As part of our on-going "5 Minutes With" series, every month we’ll introduce you to a new member of our Disney Meetings & Events team at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland Resort in California or Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii. Whether they work in our Disney Convention Resorts, Theme Park Operations, Catering and Convention Services, Sales, Entertainment or dozens of other event-support areas, these Cast Members and their teams are responsible for creating magical experiences and unforgettable events for meeting and event industry professionals, and their important attendees and guests, every single day.

Let’s meet Marisa Ramos, Senior Sales Manager, Park & Event Sales at the Disneyland Resort:

How do you and your team work with meeting and event planners?

My team and I work with meeting and event planners from the start of their interest in hosting a group experience in one of our Theme Parks through an inquiry process. These inquiries are received from resort partners, including our Good Neighbor hotels, any of our Southern California convention bureaus (primarily Anaheim or Long Beach), or direct through our Contract and Lead Management department. Recently, we've receive many of our inquiries as a direct result of our Disney Meetings & Events social media posts and other various social media outlets.

Upon receipt of our inquiries, we begin a communication process to discover the client’s needs. We start from the beginning to discover who they are, why they are here, when they are coming, their number of Guests, and, most importantly, what the goal of their event is. Once we know the answers to those questions, we identify the best possible park event experience to achieve their goal.

Planners can expect that our Cast Members are invested in their goals and all will contribute to their group’s experience within their respective roles to deliver an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Can you describe one of your best Disney memories related to your position assisting a convention/meeting group? 

There are so many, it is impossible to identify just one! With all the various groups that we serve daily, the variables of their demographics, and the goals of their visit, there is one thing that remains consistent among all the groups: it is the utter awe and joy that you can see on the attendees’ faces when they enter and experience the event that is created just for them.  

I’ve witnessed laughter and tears from first time visitors, guests overwhelmed with a giddy, childlike joy to experience an attraction over and over again because it is exclusive to their group; executives and professionals reverting back to childhood at the sight of their favorite Disney Character and the opportunity to snap a picture; and not to mention their excitement at the sight of their culinary delights. As a Cast Member, these are the moments that are magical to me.

What is one of the greatest Disney Differences for attendees meeting at a Disney destination? 

One of the greatest Disney Differences for our attendees is simply our Four Keys. Our Four Keys of Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency deliver a world-class experience to each and every Guest each and every time they are with us. We also build magical relationships that enable us and our partners to create and deliver unforgettable Disney experiences!