Lunch with an Imagineer

[miller2470]

Has anyone ever done this? How is it? Worth the money? I have a 15 year old son who really wants to be a Disney Imagineer and design rides,etc...
He plans to go to VA TECH to get an Engineering Degree so that he can fufill his dream. I was wondering more about the interaction with the imagineer more so than the food, although for the price, I would hope that the food would be good.

This sounds like an awesome experience...is it?

 

[lifeasahampster]

Sorry to break it to you...but it all just depends. When I did it, I had a girl that designed wallpaper and bathroom tile at Epcot.... Not really "rides"....

This is not your way "in" to imagineering. Everyone that was there had some kind of similar agenda, make a friend that can give me a recommendation... The people I sat with were wet blankets and a few were really odd and kind of rude. It can be a mixed bag when it comes to your other dining guests.

It is not to be mean, but for the money, have your son do the college program that is for imagineering, not the regular work in the parks but the other kind.

The food was just ok. I like the regular menu items at the resturant better.

I did the one at Animal Kingdom with a vet, and it was TONS of fun! Much much better.

Good luck~

 

[Amii]

I did the one at Animal Kingdom with a vet, and it was TONS of fun! Much much better.

You can have lunch with a vet @ Animal Kingdom?

 

[lifeasahampster]

Yes, you can have a really good lunch with a vet at AKL at Jiko. It is $65 and the lunch is WONDERFUL. It is 8 courses, the imagineer lunch is 3 or 4. The food is excellent and the people have a great presentation. They are really funny and have very interesting things to say. It is really worth it. Have fun!

 

[miller2470]

Sorry to break it to you...but it all just depends. When I did it, I had a girl that designed wallpaper and bathroom tile at Epcot.... Not really "rides"....

This is not your way "in" to imagineering. Everyone that was there had some kind of similar agenda, make a friend that can give me a recommendation... The people I sat with were wet blankets and a few were really odd and kind of rude. It can be a mixed bag when it comes to your other dining guests.

It is not to be mean, but for the money, have your son do the college program that is for imagineering, not the regular work in the parks but the other kind.

The food was just ok. I like the regular menu items at the resturant better.

I did the one at Animal Kingdom with a vet, and it was TONS of fun! Much much better.

Good luck~

I certianly wouldn't be doing it to make a friend for a future recomendation, it was merely meant to be an avenue for my son to talk to someone who is currently working as an imagineer, get an understanding of the job, and a feel for whether this would be a good fit for him. We have come to Disney every year ever since he was 4 years old and he has always talked about designing and creating for Disney. I simply want to allow him the chance to make up his own mind about this being the thing that he does or doesnt want to do in his future. It is really good to know that the experience may not be what I anticipated it to be. I will definitely check out the college program...I had no idea that there was such a thing. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[iwaseeyore]

We've done it twice and hope to it again in December. The first time was with a story writer and the second was with a project manager. Both were good but distinctly different. My guess is the ride designers are in California.

The thing you want to be cautious of is that this is primarily an adult experience. I wouldn't want to be there with someone trying to dominate the conversation with what amounts to personal questions. The exciting thing for us was to ask questions about why and how things are done and the politics of Disney. I really wouldn;t want to close to $200 for DW and I to listen to you or your child plan his future.

 

[miller2470]

I think that everyone is jumping to the conclusion that I plan to take my son to this and take over with questions and with what amounts to political favors. Not even close to the case. I was thinking of the experience in and of itself. You take your younger children to character meal for the same reasons...the experience of it all...this is no different!!!! I don't find it necessary to prod the imagineer, whoever it may be and whatever position he or she may hold. I just thought it would be a nice gesture in supporting my child as any of you probably would and doing something that he would be interested in as well. I absolutely would never take away from anyone elses experience. Im really confused as to how this all became a thing where I am out to ruin everyone elses experience!

Im sure that we would have the same types of questions that any of you have and maybe even ask something that could possibly appeal to you. Surely we would like to understand how and why things are done, just as you did!!!

 

[jamal]

Miller, I loved your question and thought it was worded well. In fact, it's just what I would ask if my DS 11 were a few years older!! Maybe your DS can hire him to design rides with him after college.

Our last two trips we've had chats with CMs who were with the college program. It sounds wonderful! DS 11 thinks it would be terrific if he can tear himself that far from home in 7 years!

Will he be 16? I thought that was the minimum age for this experience.
Let us know how it is if you go! Jamal

 

[miller2470]

Thanks Jamal!!! Yes, he will be 16 when we go. I definitely intend to check into this college program that they have, what an amazing opportunity! We too have talked to several cast members on past trips. I will post on this experience when we get back in June. I definitely plan to make reservations to take my son. Trust me, by the time your son is 15 he will think that it is cool to go that far from home for a short time. My son goes away to soccer camps every summer for a week. This past summer he got to go to ODU Soccer camp and loved living in the dorm for the week, of course we live 20 minutes from the campus and were able to attend his games. Next summer he's going to William & Mary for camp.

 

[jlovesee]

If your son wants to be an imagineer get him involved in the amusement industry NOW. The Amusement Industry is one of the hardest to break into if at all, you pretty much have to know someone. I am only speaking with experience from the roller coaster design/engineering in general side but I am sure Imagineering is no different.

College is a good first step, but a mind is not everything. Have him get involved in the industry, work at a local amusement park, especially in operations, so that he can learn how rides work, and what improvements can and should be made,

check out an IAAPA trade show or two, IAAPA is the International Associate of Amusement Parks and Attractions and EVERY company involved in the amusement industry is a member including Disney, this is a great way to network. The annual trade show is the week before Thanksgiving every year, and in 2006 will be held in Atlanta but after that will be going back to Orlando.

Once he has connections, he cannot be shy about using them. Keep in contact with roller coaster designers, disney staff, even another park's PR director they all can help. The Amusement Industry is like a large extended family they all know each other, and they can all help him.

The big firm that disney has used recently is Vekoma International, they designed and built Expedition Everest, its a Dutch Company they WILL have a booth at IAAPA.

Use resources online and fan organizations to become a genius on the amusement industry, he should know what a chain dog is, what an anti-roll back is, who Arrow Dynamics was, what a roll back is, what the difference between a fin brake and a skid brake is. These are all basics when it comes to amusement park stuff, if he doesn't already know these things he needs to, to get anywhere in this industry.

Utilize www.RCDB.com (Roller Coaster Database), American Coaster Enthusiasts (www.ACEONLINE.org), Ultimate Roller Coaster (www.ultimaterollercoaster.com). I know he wants to be an imagineer but this is the amusement industry and the roller coaster is king of the castle.

He also needs a LOT of luck. Good luck to him.

Jennifer

 

[jlovesee]

A real good book to get him started...

"Roller Coasters, Flumes and Flying Saucers"
by Robert Reynolds

This is the story of Arrow Dynamics it also has a lot of info on Disney rides in general as Arrow pioneered the Matterhorn and Pirates of the Carribbean to name a few. Its also an enjoyable read.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0965735354/104-8650247-1731144?v=glance&n=283155

Jennifer

 

[miller2470]

Thank you so much jlovesee. I gave all of the web site addresses to him, which he thought was cool. He has so many computer games on designing rides and loves to go to Disney Quest to design roller coasters. He also really checks things out while in line for rides. We live 30 minutes from Busch Gardens Williamsburg and have annual passes, so we go super frequently. He plans to get a part-time job there this summer.