Anyone know an imagineer?

[Jajone]

My DD13 dreams of someday being an imagineer. So much so that as we are planning our DL vacation in June, she is not dreaming of the rides, but of meeting an imagineer or touring the imagineering home office in Glendale. I would love to surprise her somehow by making this come true. Does anyone have any suggestions or know an imagineer that might be willing?

 

[Pesky]

I don't about any offerings at DLR but I know in WDW, they offer a lunch with an imagineer. You can buy a ticket to a lunch of a few folks and the imagineer will talk and you get to ask questions. That's probably the easiest thing to do although a bit farther afield from DLR.

 

[Rhonna]

Any disney cast member can visit the Imagineering studio but I doubt they can bring guests in.

I believe the only way for a regular person to get in for a tour is through Adventures by Disney. However it seems you'd have to book the entire southern california vacation to get the 1/2 day studio tour included. It wouldn't hurt to call the Adventures by Disney 800 number and ask if there are separate Imagineering studio tours.

http://www.adventuresbydisney.com/north-america/southern-california-vacations/

 

[thomaslw]

i've talked to the imagineering recruiter, the "easiest" path is to be a mechanical engineer. that's who they primarily recruit from. people with very strong visual art abilities also have a shot, but that path is much more contested. people with phds in CS/EE can also do WDI-research.

 

[Disney Dreams]

My DD13 dreams of someday being an imagineer. So much so that as we are planning our DL vacation in June, she is not dreaming of the rides, but of meeting an imagineer or touring the imagineering home office in Glendale. I would love to surprise her somehow by making this come true. Does anyone have any suggestions or know an imagineer that might be willing?

So... I LOVE Disneyland. And it will forever have my heart. That said, DH and I have a great time at WDW. I would tell anyone who is planning a trip to DLR to have an amazing time and to enjoy every inch of the resort.

That said... I have no idea how set your plans are for your trip, but if meeting an Imagineer is the number one thing on your daughter's list, you may want to consider a trip to WDW instead of DLR. As mentioned above, WDW offers an experience, "Dining with an Imagineer." I have always been fascinated with how attractions come to be and all the collaboration that goes into the end result.

Last October DH and I decided to add this experience to our plan for WDW. It was amazing. We had a group of 12(?) guests and one imagineer, Brian. We had a wonderful lunch and the entire time Brian discussed his job, how he got it, what schooling and experience he has, and answered all sorts of questions.

It was a great experience. There was also a young boy in our group, maybe 12 years old, who wanted to be an Imagineer when he grows up. He seemed to REALLY enjoy the lunch/discussion.

Just something to think about. Or maybe file it away for the future if a WDW trip every comes into view for you and your daughter.

- Dreams

 

[mysteriouspnai]

You won't be able to tour the facilities this way, but if you're a D23 member, several times a year they have a Mickey's of Glendale shopping day. DBF and I attended the one on April 13th, and several Imagineers who worked on Animal Kingdom were there to talk to us about their projects and sign autographs. I don't know how often they bring out Imagineers during these events, but it may be worth looking into

 

[pinksand]

Another option - if it's possible for you to attend the D23 Expo (this would involve moving your plans from June to August which may or may not be an option), many Imagineers were staffing the Parks and Resort exhibit and were available and eager to talk about what they were working on. That was something we spent time doing at the last D23 Expo, and it was really invaluable.

 

[Carolynleanne]

i've talked to the imagineering recruiter, the "easiest" path is to be a mechanical engineer. that's who they primarily recruit from. people with very strong visual art abilities also have a shot, but that path is much more contested. people with phds in CS/EE can also do WDI-research.

Hmmm, my DH is a mechanical engineer. Perhaps we should move to Cali?

 

[tinkcollector]

Look into becoming a D23 member. They have a Studio Tour planned for June.
D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives
Dates: June 1, 2013
D23 Members will have the rare opportunity to enjoy a two-and-a-half-hour tour of The Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Archives, hosted by D23 and the Archives staff on June 1, 2013.
You probably won’t meet an imagin”ear” but the experience is a fun one. Also as suggested above the Expo in August would be perfect for her.