At The Walt Disney Company, magic is often created in front of guests every day. But behind the scenes, some of the most meaningful stories are the ones built around family, perseverance, and generations growing together.
For Kissimmee resident Connie Latulippe, what began as a simple weekend job at Walt Disney World when she was just 16 years old eventually became a 35-year career, and now, a family legacy.
This Mother’s Day, Disney is spotlighting Connie’s journey as part of a celebration honoring mothers whose careers helped inspire the next generation of cast members.
Connie joined Walt Disney World while still in high school, taking on an after-school job that would eventually lead her through roles across Disney parks and resorts before transitioning into Workforce Management, where she has spent years supporting thousands of cast members behind the scenes.
But while building her career, Connie was also raising two children on her own.
Disney, she says, became more than a workplace for the family. It became part of their lives together.
From family days at the parks and water parks to Disney Cruise Line vacations, Connie’s children grew up immersed in the Disney experience while watching their mother steadily build a career she loved.
Today, that story has come full circle.
Both of Connie’s children now work at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort while also attending Valencia College through Disney Aspire, the company’s education investment program.
Her son, Matthew, works in food and beverage, serving guests while pursuing a passion for pastry and culinary arts. Her daughter, Aiyana, recently began her own Disney journey in recreation while studying business administration, with hopes of eventually stepping into a leadership role.
“Growing up, I always saw how much my mom cared about what she did,” Matthew said. “Watching her build a career here at Disney made me want to find something I’m passionate about too, and Disney has given me the chance to do that.”
For Aiyana, watching her mother’s dedication over the years became a powerful example of what was possible.
“Watching my mom build her career has really inspired me,” Aiyana said. “It pushes me to work hard, keep learning, and believe that one day I can build something just as meaningful.”
Connie says the most rewarding moments of her career are no longer tied to promotions or milestones, but to watching her children begin building futures of their own in the same place where her journey first started decades ago.
“One of my proudest moments has been seeing my kids find their own paths here,” Connie said. “Disney has supported me through every stage of my life, and now I get to see that same support extended to my children.”
Disney officials say stories like Connie’s reflect a broader culture across its parks and resorts, where many cast members spend years building careers while creating opportunities for future generations.
According to Disney, cast members average approximately 12 years with the company, contributing to retention rates above 80 percent at Walt Disney World.
For Disney, the stories of Connie, Jenny, and countless other mothers serve as a reminder that sometimes the greatest legacy is not simply a career, but the example set for the next generation.
“This Mother’s Day,” Disney shared, “families are celebrating more than careers. They’re celebrating legacies of growth, opportunity, and inspiration passed from one generation of cast members to the next.”
En Español
De Kissimmee a Disney: El Viaje de 35 Años de una Madre Creó un Legado Familiar de Magia y Oportunidades
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Para Connie Latulippe, residente de Kissimmee, lo que comenzó como un trabajo de fin de semana en Walt Disney World Resort cuando tenía apenas 16 años, se convirtió en una carrera de 35 años y en un legado familiar.
Hoy, sus dos hijos trabajan en Disney’s Port Orleans Resort mientras estudian en Valencia College a través del programa Disney Aspire.
Su hijo Matthew trabaja en alimentos y bebidas mientras persigue su pasión por la repostería y las artes culinarias. Su hija Aiyana comenzó recientemente su propia carrera en Disney en el área de recreación mientras estudia administración de empresas.
“Creciendo, siempre vi cuánto le importaba a mi mamá lo que hacía,” dijo Matthew. “Verla construir una carrera en Disney me inspiró a encontrar algo que también me apasionara.”
Aiyana dijo que el ejemplo de su madre la motivó a creer en su propio futuro.
“Ver a mi mamá construir su carrera realmente me inspira,” expresó Aiyana. “Me impulsa a trabajar duro, seguir aprendiendo y creer que algún día puedo construir algo igual de significativo.”
Connie afirmó que sus momentos más orgullosos ahora son ver a sus hijos crear sus propios caminos dentro de Disney.
“Uno de mis mayores orgullos ha sido ver a mis hijos encontrar su propio camino aquí,” dijo Connie. “Disney me apoyó en cada etapa de mi vida y ahora veo ese mismo apoyo para ellos.”
Em Português
De Kissimmee Para a Disney: A Jornada de 35 Anos de Uma Mãe Criou um Legado Familiar de Magia e Oportunidades
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Para Connie Latulippe, moradora de Kissimmee, o que começou como um trabalho de fim de semana no Walt Disney World Resort aos 16 anos se transformou em uma carreira de 35 anos e em um legado familiar.
Hoje, os dois filhos de Connie trabalham no Disney’s Port Orleans Resort enquanto estudam no Valencia College através do programa Disney Aspire.
Seu filho Matthew trabalha na área de alimentos e bebidas enquanto segue sua paixão pela confeitaria e artes culinárias. Sua filha Aiyana iniciou recentemente sua própria jornada na Disney na área de recreação enquanto estuda administração de empresas.
“Crescendo, eu sempre vi o quanto minha mãe se importava com o trabalho dela,” disse Matthew. “Ver ela construir uma carreira na Disney me inspirou a encontrar algo pelo qual eu também fosse apaixonado.”
Aiyana disse que o exemplo da mãe a motivou a acreditar no próprio futuro.
“Ver minha mãe construir sua carreira realmente me inspira,” afirmou Aiyana. “Isso me motiva a trabalhar duro, continuar aprendendo e acreditar que um dia posso construir algo tão significativo quanto ela construiu.”
Connie afirmou que seus momentos de maior orgulho agora são ver seus filhos construindo seus próprios caminhos dentro da Disney.
“Um dos meus maiores orgulhos foi ver meus filhos encontrarem seus próprios caminhos aqui,” disse Connie. “A Disney me apoiou em cada fase da minha vida, e agora vejo esse mesmo apoio sendo oferecido aos meus filhos.”
