June 16, 2016. The gates of Shanghai Disney Resort swung open for the very first time — and the world got a brand-new Disney destination unlike anything it had ever seen. But behind the dazzling spectacle and the smiling first guests was a remarkable team of Disney cast members who had traveled thousands of miles to help make it all happen.
They came from different Disney parks and experiences around the world. They left behind their everyday roles, packed their suitcases, and travelled across continents to be part of something historic: the Opening Task Force Team — a handpicked group of experienced Disney cast members assembled to help Shanghai Disney Resort launch with the heart, heritage, and magic that defines Disney.
Their stories remind us that Disney parks aren’t just built with steel and imagination — they’re built with heart, dedication, and the kind of magic that only cast members can create. Happy 10th Anniversary, Shanghai Disney Resort!
Hannah Black
Hannah, a Disneyland Resort cast member, thought she was heading to Shanghai as a costumer. She was — but the adventure turned out to be so much bigger than she ever imagined.
“I had the time of my life opening Shanghai Disneyland!” she exclaimed. “The camaraderie of living abroad with fellow expats gave me friendships I will have for the rest of my life. The fun thing about working on the Task Force for a new theme park is never knowing what roles you’ll be thrown into out of necessity — I thought I was there as a costumer, and so I was, but I also helped out as an Entertainment Costuming Operations manager, and I learned the logistics for shipping costumes into the country!”
Her specific role? Costumer for Eye of the Storm: Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular — a show featuring an actual wind tunnel that lets performers fly onstage. And she’ll never forget the day former Disney CEO Bob Iger and fellow executives came to preview it:
“We had the opportunity to show off costumes and stunts — they smiled and nodded throughout. Then came the wind tunnel. When they saw a performer fly on the stage for the first time, everyone in the house went from ‘professional executives’ to ‘teens screaming on a thrill ride.’ We all cheered, screamed, and high-fived. I remember thinking, I wished everyone at the Resort was able to see the faces of these executives — the pure joy and excitement from something we all worked so hard to make a reality.”
Michael Pelozuelo
For Disneyland Paris cast member Michael Pelozuelo, the Shanghai Disney Resort opening was years in the making — and the realization of a long-held dream.
A 17-year Disney cast member, he first heard about the project in 2009 while working as a junior publicist at Disneyland Paris and immediately set his sights on being part of it. In 2016, that dream became reality when he joined the Task Force as a Red Carpet Producer, relocating to Shanghai for two months to produce celebrity red carpets for the Grand Opening events.
“From day one, what made the experience unforgettable was the people,” Michael said. “Working alongside colleagues from China, Florida, California, and Hong Kong created an energy that was both inspiring and deeply enriching.”
One of his proudest moments came during the opening night of The Lion King Broadway production, where he brought a touch of his Cannes roots to the celebration.
“We designed the final photocall on the grand staircase leading up to the theater, transforming the moment into something truly cinematic and iconic,” he shared. “Standing there at the end of the night, celebrating with the teams, felt absolutely magical.”
Today, Michael continues to tell Disney stories through a new lens as a photographer for Communications at Disneyland Paris — and carries those memories with him.
“These are moments I’ll cherish forever — and I’d love nothing more than to be part of another opening one day. You never know what magic lies ahead.”
Frank Reifsnyder
Walt Disney Imagineering’s Frank Reifsnyder arrived in Shanghai in early January 2016 for a six-month stay with a very specific mission: help the resort’s communications team transition from pre-opening mode to post-opening operations. With nearly 15 years’ experience at Disney at the time (he is celebrating 25 this July!), he brought deep expertise to the assignment.
“I was tasked with helping the resort’s communications team transition from a pre-opening to a post-opening communications team,” Reifsnyder explained. “I also assisted with giving park tours to key stakeholders and media and being a communications liaison between Walt Disney Imagineering and SHDR Communications.”
The result? A deeply meaningful chapter in his Disney career: “It was a fantastic experience. I learned a lot about China, got to know the entire resort thoroughly, and made lifelong friends both from the Task Force team and from Shanghai Disney Resort. I have been back several times since, and it’s great to see that many of the same team I worked with 10 years ago are still working at Shanghai Disney Resort.”
Tarra Valcourt
Sometimes the most magical moments aren’t the grand spectacles — they’re the tiny, heartwarming ones you never see coming. Tarra Valcourt, who has been with Disney for 22 years, and went to Shanghai as an Attractions Area Manager, will never forget one little girl in Fantasyland who stole the show on opening day.
“We were taking a team picture in Fantasyland and a little girl came up and just started waving at all of us,” the Walt Disney World cast member remembers. “It was so precious, and her parents could not convince her to leave the spot because all she wanted to do was wave at us. It was a great reminder of why we do what we do!”
Ronald Tam
A 16-year Disney cast member, Ronald Tam joined the Shanghai Disney Resort Opening Task Force from Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, supporting guest experiences during the park’s earliest days.
Even the simplest moments could bring unexpected challenges — and lasting memories.
“One moment that stands out was guiding guests to Club 33. At the time, we weren’t entirely sure of the way ourselves — but we worked together and made sure they arrived where they needed to go.”
Looking back, it’s a moment that reflects the spirit of the Opening Task Force: cast members supporting one another, adapting in real time, and always putting the guest experience first.
Jayson Savickas
Walt Disney World Cast Member Jayson Savickas spent three months in China as a Security Manager, helping establish several of Security’s specialized teams — and came home a changed person. With 28 years at Disney, the experience didn’t just shape his career; it sparked a lifelong passion for Disney park exploration.
“This was my first experience being across the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans, on top of training and developing cast with little experience in their culture,” Jayson shared. “Everyone I met with the Task Force Team and those at Shanghai Disneyland were incredible and taught me so much. Many of the leaders took us out to experience the temples, museums, and food — including my first Peking Duck!”
And the impact hasn’t faded one bit: “Thanks to this experience, it gave me the motivation to travel to other Disney parks and actually visit all of them. Still to this day, I stay in contact with several members from Shanghai Disneyland and the Task Force, and I recently returned to SHDR back in March 2026 to visit with several cast.”
Rodney Penson
With nearly 35 years of Disney magic under his belt, Rodney Penson knows a career-defining moment when he sees one — and Shanghai was it.
“It was just a wonderful experience,” the Walt Disney World cast member, who was invited overseas to play the role of Security Leader, said. “Being selected for the Opening Team, seeing the beauty of Shanghai Disneyland, and working with many leaders and cast members to help make the dream a reality — I will always cherish my time in Shanghai!”
Scott Line
Ask Scott Line to pick just one memory from Shanghai, and you’ll get a laugh — because there are simply too many. But one moment rises above them all for the Disneyland Resort Cast Member who was invited to Shanghai as a lead visual effects artist:
“Most memorable of all was watching the reactions of the very first crowd to see the opening of our firework spectacular, ‘Ignite the Dream,'” he recalled. “The smiling faces — and some weeping because it was their first time ever seeing something at such a grandiose scale. I’ll never forget the positive reaction and reception from the fans and how much it meant to them, bringing not only a memorable nighttime spectacular, but a park for them.”
Michael Weyand
What started as a simple two-week trip turned into a two-month adventure that forged bonds lasting a decade. Michael, a 19-year Disney cast member, was invited to assist with audio systems — and quickly became indispensable.
“When I was first given the opportunity to join the project, it was a simple two-week trip to oversee and complete the audio system programming of the Mickey Mouse greeting location,” the Disney Live Entertainment cast member recalled. “Upon completion of that work, I stepped in and helped program and commission the castle stage audio system. Little did I know that the assistance I provided that team ended up earning another seven weeks in Shanghai!”
But it wasn’t just the work that left a lasting impression — it was the people: “One of my most memorable parts of my time in Shanghai was the people I was able to work with, and the professional bonds that have only been strengthened over the years. The work was hard and the days were long, but on opening day, seeing all of the guests enjoying the hard work of so many — and 10 years later, friendships still intact — the hard work was worth it!”
Wendy Ruth
For Wendy, a 28-year Disney cast member from Disney Live Entertainment, opening Shanghai Disneyland was the culmination of years of creative collaboration — and a powerful lesson in connection.
Invited to serve as a Creative Director, she spent four months in the field working with three different creative teams alongside a highly skilled technical crew, all working toward a shared goal: creating experiences that would truly resonate with Shanghai guests.
“What an incredible experience it was, opening Shanghai Disneyland!” Wendy shared. “The culmination of six years’ effort was four months in the field, working with three different creative teams and a hardworking crew of technical wizards. Each team was a blend of local and international cast members, working hard to make magic and build understanding.”
Ensuring authenticity and cultural resonance was top of mind throughout development: “We thought carefully about whether our shows would resonate with Shanghai guests. It was important to have local writers and directors involved in development and rehearsals with the cast — making sure we were respecting the culture while successfully presenting our storytelling and capturing guest interest.”
One moment, in particular, captured that success in a deeply meaningful way. During Tai Chi with Character in the Gardens of Imagination — affectionately known as “Donald Tai Chi” — Wendy and her team held their breath.
“At one point in the show, Donald creates his own tai chi moves — and we wondered, would this resonate?” she recalled. “Then, a grandmother stepped forward from the crowd and — very seriously — began to imitate Donald’s moves. One by one, more guests joined in alongside the characters.”
The response said everything: “The show didn’t have a confetti burst or a big musical finale, but it created a shared moment — and that made it a true success for our team.”
Keith Beaver
A 32-year Disney cast member, Keith joined the project about three months before opening, supporting the deployment and implementation of FASTPASS multi-selection kiosks across the park.
“When I think back to Shanghai, I don’t just remember launching a system — I remember watching a park rise from dirt and knowing I played a small part in bringing it to life,” he shared.
The work was deeply hands-on from day one: “Those months were as hands-on as it gets — walking active construction sites, confirming kiosks were delivered and installed correctly, setting up hardware, and making sure everything was running exactly as designed.” He also helped lead pre-opening testing to ensure the system was ready for guests: “Knowing these kiosks would be part of a guest’s first experience in the park made the work feel even more meaningful.”
What made the experience truly unforgettable, though, was the people. “I had the opportunity to reconnect with long-time partners from Walt Disney World and Disneyland — people I had worked with for over 20 years — while also sharing our knowledge with a brand-new local team in Shanghai. It was a unique blend of history and new beginnings.”
Living abroad for nearly three months gave him a front-row seat to transformation: “I got to see the park evolve in real time — from dirt, to structures, to a fully realized place filled with energy. I experienced previews, walked the park daily, and watched everything come together piece by piece.”
One moment, in particular, stands out. “The cast photo was when it really hit me. I was there with my peer — and still teammate today — Steven, along with my long-time ticketing partner Dawn Zappitello. Standing there, I realized I hadn’t just supported a system — I had helped bring part of the guest experience to life.”
Alongside the professional milestones were deeply personal moments — celebrating milestones with colleagues and honoring friendships that remain meaningful today.
Looking back, the takeaway is simple: “I’m incredibly proud — of the work, the team, and the experience as a whole. More than anything, I’m grateful — for the people, the trust, and the chance to be part of something so special.”
Stephane Cunnac
For Disneyland Paris cast member Stéphane Cunnac, the Shanghai Disney Resort opening was made special by the people he met along the way.
Supporting the Events and Press team during the Grand Opening, he helped recruit, train, and manage hundreds of press representatives supporting more than 800 media outlets on site.
“Although there was a lot of pressure to prepare the Grand Opening, I mostly remember the people we met and worked with,” Stéphane shared. “We were told communication might be difficult due to cultural differences, but we found the opposite. Everyone was so invested — we worked seamlessly, and even found ways to joke and have fun together.”
One standout moment came through an innovative solution from the local team. “Since it wasn’t possible to recruit enough representatives to support every outlet in person, our Chinese cast members developed a system using WeChat,” he explained. “A single press rep could support a small group of media — sharing schedules, answering questions, and managing requests in real time.”
The result was both simple and effective: “I was amazed at how clever, smooth, and efficient it turned out to be.”
Reyna Martin
For Costumer Reyna Martin, the Shanghai Disney Resort opening meant stepping into one of the most challenging — and rewarding — moments of her career.
A 26-year Disney cast member, Reyna arrived in Shanghai eager to help bring the new park to life, quickly immersing herself in a new culture and way of working.
One challenge stood out. Just weeks before opening, the Tarzan gorilla costumes proved too heavy for performers to execute their acrobatics. “We realized the costumes were far too heavy, and the performers couldn’t move the way they needed to,” Reyna says.
With no time to rebuild, she proposed a solution: trim every costume by hand.
“I tested trimming the fringe from five inches to two, and it worked. Then we had to do the remaining 299,” she recalls.
With a small team, they worked long days to complete the task — ensuring the show opened on time. “It was an overwhelming amount of work, but it’s something I’m still proud of today,” Reyna said. “I still carry a piece of the gorilla fringe with me — it reminds me that if I can get through trimming 300 costumes, I can get through anything.”
Lito Morona
For Lito Morona, a 32-year Walt Disney World veteran, opening day at Shanghai Disney Resort stands alone as the single greatest highlight of his career.
“I was helping with crowd control on opening day, June 16, 2016, and was honored to welcome the very first guests into the park,” Lito remembers. “It was an unforgettable experience to see so many smiling faces — many experiencing the magic of Disney for the very first time. Opening the park was definitely the highlight of my Disney career, and I look forward to seeing many familiar friends when I return for the 10-year reunion this summer.”
Du Hongjin
Helping shape the very first impressions of Shanghai Disney Resort cast members was no small task — and for this Disney University team member, it meant building something entirely new from the ground up.
Stationed on the Disney University team leading the new hire Traditions experience, they helped create a fully functioning satellite campus offsite — transforming an abandoned school into a welcoming and magical space for new cast members.
“Every day, hundreds of new hires would come in, and we would be the first people to welcome them to the company and get them excited,” she shares. “We worked out all the operational details and partnered closely with many teams to bring the experience to life.”
The scale — and the impact — was extraordinary: “Before the grand opening, there was the pep rally where all Opening Team cast members gathered on Mickey Avenue, and we were really proud to see our impact. We trained 10,000 cast members in four months, and they were all ready for the grand opening!”
Jacklyn Grimault
Sometimes, the most meaningful stories from Shanghai Disney Resort aren’t just about opening a park — they’re about building a life.
For Walt Disney World cast member Jaclyn Grimault, a 21-year Disney veteran, the experience became something even more personal. While living in Shanghai and supporting hotels and Task Force teams across Front Office, Housekeeping, and Recreation, she met a fellow Task Force leader from Disneyland Paris — completely by chance.
“While living in Shanghai, I met a Task Force leader from Disneyland Paris, Marc, at a St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl outside of work,” she shares. “After meeting, we started dating, supported the opening of the resort, and then continued dating long-distance before getting married.”
Today, that once-in-a-lifetime assignment has turned into a lifelong partnership: “We just celebrated nine years of marriage this March!”