When she was five years old, Stephanie Petty visited Walt Disney World and marveled at how rides like Mad Tea Party worked. Now, she’s a Disney engineer.
From Teacups to Skyliner
Petty first visited Walt Disney World with her grandparents when she was five years old. She was in awe of the spinning teacups in Magic Kingdom and asked her grandfather, an engineer, “How does this ride work? Who created this?” Petty’s grandfather explained how cast members work to build and maintain Disney’s rides.
“I just thought it was so cool that there were people whose whole job was to make rides for other people to go on and make them happy,” explained Petty. “That trip is what made me want to become a Disney engineer.”
In 2009, Petty participated in the Disney College Program. After completing the program, she had kids and took a step back from work. But she returned to school and got a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2020.
“All of the years, the hard work, the late nights studying, waking up early for my children … It was tough, but the one goal that fueled me through it all was getting back to Disney and becoming an engineer,” Petty said. “It’s all I ever wanted.”
Finally, in 2024, Petty was hired as a Disney engineer.
“For me, becoming a Disney engineer was the equivalent of how some people feel about getting into the NFL,” she said. “There were some days that it felt like a long shot, but I knew it was going to work out.”
Petty works on Walt Disney World transportation like the Disney Skyliner and monorails.
“My kids think it’s so cool that I work with the monorails and Disney Skyliner,” Petty said. “I remember riding the monorails when I was a kid, and my daughter’s favorite ride when she was little was the parking lot trams. It is surreal to me that now I get to work on those and help make magic for other guests.”
Petty’s son wants to be an engineer and her daughter is fascinated by her work.
“I’m thankful every day that I get to live out my dream and show my kids that anything is possible. I want them to know that there are few things that can stop you if you put your mind to it,” Petty said.
Petty is excited to be inspiring not just her kids but the next generation of engineers.
“It makes me so happy to know that there are other little girls out there who want to be a Disney engineer,” she added. “It’s unbelievable that I’ve accomplished that after all these years and can be a source of inspiration for children and other women in STEM.”
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