Via-DisneyParksBlog

A favorite activity of Disney cast members and guests when visiting our parks and resorts is to reminisce on the remarkable advances and changes that have taken place over time. As we look forward to celebrating The Walt Disney Companyβs 100th Anniversary this year, Lead Software Engineer Michael Dixon shares his memories as a child visiting Walt Disney World to becoming a cast member in technology.
Michael began his professional Disney journey with a summer job in the mid-1990s. He learned the art of personalization by embroidering guest names onto Mickey ears. Even today, he can still remember the movements needed to stitch his name onto one of those coveted ears.
Eventually, Michael moved to a role in Guest Relations, where he got his introduction to Disney ticketing and began an incredible career opening Disneyβs Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Hong Kong Disneyland. Michael was a crucial part of teams that assisted with ticket auditing, reporting, and technology. But despite playing such a large role in advancing Disneyβs ticketing systems, Michael remains a firm supporter in Walt Disneyβs belief that people make dreams into reality.
βNo matter how technologically advanced we get or how much we can make everything self-sufficient or being able to be done beforehandβ¦It doesnβt replace the people. The people make it magic.β
Learn more about Michaelβs story: