Some kids grow up drawing Disney characters and know they want to be Disney animators. Sometimes a first visit to a Disney park is all it takes to spark a young guest toward a career as a Disney Imagineer. But the world of Disney is as vast as fans’ imaginations, and we’ve uncovered some jobs that most people wouldn’t even think existed, from overseeing all of the candy on Main Street, U.S.A. to brainstorming ideas for video games in a think tank. Mary Poppins said, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun,” and we invite you now to check out these jobs that have a whole Periodic Table full of fun!
Sarah Day
Topiary Engineer, Disneyland Resort
D23: Can you describe your job in a sentence or two?
SD: I’m a Topiary Engineer at the Disneyland Resort, where I currently train and care for 33 topiaries. My role includes plant selection, shaping new topiaries, pruning and sheering mature topiaries, and inspecting all topiaries to ensure they are in good health.
D23: What would you say is the best, most exciting part of what you do?
SD: One of my greatest joys is seeing our Guests enjoy the topiaries! The first time I sailed on it’s a small world, I marveled about the impossibility that plants could be shaped like animals and pointed out my favorites to my family. It fills me with such a great sense of pride to know that I now help create that same magic for others!
D23: How did your schooling or early experience prepare you for this job?
SD: I grew up on a small farm in Washington state so I have always been comfortable working with plants, but I first discovered my passion for the creative side of horticulture when taking classes in high school. In order to pursue my dream of becoming a Disneyland Gardener, I enrolled at Orange Coast College and am currently earning my degree with a major in ornamental horticulture.
D23: Was there something in Disney that inspired you as a child to pursue this path?
SD: When I was 7 years old, my family took our first vacation to Disneyland—I can still recall meeting my hero, Mickey Mouse, for the first time! As our week came to a close, I declared that I would work at Disneyland when I grew up! It was a promise to my future self that I will always be grateful I kept.
Janine Jones-Clark
Director, Creative Talent Development & Inclusion, Disney | ABC Television Group
D23: Can you describe your job in a sentence or two?
JJ-C: Our team identifies creative talent with diverse and unique perspectives for writing and directing consideration for Disney-ABC programming. In addition to introducing experienced writers and directors to creative executives across the TV group, we oversee the Disney-ABC Writing and Directing Programs, both of which are longtime creative programs that have launched the careers of many, including writer Zahir McGhee (Supervising Producer, Scandal) and director Seith Mann (Grey’s Anatomy, The Walking Dead).
D23: What would you say is the best, most exciting part of what you do?
JJ-C: It’s pretty exciting and rewarding when we see talent that we identified and cultivated launch successful careers. And, when those careers flourish at Disney-ABC, the excitement is enhanced tremendously!
D23: How did your schooling or early experience prepare you for this job?
JJ-C: I feel like my degree in journalism has been instrumental in my ability to clearly articulate myself both verbally and in writing. And, it was my writing that led me to the field of publicity where I held positions at CBS, Fox, NBC, and The WB. After several years I transitioned into current programming and later, development, which is where my passion to work with writers and directors comes from. In my current position I feel as though I have the best of both worlds—I have the chance to work with talented aspiring writers and directors—and I have the opportunity to put on my publicity hat when helping talent with identifying their personal brand so that they can better market themselves to our executives and producers.
D23: Was there something in Disney that inspired you as a child to pursue this path?
JJ-C: I recall how exciting Sunday evening TV was because I could not wait for The Wonderful World of Disney! Just thinking about it now makes me smile… and hum that opening credits song “When You Wish Upon a Star.” As a kid I loved the different stories mostly because they made me happy. Now that I am a big kid, so-to-speak, I realize that the emotional arcs of those compelling characters are what attracted me at such a young age. And, whether it is an ABC, ABC Family, or Disney Channel series, memorable characters and great storytelling make me proud to be part of the Disney-ABC team.
Kirstin Makela
Graphic Designer, Walt Disney Imagineering
D23: Can you describe your job in a sentence or two?
KM: I am thrilled to say that I have my dream job as a Graphic Designer for Walt Disney Imagineering. As a Graphic Designer, I create a wide range of assets to support the stories in the Disney Parks, from large marquees and murals to banners, posters, and even textiles.
D23: What would you say is the best, most exciting part of what you do?
KM: Every day, I get to use Disney’s immense catalogue of beloved stories and characters as my muse. There’s never a lack of inspiration. I am continually humbled by the opportunity to add my creative voice to the Disney Parks.
D23: How did your schooling or early experience prepare you for this job?
KM: My college education was heavily based on interdisciplinary creation, so I learned how to tap into a range of different skills. Since our projects at Walt Disney Imagineering are so thematically diverse, it’s helpful to flow easily between artistic styles.
D23: Was there something in Disney that inspired you as a child to pursue this path?
KM: When I was little, I would religiously watch my VHS tape of Disney Sing-Along Songs: Disneyland Fun. I would get so excited to watch the different vignettes of the attractions. My parents took me to Walt Disney World Resort for the first time when I was 7, and I couldn’t believe that all of the magic was right there in front of me instead of on my TV screen. I was immediately captivated and it hasn’t stopped since!
Jennifer Bull
Associate 2D Artist, Disney Interactive
D23: Can you describe your job in a sentence or two?
JB: As an artist in the Think Tank [a Disney Interactive intern program dedicated to new concept creation, product ideation, and talent development], I was a creative resource for all of Disney Interactive! I mostly worked on the art side of things—e.g., concept painting, mock-ups, UI/UX, and visual targets—but collectively, the Think Tank touched nearly every aspect of the game-making process.
D23: What would you say is the best, most exciting part of what you do?
JB: The most exciting part of being in the Think Tank is that every day is unique. One day you’re working on a project and the next you’re brainstorming for something completely different. The ability to shift gears quickly or wear many different hats is a part of the culture here, but no matter what we’re doing it’s rooted in creativity and passion for games.
D23: How did your schooling or early experience prepare you for this job?
JB: School prepared me for this job like a decent trailer for an amazing movie. I learned just enough to know what to expect, but no idea how incredible it would be and how much I’d learn about myself in the process. In short, school gave me potential. This job actualizes it.
D23: Was there something in Disney that inspired you as a child to pursue this path?
JB: Like so many others, Disney movies sparked my imagination by showing me worlds beyond anything I could experience in day-to-day life. Games provided me with exactly the same. So combining the two is not only intuitive—it’s a dream come true.
Natividad Ayon
Creative, Candy Production Area Manager, Disneyland Resort
D23: Can you describe your job in a sentence or two?
NA: I oversee the production team of Candy Makers in five kitchens in Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney that support the entire Disneyland Resort. I also lead the team on creativity on new items.
D23: What would you say is the best/most exciting part of what you do?
NA: Creativity of new offerings. Seeing the process through from idea or concept to actual finished product—for instance, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Day of the Dead apples, cake pop, and crispy treats…
D23: How did your schooling or early experience prepare you for this job?
NA: It helped me to know what the Guests are looking for, what the next “on trend” item is… To be creative.
D23: Was there something in Disney that inspired you as a child to pursue this path?
NA: I wanted to be a part of something that brings joy and happiness no matter what age you are.
Quincy Strattman
Merchandise Presentation Manager, Disneyland Resort
D23: Can you describe your job in a sentence or two?
QS: I am responsible for the creation, direction, and implementation of new creative visual techniques that promote exciting shop environments for our Guests.
D23: What would you say is the best/most exciting part of what you do?
QS: The best part of my job is getting to be creative in our storytelling, introducing new visual techniques, finding and designing new props and fixtures that will help us to convey the message or story about a specific product, film character, or attraction.
D23: How did your schooling or early experience prepare you for this job?
QS: I went to school for Interior design and that really gave me a great starting foundation. I use my knowledge about balance, spacing, flow, and colors every day in my role. I have always been a creative, problem-solving person, and I use those traits to develop creative displays and maintain the necessary standards to tell incredible stories through our merchandise.
D23: Was there something in Disney that inspired you as a child to pursue this path?
QS: Disney inspired me to dream the impossible dream as a child. I hired into Disney thinking it was going to be a part-time job for me. That part-time job has turned into a full-time career that is better than anything I could have imagined.
