2005 Tokyo Disney Resort Ambassador Selected

On October 7, Tomoko Nishikawa was annouced as the 2005 Tokyo Disney Resort Ambassador. "When I heard my name, I trembled in disbelief, but soon, I could picture happy faces of my family and I was gradually filled with joy, " said the 23-year-old Hotel MiraCosta cast member.

Disney's Ambassador program began in 1965, when Walt Disney selected Julie Reihm as “Miss Disneyland Tencennial.�? Every year since then a new Ambassador has been selected at Disneyland. The tradition was extended to Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris in their inaugural years. As part of their duties, the Ambassador represents their resort through a variety of activities including appearing in parades, on television and radio and will often serve host to special visitors. The Ambassador program was founded by Cicely Rigdon. Her service to this long-standing program is celebrated in her window on Disneyland's Main Street, which reads, "Ambassador Finishing School - Cicely Rigdon - Instructor"

As the 2005 Ambassador-elect Tomoko Nishikawa will receive around 3 months of training before stepping into her duties for one year starting January 1, 2005 and continuing through December 31, 2005. Ms. Nishikawa was selected from approximately 150 applicants. This year, in addition to cast members working at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, cast members from Disney Hotels and Disney Resort Line applied for the role. "I am extremely honored to be the first Tokyo Disney Resort Ambassador-elect chosen among cast members working at Disney Hotels," said Ms. Nishikawa.

In her role as the 2005 Tokyo Disney Resort Ambassador, Tomoko Nishikawa looks forward to sharing "the charms of Tokyo Disney Resort" with people all over Japan including those who may not have had the opportunity to visit.

--Posted October 22, 2004
written by Rebekah Moseley