Two brothers who spent a combined six decades in the aerospace industry have taken up part-time roles at Disneyland Resort in retirement, with the Wong brothers Disney retirement story becoming a window into how older Americans are reshaping life after corporate careers.
Jerry Wong, 66, works as a photographer at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. His brother Peter, 63, is an attractions host at Disney California Adventure. Between them, they work up to three days a week each outside the holiday season.
From aerospace giants to theme park floors
Jerry began his career as a summer intern in 1979 at Northrop Grumman, the $75 billion aerospace and defence company, where he went on to spend four decades working on ground communications for government contracts. He retired in 2022.
Four months of an empty calendar proved enough. By October that year, he had joined Disneyland as a part-time photographer, a hobby he first picked up from his father as a student at UCLA.
He currently works around 14 hours across two or three days a week during quieter periods, rising to 32 hours over five days during the holiday season.
‘I don’t know if I would call it a second career,’ Jerry told Fortune. ‘Working post-retirement, it’s a different perspective. From a personal point of view, there’s no stress. I’m enjoying myself. I’m here because I choose to be here.’
Peter’s path to Disney came earlier. He wrapped up a three-decade finance career in 2017, having started in fixed asset accounting at Hughes Electronics in 1987. The firm was later acquired by Raytheon, the $271 billion defence contractor. When Raytheon offered golden handshake packages to legacy Hughes employees, Peter took the deal.
Within a year, he was back on his feet, this time working rides at Disney California Adventure.
Wong brothers Disney retirement rooted in childhood nostalgia
The brothers first visited Disneyland together in 1967. For Peter, the park holds particular personal meaning: he proposed to his wife on the Skyway ride, which closed in 1994.
‘I’m finished with being married to my laptop and phone all day and night,’ Peter told Fortune. ‘I want to do something to make magic for people.’
Now an attractions host, Peter splits his time between Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and the flight ride Soarin’ Across America, working in wilderness outfits and Disney vests. He takes up to 28 hours a week during busy periods.
The physical adjustment took time. After an entire career at a desk, learning to stand and move for hours each shift required adapting to a wholly different working life.
The brothers rarely cross paths during shifts due to differing schedules, though they visit Disneyland together regularly as annual pass holders.
‘As a photographer, it’s the same thing,’ Jerry said of his role. ‘In that one or two minutes that I get with the guests, I create a lasting memory for them.’
