Dining with an Imagineer

[jcdeberry]

Has anyone done this in the last few years? What did you think? My 13 DD is interested in animation/art for a future career choice. I am, sadly, limited in my artistic ability and know nothing about how to set her on the correct career path. Then, I saw this and wondered if she might find it informative and interesting for our upcoming trip. Do you think this would be beneficial?

 

[HopperFan]

Has anyone done this in the last few years? What did you think? My 13 DD is interested in animation/art for a future career choice. I am, sadly, limited in my artistic ability and know nothing about how to set her on the correct career path. Then, I saw this and wondered if she might find it informative and interesting for our upcoming trip. Do you think this would be beneficial?

DS has done it often. Just so you know "imagineer" doesn't mean they are artistic or an animator. He has one that was a finance guy and worked on the budgets for the projects. While he is interested in all aspects, has enough knowledge to ask questions ... he said most folks that day said nothing. Maybe they were expecting it to be mostly listening or maybe the finance end bored them.

 

[Meriweather]

We go fairly often.
We've had all kinds of imagineers. You never know who you will get.
We've had designers, engineers and managers......you just have to take a chance

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Also I think there is usually at least one young person there trying to find out how to get a job with the company. I think an internship is the most likely path to get in. Agree with the previous posters that there is no way to know ahead of time if the imagineer you get will be in the field that interests your daughter. IMHO it is a long shot that the imagineer will both be in that field and will be inclined/able to do much of anything that would help your daughter. You might have more luck going to the free drawing lesson at Art of Animation, and see if you can chat afterwards with the instructor. I did the lunch last fall, but the imagineer was in a specialty that wasn't so interesting to me, my food order came out wrong, and the meal with tax and tip was around $100 for one person. If I had it to do over, I'd skip it, but it could have been better with a different imagineer. I wish they would let you choose the field of imagineer that you would like to meet, but actually it's random.

 

[Meriweather]

I've never been disappointed in the imagineer after 8 times. Some I thought I would be like person in charge of paint, but it was actually very interesting.
We are booked again for Dec. and looking forward to it

 

[pattyw]

We've done this quite a few years ago. Do you have to call to book this or on the website? And do you know when they release these- I'm assuming not at 180 days. I'd love to do this again sometime.

 

[Meriweather]

Website or call.
I made mine at 180 +3 yesterday

 

[pattyw]

Website or call.
I made mine at 180 +3 yesterday

Thanks so much for your quick response!!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

We loved Dine with an Imagineer. Our kids were young at the time and they absolutely loved it. Our DS was 11 at the time and our Imagineer was amazed at how much our DS knew about Disney and Walt himself. We loved it. Do it.

 

[Meriweather]

Thanks so much for your quick response!!

No problem.

DGD is watching Paw Patrol, so I am just sitting DISing because I have nothing else I can do right now

 

[jcdeberry]

Also I think there is usually at least one young person there trying to find out how to get a job with the company. I think an internship is the most likely path to get in. Agree with the previous posters that there is no way to know ahead of time if the imagineer you get will be in the field that interests your daughter. IMHO it is a long shot that the imagineer will both be in that field and will be inclined/able to do much of anything that would help your daughter. You might have more luck going to the free drawing lesson at Art of Animation, and see if you can chat afterwards with the instructor. I did the lunch last fall, but the imagineer was in a specialty that wasn't so interesting to me, my food order came out wrong, and the meal with tax and tip was around $100 for one person. If I had it to do over, I'd skip it, but it could have been better with a different imagineer. I wish they would let you choose the field of imagineer that you would like to meet, but actually it's random.

My daughter is only 13 and not wanting a job. She just wanted to know what kind of college path she needed to follow. That is a good idea about AoA. We are staying at Pop and it would easy and free!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

My daughter is only 13 and not wanting a job. She just wanted to know what kind of college path she needed to follow.

That was understood, and my comment was also intended to be about teens wanting a job in the distant future after college, not right away. When I went, there was another teenage girl asking for the same type of advice. I'm not sure this "dine with an imagineer" setting is the best way to find someone suitable and receptive to providing it.

That is a good idea about AoA. We are staying at Pop and it would easy and free!

Awesome!

 

[Lisa F]

We loved Dine with an Imagineer. Our kids were young at the time and they absolutely loved it. Our DS was 11 at the time and our Imagineer was amazed at how much our DS knew about Disney and Walt himself. We loved it. Do it.

I thought the minimum age was 14? or was this a while ago before that was the case? My 10 year old is kind of ticked off that he is "too young" but he is 10 going on 40.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I thought the minimum age was 14? or was this a while ago before that was the case? My 10 year old is kind of ticked off that he is "too young" but he is 10 going on 40.

Yes it was about 5 years ago - but the minimum age was 10 at the time. If your 10 year old loves Disney they will enjoy it. Our son and daughters had read many many books about Walt and Disney.

 

[kittylady1972]

My 18yo son and I did this last week at Hollywood Brown Derby. The meal was terrific there and our Imagineer was very interesting...but yes not somebody "artistic". He was more like a Project Manager who had been with the company forever. He had some cool stories to tell and interesting information to share though. We really enjoyed the meal but I'm not sure I'd be anxious to do it again.

 

[caribbeandream]

I thought the minimum age was 14?

You are correct, minimum age is 14. - "Guests 14 and older, enjoy an unforgettable mealtime conversation with one of the creative minds that brings Disney magic to life."