Interest Meeting Dates/Locations:

Dates

• Sept 27, 2023
• Sept 28, 2023
• Oct 11, 2023
• Oct 12, 2023

Time

4:00pm

Location

Memorial Hall 338 or Zoom https://wiu.zoom.us/j/96052090800

David Zanolla, an instructor and senior associate faculty member in the Western Illinois University Department of Communication, will offer his Disney and communication class (COMM 379) for the 13th time in Spring 2024.

The class includes eight weeks of classroom study on the organizational culture of the Disney and Universal theme parks, followed by a travel program to Orlando, FL in March of 2024. At the Disney parks, students have the opportunity to visit each of Disney's four theme parks, including Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

"Students have the chance to learn not only from a book, but to pair the knowledge of the organizational culture of Walt Disney World with experiencing the culture in person. For those that think you can't learn while at a Disney theme park, I'm here to bust that myth," said Zanolla. Even though the class is offered through the Department of Communication, students from all majors and minors are encouraged to enroll. Zanolla, a longtime fan of Disney parks said he loves building relationships with students by showing them how crucial communication is to how the parks train their "cast members" and meet the needs of their guests. Zanolla said he is always impressed by the effect the class has on students' continuing education at WIU and beyond.

Interested students go through an application process, with no financial obligation. Once a student is accepted, the price of the travel is dependent on the number of students traveling that semester. Groups usually range in size from 10-15 students.

To learn more about this course offering, please contact:

Mr. David Zanolla
Department of Communication
Memorial Hall 330
Western Illinois University
Macomb, Illinois 61455
Email: DA-Zanolla@wiu.edu

Contact Information

To learn more about this course offering, please contact:

Mr. David Zanolla
Department of Communication
Memorial Hall 330
Western Illinois University
Macomb, Illinois 61455
Email: DA-Zanolla@wiu.edu

Photo Gallery

News About Class

• 2011 Western Illinois University Press Release About Course
• 2011 Blog Series about Course
• 2011 Article in University Business Magazine
• 2011 Appearance on Theme Park Podcast (Part 2)
• 2011 Appearance on Theme Park Podcast (Part 2)
• 2011 Promotional Video About Course
• 2014 Western Illinois University Press Release
• 2014 Public Radio Article About Course
• 2015 Western Courier Article
• 2015 Blog by former student
• 2016 Western Illinois University Press Release