Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=771" target="_blank">The Latest: Matt Ouimet Not Leaving Disneyland</a>
Originally Posted By Roger55 I am surprised if this is true. As much as I like the direction DLR has gone under Matt's leadership, I can not see how career wise it is a good decision to turn down the job at WDW. If it is true, it may indicate that Matt is not the type to just chase $$$ and prestige, because I am pretty sure the WDW President's job is higher paying with a lot more responsibility and power. Cheers to Matt staying at DLR and... THANK YOU!!!
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster I'm glad Matt is staying if that is indeed true. While Disneyland has certainly improved during his tenure, a lot of the positive changes were in motion when he came on board. Now we get a chance to see how he does from here when nearly every change is made under his watch. I have faith in his leadership and I expect Disneyland will have many good years to come.
Originally Posted By leemac <<If it is true, it may indicate that Matt is not the type to just chase $$$ and prestige, because I am pretty sure the WDW President's job is higher paying with a lot more responsibility and power.>> WDW is a very steady ship though and there aren't any more projects under development beyond Everest. By staying at DLR it gives Matt an opportunity to show what he is capable of rather than being handed the Prez job after Al has been in the seat forever. There is still work to do at both parks. Our sources have said that Al plans to continue operating as the head of WDW for the time being.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<WDW is a very steady ship though and there aren't any more projects under development beyond Everest. By staying at DLR it gives Matt an opportunity to show what he is capable of>> I'm inclined to agree with that. If I were in Matt's shoes, I'd want to run Walt's park *and* the challenge of improving DCA. I think it would be more fun to chase after WDW's numbers, than be at WDW and worry about how you keep that boat from sinking.
Originally Posted By jmuboy WOW - how bad for WDW that over 47,000 acres, 4 parks, 20 resorts and billions of dollars the mou$e has nothing major planned.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<WOW - how bad for WDW that over 47,000 acres, 4 parks, 20 resorts and billions of dollars the mou$e has nothing major planned.>> With Everest coming online soon, isn't that enough? (unless it's a bit of a dud like Mission: Space has turned out to be) Anyway... It's not like you can see and do everything in a few days as it is. Only the hardcore Disney fan goes to WDW more than once or twice in a lifetime as it is. I think the company would be better served by fixing up what is there, and concentrating on even better guest service; these are the two key areas that most people seem to feel are lacking. FWIW, I am sure you know the resort is closer to 28,000 acres in size... no way is it 47,000.
Originally Posted By hopemax This is straight from the Mouse: The WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort is located on a 30,500-acre site (47 square miles) in the heart of Central Florida. The total acreage is about the same size as San Francisco or twice the size of Manhattan Island. A permanent wildlife conservation area has been set aside on 8,200 acres. The MAGIC KINGDOM® Park occupies 107 acres, Epcot® covers 300 acres, the Disney-MGM Studios is 154 acres, and DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM® Theme Park spans more than 500 acres. There are approximately 7,600 acres developed.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Yeah, i thought it was about 30,000, but it seems to have fluctuated a bit over the years. They acquired more at some point, expanding beyond the original 27,500 I often see quoted, and then sold some, etc.
Originally Posted By iluvdisneyland I have mixed feelings about this... On the one hand, some of us in Outdoor Vending were very scared if it was true Matt was going, leaving Greg Emmer in charge. While Greg is definately good for the resort, he is not a nice person and has a personal vendetta against Outdoor Vending. Matt seems like a very genuine(sp?) guy. I met him on Christmas Day of 2004. He and Greg were actually working on Christmas. They came up to the cart I was working, introduced themselves and talked with me for a few minutes. And they thanked me for being there on Christmas. I thanked THEM for being there on Christmas! In my opinion, what he truly needs to focus on now is his human resources department. Things need to change, and while morale (in my opinion) is not nearly as bad as Al Lutz makes it seem, Foods is treading on thin ice right now. We have not been fully staffed in a long time, and the Cast we do have is mainly brand new. Focus on attracting new Cast Members who excel at all of the Disney standards, even if that means raising salaries across the board.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<While Greg is definately good for the resort, he is not a nice person and has a personal vendetta against Outdoor Vending.>> Care to expound on that?
Originally Posted By iluvdisneyland I have before, and I don't want to again... That and I have to leave for work now. Maybe later... Goodnight, everyone!
Originally Posted By lesmisfan i am glad the matt is staying. He has done so much good for the disneyland resort and sprucing it up and getting some attractions built. I can't wait to see what plans he might have for the future at disneyland.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss As far as Disneyland park alone, #1 on my list would be to do something about the Peoplemover track. #2 would be to completely fix up Tom Sawyer Island. #3, do something with the old Tahitian Terrace space. Bringing back a dinner show to DL would be awesome.
Originally Posted By disneywatcher The reason I thought there was a very good possibility (and still have to wonder about it) that Ouimet, in fact, has been interested in making a move is because of what was written at Jimhillmedia.com (assuming the writer there didn't grab something from out of thin air). I know that personal, non-business-related preferences of members of a family can have a strong influence on decisions such as where to work and play: >>>>> JimHillmedia.com: Well, you have to understand that -- prior to coming out to Southern California in October 2003 to replace then-Disneyland President Cynthia Harris -- Ouimet & his family had lived in Central Florida for 21 years. More importantly, Matt, his wife, Kathleen and their teenage son & daughter just loved their Orange County [FL] lifestyle. Golf at Bay Hill. Jogging, cycling, etc. But the living-in-LA thing? ... The way I hear it, it really hasn't worked out for the Ouimet family. Though Matt, Kathleen and the kids have given being-out-west the old college try, they still miss all of their friends & family back in Orlando. ...So how likely is it that this proposed Disneyland-to-Disney-World-presidential-switcheroo will actually happen? Well, from what I hear ... Ouimet has reportedly already begun reaching out to old Orlando-area acquaintances. Discreetly putting out feelers to see if these folks might be willing to join his WDW transition team. <<<<<
