How to be an Imagineer

[coln84]

Hi,

I was wondering if there were any WDI's on the boards or if anyone knew what kind of education and work history disney looks for when they hire WDI's. It has been a dream of mine to work for Disney designing attractions/parks/resorts but I'm not too sure where i should begin. I live only a little bit from Disney and know there are some schools for theme park management but I want to design. If you all could help me with this I would greatly appreciate that.

 

[mousermerf]

Most Imagineers who started in the parks started in operations, particularly Attractions.

It gives you an idea of how things actually work, guest flow, things like that.

 

[stitch82]

most of the imagineers i've talked to (current and former) are saying get some experience elsewhere. imagineering is vastly different now from what it used to be, and outside experience is now more valuable for the contract system they are using now.

many imagineers in design studied theatre design, industrial design or something similar. just as many studied something entirely different. concentrate on being eclectic...learn as much as you can about many different things.

and dream big.

 

[mkt]

The WDI core disciplines are Urban Planning, Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Landscape Architecture.

That having been said, I know several people who can hold the title imagineer, and not one of them ever chose that as their ultimate career goal (or even on the path to their ultimate career goal).

No one chooses to work for WDI. WDI picks the best of the best. They come from backgrounds as diverse as Civil Engineering to Theatre. It doesn't hurt to double dip in both career fields, no matter how opposite they seem.

In fact, the best advice I can give you came from an imagineer I've dealt with several times

There aren't any classes you can take to be an imagineer. You need to have certain aptitudes, and real world experience. Go to college and get a job in the real world. Then try to become an imagineer."

ie. Go to school, forget about WDI. Study engineering, but minor in theatre/stagecraft. Find a job in the real world and in a WDI relevant city (LA is the best for this one... especially if you're located near WDI/TWDC offices) If you want to, part time at a theme park (It's not necessary though). If you do a good enough job, they will ask you to work for them.

 

[NowInc]

As said..just dont stress it and be the best at what you do

They have all types of people who work for WDI...not just particular fields