At Disneyland Resort, what may start as summer job stocking plush toys on Main Street, U.S.A or snapping photos of a young princess in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle can turn into something more: a fruitful career in leading others. For Julianna Alley and Eric Cuevas, two cast members whose Disney journeys began decades apart, growth looked different, but both shared a sense of curiosity, willingness to learn and supportive teams who guided them along the way.
Julianna Alley: Three Decades of Growth, Partnership and Magic
Julianna’s Disney story began in 1998, when she joined Disneyland Resort as a merchandise cast member, helping guests find the perfect souvenir to take home. Three years later, she was chosen for a team that would open a storefront for Disney fans from around the globe: World of Disney in the newly opened Downtown Disney District.
“Opening World of Disney is still one of the most exciting things I have ever done,” Julianna says. “Being part of that opening team taught me the power of collaboration, leadership and shared purpose.”
Over the next 19 years, Julianna worked with a variety of teams including merchandise, attractions, training & development and guest relations. Eventually, she joined the Disney Institute, where she found a unique way to keep doing what she loved. “There, I found a new way to share my love of Disney, by translating the magic of our operations into lessons for organizations around the world,” she says.
Today, Julianna is a Senior Learning Facilitator at Disney University, leading staff and other facilitators while helping shape the next generation of Disneyland Resort leaders.
“I never could have prepared for how the last 27 years would change me, or how much better they would make me,” she says. “At every turn, it has always been about the people.”
Eric Cuevas: A Summer Job That Transformed into Endless Possibilities
Eric Cuevas didn’t necessarily plan on a career at Disneyland Resort. In 2017 as a newly graduated UC Irvine alum, Eric joined Disneyland Resort as a Disney Photo Imaging (DPI) photographer. Initially, he thought the role would be a fun way to spend the summer before determining his next career move, but what was intended to be short-term turned into years of connecting with guests and cast members across the resort.
Eric started behind a camera, capturing memories for guests and worked his way up to a DPI working lead, then trainer, then event lead along the way. One guest interaction has stuck with him over the years: a young girl visiting Fairy Tale Treasures in Fantasyland who’d had a tough day. Eric and his team arranged a surprise princess meet-and-greet and gifted a new doll set for the young guest. “She gave me a big hug, and it reminded me of what we have the opportunity to do here,” he says. “It’s truly something that’s bigger than us.”
In 2022, Eric became a Traditions facilitator, teaching the resort’s onboarding course for new cast members in English and Spanish, all while discovering a passion for helping others grow. Two years later, he moved into Operations Training, and today he’s an Operations Training Manager, supporting leadership programs across the resort.
“Over the past nine years, I’ve built countless relationships and had the opportunity to work alongside so many talented teams, domestic and abroad,” Eric says. “Those experiences have taught me more than I could ever put into words.”
Different Journeys, Same Destination
Julianna’s career path touched five departments over nearly 30 years. Eric’s summer job turned into a leadership career in under a decade. Neither route was planned, but for both, growth came from staying open to new opportunities.
For many cast members growing their careers, Disneyland Resort is a place to learn, grow, lead and to help create a little Disney magic along the way.
Learn more about Disneyland Resort’s endless possibilities for growth, development and career advancement.