy Award Celebration

Originally published at Disney Parks News

Dream. Create. Inspire. These three words are at the heart of the Walt Disney Legacy Award. The highest honor given by Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products to those who embody the legacy of Walt Disney himself. Earlier this month, 166 cast members, Imagineers, crew members, and employees were celebrated at the 2022 West Coast Legacy Award Banquet.

Recipients from California, Hawaii, Texas, Colorado, and everywhere in between came to the Disneyland Resort to celebrate this recognition. An award for which they were nominated by their peers. For being what Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock referred to as, “The best of the best.”

“You bring a can-do attitude, which creates a can-do culture,” Ken said at the Disneyland Hotel ceremony on Jan. 11. “That has a ripple effect across the entire organization.”

Cast members were greeted in style with a red-carpet entrance before being treated to dinner and a show with special performances from Disney on Broadway stars Josh Strickland and Kissy Simmons. To top it off, Jodi Benson, the original voice of Ariel in “The Little Mermaid,” performed a set of some of her favorite Disney songs.

As recipients mingled with peers, leaders, and loved ones. They were celebrated for the influence, positivity, and elements of Walt’s legacy that they bring to work every day. “These are special people,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. “That blue nametag that these cast members are going to be walking around with is pretty powerful. And the world knows what that means.”

Walt created a place where cast, crew, employees and Imagineers can dream, create and inspire others through storytelling and innovation;. His legacy lives on through those who continue to share the magic every day.