Her Story
About Liliana
Liliana Hugues is an experienced hospitality and food and beverage professional with more than 14 years in the industry, including approximately 15 to 16 years with The Walt Disney Company. Based in Kissimmee, she has built an impressive career rooted in operational excellence, guest service, and leadership development. Liliana began her Disney journey in merchandise before transitioning into food and beverage operations, where she discovered her passion for hospitality, culinary experiences, and creating memorable guest interactions. Starting as a front-of-house cast member, she steadily advanced through dedication, consistency, and a strong commitment to excellence, ultimately earning leadership and supervisory responsibilities.
Over the course of her Disney career, Liliana has gained extensive operational experience by working across three Disney parks and both water parks in a variety of food and beverage environments. She currently serves as a supervisor at one of the restaurants in Magic Kingdom, where she plays a key role in daily guest operations and service coordination. Her responsibilities include welcoming and seating the first guests each morning, engaging with visitors about their dining and vacation experiences, supporting food runner coordination, and ensuring smooth restaurant operations throughout the day. In previous coordinator roles with Epcot Festivals, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Tony’s Town Square, she developed expertise in food and beverage operations, HACCP compliance, inventory management, organization, and team leadership. Known for her professionalism and guest-focused approach, Liliana takes pride in contributing to the high standards and memorable experiences associated with Disney hospitality.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Liliana remains deeply committed to personal growth, leadership development, and community involvement. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management from University of Arizona and an Associate of Science in Digital Arts from Pima Community College. Fluent in Spanish and continuing to expand her Italian language skills, she values cultural connection and communication in both professional and personal settings. Inspired by her passion for food, diverse cuisines, and hospitality, Liliana continues to pursue advancement opportunities within Disney and is currently working toward a management position through Disney’s interview and leadership development process. She also volunteers with KABOOM!, helping build playgrounds for children throughout the Orlando area and supporting initiatives that create positive community experiences.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Liliana
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to never giving up and persevering through the challenges of working in hospitality. It could be rough working up the ladder, but it's doable if you stay committed. I have been fortunate to have past managers and leaders who have always been very helpful in guiding me through what I want to achieve, helping me become a supervisor and now working towards a management position. Working for Disney for 15-16 years is something I am really proud of because hospitality can be a little rough, but I have stuck with it. I believe that with dedication and the right support, you can continue to grow and advance in this industry.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Liliana shared that several past managers throughout her Disney career have played important mentorship roles by helping guide her professional development and encouraging her career progression into leadership positions.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never give up. It could be rough, you know, getting and working up the ladder, but it's doable. You have to stay committed and keep pushing forward even when things get challenging in hospitality.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in hospitality right now is talking to customers and trying to get them what they want while also maintaining a good balance between meeting their expectations and being fair to the restaurant. I feel like customers have gotten a little bit more entitled to stuff, you know, just demanding things. It can be challenging to navigate those interactions while still providing excellent service. You just have to learn to let it roll off your shoulders and stay professional.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Liliana values dedication, teamwork, customer service, perseverance, and personal growth. She believes maintaining professionalism, supporting others, and staying committed to career goals are essential to long-term success.
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