Scott Wolf: What were you doing before you became Ambassador?

Suzanne Palmiter Campbell: Before I became Ambassador I was working over in Critter Country, at the Harbour Galley restaurant and at the same time a University Leader, so for example if you were hired at Disneyland, I was one of the cast members teaching orientation to new cast members.

What year were you Ambassador?

SPC: 1992.

What was it like that day when you became Ambassador?

SPC: Very surreal. It was probably one of my top four greatest moments of my life. Amazing. It was like a storybook as it unfolded and all that I imagined came true when they opened the envelope and it was my name.

Did you think you had a chance or did you not think about it at all?

SPC: I tried not to think about that chance just so I wouldn't get my hopes up too much to be letdown and I just rode the ride.

I was told to, "Keep an eye on the photographers because some of them know and you can see who they're looking at." They seemed to be looking at me or Kathleen (Mitts), so for a second before I thought maybe...

I was of course a photographer that day and moments before they did tell us who the winner was so we could focus our camera on you.

SPC: Well, I was told by someone, saying, "Keep an eye on the cameramen because they'll know," and sure enough the cameras all kind of went towards our end.

What happened after the ceremony? I remember you got on a horse drawn carriage.

SPC: Yes. I was in a parade down Main Street with the band and Jack Lindquist sat with me in the carriage. Then a lunch reception followed over at the Plaza Inn where my family joined us. We had a very nice lunch with some of the upper management stopping by to congratulate me.

The day after you were Ambassador do you start things right away?

SPC: I think I did. I believe came into work the next day, where I actually signed the contract and then two days later they took me for a makeover. Everything happened quite fast from then on. I'd say within a week I had a new look, I was measured for my costume and we went shopping for some traveling clothes.

So really once your name is announced, your life changes.

SPC: Yes!

What kinds of things happened with the park the year you were Ambassador?

SPC: My big event was "Fantasmic!" which is still going on today, but I was the first to promote the show. It was a challenge to describe because no one knew what a mist screen was and very few knew what the show was going to look like so I had to try to explain it to people before even seeing it myself.

What are you favorite memories of being Ambassador?

SPC: Actually, seeing "Fantasmic!" for the first time because of all those months before, talking about it, and then finally getting to see the amazing show it was.

You got to do some traveling as Ambassador, too, right?

SPC: Yes, we did a thirty city western United States tour promoting "Fantasmic!" before the show. I also traveled to Tokyo, Florida, and I was in a parade in Hawaii, and Portland, Oregon, so mainly traveling through the western United States.

What did you do after you were Ambassador?

SPC: Right after, I went back to college to finish my degree.

PHOTOS OF SUZANNE'S AMBASADOR YEAR


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