Engineering former student helps make dreams come true at Disney World

The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, is considered by some to be the most magical place on earth, but it takes more work than simple pixie dust to keep that magic running. That’s where civil engineering former student Gena Gillispie ‘18 comes in. A project management intern with Walt Disney Imagineering, Gillispie and interns like her assist with bringing the various Walt Disney Imagineering projects to life.

“You are building these things that are big and fun and can give people this exciting experience,” Gillispie said. “But you get to be a lot more creative and make peoples’ dreams come true.”

Gillispie fell in love with Disney World during her first visit at 17. Later as a general engineering student at Texas A&M University, she felt drawn to civil engineering. During her college career she was able to participate in the Disney College Program, where she was introduced to how engineering works within Disney.

“It was such an awesome experience that I knew it was a goal I wanted to pursue.” Gillispie said. “I knew I wanted to be a civil engineer because you work on really big projects and things that impact the way people live, and with this we get to be so creative and impact the way people’s dreams come true in a different way.”

Gillispie works as a part of a project team, helping coordinate between construction crews, designers and project executives. While such project management aspects are also found when working as a part of an engineering consulting firm, there are added challenges Gillispie has come across as an Imagineer where there is an emphasis on both functionality and the user experience.

“I think it’s a very different mindset than other types of construction,” Gillispie said. “I have to think about what the people are going to see and how they will interact with it. Also the parks are open 365 days a year so we have to think carefully about how we manage noise and construction safety with all of these people around who are trying to take in this Disney experience.”

According to Gillispie, some construction takes place during the night to minimize the impact on the park goers’ experience. This creates additional safety challenges and other concerns that are not typically present in public works construction.

Imagineers are also required to collaborate with many different working disciplines, including artists, design managers and construction teams. Gillispie’s internship with Disney currently extends through spring 2019, but she hopes to have the opportunity to continue working for Disney and possibly work at one of their international park locations in the future.

“I think many people think of civil engineering and see it as water resources and bridges and roadways but it is so applicable to anything you feel passionate about,” Gillispie said. “Whether that is theme parks, humanitarian work, or whatever you want to do, it is applicable and worth it to chase after that thing you want to do, and I am excited to get to be a part of this opportunity.”