Cast members are at the center of it all at Disneyland Resort. For nearly 70 years, these dedicated teams of storytellers have united to create happiness for guests every day. The skills and experiences gained from working at Disneyland Resort are prolific and leave a lasting impact. Whether cast members stay and advance their careers within The Walt Disney Company or go on to a new adventure, opportunities for growth at Disneyland Resort pave the way for cast members to impact the world at large.
Read the stories of three former Disneyland Resort cast members, who are making an impactful difference in diverse industries, using skills and lessons learned from The Happiest Place on Earth.
Jonathan Hughes – Government Affairs Director at Providence Health
Former Disney cast member Jonathan Hughes worked in multiple roles throughout his career with Disneyland Resort.
For Jonathan Hughes, working at Disneyland Resort was more than just a job — it was a creative outlet.
Growing up in a family of musicians and creatives, he felt a tie to the arts that inspired him to venture into the world of entertainment. After watching the Candlelight Processional (an annual holiday celebration at Disneyland Resort), Jonathan knew that he wanted to perform one day at Disneyland Resort – a dream he realized in 2008 when he began working as a seasonal parade performer. His passion for the arts further motivated him to bring the magic to aspiring performers.
A few years later, he transferred to Guest Talent Programs, now known as Disney Imagination Campus, where he assisted guest performers at the resort, including young students.
How Disneyland Resort prepares early career professionals
“Disney prepares you so well to interact with people from all walks of life,” Jonathan said. “That has been a parallel in my Disney experience and beyond in my professional life.” As government affairs director at Providence Health, Jonathan interacts with a wide array of individuals, analyzing the impact of legislative and regulatory proposals on a health care system operating in multiple hospitals.
Jonathan’s interpersonal skills have transferred seamlessly from Disney to the healthcare industry, bridging hospitality with a continued commitment to excellence. As he continues to pioneer in his industry, he looks back at Disney as a stepping-stone in fueling his creativity.
“There is an opportunity for everyone at Disney. It’s a great place to work. My experience was nothing but lovely.”
Michelle Fletcher – Material and Color Data Operations Specialist at New Balance
Former Disney cast member Michelle Fletcher celebrating her career at The Walt Disney Company with Mickey Mouse and former Disney Ambassadors René Torrico and Jolie Hales.
As a Disneyland Resort cast member, Michelle Fletcher fostered her fascination with fashion in her role as a pageant helper. Surrounded by colorful costumes, she became passionate about the role that clothing plays in telling immersive stories at the resort.
“I’ve always been interested in fashion,” Michelle said. “I made clothes for my kids — all of their Halloween costumes — and being around costumes at Disney, the interest grew further.”
While working at Disneyland Resort in Entertainment, she helped create a new role as a liaison between the characters and costuming departments, focused on fixing and redeveloping costumes to ensure they were safe and comfortable for cast members.
During her time with the company, Michelle simultaneously earned her undergraduate degree in fashion merchandising, further propelling her interest in the industry. Throughout her 20-year career at the resort, Michelle gained valuable experience in many facets of the entertainment department, working as a lead, scheduler and more!
Applying skills gained at Disneyland Resort to a new discipline
“Disney was huge for me. All the experience I gathered in many different areas of the character department really made me like a Swiss Army knife,” Michelle said.
As a material and color data operations specialist at New Balance, Michelle is applying the skills she acquired from her roles working at Disneyland Resort, consolidating data tied to fabrics and colors housed within the company.
“At Disney, I learned how to be extremely adaptable,” she said. “I credit Disney for helping me hone those skills of being flexible and quick on my feet to come up with solutions.” With this multifaceted background as a Disney cast member, she is ready for all that comes her way, continuing to innovate in this fast-paced field.
Jim Farmer – Senior Director, Talent Development at SCAN Health Plan
Former Disney cast member Jim Farmer kickstarts his interest in talent development at Disneyland Resort (left) and poses alongside the Partners statue at The Walt Disney Studios (right).
“My decade at Disney set up the success I have in my career leading talent development today,” said Jim Farmer, senior director of Talent Development at Senior Care Action Network (SCAN). “The training I received on providing great service and putting the guest experience first shapes all of the employee development work I do.”
How Disney Programs kickstarted a ten-year Disney career
As an undergraduate student at California State University, Fullerton, Jim participated in the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World Resort before becoming a Disneyland Resort cast member in 2001.
While continuing his time in Operations as a working lead, Jim also became a Traditions Facilitator, sharing his enthusiasm with newly hired cast members in the Disney orientation, while fostering his passion for talent development. “That was significant because it was my first foray into learning and development. I got great feedback on presentation skills and public speaking and lessons that really formed the foundation for the rest of my career.”
Beyond growing his skills, Jim furthered his professional development by utilizing the company’s tuition reimbursement program to earn his master’s degree in organizational leadership. Jim achieved his goal of being the first in his family to graduate with a master’s level degree.
Creating happiness in a new industry
At SCAN, Jim leads a team of HR professionals, building company engagement — an interest he developed while working as a Disney cast member. “At Disney, creating magic and happiness for guests is a very unifying purpose that resonates with people. It resonated with me,” Jim said. “That’s something that I help build into the culture at SCAN – that clarity of purpose and finding ways to achieve that.”
Reflecting on his experience as a Disneyland Resort cast member, Jim is thankful for the ways in which the company kickstarted his professional career, but he holds even more gratitude for the community he found through cast-exclusive events and Disney VoluntEARS.
Though his professional career has taken him away from Disney, Jim is forever tied to his experience as a former Disney cast member. “Those [events] are all things that have cemented the legacy of my experience at Disney. It really has become a lifelong connection.”