Dressed from head to toe in a jellyfish costume, tentacles and all, senior Taylor Owens just keeps swimming up the parade route of Disney’s California Adventure Park.  Owens puts on a show along side the cast of the Finding Nemo portion of the Pixar Play Parade.  Owens has previously worked on weekends but is taking a break until this summer, during which she will be seen making her way through the theme park’s Performance Corridor twice every day between noon and 7 p.m.

Owens has a passion for dancing and shares her talent through her performances with Dance II.  Because of this passion, she takes pleasure in her job.

“I’ve always enjoyed dancing and performing for people,”said Owens.  “I took the job as an opportunity to grow and become a better dancer.”

Not only does Owens owe her position at California Adventure to her dance experience, she also pays tribute to Dylan Wakelin, her cousin and co-worker at Walt Disney’s famous park. Known by his fans as Woody from Toy Story, Wakelin heard of the job opening and immediately thought of his talented family member.  With Wakelin’s help, Owens was ready to try out and knew what to expect when she walked into her audition.  After proving her skills through several different dance sequences, Owens impressed the panel of employees with her abilities and was offered the job that over nearly 100 other applicant had yearned for.

“I am so thankful for the opportunity I have received,”said Owens.  “I love being able to see the look on kids faces as they watch the spectacular parade pass them by.”

The admiring looks Owens receives from the visitors of the ‘happiest place on earth’ have only increased her zeal for the sport.  Depending on the college she attends in the fall, Owens hopes to incorporate the school’s dance program into her curriculum.  Even if this does not come to pass, Owens never wants to stop dancing.

“Hopefully I’ll have time to take more dance classes in the future,” said Owens.  “I would love to make a living off dance.  That would be a dream come true.”

Make sure to take a trip to Disneyland this summer to see Owens dancing along-side all your favorite Disney characters.

Left: Taylor Owens dressed in her Disney gear