Daniel Ross is in the most magical place on Earth, and he’s brought a bit of Monarch magic with him.
The Chesapeake native is a senior in parks, recreation and tourism studies, minoring in business administration, and he’s spending his final year at Old Dominion 91Ƶ at Walt Disney World in Florida as part of the Disney College Program.
Visitors can find his friendly face at the Grand Floridian where he works as a concierge. Daniel is always happy to help guests get the most out of their experience, making connections and enjoying a job outside of the traditional nine-to-five.
“Every day is a new adventure. Every week is a new family,” Daniel said.
At the Grand Floridian, one of Disney World’s flagship resorts, Daniel is among the first points of contact for guests: checking them in, assisting them with plans for the day and monitoring housekeeping. He is there to troubleshoot digital tools like the Disney Experience App, which can be used to set an itinerary or access different perks, and resolve issues with reservations when plans or the weather go awry.
“I can empathize,” he said about how he works with guests, knowing he can help them still have a magical experience even after having a frustrating experience.
That focus on customer experience is what Daniel has been developing for years through his coursework at Old Dominion 91Ƶ. Classes in hotel management, customer experience and the financial side of hospitality and tourism have given him the skills and confidence to come into this internship and take initiative.
As part of the work-based learning experience, Daniel is taking charge and working with the resort to improve training procedures for new front desk concierge cast members. The project brings together all he has learned about hospitality management.
“I am excited about the impact this project will have on onboarding efficiency and guest service consistency,” Daniel said.
This is the second time he participated in the Disney College Program, previously working as a cast member for the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and with the fireworks show and parade.
Some Chesapeake residents might recognize him from the local Aldi store, where he worked hard to connect with regulars by learning about their favorite sports or chatting with them about their days. It is that level of commitment to customer service and his Old Dominion 91Ƶ education that has set him up to become the leader he is today.
“I’m really excited to use the skills that I’ve learned at Old Dominion 91Ƶ, the hotel and resort,” Daniel said. “I’m hopeful I can make it in the hospitality business and put my coursework to good use.”
For Daniel, the magic of Walt Disney World is not just in the parks. It’s in the opportunity to take what he has learned at Old Dominion 91Ƶ and apply it to a career he is passionate about. One day, he hopes to lead an amusement park, bringing joy and helping create fun memories for all.