A Happily Ever After Career

Laurel Slater, a cast member at Walt Disney World, explained her first job with the Walt Disney Company was at her local Disney Store in her home state of Iowa.

Slater is now a manger for executive communications at Walt Disney World. She works closely with the president of Walt Disney World, Jeff Vahle, on a daily basis. She expressed this was not the job title she envisioned herself having since she was little.

Slater wanted to be an opera singer or in theatre because she loves to captivate an audience with a performance. Adrianis Morales-Vazquez, one of the youngest mangers for executive communications at Walt Disney World, said she wanted to be an FBI accountant to help people. Medardo Salinas Quintero, a Disney recruiter for the communications department, wanted to be an actor to entertain people. In a way, they are all fulfilling their dream in each of their careers.

Morales-Vazquez grew up in a Puerto Rican emigrant household and is an Orlando native since she was five years old. She was surrounded in the Disney magic from an early age because her weekends were spent at Disney World eating park food, riding “It’s a Small World”, and watching parades. Getting her first job at Disney World when she was 17 years old, Morales-Vazquez worked in entertainment and operations. Seeing the backstage magic like never before, Morales-Vazquez said she offered perspective when taking the job in executive communications for Walt Disney World as the youngest in the department. Being a first generation American, having a connection to the entertainment department, and having a “workaholic” attitude allows her to communicate effectively and produce engaging content with cast members.

Quintero, an immigrant from Mexico and Nicaragua, knew of the Disney Company through their famous animated movies. However, it wasn’t until he was 24 years old that he knew of the career opportunities with the company. After a recommendation from his friend, he applied for the International Disney College Program in 2006 and was granted one year of citizenship. His role during his internship was in the food and beverage department as a server in the Mexico pavilion at EPCOT. After his year of employment was accomplished, he had to return to his country. He said, “I had to think of ways to integrate myself to this country to achieve my goals.”

He took the necessary steps in his career and citizenship to return to Disney, including becoming a citizen of the United States. Quintero says, “Now, that I’ve overcome those obstacles, I can have a voice and give opportunities to people who faced the same obstacles.”

Ever since visiting the Florida theme park in sixth grade with her sister’s marching band, Slater fell in love with the culture and the magic. Slater said, “We were backstage at Magic Kingdom getting ready for the Easter parade my sister’s marching band was in, and I saw Mickey Mouse up close and personal. There was no line. There was no wait time. I immediately pulled out my itinerary booklet for Mickey to sign.” It was this moment, a moment she would remember forever, Slater set out to become a cast member with The Walt Disney Company. Little did she know she would soon be immersed in the Disney bubble.

While scrolling through her Facebook pictures, Slater strolls down memory lane of her Disney life. After applying for the 1996 fall Disney College Program, she snagged a role in attractions. Her first role at Disney began at the Magic of Disney Animation in what was previously known as MGM Studios but is now Hollywood Studios. Once she graduated college in 2000, Slater was offered a full-time position in merchandising on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom.

Slater was promoted to a leader in merchandising in Tomorrowland and on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, then switched roles to guest relations and worked as a VIP tour guide. During this time, she met her husband who also worked at Disney. Before starting her executive communications career in 2020, she was a senior manager for parks communication for over 20 years. Working her way up the ladder is an understatement.

She had a hand in many advancements of the theme parks, starting with the opening of the new Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom in the early 2000s to the 2019 opening of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios and ending with the new attraction, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad, in 2020 at Hollywood Studios.

Yet, Slater was most honored to be chosen for the Shanghai Disneyland team in 2016. They helped with the grand opening media event and worked closely with their communications team to ensure a smooth opening process. Slater said, “Going to Shanghai the last seven weeks of construction and being able to bring my family with me was rewarding in a way that was indescribable.”

“Disney has brought me many opportunities and allowed me to grow when I felt I had learned everything at my last job,” she said. “However, overcoming my sensitive personality and being comfortable with accepting feedback in a non-personal way was the hardest obstacle,” Slater added.

Slater explained the best part about working for a company like Disney is the work schedule flexibility, the self-accountability of their cast members for always upholding Disney standard, and the creativity everyone brings to the table. Quintero said, “Not many people have the blessing of loving their job.”

An important piece of advice given to Morales-Vazquez was from her college professor. He said, “If you don’t like chocolate, don’t work for Hershey.” A career in a field you love is nothing without a company you can believe in.

Applying for any position at Disney is challenging because of the competitiveness of each applicant. Having a solid network helps; however, experience, a strong resume, and impressive writing samples are the materials that matter most. Slater explained, “We are looking for someone who is doesn’t drag their feet, is reliable, and can take on a project and get it done quickly and creatively.” To be considered for most communication positions, they require less than a year worth of experience with the Walt Disney Company. Recruiters are mainly “looking for someone who genuinely loves Disney, and I have never hired someone who hasn’t felt that love for Disney,” said Quintero.

It is crazy that one meeting with Mickey or one recommendation can change someone’s life. Quintero said, “My dream of entertaining people came true because now I’m making dreams come true for others, and that is extremely entertaining.”