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Front row (left to right): Lexi Compton, Haley Calvert, Maggie Baran, Britta Johnson, Bailey Helland and David Zanollla Back row (left to right): Kayla Kenes, Patrick Penrose, Leah Juenger, Rebecca Phetteplace, Nicole Duda, Kristi Kahlhammer and Brenna Smith
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The Happiest Class on Earth

April 8, 2015

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MACOMB, IL - - David Zanolla, an instructor and senior associate faculty member in the Western Illinois University Department of Communication will offer his Disney Communication Culture class (COMM 379) for the seventh consecutive school year in Spring 2016.

The class includes eight weeks of classroom study on the organizational culture and communication of the Disney parks, followed by a travel program to Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL.

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.

While it may seem like all fun, Zanolla has created an agenda that ensures students have ample time to learn and play.

"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.

Students are required to keep a detailed journal, created by Zanolla, to track their observations of how Disney executes its renowned customer service and incredible culture of "magic."

Margaret Baran, who took COMM 379 in Fall 2014, said the journals taught her how to be more aware of her surroundings.

"This experience definitely helped me grow as a student. It allowed me to learn how to observe in a class setting while not in a classroom," she said.

Even though the class is offered through the communication department, students from all majors are encouraged to enroll.

"I am a double major in communication and economics," said Brenna Smith, who recently took the course. "Everything that I learned in the class will be beneficial in a future job or career because communication is an integral part of any successful business."

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.

"Ultimately, nothing is more rewarding then when an alumnus of the class stops by my office a year or two later and tells me how they're using what they've learned in my Walt Disney World class," Zanolla said.

Interested students go though 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.

"The experience is worth every dollar, and then some. I would do it again in a heartbeat," said Smith.

Zanolla, who has the added task of planning the travel program, said the extra work is all made worthwhile when he sees things "click" for the students.

In six years of teaching the course, Zanolla says his most memorable moment at Disney happened during the Spring 2015 travel while he and the students were provided reserved viewing space for one of the evening fireworks shows.

"When we arrived, the space was massive even though there were only 14 in our group. So, I approached the event guide and asked if we would be able to make some magic for other guests by inviting some to join us and better make use of the blessing of size," he said.

As soon as Zanolla gave each of his students the "charge" of finding one family and bringing them back to the viewing spot, the students ran off before he could even finish giving them the "assignment."

"After the fireworks were over, almost all of them got hugs from the families they invited in," Zanolla said. "There were around 45 people in our viewing area thanks to how much the culture of Walt Disney World prioritizes creating special experiences for their guests."

To learn more about this one of a kind experience being offered in the Spring 2016 semester, e-mail Zanolla at DA-Zanolla@wiu.edu.

For more information about the department of communication at WIU, visit wiu.edu/cofac/communication.

Posted By: Mary Friday (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing