imagineeirng intership? contest?

[romanarms]

I always have wanted to be an imagineer but i have one major problem... i dont live in the US, ectually i live very far from any disney-park... i live in israel.

now i have checked previous threads asking the same question of how to be an imagineer.

i read answers from people but still i dont know a lot of things and i will be so thankfull if one can explain me:
1-what is the WDI campus in glendale and orlando?
2-what is the imagination contest and what is the intership and how you get it?
3-is there any other way to become an imagineer or become closer to be one?
4-what of the following three can i do from where i live... and how can i do it?

thank you very much whoever answers me.

 

[Kingdom WDW]

Hi there, I'll try to help (please correct me if I'm wrong):

1. I don't really understand this question, but WDI is based in Glendale, though they have workshops in places like New York. (State, not city)
2. The ImagiNations contest is (I believe) a contest where you work with a group of college students (or by yourself) to create ride design ideas using computer graphics and such. I don't know the details, but I do know that Ricky Brigante of Inside the Magic competed in it, so you may want to ask him, or check outout the main site, with links to his experience in the project.

3. I believe to be an Imagineer, it takes sheer luck. You also need a ton of experience (so I hear) in areas like design. You have to be at the top of your game to become one. If you're interested and are in Walt Disney World, I highly suggest you check out the Lunch with an Imagineer program. You have lunch with an Imagineer that answers all of the questions you have about WDI. Inquire about it when you're making dining reservations. (It is a little pricey)

4. Visiting the actual Imagineering campus may not yield a lot. The ImagiNations project is something you should definitely try out. Try that first before anything else. (Except, possibly, Lunch with an Imagineer)

 

[terp79]

1. The call the grounds/facilities at both Orlando and Glendale campus'
they are not to be confused with a college or university.

2. Imaginations:
http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/imaginations/
I won 1st place in the individual category in 2005 and Ricky was a finalist in 2004, I'm not sure how he placed, I forget so check his stuff out for more info.

Back then you could enter this contest alone or in a group. The rules have changes since then, be sure to check out the rules on the web page.

Please note: You are NOT guaranteed and internship by entering or evening winning this contest. You may be offered an internship IF they have a position open that is in your area of study.

3. Like Kingdom WDW said to become an imagineer takes a lot of connections, education, talent, a little magic and a dash of pixie dust.
There is no right way or known method of becoming and imagineer.
Try, Try, and Try.

4. My only suggestion is this: enter the ImagiNations contest, if you qualify.
Gain professional experience in the design field working with major entertainment companies. Consider working for the theme parks and work your way up. Move to the states and go to one of the Universities disney recruits from.

Good Luck!

 

[DisneyDellsDude]

Ooo. Someone posted a thread on the Imaginations Contest (I was also going to do that so I'll chime in here because I have a few questions)

My main question is this. Do you have to be from outside the US or be a minority to join this contest? I swear I heard that somewhere, but can't find proof of it.

I was looking around the website, and didn't read anything about the individualist catagory so I guess that's gone?:veryconfu

Man, they seem to be tweaking the rules almost every single year.:lol:

And now for a regular Imagineer question...
Would a good approach to Imagineering be to work your way up from being a castmember in one of the parks?

I'm sure I'll have more questions later on.

 

[romanarms]

thank you all...
still few more questions:
-do i have to fly to the US to join the competition? if i do so how much time will i be there?
-is there a prize?? what is it??
-what univerities disney hire from?
-if i have a university degree from israel does that count for them?
-can you give more information about lunch with an imagineer?

thank you very much

 

[terp79]

DDD: Please read the rules on the ImagiNations web page. You have to be studying a certain major in college (it is listed on the site) or belong to a professional organization (also listed on the site).

Yes, 2005 was the last year for the individual category. It is now only open for groups, once again read the rules and regulations.

The contest and rules do change yearly. The site usually doesn't update regularly so I would e-mail them with any questions, there is an e-mail on the sites page.

Usually you turn in your entry via mail after christmas and finals is held during the Summer. 2008's contest just ended a few weeks ago.

RomanArms: You do not have to come to the states to enter the contest, you send your entry for the contest in via mail. If you make finals Disney will fly you and your team to Glendale for a week.

There use to be a scholarship award of $2000 for 1st place, $1500 for second and $1000 for 3rd.

As of 2007 the scholarship money award was done away with.

You basically win: A week of Imagineering bliss paid by Disney, they pay for everything. You win a trophy. You get to go to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure and take a behind the scenes tour with Imagineers, you get to tour LA and most of all the Disney Company buildings. You get to meet tons of Imagineers (this is where networking comes into play), you get to make friends with the other finalists, you get the chance (if any positions are open in your area of study) to interview for an internship.

Trust me when I say the money is not important what so ever....its all about the experience, being at WDI for a week and meeting killer people from all over from all sorts of backgrounds.

Are you currently in college or have you graduated?

You can be from anywhere as long as you are a student or have graduated within 1 year or and belong to one of the specific organizations listed on the ImagiNations webpage.

Disney has strong ties with the following universities: CalArts, The Art Center, University of Waterloo, and the University of Central Florida. There are some other design schools like Savanna and a few in NY. It's usually the bigger design schools in LA and NY with the best connections. I do know that at CalArts, The Art Center, and UCF Imagineers teach classes.

 

[Kingdom WDW]

-can you give more information about lunch with an imagineer?

thank you very much

Basically, the closest thing to eating with a movie or sports star of your choice. It's definitely worth the expense you pay to experience it. (Also note that there is a dinner with an Imagineer at Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge. We did the one at DHS.)

You meet at the Hollywood Brown Derby a little before your lunch. There, you can talk to some of the others doing it with you. (10 per lunch, I believe) The plus side of this is that you have fellow obsessed Disney fans who you can talk with, not something you have on a day to day basis. In a couple minutes, you're given a tour of the restaurant and it's history. (We found why there are telephone cords in the booths.) Then, you're led into the Bamboo Room, a completely private room with windows facing the park. (But with shades drawn.)

There, you meet your Imagineer. I had the great pleasure of meeting Joe Warren, who is responsible for the beautiful billboards you see around the Studios (among other great works. You can see some of his art in the Imagineering Field Guides.) From then on it's pretty much self-explanatory. You get answers to all of your questions, enjoy a delicious meal, and receive a personalized souvenir. (While socializing with very like minded people.) One little note: Sometimes curious guests peek through the holes in the shades, and the blasted HSMP parade comes rolling by a few times.

I found it to be the most enjoyable part of our trip. Informative, interesting, and probably the most exciting thing to ever happen to you at the Disney parks.

 

[DisneyDellsDude]

DDD: Please read the rules on the ImagiNations web page. You have to be studying a certain major in college (it is listed on the site) or belong to a professional organization (also listed on the site).

Yes, 2005 was the last year for the individual category. It is now only open for groups, once again read the rules and regulations.

The contest and rules do change yearly. The site usually doesn't update regularly so I would e-mail them with any questions, there is an e-mail on the sites page.

Usually you turn in your entry via mail after christmas and finals is held during the Summer. 2008's contest just ended a few weeks ago.

Thanks for clearing that stuff up a bit.

 

[WDW Monorail]

The guidlines list engineering as an eligible concentration. That is very broad however. Is there a certain field of engineering that is more likely to be picked over another? (ie. ChemE?)

 

[Kingdom WDW]

I believe mechanical engineering is desired (rides and such) but you never know. Maybe they need chemists for those smellitizers, or special effects.

Also note: at WDI you are assigned projects, and not jobs, per se. If you perform really well on a project, you may get hired. It takes a lot to be come a full time Imagineer. Getting into Imagineering itself...is another story.

You need a lot of experience. The Imagineer we had lunch with worked in the interior design field, and got into Imagineering because his neighbor worked in that field.

 

[WDW Monorail]

Well, I know that an ME can perform a EE's job and such. Ben Schweigler of WDI is a ChemE who works in pyro shell design and many other non-chem related projects such as the TL wave-machine.

 

[Kingdom WDW]

That's neat. Thanks for sharing. :wave:

I always thought it would be cool to be a civil engineer involved in Master Planning. I'm not the artist, but I would love to design everything out far in advance.

 

[romanarms]

terp: no and no... you see... in israel you can learn in a university while serving in the army (what i will probably do) and becuase of that i will be able to fly to the US only 3-4 years after graduating (because of the army)... so...
just few more questions (thank you very much for answering all this)

-you said that i dont need to fly to the US until the finals... if i am in the finals... do you think that Disney can give me the chance to fly to the US even though i need to be in the army?

-can i join the competition even if i am 3-4 years after graduating? (if yes so what do i need to join?)

-do i sign in and give the project in the same mail or not... how does it work?

-how many teams compete in one year... what are the chances of becoming a finalist?

thank you very much whoever answers

 

[terp79]

So you're going to go to university that will be funded by the army? So you will have to serve in the army during your summers???

Or will you be serving while attending college at the same time?

-Disney will fly you over if you make finals, it would be up to your army officer if he would let you leave or have time off for a week for the contest.

-As the contest rules state on the web site you can only enter up to 1 year after graduating. So no you could not enter 3-4 years after.

-You and your team will print off the contest entry form via the website, your team has to meet the required college or professional organization requirements. This is all listed on the web page. Please read over it carefully.

You will then have your college professor sign the entry form as well for you and each of your teammates (this ensures that you meet the required qualifications) and then you and your team will design your entry and send it in the mail to the US. There are certain dates that WDI will accept your entry. So be sure to pay close attention to those dates.

- WDI takes about 6 teams each year for the contest, there have been more and less, it depends on the quality of the teams work.

-I don't know the odds or chances, it depends on your idea, the quality of your teams designs and story.

 

[romanarms]

the method is that i study 2-years in a university and then i serve in the army using the knowledge that i gained in the university...
i will probably be a pilot or an engeneer or scientist...

however... do you actually say that i have 2 chances in my life to win the competition??

is it possible to learn in more than one university (i mean, graduTING IN ONE AND THEN GO LEARN IN ANOTHER) if yes... so can i still join the competition???

those 6 people... is this the number of finalists disney take??

if i cosse to deasign a theme park... do i need also to mention all the attractions, lands etc...?

last question: if in some kind of a miracle i won and got an intership... do i have to live in the US in order to work as an imagineer?

 

[terp79]

You have 3 chances to compete in the contest: your 3rd and 4th year in college and the 1 year after you have earned your degree.

it sounds like your university program is only 2 years? you may need to contact an ImagiNations representative and ask if you can enter the contest if attending a 2 year program.

I'm not sure if you attend more than one university if you can enter the contest. It sounds like your higher education system over there is much different than here in the states. Once again I would contact a representative.

They take 6 GROUPS of students
A GROUP consists of up to 4 people but no less than 2
You have to enter the contest in a group, not by yourself.

I don't know what you would want to design for your entry so therefore I can not tell you what you need to include in your entry. This question is a little vague.

I'm not sure where WDI stands on non-American residents and internships. I do know that 2 past finalists (one from 2005 and one from 2007) where from Canada and they had problems with getting a work visa to come to the states for an internship.

WDI only takes a handful of students for internships each year. Most of them are people who live close to WDI, Glendale. In the past, they have given internships to finalists from Canada, and they did have to move to California.

 

[romanarms]

oh... okay...
thank ou terp...

those the Universal Studios imagineering (i dont know how it is called there) have somthing similar to imaginations?

+ if disney doesnt provide the visa to those they want to hire so why thewy open this contest to the wide-world?

is mail the only way that i can contact them or there is a phone number?? (i prefer calling them and speaking with a representitive rather than writing)

 

[terp79]

The universal studios company does not hold a contest for their park division like ImagiNations, at least not that I know of.

It's not that Disney won't provide work visas for people out of the country, but you have to understand that the Disney company is only alloted so many out-of-country work visas a year. Therefore interns that require work visas are lower on the list to bring in compared to people Disney wants to hire full time for profession positions.

There is a telephone number on the ImagiNations web page. Please contact a representative with any questions you may have.