Travel Course Takes Students Behind the Scenes

Nearly 19 million tourists visit Walt Disney World in Florida every year, but only a very small fraction ever see what’s under the theme park. This January, however, thirteen Saint Peter’s University students along with Professor Cynthia Walker and Professor Barna Donovan explored  the “utilidors” — access tunnels that run under the Magic Kingdom — and were offered peeks into the attraction, storage, costuming and parade preparation areas used by cast members. The five day trip was part of “CU/TRV 308: Disney: Behind the Scenes” a travel course offered for the first time this spring semester by the Department of Communication and Media Culture. The students also attended courses in teamwork, leadership and creativity conducted by Disney trainers.

Traveling on the Disney Express bus from the airport to the park

“This Disney travel course left us with vital tools that will help us everywhere we go,” observed senior and Communication major Meghan Ianiro. “We learned about all the little details Disney puts into making their customers happy and keeping them safe. It’s one thing to hear about everything that makes Disney as successful as it is, but we got to experience it in a way that most people don’t get to experience in their lifetime.”

The group on Wednesday morning before beginning the “Techniques in Teamwork Through Improvisation” at Epcot

Student Leyla Salhuana is greeted by Mickey Mouse

Another student in the course, sophomore Alexandra Rivera who is majoring in graphic arts, enthusiastically agreed. “We learned a lot of important skills that I think everyone should have no matter what major they are. It taught me what it takes to be a good and efficient leader and to take initiative when an opportunity knocks on my door.  I learned so much!  I’m so glad Saint Peter’s opened up this opportunity for our students!”

Collage of scenes from the trip