Anything from Jim MacPhee?

[Surf Fish2285]

I was a former cast member at Disneyland, and it made a huge diffence see the executive's out and about in the parks helping out, and visiting with guest and cast members!

 

[100 Acre HS]

I agree with you there, I actually had a few words in passing with Phil Holmes just yesterday and it was the boost I needed to get through a long day. I just was commenting more on the expectation that he be shaking hands at the front gate. The poor guy is probably still waiting on IT (I speak from experience) to get his computer up and running, and the phone in his office to ring. He has a job first and foremost to do, if there is time, and he can work in some face time in the park that is all the more better, but I don't think any love should be lost due to his unforgiving work load.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I agree with you there, I actually had a few words in passing with Phil Holmes just yesterday and it was the boost I needed to get through a long day. I just was commenting more on the expectation that he be shaking hands at the front gate. The poor guy is probably still waiting on IT (I speak from experience) to get his computer up and running, and the phone in his office to ring. He has a job first and foremost to do, if there is time, and he can work in some face time in the park that is all the more better, but I don't think any love should be lost due to his unforgiving work load.

Matt Ouimet was fixing a damaged Disneyland Resort and creating a great 50th anniversary celebration out of a mess left by his predecessor, and still managed to be in the park hours each day from the get-go. The issue is not how much work there is to be done. This issue lies in the individual exec--some want to be in their parks, some see it more as an office job that will be a stepping stone to a higher position with the company. I have seen some great execs who make a point of being in their parks, at the entrance, pretty much every day for an hour or two at opening and then again at closing to speak with guests and employees. Mr. Ouimet's efforts served as a rallying point for CMs at Disneyland and certainly increased morale. Mr. Grier's seeming inability to remember where Disneyland is located has had the opposite effect. Surely, all of the execs have plenty of work to do, but that does not excuse them from getting in touch with their work force and their guests.

 

[wedway71]

When im a VP at Disney I will be in the parks everyday....


I will ride Space Mountain every day (before lunch) to ensure it is running properly for our guests.

I will personally eat pastries on Main Street to ensure our guests are getting only the finest pastries we can offer.

Later that afteroon I will go to many of the countries in Epcot to personally consume various beers to make sure we are not serving "Skunky" beer.

I will lastly watch the fireworks everynight from the top of the Contemporary to ensure our guests are getting the best in family entertainment.

 

[brkgnews]

...The best theme park execs can be found in their parks with a broom and dustpan, speaking with guests and employees...

I've got to agree with you here. Six Flags Over Georgia's Melinda Ashcraft is a PRIME example of this. She started working at the park when she was a teenager and is now in charge of the place -- she NEVER fails to visit with the employees and be seen in the park. She makes it a point to come up to guests and chat with them. She remembers frequent visitors, too. One of the most pleasant nights I had at the park was the night that she and I stood outside the park watching the newly-installed Goliath making its test runs after closing, just chatting about the park and how things had changed over the years. She's a class act all the way, and that REALLY makes a difference in the atmosphere of the park.

EDIT: Oh! Let's not forget what Walt said of Disneyland... "You guys get down there at least twice a month. For God's sake, don't eat off the lot. Stay there... lunch with the guests... talk to them."