Cynthia Harris Leaving Disneyland Resort

[diegorivera2]

As a member of the Disney Music Discussion Forum, we've had discussions regarding Anne Hamburger's (EVP Creative Entertainment for the Parks and Resorts group) vision of more cutting-edge, Broadway based performances. Unfortunately, these performances leave children scratching their heads trying to figure out what they've just seen and probably was not what most had come to expect from stage shows inside the parks.

Anne is responsible for the current Aladdin show at DCA and, I believe had strong backing from Ms. Harriss.

[mkt]

Originally posted by turkey leg boy
I don't follow DL that much, what was her vision for Park Entertainment?

less is more....

high brow...

and the dollar store rules

[Lee]

Forget last weeks announcements.
This is the biggest Disney news in a year.

Wonder if she'll turn up at Gap?

[Covnut]

Message from Jay

I am very pleased to announce that Matt Ouimet, president of the Disney Cruise Line, has been promoted, effective immediately, to president of the Disneyland Resort, reporting to me.

Matt will replace Cynthia Harriss who has resigned for personal reasons after six years as president of the Disneyland Resort and 11 years of dedicated service to The Walt Disney Company.

Those of you who have worked with Matt know that he brings many outstanding qualities to this important and challenging new position, including the exceptional leadership skills, operational expertise and brand knowledge that have made Disney Cruise Line one of our strongest businesses.

Matt joined The Walt Disney Company in 1989 and has since excelled in a series of executive positions in finance and business development. In the past 14 years, Matt has served not only as president of Disney Cruise Line, but also as senior vice president and chief financial officer at the Disney Development Company; senior vice president of Finance and Business Development at the Walt Disney World Resort; and executive general manager of Disney Vacation Club and Disney's Wide World of Sports.

Matt has built Disney Cruise Line (DCL) into the country's premier family cruise operator and one of our most promising new businesses. His continued focus on the quality of the guest experience at DCL has resulted in the highest guest satisfaction ratings of any line of business in the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts portfolio.

Active in Florida's business community, Matt serves as the chairman of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and on the Board of Directors for the International Council of Cruise Lines and the Floridian Caribbean Cruise Association. Matt is a graduate of Binghamton University and a native of upstate New York.

Matt will be succeeded by Karl Holz, senior vice president for Walt Disney World Operations, who is promoted, effective immediately, to president of the Disney Cruise Line, reporting to Al Weiss.

Like Matt, Karl brings a diverse background and unique combination of leadership abilities, and operational expertise to his new role.

Karl began his career at the Walt Disney World Resort in 1996 as vice president, Downtown Disney, where he oversaw the successful expansion and renovation of this popular retail, dining and entertainment district. In 2000, he became vice president of Epcot, and in 2001, was promoted to senior vice president of operations for the Walt Disney World Resort. Most recently, Karl worked closely with Alice Norsworthy to guide the development of the new Magical Gatherings business at the Walt Disney World Resort, which was launched publicly just last week.

Prior to joining the Walt Disney World Resort, Karl was president and COO of Sky Chefs/Concession Air from 1989-1992 and vice president, theme parks for Knott's Berry Farm from 1992-1996. Karl earned a B.S. in Business Administration from The State University of New York, Fredonia.

One of our company's greatest strengths is the incredible depth of our leadership. Matt and Karl epitomize the record of accomplishment, commitment to excellence and broad range of talents at every level of our world-class management team.

I am delighted that Matt and Karl will be contributing in new ways to the success of our business, as we continue positioning all of our assets to seize the recovery when the economy rebounds and consumer confidence returns.

I hope you will join me in wishing both of them every success as they begin their new roles.

[Covnut]

Message from Matt Ouimet:

MATT OUIMET
President, Disneyland® Resort

Matt Ouimet was named president of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California on October 14, 2003. He is responsible for the overall management and long-term growth of the Disneyland Resort, including the operation of Disneyland® park; Disney's California Adventure™ park; the premium Disney's Grand Californian Hotel; Disneyland® Hotel; Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel; and Downtown Disney® District, a retail, dining and entertainment center.

Most recently, as president, Disney Cruise Line, Matt was responsible for the entire Disney Cruise Line operation, which includes the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder cruise ships, Castaway Cay (Disney's private Bahamian island) and Disney's Port Canaveral cruise terminal. Ouimet's focus on the quality of the guest experience on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder resulted in some of the highest guest satisfaction ratings of any Walt Disney Parks and Resorts vacation experience.

Ouimet's responsibilities also included the role of executive vice president of New Business Initiatives for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. In this role, Ouimet was charged with developing new business opportunities that target the core Disney vacation audience.

Ouimet is active in Florida's business community. He is the Chairman of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Board of Directors for the International Council of Cruise Lines, the Floridian Caribbean Cruise Association and is a member of The Florida's Council of 100. In addition, Ouimet also serves on The Walt Disney World Resort Diversity Leadership Advisory Board.

Ouimet joined The Walt Disney Company in 1989, with experience in strategic planning, finance and business development. He has held a series of executive positions that include senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer at Walt Disney Imagineering and senior vice president of finance and business development at the Walt Disney World Resort. During his career, he has overseen the financial management of Walt Disney World theme park and resort development, served as the executive general manager of Disney Vacation Club and Disney's Wide World of Sports and was part of the team responsible for the integrated strategic growth plan that supported consistent record performance at the Walt Disney World Resort.

A native of upstate New York, Ouimet is a graduate of Binghamton University. He and his family reside in Orlando, Fla.

[General Grizz]

Something about Disneyland seems awkward and weak . . . as far as "new" attractions and DCA. . . I guess it's because of Pressler and Harriss? Not sure... but maybe that whole "feeling" may go away.

Then again, I have yet to visit the parks.

[LongballMG]

Maybe now that the old regime is finally gone, the new leadership will finally bring back the subs. After all they are just sitting in the show building.

Longballmg

[MsSnuzi]

Originally posted by Covnut
Message from Jay

Matt is a graduate of Binghamton University and a native of upstate New York.

He's a hometown boy!! Good Luck Matt!

[TURKEY]

Originally posted by Covnut


A native of upstate New York, Ouimet is a graduate of Binghamton University. He and his family reside in Orlando, Fla.

So is Tony Kornheiser and one of the Baldwin brothers.

[CTXRover]

I would imagine this is a great change for Disneyland. All I ever hear from DL is how maintenance at the parks has slided since Pressler was its president and how Cynthia, who was hand-picked by Pressler to take the job after he became head of all Disney theme parks, continued that downward spiral. Not to mention, it seems that CM pride and overall happiness has dropped significantly at DL since this time.

Now, I don't know if Matt can turn that around, but if what he did for the DCL is any indication, DL may be in for a treat. He does have a lot of money/business background that some may see as a signal that he is just another "money-guy" who wants to turn a profit, but what I see is that he doesn't just know how to "make" money, rather he knows how to "use" money, wisely. DCL is probably *the* best maintaned Disney 'complex' with probably the happiest, over-the-top CM's of the domestic Disney resorts. Being President of DCL, I'm sure Matt was somehow involved in keeping those CM's so happy and in making sure the ship was always top-notch in appearance. In fact, CM's were painting different parts of the ship (mostly handrails) everynight I was on, and they didn't even look like they needed to be!!

If Matt can bring just a little bit of what he did with DCL to DL, all may be turning around at DL.

Although I don't doubt Cynthia might want to spend more time with her family, I wouldn't be surprised if there was A LOT of pressure on her to leave ever since Rasulo took over. This guy seems to know what to do. Look at WDW for instance. Since this guy has been brought in to replace Pressler, WDW has seen the announcement of 4 major E-ticket attractions currently in construction, as well as a brand new fireworks show that rivals Illuminations! as the best WDW fireworks and an ad campaign centered around the very reason Walt ever wanted to build a theme park for anyway, the gathering of families. We would have never seen this with Pressler and since Cynthia was that one last key component left from his "reign", Rasulo needed her out and someone in that he could count on to get what he wants done with DL. I look forward to see what he can do for DL. I know it won't be overnight, but we could see a difference soon

[Joalovar]

So let's hope this is good news for the 50th anniversary of DL...

[adr315]

{does a backflip}



The American Disney parks may just be getting that much deserved boost they've lacked....

[X2CommNavISTC]

Hm..Shes gone, finally, THANK GOD!

Now if we can just get Eisner out of here.

Damn little spawn of satan!

[TURKEY]

Originally posted by LongballMG
Maybe now that the old regime is finally gone, the new leadership will finally bring back the subs. After all they are just sitting in the show building.

Longballmg

I wouldn't count on it, at least in the form of the ride that you know now. I'd say new subs have a better chance of coming in than the old ones reappearing.

[Donfan]

Originally posted by turkey leg boy
I wouldn't count on it, at least in the form of the ride that you know now. I'd say new subs have a better chance of coming in than the old ones reappearing.

If not subs, at least something Sea oriented, like DisneySea or maybe just an ocean oriented ride with Nemo and friends swimming around.