14 Behind-the-Scenes Jobs at Disney That'll Open Up a Whole New World of Career Possibilities

Although they look, move, and sound real, audio-animatronic figures don't have the full range of motion that the rest of us do, so you can't simply slide them into their clothing. Whether it's a presidential suit or the layered garb of a pirate, the costumes of audio-animatronic figures must be constructed in such a way that they can actually be put onto the character (this typically involves lots of strategically placed Velcro) and withstand the wear and tear that comes along with the character's repetitive movements. Most costumes last only four to six months, so this is definitely a position with major job security.

Have you ever noticed that every plant and tree at Disney parks is perfectly groomed (not to mention the one-of-a-kind topiaries)? There's never a single leaf out of place, and we have Disney's many arborists to thank. Jackie Ma is the first and only (for now!) female on Hong Kong Disneyland's horticulture team. She spends her days pruning and shaping the lush greenery you see around the park. If you aren't afraid of heights and have a green thumb, what better place to tend a garden than Disney?

Dreaming up the next big attraction is only the beginning of a Disney Imagineer's job. Figuring out how to actually make it happen is where the real work begins. As an engineering executive with Walt Disney Imagineering, Ed Fritz's vision was for guests to be able to ride on the back of a banshee on Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Making that dream come true took 14 prototypes and countless hours at the drawing board. Ed's current big project is Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, and we can't wait to see where he takes us next.

When the last firework goes off and the parks clear out for the evening, Disney's attraction machinists get to work. Between the dark, quiet hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., they inspect each attraction to ensure everything is in tip-top shape. Certain scuba-certified machinists are responsible for the upkeep of Disney's water attractions, including the Jungle Cruise. On their dives, they'll check the ride tracks, the boats, and those lovable jungle critters for wear, debris, and any other issues that may arise. Working with (animatronic) gators and hippos is a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it.

Window shopping at Disney is almost as much fun as, well, actually shopping, and that's all because of the talented decorators on Disney's window display team. At Disneyland alone, there are more than 200 storefront windows, and each one is changed out at least five times a year. A good eye for detail and a love of holiday decorating are must haves for this stylish career.

Unexpected magic can pop up at any moment at Disney parks, and if you've ever seen a cast member draw one of your favorite characters with just a broom and a bucket of water, you know exactly what we mean. While the custodial team at Hong Kong Disneyland spend most of their time keeping the park looking pristine, specially trained custodial cast members spend about an hour each day on more artistic endeavors. We all have to work, so you might as well have a little fun while you're at it!

What does an R&D manager do at Disney? Develop fully autonomous, interactive robots, of course! Audio-animatronics and robotics have been a part of Disney since the beginning, but Disney's research and development team is constantly working on the latest in robotics technology in order to enhance the guest experience. You may not be able to have a conversation with a robot roaming the parks just yet, but when you do, you'll know it all started with years of behind-the-scenes work by Walt Disney Imagineers.

As the senior facilities coordinator for Walt Disney World Holiday Services, Heather Bartleson oversees a warehouse filled to the brim with lights, trees, ornaments, pumpkins, scarecrows, and anything else you see decorating the park at Halloween or Christmas. Heather and her team are hard at work all year making sure every special touch is ready for the holidays, but things get especially busy once September rolls around and guests arrive for the first night of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. However, unless you're a night owl, this job may not be for you. Much of the actual decorating has to be done overnight while the parks are empty, but it's all worth it for that jaw-dropping reveal.

We guarantee you've never had as much fun with your food as Cyril Soreau. When Cyril was part of the room service team at the Disneyland Hotel, he would often deliver his very own fruit carvings with guests' meals. Fast-forward seven years and he is Disneyland Paris's first full-time fruit and vegetable sculptor. Most days, you can catch him near Sleeping Beauty Castle, carving watermelons and pumpkins that are then used to decorate the park's restaurants. But if you're very lucky, he may use his artistic prowess to carve a small fruit or veggie for someone in your group!

If you've ever marveled at the horses that pull Cinderella's Coach in a Disney Fairy Tale Wedding or trot along Main Street in one of the Magic Kingdom's holiday parades, you've also gotten a glimpse of one of Disney's ranch hands. Disney World's Tri-Circle-D Ranch is home to almost 100 (very lucky) horses, and Disney's ranch hands care for and train the horses to make sure they're all show-ready. We're sure most days they come to work in jeans and boots, but they occasionally get the chance to don the elaborate white and gold costume and powdered wig that are required to drive Cinderella's Coach. How's that for a work uniform?

Disney is always at the forefront of technology, but the trains on the Disneyland Railroad are stuck in the past. It shouldn't come as a surprise that this is totally by design, as Walt Disney loved steam engines. Disney's team of engineers are driving authentic, steam-powered trains to this day. They have made a few innovations, though — instead of using coal, today's steam locomotives at Disneyland run mostly off biodiesel that's made from oil recycled from the park's many restaurants.

Attraction designers explore how cutting-edge technology in animation, audio-animatronics, and virtual reality can be integrated into Disney's newest rides. This team of Imagineers mock up ideas for everything from attractions to interactive queue elements that you may eventually get to experience yourself. Where fantasy and technology meet is where you'll find Disney's attraction designers.

While the animals at Disney's Animal Kingdom are allowed to roam freely in their large, natural habitats, they get something that many wild animals don't — doctor's visits. Some of the smaller animals are seen in the on-site veterinary hospital, while larger animals like hippos and giraffes often get house calls. Disney's veterinarians do everything from routine checkups to surgery and even prenatal care. Talk about a wild career!

If you're a chocolate-lover, we just found your dream job. Amanda Lauder is the chef chocolatier at The Ganachery at Disney Springs. She basically gets to play with chocolate. Every. Single. Day. Amanda and her team turn house-made ganache into delectable chocolate treats, including the richest, most delicious sipping chocolate you'll ever taste. We just want to know if they have any openings for taste testers.