Passion for Disney Leads Local Woman to Find Her Dream Job

When Kim Meyer was just 4 years old, her parents took her family on a trip to Disney World. She said from the moment she walked through the gate, she fell in love.

Meyer, 34, said that moment changed her life.

“I walked into the park and immediately smelled the popcorn, heard the sounds all around, saw the train go by,” said Meyer, a Southington resident. “It was just awesome.”

Now Meyer, who has visited Disney more than 20 times in her life, has found her dream job working with MickeyTravels, LLC, coordinating vacations for other area residents, hearing their tales of joy and sharing her passion for what she describes as the greatest place on Earth.

Meyer recently completed a course through the Disney College of Knowledge, a program which gave her an opportunity to not only learn the ins and outs of booking a trip, but also study the history and intricacies of Disney World and Disney Land.

“It’s been such a great experience,” she said. “I never thought I could have a job which allowed me to be an expert on what was a recreational passion. It truly is a dream job.”

Born in Meriden, she collected Disney memorabilia growing up and kept keepsakes of every trip to the theme park. But as she got older, she graduated from Mercy High School and got into the medical field – following a route she thought she needed to take.

She moved to Florida for school with her husband Eric Meyer before the couple had married and rekindled her love for Disney once again as she finished up school. The couple then returned to Connecticut and she found a job working with Dr. Maureen Onyirimba.

Meyer liked the job, but still felt like she wanted something more. That’s when she found Doreen O’Brien.

O’Brien lived across the street in their small Berkley Avenue neighborhood and the two were talking one day when O'Brien told her about MickeyTravels. Meyer was instantly hooked and knew it was what she had been looking for.

The switch wasn’t an easy one. The course was grueling, but paid off with a work-from-home job that allowed her to also spend time with their 6-year-old daughter Jenna.

“It’s been amazing to watch. She jumped right in,” Eric Meyer said. “She really does love it and I come home everyday to seeing her smile. It’s one of the greatest feelings in the world.”