Her major in college was designing Disney theme parks
By Mark Eades
Orange County Register
8 July 2016
Photo courtesy OC Register
 

College of Environmental Design alumna Kristine Sanders (B.A. Individual Major ‘16) became the first student to graduate with a degree in “Disney Imagineering” this past spring. Formally titled “Imagine.Inspire.Illustrate.” her multidisciplinary major included classes in architecture, environmental design, landscape architecture, city planning, art, sculpture and drawing putting Disney at the forefront of it all.

Professor of Landscape Architecture & Environmental Planning Chip Sullivan, Sanders’ advisor and faculty sponsor, helped her plan an independent study program. Her senior thesis was called “Disney’s in the Details” and drew connections between landscape and building architecture in Disneyland and the emotional response they elicit from people.

“I argue that what happens in Disneyland in its theme park architecture, and all the micro theming and attention to details, connects you to this space. It makes this emotional psychological connection that is undeniable,” she said.

After returning home to Newport Beach after she graduated in May, Sanders immediately did two things -- first, she went to Disneyland and rode on her favorite attraction, the Jungle Cruise, and next she applied at Walt Disney Imagineering, the branch of the company that designs theme parks, cruise ships and other attractions. As of June 20, Sanders has joined the Imagineers as a Design Asset Specialist Intern.

You can read Kristine’s thesis paper here.