If you ask anyone who works in themed entertainment, they can probably point to a moment in their life that sparked their imagination and made them fall in love with the industry. A moment when a place, a story, or an experience ignited a sense of wonder and made them think, I want to be part of this.
We asked our Falcon’s team to share the moment that founded their passion and set them on the path to work for a theme park design company. These are the moments that started it all:
Ava Brandenburg
Business Operations Coordinator
Ava Brandenburg: I fell in love with themed entertainment long before I even realized I did. Before I understood the craft behind it or the artistry woven into every detail. It started as something generational. One of my most meaningful photos is of my grandmother and my mom standing in front of the Disneyland castle in the 80s, smiling in a place that had already begun shaping our love for themed entertainment. Years later, my own childhood memories formed in that same world of wonder; there’s a picture of me and my little brother beside a Snow White statue, completely captivated by the magic around us. That spark never faded. If anything, it grew stronger. As an adult, my partner and I even challenged ourselves to visit Walt Disney World, Disneyland California, and Tokyo Disneyland Resort all in one week, chasing the global tapestry of storytelling I’ve always admired. Somewhere between those generational photos, the childhood awe, and the global adventures, I realized this wasn’t just a love of theme parks. It was a deep passion for the craft of creating immersive worlds. It’s why I’ve wanted to work in this industry my entire life.
Stephen Riker: I fell in love with themed entertainment, through my aunt, seeing her as a professional figure skater on stage. I got to grow up going backstage with her and looking at all of the scenery, how all of the pieces and parts came together to make this really beautiful show. It was an amazing experience. If I could tell young Stephen anything, it’d be to keep dreaming, keep falling in love with these make-believe worlds. You’ll make them real someday.
Stephen Riker
Creative Director
Kailey Jones: I grew up as a competitive dancer while spending countless days at the Disneyland Resort as an annual passholder. That early exposure to performance and immersive entertainment naturally shaped my interests, eventually leading me to stage management throughout high school and college. Even as a dedicated theme park enthusiast, I knew as graduation approached that I faced a defining choice: pursue a career in regional theater or take a leap into Disney. I chose Disney, and since then, every career decision I’ve made has brought me further into the world of themed entertainment.
Kailey Jones
Document Controller
Daryl White: My first job aside from delivering newspapers was at Magic Mountain, working retail at what used to be called the Holiday Bazaar. I was 15 and had to get a work permit to work there. I guess it was written in the stars from there. So many people I know now as industry leaders were there are that time, and it’s great to talk with some of them about the antics that went on around the park in those days.
Daryl White
Executive Vice President of Global Licensing & Business Development
Rik Miller: As a kid, I lived in Arizona, but I had one set of grandparents that lived in AZ and one set of grandparents that lived in Florida. The grandparents who lived in Arizona would take me to Disneyland, while the grandparents who lived in Florida would take me to Disney World. Some of my best memories involved spending time with them and the Disney characters. Even now in my 50’s, I can remember those trips to Disney when I step on property at either Disney park.
Rik Miller
Director of Financial Planning and Analysis
Bill Kivi: When I was a young lad, starting at age 4, my family began yearly vacations to visit theme parks. My first park visit was to Magic Kingdom, which at the time, everyone just called Disney World. We also visited SeaWorld in Ohio (when it was still there) and many times in Orlando. Beyond those big parks, we would also go to Kings Island, Cypress Gardens, Bush Gardens, Circus World, where I rode my first roller coaster – The Roaring Tiger, which was terrifying, and the park was later renamed Boardwalk and Baseball. I have my mom to thank for infecting me with the love of theme parks, and my father for caving in and sucking it up, as he was never a true fan. I have passed on this love of theme parks to my sons, who have been to the Disney Parks and Universal Parks more times than they can recall, but they started visiting at age 2!
Bill Kivi
Creative Director
Monica Hasan: My love story with themed entertainment started very early! I grew up in Orlando with annual passes and believed that the worlds I visited were real. From childhood visits to Animal Kingdom, to taking my very first job at Disney, I fell in love with how thoughtful details can transport you completely. That feeling of immersion is what made me choose this industry – and why I’m still in love with it today.
Monica Hasan
Human Resources Coordinator
Now we ask, how did YOU fall in love with themed entertainment? Let us know by commenting on our social media channels!
