CAREER

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

The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, will kick off its 50th anniversary in October with Tracey Powell in the thick of it all, and not as a visitor but as a long-time employee. This November marks 19 years that Tracey has been a member of the Disney family.

The native of Gary, Indiana, is vice president of Travel Services, Pricing and Revenue Management for Disney Signature Experiences. These experiences include Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney, National Geographic Expeditions and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii. While that may seem like a lot of hats to wear, this is nothing new for Tracey, who started as a manager for Walt Disney World Resort. She has also served as director and executive responsible for pricing at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort as well as vice president of Global Initiatives and Integration, leading international teams in Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disney Resort.

In her current role, Tracey is responsible for turning consumer demand into revenue for each business. “My team develops pricing and promotional strategies for Disney Signature Experiences with the goal of helping achieve our business objectives while also delivering the most value to our guests,” she says. “I also lead our guest contact centers, which provide some of the first Disney interactions for our guests and set the tone for a phenomenal vacation experience to come.”

Tracey explains that Disney Signature Experiences and its portfolio of businesses are expanding the Disney brand in unique ways for families. There are currently four cruise ships with another one under construction – the Disney Wish will sail its maiden 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

Disney Vacation Club resorts,” she says. “And through Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions, we offer guided group vacations to some of the world’s most sought-after destinations, delivering the unmatched guest service we’re known for.” Tracey adds that her most memorable moments with Disney were when she was responsible for resort operations because of the direct interactions with guests. Tracey’s career is definitely what dreams are made of, and anybody who wishes to join the Disney family has an abundance of opportunities. “The sky’s the limit at The Walt Disney Company,” she says. “You can start in one area where you may have an interest, but as you “ The sky’s the limit at The Walt network and build relationships, you can move to another area of interest. You can redefine your career without leaving Disney. My advice would be to never put limitations on yourself. We are a company of innovation, where no idea Disney Company. is a crazy idea.” When asked to share fun facts about herself “before Disney”, Tracey laughs, “I graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1983. I come from a family of Roosevelt alumni and I was a cheerleader. My mother was a cheerleader at Roosevelt and graduated in 1963.” Tracey has enjoyed acting most of her life, and 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 Sorority, Incorporated and serves as Vice Chair for Heart of Florida United Way in Central Florida. Whenever Tracey returns to visit family and friends in Gary, she satisfies her food cravings at White Castle, even though “there’s one in Orlando now,” and at Lincoln’s Carryout in Crown Point. “The original Lincoln’s was, of course, in Gary. There are a lot of memories there. I still get the U.S. Steel sandwich. That’s a must!” she says. Z