One Cast Member’s Journey From Young Dreamer to Disney Engineer
If you have ever visited the Disney Parks, you know that the Cast Members, not the attractions, restaurants, or shops, make the real magic happen.
Perhaps it should come as no surprise, then, that many of the men and women who make Walt Disney World the Most Magical Place on Earth started out as Disney fans.
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
With that in mind, I would like to introduce Stephanie Petty, a Disney engineer.
Stephanie’s Story Began in the Magic Kingdom
Stephanie’s Disney journey began when she first visited Walt Disney World with her grandparents. At just five years old, she was mesmerized by Fantasyland’s Mad Tea Party.
As she watched teacups spin round and round, she asked her grandfather, an engineer, how the attraction worked.
Throughout her visit to Magic Kingdom, Stephanie became enamored with each attraction. Her grandfather then explained how the rides were brought to life by Cast Members who designed, built, and maintained Disney World’s rides.
“I just thought it was so cool that there were people whose whole job was to make rides for other people to go on and make them happy,” Stephanie explained. “That trip is what made me want to become a Disney engineer.”
The Disney College Program and Getting Her Degree
Years later, Stephanie would return to Disney World, this time as part of the Disney College Program. After completing her program, Stephanie met her husband and became a mom. In 2020, however, she returned to her studies and completed her degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Photo: Disney
“All of the years, the hard work, the late nights studying, waking up early for my children … It was tough, but the one goal that fueled me through it all was getting back to Disney and becoming an engineer,” Stephanie said. “It’s all I ever wanted.”
Dream’s Come True
In 2024, Stephanie’s Disney dream came true when she was hired as an engineer.
“For me, becoming a Disney engineer was the equivalent of how some people feel about getting into the NFL,” she said. “There were some days that it felt like a long shot, but I knew it was going to work out.”
Photo: Disney
In her new role, Stephanie is focused on the Walt Disney Transportation system, working on the monorail, Skyliner, and Disney watercraft.
“My kids think it’s so cool that I work with the monorails and Disney Skyliner,” Stephanie said. “I remember riding the monorails when I was a kid, and my daughter’s favorite ride when she was little was the parking lot trams. It is surreal to me that now I get to work on those and help make magic for other guests.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
In addition to inspiring her own kids, Stephanie revels in the opportunity to show other little girls that anything is possible.
TOP: Stephanie and her brother at Disney’s Contemporary Resort on a childhood trip.
BOTTOM: Stephanie’s children recreating the photo.
“It makes me so happy to know that there are other little girls out there who want to be a Disney engineer,” Stephanie said. “It’s unbelievable that I’ve accomplished that after all these years and can be a source of inspiration for children and other women in STEM.”
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