Matt Ouimet, DCL President, promoted to DL

[zellda]

LOS ANGELES, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Disneyland President Cynthia Harriss has resigned and Disney Cruise Line President Matt Ouimet will take her place, the Walt Disney Co.-owned (NYSEIS - News) theme park said on Tuesday.
ADVERTISEMENT


Harriss said in a letter to theme park staff released by Disney that she wanted to put "family and loved ones first" and had decided to step down so another executive could take over the preparations for the 50th anniversary of Disneyland.

The park turns 50 in 2005 and Disney parks around the world will be using the anniversary as a springboard for promotions and events.

Harriss oversaw the expansion of Disneyland into a two-park resort with the addition of the California Adventure park.

She also was in charge in September when a roller coaster partially derailed, killing one passenger. A spokeswoman said her resignation was not related to the accident.

Ouimet's cruise line division, though small, has been frequently lauded by executives, and Parks chief Jay Rasulo said in a statement that Ouimet had a "proven track record of success."

Disney World senior vice president for operations Karl Holz becomes head of the Disney Cruise Line.

 

[Credit Man]

I had the chance to meet Matt Ouimet at WDW this Aug. He is a super nice man who has a great knowledge of all things Disney. DCL's loss is Disneylands gain.

 

[snelsonbrown]

An open letter to Matt:
I want to sincerely thank you for all that you did for so many - you will be so missed by so many -----Man oh man having a hard time with this but I understand this is a chance of a lifetime.
I wish for you everything good as you start your new adventure.
I wish for you to be safe and don't forget your friends here in Florida -------you really have been an asset to all of us - more than anyone realizes
Take care and God bless you on your journey.
Always
Shirley

 

[disneygal58]

Ditto. I foolishly believed that cruising was something that my parents' generation enjoyed. (I was much too hip to hang out with cruisers.) But loving all things Disney (holding annual passes when we were residents of Colorado, taking on a second job as a certified travel agent so that I could "graduate" from Disney's College of Knowledge etc...), I decided that I could not decline the opportunity to experience DCL. So, we sailed a 3 night during the Inaugural year and haven't stopped since. I moved my small family from Colorado to an hour from the Mouse in hopes of one day working within one of it's world class Spas. I thank Mr. Ouimet for his (large) part in maintaining (and often exceeding) the level of integrity that we have come to expect from a company such as Disney.
Sincere Best Wishes (and kudos to California),
Dawn Hope

 

[AnnMorin]

My bets have always been on you being the D.A.I.D... thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for ill children........if you ever want to start a foundation the "D.A.I.D" for instance please contact me and my husband as well will gladly give all we can. You are a very special person Mr. Ouimet and I truely hope you are paid back ten fold for all your kindness!!
Edited to say from my son.. "you rock ... thanks for helping that sick boy, it made me very sad that he was sick so you rock for being cool and helping him!"
(ok that is the quote of a ten year old, I wanted to edit it but he can read so............)

 

[snelsonbrown]

We do owe him lots of thanks and best wishes - Thanks Ann - you said a mouth full - I believe him to be one of the most honorable person and I never had the opportunity to meet him -
Those in California are very fortunate to him there -
Always
Shirley

 

[Verandah Man]

As Ann's son stated,

Matt Rocks!!!

May good fortune follow you to California!!!

Thanks for all you have done Matt, it will Never be forgotten!!!

 

[dis4me]

WOW Congratulations Mr Quimet on your promotion and as others have said Yuo touched the hearts of many without even a thanks or aknowledgement. You truly are a DAID. Good luck on your future endeavors and maintain your kind and caring attitude.
Thanks for Everything

 

[WDWLVR]

Matt,

Disneyland and California Adventure are very lucky to have you. Best of luck to you and i know that you will make the West Coast the Disney destination it once was.

Here's hoping to a West Coast DCL cruise in the near future as well to tie in to wonderful stays at Disneyland.

Thanks for all you have done - you are the best!

 

[dianthus]

Matt Ouimet~

We had the opportunity to meet you on our very first cruise, which was with DCL. It was all very exciting. We assumed you were an important DCL exec by your demeanor and presence & were impressed by how friendly you were to us and others. Our servers and steward confirmed some of the DCL brass was onboard. We found out you were in charge of DCL when we got home, which just blew us away...You and your cruiseline have never "dizappointed" us. We're coming up on DCL # 3 soon....

Watch out California, here comes a class act, a real powerhouse... Disneyland is ready to be restored and elevated to a new level of greatness! Congratulations! You will be missed by many, but such a great opportunity awaits.... I'm sure you are going make Walt very proud!

I too, thought you to be the DAID. You've left an imprint on people's lives that really counts... What could be better than that! You do indeed rock, Matt Ouimet!

~ Linda

 

[BelievesinMagic]

I grew up in HI and AK and never visited Disneyland as a child. When I was growing up my father, who had visited DL long before I was born, use to tell me stories of the park, all the lands, Mr. Lincoln, the Mark Twain, Main Street and of course the characters. He said all you do is smile because it is "The happiest place on Earth!" He truly is a Disney freak.

I finally visited the Disneyland Resort last Sept. I wasn't disappointed, I lOVE DLR, and Disney California Adventure, but it wasn't exactly how I thought it would be. I thought, "Oh, it's got to be me." This year we went on the Disney Magic, I smiled big everyday, all day long! I think I was actually walking on air! This is what I was looking for at DLR!

Mr. Quimet, don't get me wrong, the smile is still at DLR, it just needs to be brightened!

California is ready for a class act, a real powerhouse or, if it is true, D.A.I.D. Welcome Ashore!!

P.S.
Best wishes and good luck to Cynthia Harris on her future ventures and with her family. I met her at DLR this past July and she truly is a nice person.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I am very happy to hear of Matt Ouimet receiving the kudos he so well deserves. He has done a phenomenal job with DCL and I am sure DL will reap the benefits of his leadership very soon.

Matt has certainly been an inspiration to us all! Congratulations!

 

[TnRobin]

Another note of congratulations to Matt Ouimet. You have done a spectacular job in the eyes of the cruisers here on the DIS. You have shown that customer service is still important in the corporate world. You have also shown that there are still good people working in high positions. Thank you for all you have done to ensure truely magical vacation at sea for the whole family. As I have told many a friend, it was the best vacation we have experienced.

Good luck in your new west coast office. I will definitely think of you when we visit Disneyland after Thanksgiving this year.