It took persistence and following his passion for Peyton Liebler ’22 to find the right fit in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and build relationships that made his dream of working at Walt Disney Imagineering a reality.

Liebler started his college experience as a visualization major with dreams of working for The Walt Disney Company, drawn by the idea of creating immersive worlds and curating people’s experiences within them.

However, as he began his coursework, Liebler realized his passion extended beyond the technical aspects of design. He wanted to focus on the people aspect of the industry, which led him to switch majors and become a student in the Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism.

A long-standing connection with Disney

A man smiles while posing with a Mickey Mouse character.
Peyton Liebler ’22 has taken his degree from the Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism to a career at Walt Disney Imagineering. (Courtesy photo/Peyton Liebler)

The department has strong connections with Disney, which made it a natural fit for Liebler’s aspirations. This long-standing relationship, paired with the department’s opportunities for students to gain practical experiences in event management, business and hospitality, provides students with broad foundational skills essential for roles in guest experience.

As part of this ongoing relationship, the department offers a course that culminates with a weeklong Disney Hospitality Operations Trip. This hands-on learning experience gives participating students firsthand exposure to the company’s operations and unique perspective on hospitality with classes at the Walt Disney Imagination Campus like Leadership the Disney Way, Theme Park Design and Immersive Storytelling.  

“Programs like this provide our students with an unparalleled opportunity to observe industry best practices in real time,” said Heather Eden, Ph.D., instructional professor. “It makes what they learn in the classroom come to life and prepares them to be leaders in the field.”

For Liebler, the department offered an ideal blend of business and events learning opportunities that placed the focus on those individuals who made experiences memorable for visitors.

Leadership and collaborations build success

Changing majors reinvigorated Liebler’s approach to achieving his Disney dream. Immersing himself in campus activities, he took on leadership roles that expanded his skills and outlook. His involvement in student government, the Abbott Family Leadership Conference and Team 12 helped him understand the importance of the Aggie community and connection.

These varied experiences gave Liebler a holistic view of what it takes to succeed in his field.

“The lessons I learned at Texas A&M were not confined to the classroom,” Liebler said. “Collaborative projects, campus life and relationships built over time prepared me to seize opportunities when the time came.”

The magic of relationships

Liebler’s first post-graduation opportunity with Disney came through an internship with the company’s official fan club, D23. The role allowed him to merge his passion for storytelling with skills developed during his time in the Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism. Writing articles, planning events and engaging with Disney enthusiasts honed his understanding of how to craft memorable guest experiences.

A man delivers a speech into a microphone while standing on stage, engaging the audience with his presentation.
Peyton Liebler ’22 credits much of his success and career at Disney Imagineering to the lessons he learned at Texas A&M University and his relationships with other Aggies. (Courtesy photo/Peyton Liebler)

“The work at D23 was all about connecting with people and creating moments that resonate,” he said. “These concepts were familiar because of what I’d learned and practiced at Texas A&M.”

The internship was a critical steppingstone that expanded his network and ultimately led to his current role at Walt Disney Imagineering. Now, Liebler collaborates with cross-functional teams to design attractions and guest experiences, embodying the blend of creativity and hospitality he acquired at Texas A&M.

“Even though Imagineering is a large organization, it has a familial feel — just like A&M,” he said.

For others who dream of working at Disney, Liebler’s advice is straightforward — relationships matter.

“When Aggies ask how to break into Disney, my answer is always the same: It’s about relationships,” he said. “The people you meet and the bonds you form along the way will shape your career path in ways you can’t predict.”

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