Submitted By: Racquel
Another newly instituted program, I believe this is modeled after "Lunch
with a Disney Animator." I wasn't particularly drawn to animation (forgive
the pun), but jumped on this one; I think we're all fascinated by Imagineers.
Our group of eight met at the Brown Derby at 11:30 a.m. We were escorted to
a small, private dining room, known as the Bamboo Room, by the Brown Derby's
manager and introduced to our Imagineer, Eric, and our waitstaff. The menu
offered several choices for each course, including their famous Cobb salad.
We enjoyed our lunch and spent a delightful hour with Eric, who works in
Show Production, one of over 150 different departments under the
Imagineering umbrella. The majority of Imagineers work out of California,
but I was surpised to learn that there are about 600 in Orlando. Eric has
worked on a number of projects including the Millennium planning, and
Mission: Space. He is actually a third-generation Disney employee. His
grandfather was one of the original Imagineers working for WED under Walt
Disney. His mother was a face character; a princess, don't remember which
one, in Disneyland. He passed around a special ring that he wore which had
been his grandfather's and was given to him by his mother a couple of years
back. It was a "55 Club" ring, given only to those who worked for Walt in
1955 when Disneyland opened. This was quite an amazing thing to see; I don't
believe there are too many of these floating around. What was most
interesting was the path he had taken to his current position. Interestingly
I spoke with a number of castmembers during my vacation this year, and
often heard the same story. While most of us may think that, as in most
corporations, employees join the company and work their way up vertically
within their profession, it seems as though a great many start in one job
and end up someplace entirely different. I was amazed at how many people
began their Disney careers doing something such as selling ice cream in the
Magic Kingdom. This was certainly true of Eric, as well, who did not begin
at Disney as an Imagineer. I asked him if he had agreed to attend the lunch
under duress and he said it was quite the opposite. When the program was
announced, tons of castmembers signed up and there is an enormous waiting
list to be the Imagineer of the day. At the end of the meal, large plates
were brought out which he signed for each individual. I think the nicest
thing about this program is that each lunch would be an entirely different
experience with a different Imagineer and a different group of dining
companions. This is definitely something to consider trying.
