Chip Koch ’88

Chip Koch ’88 wasn’t planning a career in amusement park entertainment, but that’s what he got by way of an audition for Adventureland Theme Park in Des Moines during his first year at Cornell. “I was fascinated by the opportunity,” says Koch.

Hired and hooked, Koch spent each college summer performing at Adventureland. Captivated by a life in entertainment, he researched and pursued multiple opportunities with Disney, eventually moving to Orlando, Fla., in hopes of catching Disney’s eye.

Holding numerous jobs, including the opening team of Universal Studios Florida in 1990, Koch eventually joined Disney in the Entertainment Department at Pleasure Island, a nighttime entertainment complex. After 22 years, and various roles along the way, Koch is general manager of entertainment costuming and technical operations for Disney California Adventure (sister park to the original Disneyland) with responsibility for the daily operation of shows, parades, atmosphere, fireworks, and entertainment across the resort.

Cornell College lured Koch via the Horace Alden Miller music scholarship along with his instant love for the intimate setting of the Cornell campus. “Professor Marcella Lee sparked my interest to think about vocal performance in a different way,” Koch says, “and Alf Houkom was a colorful and inspirational force.”

Koch shared insight on the man who created the Wonderful World of Disney TV show. “When Walt was building the original Disneyland Park, he actually constructed one of the buildings to include an efficiency apartment on the second floor so he could be the first and last one on the construction site each day.”  Today, the firehouse on Mainstreet USA still houses that very apartment. “As a tribute to Walt, we keep the light on in the window of that apartment 24/7 to remind us that Walt is a part of everything we do.”

For students who may be intrigued by a future with a company as vast and far reaching as the Walt Disney Company, Koch urges the importance of a second or third language. “Without a doubt, speaking a second language, or even understanding the fundamentals of another language are highly valued by companies today. Disney places special emphasis on those who are familiar with a second language. It’s invaluable for our international success.”

Koch modestly demurs when asked if he would be called creative. “I think it’s more a show sense, which is a combination of understanding an audience, the pulse of the room, the tone of the presentation, and how everything connects together in a show. I think these are important balances to just creating,” he says.

Having passion for what you do “helps you get through the tough times too,” he says. “For anyone’s career path, I think it’s important to recognize your passion may guide you, but along the path/journey you may encounter things you don’t have a passion for.”  Being prepared to embrace what Koch calls, “the necessary side road,” while working his way to the ultimate job seems to have paid off.

When asked to choose the best Disney Character to describe Mount Vernon, Koch names Jiminy Cricket:  “He’s intellectual, inspirational, free spirited, ahead of his time, factual, calculated, fun, and small.”