‘Magic moments’ hook talents
Print Edition
EXPERIENCES come and go, but memories last forever. Magic moments are the reason many young people who did summer internships through Disney’s International College Program ended up choosing careers at the Shanghai Disney Resort.
Project Coordinator Oliver Zhu, 29, is one example. In his junior year at Shanghai Normal University, he won a paid internship at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. That summer in 2006, he worked as a cast member in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom.
Zhu was among the first Chinese mainlanders to participate in the International College Program, which recruits people 18 years and older from outside the US for cultural exchanges that include paid internships working at the Walt Disney World Resort.
The experience, he said, gave him a deeper understanding of the Disney concept than was possible as a guest at one of the company’s theme parks. He said he had been to Hong Kong Disneyland.
“As a visitor, it was a ‘wow’ experience for me,” he said. “But after working in a Disney resort for several months, I developed a deep respect for the company and its ideals.”
He added, “Take the parade shows, for example. When I was a guest at Disneyland, I was amazed how the shows stay in order so seamlessly every time. It was just like magic. As a cast member, I now understand it is absolutely joint efforts contributed by all lines of business working together to create the magical experience for our guests.”
Today Zhu is working as a coordinator at the Show Production Center of Walt Disney Imagineering Shanghai, the last stop in the creation of the resort’s animated figures and show sets. He coordinates and communicates with contractors to ensure that Disney standards are met.
Zhu worked for an event planning company in Shanghai for two years after graduation. When he heard that Shanghai Disney Resort was recruiting, he quit that job and applied for a position. There was no hesitation on his part.
“I had an attachment with Disney, which was connected with many important moments in my life,” he said. His wife, Tina Dai, another International College Program participant, is also working for Shanghai Disney Resort. They met while working in Orlando and now have a son.
High standards
Michelle Gu, 28, participated in the International College Program in 2007. Now a guest service manager at Shanghai Disney Resort, she did her internship as a merchandise shop assistant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. At first, Gu said she had to overcome her introverted nature and embrace the exuberance of the Disney family.
“My job was not only to sell souvenirs, but also to interact with visitors and help them find what they wanted,” she said. “I had to talk with people lining up at the cash register. It was so much fun to chat with children, who were eager to show me ‘treasures’ like a photo with Mickey Mouse.”
Gu later gave up a public relations job in Shanghai to join Shanghai Disney Resort.
Scheduling assistant Penny Bao, 23, and government affairs specialist Shelley Wu, 28, also hold happy memories of their internships in Orlando, where both worked in food and beverage. Wu ushered people to tables in an African themed restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
“Sometimes people had to wait for tables, so I would talk to them and tell them stories about Africa,” she said.
What impressed Bao most was Disney’s high standards for customer service.
“Face-to-face interaction with guests made me happy when I made them happy,” she said.
One cool winter day while Bao was on her shift, a little girl in a Snow White dress ran up to her.
“It’s cold today,” she told Bao. “But it doesn’t matter because I rode my favorite roller coaster and also met the princess.”
Then she carefully removed some pixie dusts from her pocket.
“These are for you,” she said to Bao.
“I was so touched that she wanted to share something precious to her,” Bao said. “My job there was truly rewarding.”
Disney is about magic moments.
Wu told the story of a little girl who was told she couldn’t take her balloon into Disney’s Animal Kingdom — a rule to prevent animals from getting startled if balloons burst. The little girl was downcast. So a cast member told her, “Don’t worry. I can keep your balloon here for you until you return.”
Later in the day, when the girl came to retrieve the balloon, she was also given a small album of pictures taken of the balloon in different locations in the resort.
“You had a great day and so did your balloon,” the cast member told the girl.
The internships not only teach young people that work can be endless magic moments, but they also create friendships with people from all over the world.
“I remember our last night, when the resort was closed and the farewells began,” said Zhu. “Everyone was so sad. We took pictures and exchanged contact information. It is a memory that I will keep my entire life.”
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