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Scholastic Network "Live Chat with an Imagineer," Victoria Aguilera
April 3, 1996
Scholastic Network: We are pleased to welcome Victoria Aguilera, a Disney Imagineer. Victoria has the exciting job of designing the rides for Disney parks worldwide. She will talk about her unique job and mechanical engineering. Victoria is a featured scientist in the PBS series "BreakThrough: The Changing Face of Science in America" during April. Welcome, Victoria. We're glad you could join us today.Victoria Aguilera: Glad to be here!
Question: What was your favorite Disney attraction that you worked on and why?
Victoria Aguilera: My favorite is the Indiana Jones epic theater spectacular, and it's my favorite because it was my first project. This is in the MGM studio in FL and being that it was my first project 7 years ago, it gave me ideas and experience in the field.
Question: Imagineer is a new word to us. What does an Imagineer do?
Victoria Aguilera: An Imagineer is basically combination of imagination and engineering. We have individuals who are very creative, and we Imagineers make the ideas reality. A great combination! And lots of fun!
Question: How much do kids contribute to the research and development of a project?
Victoria Aguilera: I'm not quite sure, but I think that sometimes polls are taken in the parks to get kids' opinions .Also, when a movie comes out and there is a lot of feedback on its success, we can design an attraction around that movie. So your ideas are very important to us!
Question: What kinds of academic courses would be valuable to someone interested in being an Imagineer?
Victoria Aguilera: Computer classes, anything with CAD design. An example would be a class using Auto CAD software. Engineering courses are important, as are accounting, law, design, architects, design, art. CAD is computer aided design. It involves software tools for the engineer to draw any idea they may and use the computer screen as their drawing board. It's very easy to use once you get the hang of it and practice. It helps to eventually make changes during the design process because you don't have to erase and redraw.
Question: Why did you want to be come a mechanical engineer? Moodus, CT
Victoria Aguilera: One of the reasons was that early on, I learned that there weren't many females in the field. Knowing it would be a challenge was exciting...to step out of the typical female role. Engineering is one of those careers that women had not been getting into.
Question: How long did it take to create something like Space Mountain in Paris?
Victoria Aguilera: That project took about 4-5 years. The process is slow at the beginning, to get the concept approved. Once the concept is agreed, then things speed up as we implement it. A full-time team will work on a project at that stage.
Question: Are you planning any new attractions at the Disney theme parks?
Victoria Aguilera: Yes. We are planning several in Florida and also some in Japan. One particular one in FL is in construction and I was involved in testing and creating the vehicle -- a kind of futuristic car that will be involved in various scenes such as high speed, etc. It's not based on a film -- I wish I could give out the name, but it's still a secret!
Question: Are there any "behind the scenes" tours available to see Imagineering at work?
Victoria Aguilera: At the present time, I think the staff is working on that so schools can come in and visit us in a few months, I hope.
Question : What design techniques and special effects make Disney attractions unique?
Victoria Aguilera: Smoke, water and fire effects. Our specialists have special permits to create these visions.
Question: What can you tell us about the new GM Test Track?
Victoria Aguilera: Oh, well the cat must be out of the bag if you know the name -- that's the project I was just talking about!
Question: Do you like working at Walt Disney International and why? Mrs. C's class
Victoria Aguilera: Yes, and the reason is that I work with different types of individuals who make the work exciting. Also, the challenges are so different every day -- never the same thing. I always am learning something new.
Question: Who gives you the ideas to build rides, like Indiana Jones? GEMS School
Victoria Aguilera: We have a department in our company, the creative department. Quite a few people work there, bouncing ideas off each other. When a project gets started, we have what we call a Blue Sky Phase, when ideas are exchanged for new attraction. The rules are: There are no rules. We don't want our imagination or creativity to be limited. Anything goes at first! We refine the ideas with sketches, and get the story line written....So it will be an experience not just a ride. We then decide what can actually be accomplished technically -- and then start building!
Question: After the Blue Sky phase, what are the steps involved in creating a Disney theme park attraction from start to finish?
Victoria Aguilera: Then concept, visibility, design, building, testing, and eventually Opening Day. The testing is done by anyone who's been working on it, electricians, special effects individuals, all of us. It can be a little risky. We have facilities off site to do the testing so no one at the park is at risk. We are very careful about safety at the park.
Question: How many mechanical engineers do you work with or are employed?
Victoria Aguilera: There are 20 of us right now.
Question: How does it feel when one of your attractions finally opens?
Victoria Aguilera: Well, if I've been involved with it... it is SO exciting, because you are able to enjoy everyone's excitement as they ride on it and know that they like it because of what you have done. I love making people happy this way. It's indescribable!
Question: Are the people in the creative department you just mentioned engineers also?
Victoria Aguilera: They may have some engineering background, but their main background is in the artistic/creative area. They may do some research to see if their ideas are feasible, but that's really why they have us to help.
Question: Are all attractions in every theme park?
Victoria Aguilera: No, but the majority are. In FL we have 4 different theme parks, but Disney Land in CA, Paris and Japan are similar, but with some individual differences. The scenery as you go in is fairly similar.
Question: What kind of math is used in your work? Geometry...?
Victoria Aguilera: Geometry, yes, trigonometry, calculus, and even beyond that, special engineering math.
Question: Are there practical applications outside of the theme park for some of the technology you use in the attractions?
Victoria Aguilera: For example, knowing about the design of a car helps us to design the fantastic vehicles we use in our attractions. We put a lot of practical knowledge to work in a creative way. But we probably wouldn't want you to try our special effects outside of the park!
Question: What makes Disney the happiest place on earth?
Victoria Aguilera: I think because once individuals are inside, they forget about their problems back home, because of the atmosphere. They are surrounded by the characters hugging everyone, and they can throw away their inhibitions and just enjoy themselves.
Question: How do you test it safely? Do you put a dummy on it? Hale-Ray
Victoria Aguilera: We use sand bags to simulate a person's weight. In Splash Mountain., when we had to do the drop test, the boat is filled with sand bags so we get a good idea of the width of the splash, how much water we'll need at the bottom, and so on. We do not use real humans!
Question: have there been concepts that did not work. if so, what were the problems
Victoria Aguilera: We have ideas that we eventually don't build. A lot of the times, budget and time constraints get in the way. Once we start building, we are reasonably sure it will be a "go." Often there are reasons beyond our control that cancel a project in the design phase.
Question: What is the fastest ride in all of Disney?
Victoria Aguilera: That would have to be the Space Mountain in France.
Question: Is it hard to create the spectacular effects we see at Disney attractions? What are the toughest challenges you face when designing them?
Victoria Aguilera: We have to have a safety zone area. A certain percentile of person's height and weight is factored in and often this is tough to accommodate for. You sometimes don't have the room available to create this kind of zone, and then a project needs to go back into redesign. But it's important to keep that safety zone clear, and it's a big challenge.
Question: What was Disney World's first big ride?
Victoria Aguilera: I believe it was the Matterhorn-- I think that was the first one.
Question: Do you know anything about the new 'Disney Interactive' part of The Company?
Victoria Aguilera: This is in FL. and it's like a resort area where individuals learn how to cook, plant, all kinds of skills that are very hands-on.
Question: Are you happy you found out who Mickey Mouse is?
Victoria Aguilera: When you meet Mickey, you grow along with him. I like him as an adult as much as I did as a child. I have some advice...stay in school, and you can keep you dreams alive. Without education, other people define your dreams for you. Life is about choices, and education helped me to make some great choices. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to tell you about my work! I hope you visit one of the Disney Theme Parks sometime in the near future!
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