Every year The Walt Disney Company recognizes hundreds of employees who celebrate significant milestones, and this year nearly 400 employees were honored for their 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th and even 50th year of service at special functions in Los Angeles and New York. Hundreds more cast members also celebrated these milestones at our parks and resorts.

Imagine being part of the Disney magic for 50 years. To date, 22 individuals have reached that milestone, and now it’s part of Arlene Ludwig's story.

Arlene received an extra special honor during the Los Angeles celebration for her 50 years of service at Disney. She hired into the Walt Disney Studios public relations department in 1962 and says that it’s “hard to believe that 50 years have gone by.”

From meeting Walt Disney to working with Hollywood's top talent on dozens of films, Arlene's experiences are truly one of a kind. Her connection to the company actually began with her father, the late Disney Legend Irving Ludwig who began working with Walt Disney in 1939.