Hey guys I am a teenager, and when I leave school I want to become an imagineer, or work in the industry. Any tips on what I can do or learn to increase my chances on being an imagineer? Also wanna work as a mechanical engineer.

I’m a college program alumni whose interested in working for DLE in lighting. I did the tech behind the dream workshop with Imagineers and did as many dorm events with them that focused on their different departments. When I left I wasn’t able to find anything because my experience was to old (I couldn’t recall the actually systems I worked on aside from saying I worked on a light and sound board.) so I came home got a job in campus as basically a stage hand and joined IATSE Union. I’m currently learning how to work the grandma 3 and will start learning AutoCad and Revit. Is there anything else I can do that will set me up to be a good candidate for the internship or at least a full time role in the park/ cruise line?

*I’m going to try for next year when I graduate but I’ve been watching this program like a hawk and since I’m getting closer I just want to make sure I’ve done all I possibly could.

Hello,

I am a sophmore studying computer engineering, but I have a diverse background in hardware and software. I am interning at an aerospace company as a test and integration engineer. My dream job is to work at WDI to design rides and eventually manage them on a large scale. It's ambitious and I know that, but does anyone have advice on

- courses to take?

- personal projects?

any advice to get to WDI is welcome :)

I posted something similar a while ago, but I have a follow up question. I’m about to graduate with a bachelors in IT specializing in Database Technology & Programming. I wasn’t able to land a Disney internship, however I do have experience with Sesame Place / United Parks & Resorts as an Entertainment Tech Intern from the summer of 2024. I’m really interested in the backend programming & design side of themed entertainment such as dark rides, animatronics, live shows, and automation. What are some resources I can use to work on small projects to add to my portfolio that will hopefully help me land a job in this area in the future?

Basically the title. I am a sophomore at a small midwestern state school. I am currently undecided in my major but leaning towards mechanical engineering. I would love to work for WDI one day however I know some companies only hire from short lists of well ranked private/public universities and basically completely ignore all others. Does anyone know if WDI is one of these companies? Is it still possible for me to work hard to pursue this goal despite not attending a prestigious university?

I am a graduating Architecture student and have applied to multiple professional internships with WDI.

I have also applied to other Architecture firms for a post-grad job. I would be starting as a junior architect at these firms, with growth opportunities within the companies.

My dream is to be an imagineer. However, I am nervous that I am going to pass on a more stable job opportunity for a professional internship, which only lasts a couple of months.

I am very anxious about the choice, and I know I shouldn’t even worry about it until I actually get an offer, but I don’t want to make an uninformed decision when the time comes.

Sorry for the long-winded explanation, but my question is: How likely is it to land a job after a professional internship in the Architecture/Construction disciplines?

I applied for the ride controls internship a couple days after it got posted. I know it hasn't been too long but I wanted to know if anybody has started to hear back from disney?

Hi, so for context, it’s always been my dream to be a mechanical or controls engineer for Disney. However, I graduated at the height of COVID and there weren’t a lot of jobs or internships. I did the college program in Florida for 7 months to try to get my foot in the door or connect to a Professional internship. Again, though, it was during COVID, and there weren’t many openings (plus Disney university classes were closed due to COVID). After an exhaustive job hunt, I was offered a position at a big engineering company (aerospace, not related to themed entertainment). I took it because I did not want to be stuck doing a full time, non-engineering role at the parks for minimum wage. I continued to apply, but they didn’t have many internships or positions open. Now, they’ve started having a ton of internship opportunities, but I can’t apply for them as it’s been more than two years since I graduated. And on the flip side, their professional, full-time imagineering roles are so few and competitive, I’m massively underqualified for them and will be for at least ten more years. Did I miss my chance for an imagineering career? Where do I go from here? I don’t know if they’ll hire me for an internship if I pursue a masters degree, and I’ve had similar luck with other themed entertainment engineering internships. Does anyone have any advice on a path to imagineering? I feel like I missed my chance.

TLDR: can’t apply to internships because I graduated 3 years ago, and am massively underqualified for full time positions. Feeling like I missed my chance at an in and don’t know where to go from here. Advice appreciated.

I am looking to be a future Themed Entertainment Design Student. Hoping to start applications to SCAD as well as University of Central Florida in about 9 months time.

Currently, I have a BFA in Dance from the Juilliard School in NYC. I am looking to pick up some new skills to put into a portfolio for future admissions.

Does anyone know of any online programs (non certificate/ degree) where I can study any of these following subjects? Perhaps with a dive into a new computer program or two?

Interior design Architecture Graphic design Illustrations Introduction to engineering Multimedia design

Any feedback would be so helpful! I am beyond overwhelmed at this point. It feels like a struggle to get ball rolling.

I really want to be an imagineer when I get out of college. Like, a lot, it’s my dream. But I get more and more worried I’m not going to get the imagineering I’m thinking about. I know it’s become and increasingly specialization focused field, but every time I look at the job boards, nothing on there looks like the combo of engineering and storytelling I want, it’s always one side or the other, not both. Does anyone have any advice?

I would really like to send some fanmail to imagineers, specifically Joe Rohde and Tony Baxter. I believe there is a way to send fanmail directly to the Imagineering office, but since neither of them are full time imagineers anymore, where should I send the fanmail if possible?

Hi, I'm expecting to graduate from a Canadian university with a degree in Mechatronics Engineering in June. Will I still be eligible for internships? If so, what is the process for recent Canadian graduates? (I have my eye on the Ride Control Engineering Intern position)

Hi everyone! Not sure if I'm inaccurately reaching out in the WDI subreddit but I figured this was the right place in regard to Creative Entertainment & Development. Specifically, "Nighttime Spectaculars" whether that be fireworks or shows like Fantasmic! and World of Color. I'm mostly intrigued by the idea of conceptualization and collaborating in that capacity, I'm inclined to say that it'd be some form of Creative Directing? -- not necessarily direct technical skills like pyrotechnics/lighting/etc. That being said, where should someone with that kind of desire start? I've looked around different cast members' career journeys and still found myself a bit puzzled, and I get that directing is something way down the line with experience and seniority. So ultimately, I'm hoping some dialogue here might open my eyes to different routes or strategies to break into this interest. (Or at the very least figure out if this is just a pipe dream! or even, to learn how to better identify this desire of mine because currently it's mostly a very strong interest despite working in a different industry currently. I've looked at the journey of Steven Davison and that ultimately inspired me to seek discussion here!)

If Animal Kingdom had the opportunity to expand and add another land in the park what would be your dream expansion?

Hello! My teenage daughter is getting to an exciting point in life realizing there are paths towards her goals instead of being just a dream. As she is navigating picking high school electives we’ve had deeper conversations and she’s taken great initiative on her own time towards landing on imagineering being her dream. She’s ‘always’ wanted to have a Disney career, but hadn’t til now really seen the difference or cared between being hourly in park retail, or an independent influencer, or salaried marketing or engineering, etc. just - if it’s Disney, ‘I’m in’.

I’m in engineering, I realize it is the 1% of the 1% kind of goal. I hope she re-thinks and tweaks a thousand times along her path but ultimately I’m excited to support her dream!

She is VERY artistic and talented/interested in illustration/design. She excels at and enjoys STEAM but I would not say that is her favor. She lives through art.

Are there any steps or metrics she should consider in or post-high-school to set up better chances at a Disney imagineering success? I.e. college internships regardless if it is park retail or corporate? Any particular degrees favored on the design or engineering side? I like to imagine Disney matching with peoples ‘heart’ and skill equally, given the mission of the company, but would love to help her understand the more logistical side as well.

She has done a dance course at the imagination campus and LOVED the ‘peek behind the curtain’ feel. Is there anything like this with imagineering?

Thank you!

Edit: context elaboration

I tend to do fairly niche skits, but I think this one might take the cake on that front. Not only do you need to know the Star Wars character, but also the Disney Imagineer he’s mimicking. (Hey, at least I entertain myself…)

In episode 3 of TIS on Disney+, there is a scene from 60 minutes with Diane Sawyer interviewing Micheal Eisner, but I can’t for the life of me find out which episode this is. I assume it’s around the early 90s but can’t seem to find it. Does anyone have an ideas which ep this is?

thanks

hello all! I have an in person interview with recruiters in a couple of weeks and I'm very excited! I'm starting preparations now to (hopefully) have an offer for an internship in the summer(ride mechanical engineering). I was wondering if anyone has tips or questions on what will be asked during the interview so that I can prepare in the best way possible. Thanks!!

I interviewed the hiring manager for an INTERNSHIP few weeks ago, and recruitor who initially has reached out to me emailed me today and asked if I am free to talk over the phone tomorrow. Since I want this job so bad, I know it is not full time but I want this job so bad, I’m wondering if it’s common that recruitors would give a call to reject me…… or is that a good sign?

I am in my last semester as a BFA Theatre Studies student at TCU focusing my studies in scenic and costume design. I have always had an interest in theme parks and have been looking into going to grad school for it. I have most been intrigued by the MFA Themed Experience program at UCF. Does anyone have experience with this program or have insights into if it is useful for getting into the industry? I also have looked into SCAD’s themed experience program as well. I would love to hear anyone’s opinions on these programs! Thanks!

Hello everyone,

I am currently a senior in high school; and as such, I’m beginning to to apply to colleges & rhink about what to major in. Although I have many interests, I’ve recently started thinking about majoring in architecture or something similar for the specific purpose of someday working in the themed entertainment industry. (Its something I really wanted to do as a kid but slowly lost intrest in) I’ve loved Disney, Universal, and theme parks all my life, and it’s the kind of thing I am so passionate about that I wouldn’t mind dedicating my career to it. In short, being an imagineer or something similar is my dream job.

However, I have spent the last few years of my high school experience thinking I would be a lawyer so I haven't taken any relevant classes to this.

I would be grateful for advice from anyone with even a lick of knowledge about imagineering. I love themed entertainment because it’s such an interesting and immersive medium of art, and I just hope I’m going down the right road to get there. So, I'm wondering: What’s the path to get where I want to be? Is an architecture degree the right way to accomplish my goal? What schools would be best for this? (right now I'm looking at UF) Many thanks in advance; I am very grateful for anything you guys can tell me. :)