A 4-day immersive program at Disney World comprised of a collection of workshops across a range of topics. Students will learn how to apply their imagination to problem solve and think creatively.
Experience the brilliance of Disney's innovation with transformative workshops led by seasoned Disney leaders. Explore effective strategies in leadership and teamwork inspired by Disney's approach, while delving into immersive storytelling and the cutting-edge technology behind Disney Parks' magic. Elevate your skills through tried-and-true techniques from one of the world's most innovative brands.
Application Timeline:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, our office will not be offering the program during the 2024-2025 academic year.
Cost:
- Students are expected to purchase their own travel. Lodging, activities, and some meals will be provided
- Students with demonstrated need are eligible to receive funding for their travel expenses
Workshops:
Admitted participants are required to participate in ALL workshops hosted by the Disney Imagination Campus. Below is more information on each workshop.
Overview
In this course participants explore the importance of Disney’s 5 Keys of Excellence that guide Disney Cast Members in everything they do. Participants will be challenged through a variety of experiences focusing on effective communication and critical thinking. Through hands-on learning and problem-solving scenarios, participants will experience the real-world application of these principles as they interact with Disney leaders and discover their own personal leadership style.
Key Learning Objectives
After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Discuss the importance of diversity when assembling a team
- Understand the value of a positive attitude when faced with any challenge
- Describe Disney’s 5 Keys of Excellence and how these impact a large organization’s ability to quickly solve problems
- Describe and analyze the relationship between Cast Excellence, Guest Satisfaction and Business Results
- Engage with various partners to problem-solve through collaboration
- Understand their personal leadership skills and their own leadership style
Overview
At Disney, our success and our legacy have always hinged on highly effective teams who are motivated toward a common goal. This spirit of shared vision and teamwork can be observed throughout The Walt Disney Company, and in every aspect of our Disney theme parks. In this experience participants learn the Disney philosophy and strategies behind high performing teams. They’ll experience first-hand how collaboration and openness enable teams to overcome obstacles and achieve the ultimate goal...making magic for our Guests every day.
Key Learning Objectives
After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Explore the attributes that make teams highly effective
- Examine their personal strengths and how to apply them in a team setting
- Discover how diversity of thought strengthens a team
- Understand the need to support and build on the contributions of team members
- Learn the value of communication, trust and compromise in a team setting
- Demonstrate an understanding of shared responsibility
Overview
At Disney, everyone is a storyteller. In this revealing course, students will get an inside look at how Disney Imagineers create immersive environments that support the living stories of our theme parks. Through this journey they’ll discover how a wide range of disciplines––from live performances and music to sculptures and culinary arts––all come together to bring stories to life inside the Disney Theme Parks.
Key Learning Objectives
After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Investigate how storytelling at Disney Parks utilizes all 5 senses
- Engage in hands-on design experiences similar to Disney Imagineers’ early design processes
- Identify examples of storytelling in unlikely, non-traditional ways
- Explore our theme parks with a new lens and identify varying levels of detail
- Investigate elements of story and recognize how the same concepts can be used in different ways
- Identify and explore the different creative and technical roles that come together to create an immersive experience
- Learn the importance of collaboration and teamwork in crafting a good story for a diverse audience
Overview
In the Theme Park Design Workshop, discover how Disney Imagineers marry imaginative vision and large-scale functionality. Uncover the concepts, philosophy and tools they consider necessary to make premier theme parks tick. Students will be taught valuable lessons in this special design workshop that could help them advance toward their goals, whether they’re attending for themed entertainment design studies or project management training—or even to find out how to become a Disney Imagineer!
From visual design elements to practical considerations—including the flow and maintenance of attractions—students will gain a holistic understanding of how form and function come together to make the seemingly impossible… possible!
Key Learning Objectives
After completing this workshop, students will be able to:
- Engage in creative problem solving, critical thinking and career-based discussions that apply to the world of design and beyond
- Identify specific theme park elements and analyze how Disney Imagineers designed them with intent and purpose
- Explain ways that Disney Imagineers utilize storytelling as the central focus in theme park design
- Summarize the value and importance of diversity in the collaborative design process
- Model and construct a range of functional and exciting Guest experiences
- Determine how the convergence of creative and technical roles are necessary to design a theme park
- Explore the unique functional challenges of designing a theme park and offer hypothetical solutions
Check out our FAQs here. If you have any additional questions about the Disney Imagination Campus, please contact cli-help-request@lists.uchicago.edu.