WWII Veteran and Cast Member Alexander Stromski was just awarded the very prestigious Disney Legacy Award. You may know him as the resident Geppetto or the door greeter at Pinocchio’s Village Haus. You might have even seen him featured in Disney Park’s viral Tik Tok video. I know him simply as dad.
A Guest Favorite
Dad has been a Disney employee for 9 years working at various locations within the Magic Kingdom including Tomorrow Land Terrace, Cosmic Rays, and Casey’s before settling into his position at Pinocchio’s Village Haus where he has been a local celebrity since.
I asked dad how he came to be known as Geppetto by guests. He told me “One day a guest filled out a comment card and it said Disney knows how to cast its employees. This guy really is a real life Geppetto.” Ever since then both fellow cast members and guests visiting the parks have sought out dad / Geppetto for pictures and hugs.
Once Disney Parks featured dad in a Disney Parks Tik Tok video he received an overwhelming response from guests with over 4 million views. Guests from all over the world started coming into Pinocchio’s to say hello and share their appreciation for his military service and dedication as a cast member.
Dedicated Cast Member
Dad is a dedicated and hard worker. At 94 years young he still drives over 2 hours to work every day each way. He credits his military training to his strong work ethic.
Dad has had many honors bestowed on him by the Disney Company over the years. From the Military Flag Ceremony to special meetings with Josh D’Amaro the Chairman of Disney Parks an Resorts and Bob Chapek the Chief Executive Officer of the Walt Disney Company. He has remained very humbled and grateful for the opportunities and experiences that the Disney Company has bestowed on him. As his daughter, I am grateful for the kindness, honor, and love the Disney Company has shown my dad.
I asked dad what he loved most about his job at Disney and he said “I love making the kids happy. When I see a child with a birthday button and I can gift them with a special cupcake and see them smile ear to ear it just makes my day.” He also expressed loving meeting other guests who have served in the military. He said “I just love it all! Disney is such a magical place. Anything I can do to make happy memories for all of our guests makes me happy too.”
Military Service
Dad’s military service began at the early age of 18. He enrolled at the end of WWII and went on to serve in both the Korean War and Vietnam. He was a Navy Pilot and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He retired in 1967.
Dad is full of military stories. He lovingly shares them with anyone willing to lend an ear.
One such man who has been so generously kind to my dad is Cappy Surette who is the co-chairman of Disney SALUTE, a veteran business resource group for military cast members. Cappy was one of the Disney Cast Members that came out to our home this last Sunday to award my dad with the Legacy Award. As I sat there watching dad excitedly retell his Navy stories I saw such caring and compassion from Cappy. His attentiveness to my dads stories was genuine and heartfelt.
Related- Disney Celebrates National Military Appreciation Month
Legacy Award Given
The Disney Legacy Award is given out every two years during a specific time of the year and it is the cast members that nominate their fellow cast for the award. Less than 1% of Disney Cast worldwide receive the Legacy Award.
Dad had already been submitted for the award but with his declining health, it was decided that he should be presented with it early. A lot of cast members and leaders within the company came together to make this happen. I am so grateful to the entire Disney Company for honoring my dad.
Last Sunday Cappy Surette and Pinocchio Village House Proprietors Joe Klein, Ana and, Meg came to my sisters home to surprise dad with his blue name tags and a beautiful framed Legacy Award. There was not a dry eye in the house! Dad was genuinely shocked and surprised. I’ve never seen him smile so big!
Dad wasn’t done with being surprised though. He also received a special video message from Bob Chapek himself. It was recorded from the day before from Disneyland Paris. The room fell silent and tears flowed as we watched the man we all loved being honored in such a beautiful way.
Dad has taught me so many things about life. You can say he sees the world through ‘rose colored’ glasses. He always sees others with kindness and understanding. He inspires me to be a better person. He has been with me through so much always supporting and loving me. Living near the parks I always loved stopping in at Pinocchio’s Village Haus to surprise him! He is always excited to see me and it always made me so happy to see him in his element.
I loved watching guests come up top him and take pictures and he loved it too. Dad is a bit of a ham! He even had some guests tell him he looked like Stan Lee so he kept his aviator sunglasses in his pocket so he could pose as Geppetto or a Stan Lee look-alike. He is always singing, telling jokes and stories. He knows how to get a smile out of guests.
Related- 92 Year Old Navy Veteran and Cast Member Honored at Magic Kingdom
Dad gave me away at my wedding last year. It was my first time ever seeing him in his dress whites. Boy did he look handsome! He may be a real-life Geppetto, military hero, and Legacy Award holder, but more than anything I am honored to call him my dad.
Check out our video below to see dad being awarded The Legacy Award. Have your tissues handy!
Have you ever met my dad while he was working at Pinocchio’s Village Haus? Please share your memories below with us.
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Please thank your father for his service to our country and to keeping Walt’s spirit alive in Disneyland. You have every reeason to be proud of him!