HK Disneyland and ADAHK empower young talents with disabilities to chase their dreams

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) has partnered with Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong (ADAHK) to launch a youth training programme to empower young talents with disabilities and spread the dream-making spirit among them.  

Also known as “Disney Dream Makers Youth Development Programme: Empowering Young Talents with Disabilities”, the programme aims to fund and support local artists with disabilities aged under 19, encouraging them to explore their artistic talents and creativity.  

In conjunction with Disney's 100th anniversary, HKDL will also aim to launch a new values education series as part of the Disney youth programme in late October. This series will feature the story of Walt’s life and legacy as well as the challenges and experiences of different Disney characters, aiming to enable both primary and secondary school students to better understand the values behind each story and how it can relate to their everyday lives. 

The newly appointed Disney ambassadors Beyan Tse and Gisele Abejero will be responsible for demonstrating a keen appreciation for and embodying Walt Disney’s spirit of dreaming and storytelling. They will officially assume their roles on 1 January 2024, taking on the mantle of representing cast members, sharing Disney’s inspiring stories with guests, and supporting the resort’s community work. 

The Disney Ambassador Programme dates back to 1965, when Walt Disney selected the very first Disney ambassador for the 10th anniversary of Disneyland, starting a tradition that has grown over the years at parks and resorts all around the world. Every selection year since its opening, HKDL chooses its Disney ambassadors from about 5,000 full-time cast members.

In celebration of the resort’s 18th anniversary, the park has also debuted the Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse statue, reflecting on the past 100 years of The Walt Disney Company and looking forward to what comes next.  

In the statue, Walt and Mickey are depicted as if they would have appeared in Walt’s late fifties. The park bench Walt is sitting on is modeled after a Griffith Park bench displayed in Disneyland in California, USA. 

As part of the initiative, Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel is serving Walt’s favourite foods and themed dishes through late November, aiming to evoke memories of Walt’s impact on the world of entertainment and the enduring legacy he left behind. Guests may take a moment to reflect on their vision and imagination while having food at the hotel.  

Moreover, HKDL has launched exclusive “Dream Makers" themed merchandise including a figurine, to celebrate the launch of the statue and Disney’s anniversary. 

On the other hand, HKDL will collaborate with Chow Tai Fook to launch the “Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse” commemorative gold coin in early November featuring Walt and Mickey. This coin shows their lively postures in pursuing dreams, designed using the "Dream Makers" statue as its blueprint. On the back side of the coin, the Castle of Magical Dreams is set against a backdrop.

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