Ever wondered what it’s like to work for Mickey Mouse himself? For Gisele Abejero, it has been a dream come true for over 17 years now. In a quick chit-chat with select Philippine press members during the media preview of Hong Kong Disneyland’s latest attraction, World of Frozen, Gisele tells all about the daily life of working for the magical place.

“I’ve been working here in Hong Kong Disneyland for over 17 years,” beams Gisele. Through those years, she has performed in several of the park’s musical shows including Festival of the Lion King, The Golden Mickeys, and Mickey and the Wondrous Book.

To land such a role, Gisele had to audition to be a part of Disney’s cast members. “I grew up with Disney, watching cartoons. When they had auditions, I auditioned for Hong Kong Disneyland in the Philippines and then they called me, ‘You’re in the show!’ And I was like, ‘Wow!’ That’s how I started,” recalls Gisele.

She owes it to the people and the place that she has stuck around for 17 years. “All the cast members, they’re amazing, lovely people. And of course, my passion for dancing. It’s like I’m not working at all. I love what I do and you’re in the happiest place on earth,” she says.

Gisele now serves as the 2024-2025 Disney ambassador of Hong Kong Disneyland alongside Hong Kong resident Beyan Tse. They are part of the 10th generation to do so. Disney ambassadors have had a long history of representing the park, dating as far back as 1965 when Walt Disney picked the first ambassador in line with the park’s 10th anniversary. Their responsibilities include acting as representatives of the resort and their fellow cast members. In Hong Kong Disneyland alone, there are over 5,000 members. They also participate in various community service activities through which they help out different charity organizations.

Gisele is only one of the many fellow Filipinos helping to bring the magic of Disneyland to life. According to Hong Kong Disneyland managing director Michael Moriarty, Filipinos are among the larger populations of cast members with an estimate of over 100 Filipinos working for Hong Kong Disneyland. Most can easily be spotted playing instruments for the park’s roaming marching bands or performing song numbers for musical shows.

Philippine representation in Hong Kong Disneyland doesn’t just stop with its cheerful cast members. One of Disneyland’s most well-beloved rides, It’s a Small World, has a segment representing the country through two dolls sporting ternos in a house resembling the bahay kubo. If you listen closely, you can even hear them singing in Tagalog— Kay liit lang ng mundo (It’s a small world)! A tarsier can also be spotted close by, sliding up and down a tree.  

With the number of Filipinos at the park, you’re more than likely to feel right at home. Gisele extends an invitation to fellow Filipinos to come and enjoy it firsthand. “Hello mga kababayan ko, I’m so happy and honored and very proud to be the first Hong Kong Disneyland ambassador from the Philippines. I hope you visit us here (in) Arendelle with (World of) Frozen opening on November 20th. Let’s go, come on,” she says.