Whether you are heading straight toward an adventure on Runaway Railway or have breakfast reservations at Hollywood & Vine to kick off your day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you may have come across friendly PhotoPass photographers who want to snap your group’s picture to kick off your fun-filled vacation.
With backdrops including the Chinese Theater, Toy Story Land, or even Gertie at Echo Lake, these cast members make you and your family the true center of the action at Hollywood Studios. And if you’ve ever taken a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard and noticed a cast member with an extra-bright smile, a welcoming wave, and the uncanny ability to make you feel like you are the star of the show, chances are you’ve met Willie Jackson, a PhotoPass photographer who has captured the hearts of guests and cast members alike with his positive attitude and outgoing work ethic.
For the past 15 years, Willie’s joyful spirit and pure enthusiasm has helped create countless magical moments that guests will cherish for a lifetime. Now, Willie will join an incredibly special group of cast members across The Walt Disney Company, as he receives the prestigious Walt Disney Legacy Award.
What is the Walt Disney Legacy Award?
Celebrating Walt Disney’s legacy by acknowledging outstanding cast, crew, and Walt Disney Imagineers worldwide, this global recognition program is inspired by Walt’s personal example and lasting legacy.
With this significant achievement, Willie joins a select group across Disney Experiences who put forth their very best for guests, fellow cast members, and the company as a whole, just as Walt would have.
This inspiring cast member-nominated award is reserved for rare individuals like Willie, who exemplify all three of the Legacy qualities: Dream, Create and Inspire.
Willie joins a very rare class of cast members who were selected for the Legacy Award this year, with fewer than 1% of cast members across Disney Experiences chosen. Over the next several weeks, deserving cast members around the globe will join this special group and experience surprise moments – just like Willie’s – when they learn they have been selected for this remarkable honor.
Willie Breaks the Record for Most Disney World Cast Compliments
Last year, Willie was named the most complimented cast member at Walt Disney World, where he officially hit a milestone moment with more than 1,000 Mobile Cast Compliments from guests.
With this record number of magical moments, thousands of guests visiting from around the world have been able to interact with Willie as he snaps photos as if he is directing a scene from a movie.
Willie's Fun Fact
- Across Walt Disney World, over 1.4 million cast compliments have been submitted by guests, with over 1,000 of these compliments just for Willie!
So, how was Willie able to collect all of these recognitions? To recognize a cast member who made a difference during your latest visit, open the My Disney Experience app, navigate to the bottom of the menu screen or search for “Cast Compliment,” and tell us how a Disney World cast member made your visit even more memorable.
Cast Members Talk About What Makes Willie an Inspirational Choice
Every few years, cast members at Disney have the chance to submit testimonials about fellow co-workers who go above and beyond each day and to help carry on Walt’s impactful legacy. There are so many cast members that come to mind that could fit this description, which makes Willie’s positive impact on those around him even more inspiring as he prepares for this true honor.
Interested in learning about how Willie displayed each of the three Legacy qualities? Here’s what some of his peers shared about his finest Legacy qualities:
Willie's Three Legacy Qualities
- Dream: “Willie not only creates happiness, he creates memories that last a lifetime. Any interaction with Willie, even from a distance, is sure to make people smile.”
- Create: “As he poses guests for photos and explains his creative scenes to them, Willie brings the mission and purpose of Hollywood Studios to life. The park is his set, the guests are the star, and Willie takes his place as director.”
- Inspire: “Willie inspires everyone, cast and guests alike, to look at the world through a fun and imaginative lens. His fun energy, creativity, and dedication to providing everyone with the most magical experience possible are invaluable.”
Willie Receives His Surprise Fit for a Star
After 15 years at Walt Disney World, Willie remains a standout superstar who brings positivity and joy to his role each and every day. However, Willie had no idea what was in store when he started his shift today at Hollywood Studios.
This morning, over 100 PhotoPass photographers and Disney leaders gathered to surprise and honor Willie with a special moment as he became one of the newest Legacy recipients. Willie was as joyful as always during this recognition, and took some time to reflect on what this award means to him:
Willie, Disney PhotoPass PhotographerI’m so joyful and grateful to receive The Walt Disney Legacy Award. I appreciate everyone who supported me from my leaders to peers, what an honor!
As Willie prepares to don his well-deserved blue nametag, his journey reminds us all of something Walt himself believed, “You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place in the world… but it requires people to make the dream a reality.”
Interested in learning more about the blue Legacy name tag? Check out Disney Parks Blog for additional information about prior recipients and stay tuned to the blog and @DisneyParks social channels for even more inspiring cast members stories across Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Parks around the world.
Congratulations to Willie and all The Walt Disney Legacy Award recipients and thank you for showing us what it means to Dream, Create, and Inspire!
