This week was a very special week for Star Wars Celebration host Mark Daniel as he celebrated 25 magical years of working with The Walt Disney Company.
Mark will be known to most of us (along with DJ Elliot) as the hosts of Celebration main stage where they do a great job of making sure things get in order before the main event whilst keeping us entertained.
I was lucky enough to work with them both in 2016 and seeing them behind the scenes it was apparent how much effort goes into making what they do look simple. I contacted Mark this week to congratulate him and this is what he had to say about his achievement (as well as kindly sending some photo highlights of his Star Wars adventures).
“In my 25 years at Walt Disney World, what has had the biggest impact on me is the people.
Walt Disney said: you can design and create and build the most wonderful place in the world, but it takes people to make that dream a reality. It’s those “people” that have enriched my life. Those “people” are the cast members and guests I get to work with and meet every day. One of those “people” became my wife.
I’ve also had some once in a lifetime opportunities while working at Walt Disney World, like being a part of the first ever Star Wars Weekends at Disney (MGM) now Hollywood Studios, being on the opening team for Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park of course being asked to warm up the main stage at Star Wars Celebration and meeting you amazing Star Wars fans, to hosting many other Star Wars events at Walt Disney World, receiving Disney Company honors: Partners in Excellence and the Walt Disney Legacy Award, hosting the Disney Parks web series Inside Disney Parks and getting the honor of hosting the amazing fan tribute to Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds at Disney Hollywood Studios. I am very proud to be a part of the Disney family for 25 years and look forward to many more opportunities.
Thank you Martin and everyone at Fantha Tracks for allowing me to share this milestone.
May the Force be with you.”
No – thank you Mark and here’s to the next 25 years!
