In a world where dreams take flight, two brothers, Jerry and Peter Wong, traded their badges in the aerospace industry to become beloved cast members at Disneyland Resort.
After a 30-year career in aerospace, the Wong brothers made a life-changing decision: to begin a new adventure, bringing them closer to their roots, family and their shared love of Disney. This isn’t just a story about a career change. It’s a testament to following your passion and chasing joy no matter what stage of life you are in.
Engineering Joy
Jerry and Peter followed in the footsteps of many of their family members, both working in the aerospace industry Jerry as an engineer and Peter as a financial analyst.
“I always wanted to be an engineer growing up,” said Jerry, who graduated from UCLA and led an expansive career.
Jerry Wong stands in front of one of the large satellite dishes he worked closely on.
As a principal financial analyst, Peter led a fulfilling and challenging career as well. “I loved what I did in aerospace because I felt like I was doing something for my country,” said Peter.
From Aerospace to Disneyland Resort
Although the Wong brothers both built successful careers in the aerospace industry, they were eager to bring their wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to Disneyland Resort in the hopes to experience “The Happiest Place on Earth” from a different perspective, one of a cast member.
“One of the reasons why I wanted to work at Disneyland Resort was [out] of curiosity,” said Jerry. “Being an engineer and wanting to know the technical parts [and] how things operate.”
Along with their appreciation for the work of cast members, Disneyland Resort was a large part of the Wongs’ childhood memories; it was a place they would visit on their annual family vacations. Peter and Jerry grew up in a family that adored the magic of Disney, and as the years went on, that love remained a comfort throughout their careers and as their families grew.
Jerry (above) and Peter’s (below) families regularly visit the parks.
“We’ve always enjoyed Disney,” said Jerry. “Our kids were born roughly around the same time, so the four kids kind of grew up at the same pace.” As their families have grown, the Wong brothers continue their annual Disneyland Resort vacations and cherish the times they often spend at the resort as guests, too.
Jerry and Peter celebrating Lunar New Year with their wives.
Instead of slowing down, the brothers accelerated into a new phase of life and reimagined their next chapter as an opportunity to embrace creativity, fun and above all, family. They traded in technical charts and parts for nametags as cast members at Disneyland Resort.
Making Magic at The Happiest Place on Earth
Peter, the youngest brother, started his Disney journey in 2018, and currently works as an Attractions cast member at Grizzly Peak in Disney California Adventure park. “I was hired into Grizzly Peak, and ever since then, I’ve loved making magic here,” said Peter. “I just love meeting all the cast members and learning about their life stories.”
Peter showing off his skills on the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure Park.
Jerry followed in his brother’s footsteps shortly after and joined the resort as a Disney PhotoPass photographer, a fitting role for a passion he’s had since childhood. “It’s something that I picked up from my dad when I was a teenager; he taught me how to take pictures,” said Jerry.
Jerry capturing a moment in Disney California Adventure park.
In their roles, the Wong brothers love creating magical moments for guests visiting the parks. Whether it’s Peter surprising visitors with a special experience or Jerry taking a snapshot of a family’s first visit, the brothers treasure unique interactions they can only have as Disneyland Resort cast members.
Maintaining Brotherly Bonds
Although Peter and Jerry work in different areas of the resort, they find time to connect while being cast members. “We’ve always had a really good relationship, but Disney was always one of the things that tied us together,” said Peter. “We always meet for lunch and take pictures with the characters, just the two of us.”
The Wong brothers take a photo together before their shifts.
Peter and Jerry Wong offer a different perspective – that sometimes, the best adventures come from following your heart and building strong connections with those around you. Their story serves as a reminder that it is never too late to pursue a new dream, embrace the things that bring us happiness and deepen the relationships that matter most. After all, whether they are crunching numbers or tinkering, “it’s not rocket science, it’s Disney magic!”
Interested in being a Disneyland Resort cast member?
See where your Disney journey could lead you by visiting Disneyland.jobs!