Michael - The Magic Maker

Michael Signorello - The Magic Maker

By Tom Swift

Walt Disney once said “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them” ..and I truly believe that.

Having worked at Disney myself there are some amazing people I've come across on my journey who have inspired me by being living examples of Walt's famous motto.

My good friend Michael Signorello is one of those courageous people who has taught so many of us to live your dreams and to never give up. And I wanted to take a moment to tell you his story.

When I saw Michael was going through some difficult times I got the idea to make a short film about him which you can view here:

Making the film was not his idea. Michael graciously gave me permission to use his photos and posts on social media.


Walt Disney wisely said that of all our inventions for mass communication, pictures still speak the most universally understood language.


And I believe that Michael's photos speak for themselves in a universal and powerful way to the heart and inspiration of why I believe Michael is "The Magic Maker"... someone who would truly make Walt proud.

Hard-Working Family Man With A Dream

Michael Signorello is a devoted father and hard worker who has had to overcome tremendous difficulties over the years. But all along - His faith, family, and dreams have gotten him through the storms of life. He's gone through divorce, financial struggles, having to battle and overcome cancer in one of his children and overcoming heart surgeries with another child.

All along Michael has persevered and kept the faith and continued to live the dream and live a good life of example for his kids.

Michael has been coming to the Magic Kingdom since he was 8 years old.

Coming down every year he fell in love with Walt Disney World and it sparked a dream in his heart that could not be extinguished – he knew he had to come work in the Disney Parks some day.

He always thought it would be great to work in a place that he wouldn't have to call work or a job. He told me, “it's more like a way of life.”

Michael worked for many years in insurance auto litigation, First in New York and then in Florida. He then came to work at Safety and Liability at Disney which was a very lucrative job for Central Florida. But he was stuck in the office while guests were complaining in the parks about many things he felt as a cast member he could face head on. He told me working in the office made you feel trapped – “You're not going anywhere in the office,” he said, “while everyone is complaining from the parks”


Michael says, “The more you sit in an office – the more life kind of gets away and you don't alleviate stress very well – you kind of get old faster” Working in the office was beginning to get to him because he felt powerless to help the guests and make a difference.


He started to assess his own life at the moment. He wanted to get out of the office and do what he knew he loved - working in the parks – to have an impact on people face to face. But he knew if he did this it would be a tremendous financial sacrifice.

But that dream to work in the Disney parks from his younger days started speaking to his heart.

A Big Change- A BigDream

Then in 2012 his cousin passed away. It was a big blow to him. They had been very close and it was a wake up call for Michael. That's when his perspective changed.. "It sealed the deal, he says. “I thought how can you can inspire people by doing what you love and being happy?”

Michael wanted a big change in his life. Realizing that life is too short to live with regrets That's when he made the decision.

So he left a very high paying job making $55 to 60 thousand dollars a year to live his dream to work in the Disney Parks and was now making close to minimum wage.  Michael said, “I don't need to make money to be happy. Instead I can inspire people to do things they love”


He knew he would have to work more hours to better provide for the family but he also wanted to show people that the secret to success is not about making money but how you spend your life and how much you make an impact in the world.

"Down here in Florida," he says, “People work and don't live” – But now he was making a living and making a life – making a difference.

And he did it primarily for his cousin. Michael says he realized, “I can do it for him.. - for my cousin - to honor his life – even though he's gone - dedicating it to him – remembering my cousin - that his life wasn't in vain.”

So Michael – the Magic Maker began his high calling. He knew he not only could follow a dream he had put aside since he was young, he could also now deal with the complaints head on before they made it to the office. "Stop the complaints in the park by inspiring the guests by your attitude – loving the guests making a difference in the lives of the guests as well as the cast."

Living the Dream

Michael then began working in Entertainment and became a character attendant.  And he was making magic and posting amazing pictures of all the people he was making a positive impact on  - all of us who came across his path.

He then transferred to Hollywood Studios in 2016 where the force was strong with Michael and he continued making magic and living the dream by blazing a path of inspiration for all to see.

Michael tells me having dreams requires courage to pursue the dreams. But he says, "with courage comes consistency, dedication, and devotion."

Michael says, "Children, today, they don't see that very much in this world. They need to see more of it." He says kids these days think things can be handed to them. "People change everything from hairstyles to clothing styles and even relationships. But dedication and devotion and consistency – will set you apart – and above."

He says, People say they hate Monday and love friday – Why hate Mondays – When you do what you love you never work a day.... Instead you're living the dream."

"You don't have to say, 'I wish I could do something like that' - You could be anybody and do anything when you live the dream.”

And so Michael -The Magic Maker has done just that.   He has inspired so many of us by his life and story. Michael has left a legacy that not only honors his cousin's life and provides a wonderful example that his children will always remember. But it also holds to the spirit of Walt Disney's beautiful vision that he gave to the world when he gave us Fantasyland.

“Live your philosophy, live your life, live your dream” 

- Michael Signorello