Iosefa “Sefa” Leapai and Ervin “E.B.” Bracy are two beloved Bell Providers solid members which were welcoming friends to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort because the Seventies. That’s even earlier than the debut of the long-lasting Dole Whip!
On December 17, they’ll proudly stand among the many workforce welcoming friends for the very first time to the extremely anticipated new tower, marking a brand new chapter within the resort’s storied legacy!
Bringing the Aloha Spirit
In 1978, Sefa got here from Hawaii to the mainland to go to his brother who was working in leisure at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. On the time, Disney was holding auditions for dancers, and whereas Sefa just isn’t a dancer he mentioned to himself, “yeah, why not?” To his shock, he was employed and his leaders shortly discovered simply how gifted Sefa is. He quickly began performing dances with the added ingredient of fireplace, in addition to singing and enjoying the bass.
Over time, Sefa discovered his true house with Bell Providers, the place he has remained ever since. As a “magical second,” he nonetheless makes music for friends and solid alike. Sefa will typically entertain friends together with his Hawaiian songs to have a good time birthdays or honeymoons.
Weekly, Sefa brings the islands to life for his fellow solid members, enjoying ukulele for all the resort’s new hires throughout their resort orientation class. That is the second the place the workforce learns what it means to be a part of their new resort household. “It comes from the guts. It’s about being type, going above and past, making individuals really feel particular,” Sefa defined. “That’s one of many largest methods we attempt to characterize the tradition right here: Aloha spirit.”
And now the Aloha spirit is increasing! Much more friends and solid members will get to share on this distinctive little bit of magic with the opening of the tower. “We’re all fairly excited concerning the new opening,” Sefa mentioned. “Everyone retains asking about it and it’s enjoyable to speak with friends and get excited with them.”
Even when the highlight of this story was on Sefa, he spent a lot of our time praising his fellow solid member E.B., embodying the Aloha Spirit he spoke of so deeply: “I inform you, it makes me nearly cry after I speak about E.B. He’s a very good man. I’ve discovered a lot from him and I comply with his instance: we exit of our means and count on nothing in return. I like that man—he’s my brother.”
A Lifetime of Holidays
E.B has been creating magical experiences since 1973. He’s at all times labored in Bell Providers, however he additionally jumped in anyplace he was wanted all through the resort. E.B. describes coming to the Polynesian as love at first sight. “The foyer was simply mesmerizing. I hadn’t seen something like that apart from on tv. It made you are feeling such as you actually had been in Hawaii. It has modified over time, but it surely nonetheless has that very same impact.”
That impact carries by means of to the tower, too. The entire resort overflows with the adventurous spirit of Polynesia and can captivate friends in the identical means that E.B. was captivated all these years in the past. From the tower’s exterior, adorned with artwork impressed by Polynesian tattoos, to the plush terrace gardens for leisure with a view, this can be a place that celebrates island storytelling. It calls you to make memorable tales of your personal – voyaging on the resort monorail to discover Prolonged Night Hours or having fun with the night time sky with favourite Disney classics throughout a Film Beneath the Stars.
“I exploit the phrase lots: The Island Tower addition is giving individuals not solely a trip of a lifetime, however the alternative for a lifetime of holidays. That’s what this resort means to me. I do my job so that you just’ll need to come again and see us once more.”
Crusing Ahead with Aloha Spirit
Each recipients of the Walt Disney Legacy Award, Sefa and E.B. exemplify what it means to actually be a Magic Maker – creating life experiences that will probably be remembered without end. We’re so grateful for his or her Aloha Spirit, and we will’t wait to see how far they’ll go as we voyage into this subsequent part of Disney’s Polynesia Resort, the Island Tower addition.
