Introducing Louisa, service excellence trainer – youth activities, for Disney Cruise Line
Louisa, a service excellence trainer – youth activities onboard the Disney Fantasy, has had a passion for helping others since her Disney journey began at just 11 years old. During her first trip to Walt Disney World® Resort, she recalls, “what really stood out for me was, on our first day, we were in the Magic Kingdom outside Casey’s Corner and a little boy dropped his ice cream. No more than two minutes later a cast member had come and given him and his sister a new ice cream. I remember thinking ‘I’ve found my people!’”
This hospitality that Disney is known for inspired Louisa to return to Walt Disney World Resort years later as part of her undergraduate program. After months of anxiously hoping for an opportunity to arise, Louisa was hired for one of the Disney International Programs. She recalls that she could barely contain her excitement, and even “may or may not have cried!”
Louisa’s energetic spirit brought her success as a cast member at Main Street Bakery and Main Street Cone Shop where she made the same recovery ice cream cones for guests that she had seen all those years ago! After several months on Main Street, U.S.A., Louisa ventured over to Adventureland, where she drove her boat for “niles and niles and niles” as a Jungle Cruise skipper for the remainder of her program.
After returning home, Louisa found that she missed Disney and “knew that working for Disney couldn’t just be a one-time thing.” After some searching, she found the Disney Cultural Representative Program and began her journey to becoming a hostess at the Rose and Crown Pub in Epcot. Louisa never wanted this time with Disney to end, and even extended her program twice to stay as long as she could, but eventually found that she had to start thinking about a future beyond Walt Disney World Resort.
Enter Disney Cruise Line! Louisa discovered Disney’s shipboard opportunities thanks to resources from the Disney International Program team which seeks to help all participants find their place at Disney if they choose to stay. Soon, Louisa applied and was accepted onboard the Disney Magic, where she set sail as a youth activities counselor.
When the time came to renew her contract, she expressed interest in becoming a youth activities training coordinator (YATC). In her words, “I have always praised the training that Disney gives its cast members highly, and knew that was where my passion was and the direction I wanted my career to head.” Within the next two years, Louisa achieved permanent status in the YATC role, which took her to work on all four current Disney Cruise Line ships!
Most recently, Louisa was offered the opportunity to become one of the first ever service excellence trainers for youth activities. According to Louisa, “Not only was this a huge achievement, but I also was able to continue my love of training. I am so proud to be part of this team.”
While Louisa loves creating magic for guests and her fellow crew members, it is the passion for pursuing her dreams that keeps her excited about working for Disney. As she says, “I am definitely that person who can say their dream came true, and who knows where it might take me next!”
If you’re looking to chase your own dreams with Disney, please visit disneycareers.com to learn more.