Meet the Brothers Keeping Big Thunder Mountain and Walt Disney World Running

Brothers Michael and Bob have built more than a decade of careers behind the scenes at Walt Disney World Resort under Facility & Operations Services. Michael, a Magic Kingdom service manager who recently worked on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment, and Bob, a heavy-equipment mechanic, are part of a roughly 2,600-strong Engineering Services team that quietly keeps the magic running.

Behind the rides, gardens and gleaming walkways of Walt Disney World Resort, two brothers keep the magic in motion. Michael, a service manager in Engineering Services who recently helped bring Big Thunder Mountain Railroad back from refurbishment, and Bob, a heavy-equipment mechanic supporting horticulture and custodial teams, have built more than a decade of careers side by side under Disney's Facility & Operations Services.

Two Brothers Keeping the Magic Moving

For brothers Michael and Bob, the magic of Walt Disney World Resort shows up in the quiet moments guests never see. Working behind the scenes under Facility & Operations Services, the pair move through their mechanical work almost instinctively, leaning on a bond built over a lifetime of trust and teamwork. That shared rhythm is what lets families focus on making memories while the brothers handle the unseen work of keeping the resort running for the millions of guests who pass through each year.

Today they work in different roles and different corners of the property. Michael is based at Magic Kingdom, while Bob supports work across the entire resort. As Michael puts it, mechanics may not always be seen, but their work is always felt.

From a 2004 Birthday Tour to a Lifelong Career

Michael's Disney story began with a birthday wish in 2004. During a behind-the-scenes tour, he glimpsed the care, craftsmanship and teamwork that bring the parks to life, and he knew he wanted to be part of it. That August he moved to Central Florida with a simple goal: get his foot in the door. He landed a part-time merchandise role at the World of Disney store, but his heart was always drawn to mechanical work and the pride of building something that lasts. Through a connection in Engineering Services, he found his path into maintenance, going full-time as a mechanic in June 2007.

Encouraged by his brother, Bob took a leap of faith of his own and joined Disney in August 2010. One of the things he values most about the company is the stability it offers and the way it supports Cast Members and their families. Bob's work centers on the heavy equipment that keeps daily operations moving across the resort, helping teams like horticulture and custodial maintain the landscapes, floral displays and overall care that quietly shape every guest's experience.

Inside Walt Disney World Engineering Services

The brothers' work is one thread in a much larger story. Behind the scenes at Walt Disney World, Engineering Services is powered by an estimated 2,600 Cast Members who keep the magic running every day. The majority are carpenters, electricians and plumbers, with additional expertise spanning facilities management, painters, technicians, bricklayers, ironworkers and more.

What sets the team apart is its depth of experience and longevity. On average, Engineering Services Cast Members carry 11 years of service, a striking figure in an era of frequent job-hopping. For many, maintaining the magic isn't just a job; it's a lifelong career.

A Trade Passed Down Through Generations

For Michael and Bob, the love of the trade runs deep and was passed down through the family. Their father spent his days running heavy equipment and fixing it himself, and their grandfather did the same as a farmer. Growing up, the brothers didn't just watch — they learned by doing, turning curiosity into skill and hard work into pride.

Michael built his foundation through a motor vehicle company and years of field experience, developing a deep respect for the mechanics that make everything work. That mindset, paired with Disney's structure, helped turn a skill into a long runway. For Michael, the magic shows up in a sentence he can say anywhere: "I work at Disney," and people instantly understand. He still thinks about a mentor's reminder that people travel from around the world to experience places like Orlando, Magic Kingdom and attractions like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

The Advice They Would Give the Next Mechanic

When asked what they would tell someone considering a career at Disney — especially as a mechanic or in Engineering Services — both brothers landed on the same message. "Take the leap," Michael said, pointing to stability, fulfillment and a range of career paths. Bob agreed and added a practical note: show up ready to learn, and you'll be able to help create some of the most unforgettable magic.

Why This Story Resonates With Fans

Guests who race down the runaway mine train of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad rarely think about the mechanics, electricians and craftspeople who make that ride possible — but stories like Michael and Bob's are a reminder that the wildest ride in the wilderness, and every manicured garden and spotless walkway around it, depends on a small army of unseen specialists. With roughly 2,600 Engineering Services Cast Members and an average tenure of 11 years, Walt Disney World runs on exactly the kind of hands-on expertise these brothers represent. The next time the magic feels effortless, it's worth remembering the people, often family by blood as well as by team, who quietly keep it all moving.