Today, Disney Parks & Resorts announced the winner of the national social competition, UK’s Biggest Disney Fan. The crowning moment took place in front of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, following the ultimate 10-day Disney holiday across Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and aboard Disney Cruise Line. During this magical trip of a lifetime, 10 hopeful Disney fans from across the UK competed in 10 challenges that tested their Disney credentials. On the final day, the winner, Kathryn Chung from Hackney, London, was crowned ‘UK’s Biggest Disney Fan’ by the competition’s host – Strictly Come Dancing star and Disney super-fan, Janette Manrara.
Janette Manrara joined the 10 fans on their magical journey and hosted many of the challenges testing their Disney fan credentials along the way. At Disneyland Paris, they unleashed their inner hero and took on missions at Marvel Avengers Campus, before journeying to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, where the fans competed amid lands of endless enchantment, and exhilarating thrills, and finally, on an adventure like no other, with Disney Cruise Line around the Bahamas, on the Disney Wish.
Speaking on the competition, Janette Manrara, said: ”It was a dream come true to be a part of this competition from the early stages, right up until we announced our winner in front of Cinderella Castle. The top 10 fans were a true pleasure to meet and soak up Disney magic alongside – we’re all already planning our next Disney reunion together! Experiencing the Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line was truly magical – I can’t wait to come back as a mummy soon!”
To commemorate the occasion, winner of UK’s Biggest Disney Fan, Kathryn Chung, received a money-can’t-buy stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite, which is found through a secret doorway inside Cinderella Castle. Kathryn Chung said about her victory: “I am still lost for words to have been crowned the winner of the UK’s Biggest Disney Fan. My night in Cinderella’s Castle was a pure dream and a memory that I will cherish forever – along with this entire experience. I’ve made lifelong friends through this journey, and I can’t thank The Disney Parks UK team enough for all they have done to help make this a reality. Without them, none of this would have happened. I first stepped foot in a Disney Park when I was 5 years old. Since then, I have been fully captivated by the magic and enchantment that Disney brings to people all over the world. The experience has only enhanced this even more, and it shows that dreams really do come true”.
Outside of London, the other 9 successful fans travelled from across the UK – including Glasgow, Kent, Bristol, North Yorkshire, Norfolk, Surrey, Bedfordshire and Devon. Among the numerous participants of the competition, the 10 successful fans submitted their entries by sharing a 30-60 second video on social media, expressing why they wanted to compete. Every single competition entry video was reviewed by a special Disney committee and were marked against criteria including creativity, originality, on-screen presence, and enthusiasm. These fans were invited to take part in the ultimate Disney holiday across the Easter break and brought along their own guests.
Speaking on the competition, Vice President of Disney Destinations International UK and EMEA, Angelica Costantini, remarked: “Congratulations to our winner, Kathryn! This competition was a hugely exciting way for us to come together and share our Disney stories and memories during our 100thAnniversary year. We are inspired by the fans and families who have brought us into their hearts over the last 100 years and we wanted to choose a prize and celebration that reflected that. The 10 short-listed fans and their guests had a truly magical time experiencing Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disney Cruise Line, all whilst competing for the title, ‘UK’s Biggest Disney Fan’.”
