When Magic Kingdom celebrated its 40th anniversary on Saturday, October 1, AllEars.Net had a chance to both attend the ceremony held in front of Cinderella Castle, and also to interview a number of current and former cast members, including several who have been with Walt Disney World since opening day, October 1, 1971.
Pictured from left above:
Chris Beatty – Senior Concept Designer-Director (Fantasyland Expansion), Walt Disney Imagineering. (See our interview with Chris talking about Fantasyland construction HERE.)
Charlie Ridgway – former Director of Walt Disney World Public Relations, Disney Legend and author.
Forrest Bahruth – Epcot Show Director, Walt Disney World Resort – 40 Years!
Heather Will-Brown – Horticulture Area Manager, Walt Disney World Resort – 40 Years!
Darlene Kennedy – Creative Costuming, Walt Disney World Resort – 40 Years!
Kevin Myers – Vice President Resort Operations – 40 Years!
Today we feature an interview with Darlene Kennedy, Manager Creative Costuming Walt Disney World, who was wearing a red polyester pantsuit and a Coca-Cola hat as a server at the Tomorrowland Terrace on opening day. Darlene says she was able to watch Roy O. Disney take part in the pageantry along Main Street U.S.A.
“We could see all the balloons going up and could hear the opening ceremony,” Darlene notes with a smile.
Darlene has since spent her career in Disney Entertainment, coordinating parades, shows and Disney Character activities.
It is so nice to hear about opening day cast members. Have you ever met Earliene Anderson? She is an opening day team member who now works at the Contemporary Resort in the Fantasia Market. She is a lovely woman. We always look for her when we visit. We got to see her this past Tuesday. We wished her a happy 40th anniversary!
Hi Deb,
Thank you for sharing this delightful interview. Darlene is one very special cast member!
Darlene mentioned that little boys sometime like the Disney Princess’ too and my 5 year old
grandson just came back from a WDW visit and he told me he loves Belle!