Tracey Powell’s
Magical Disney Career A behind-the-scenes look at how she works to make the world of Disney a memorable experience for families By Lisa D. DeNeal
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he Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, will kick off Disney Vacation Club resorts,” she says. “And through Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions, we offer its 50th anniversary in October with Tracey Powell in the thick of it guided group vacations to some of the world’s most sought-after all, and not as a visitor but as a long-time employee. This November destinations, delivering the unmatched guest service we’re known marks 19 years that Tracey has been a member of the Disney family. for.” Tracey adds that her most memorable moments with Disney The native of Gary, Indiana, is vice president of Travel were when she was responsible for resort operations because of the Services, Pricing and Revenue Management for Disney Signature direct interactions with guests. Experiences. These experiences include Disney Cruise Line, Disney Tracey’s career is definitely what dreams are made of, and Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney, National Geographic anybody who wishes to join the Disney family has an abundance of Expeditions and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii. While opportunities. “The sky’s the limit at The Walt Disney Company,” that may seem like a lot of hats to wear, this is nothing new for she says. “You can start in one area where Tracey, who started as a manager for Walt you may have an interest, but as you Disney World Resort. She has also served network and build relationships, you as director and executive responsible can move to another area of interest. for pricing at both Walt Disney World You can redefine your career without Resort and Disneyland Resort as well as leaving Disney. My advice would be to vice president of Global Initiatives and The sky’s the limit never put limitations on yourself. We are Integration, leading international teams a company of innovation, where no idea in Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai at The Walt is a crazy idea.” Disney Resort. Disney Company. When asked to share fun facts about In her current role, Tracey is herself “before Disney”, Tracey laughs, “I responsible for turning consumer demand graduated from Roosevelt High School in into revenue for each business. “My 1983. I come from a family of Roosevelt team develops pricing and promotional alumni and I was a cheerleader. My strategies for Disney Signature mother was a cheerleader at Roosevelt and Experiences with the goal of helping graduated in 1963.” Tracey has enjoyed acting most of her life, and achieve our business objectives while also delivering the most value to our guests,” she says. “I also lead our guest contact centers, which her last acting role was as “Ruth” in a production of A Raisin in the Sun. She loves to travel and is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha provide some of the first Disney interactions for our guests and set Sorority, Incorporated and serves as Vice Chair for Heart of Florida the tone for a phenomenal vacation experience to come.” United Way in Central Florida. Whenever Tracey returns to visit Tracey explains that Disney Signature Experiences and its family and friends in Gary, she satisfies her food cravings at White portfolio of businesses are expanding the Disney brand in unique Castle, even though “there’s one in Orlando now,” and at Lincoln’s ways for families. There are currently four cruise ships with another Carryout in Crown Point. “The original Lincoln’s was, of course, one under construction – the Disney Wish will sail its maiden in Gary. There are a lot of memories there. I still get the U.S. Steel voyage next year. “We also offer Disney Vacation Club, which is an opportunity to own a real estate interest in one or more of the 15 sandwich. That’s a must!” she says. Z
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Lisa D. DeNeal is a freelance writer and author/co-author of four books, with more to come. Follow her on Instagram (@ldd1986) and Twitter (@diolette).
