Matt Ouimet and a Roundup of Community Leaders
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As the lights came back up on the stage, the announcer introduced a “seventeen year cast member, and the President of the Disneyland Resort, Matt Ouimet.�? As the applause died down, Matt entered, and assured the assembled crowd he would try to keep the proceedings moving along. He couldn’t resist mentioning that there was much to talk about, though, adding, “We will be using a few more superlatives this year.�?
Before turning to the year in review, Matt thanked Billy Hill and the Hillbillies for performing. He asked the crowd if any had caught the Billies performing at the Golden Horseshoe. The Horseshoe, he pointed out, was home to the longest running show in history, the Golden Horseshoe Review. But, he went on, it was also the site of Walt Disney’s 30th wedding anniversary party, just weeks before the opening of Disneyland in 1955.
The short history lesson done, Matt said how excited the whole Resort staff was to have so many community leaders there, and thanked them all for attending. He spoke of the relationship between Disneyland and its neighbors. He thanked the community for supporting Disneyland for over 50 years. “This is the community where we find our most loyal guests,�? he said, as well as where most cast members call home. He spoke of the positive business climate in Orange County, saying, “There’s a level of vibrancy and growth here.�?
Matt next recognized that there were many officials present, and thanked them for coming out on a weeknight to attend yet another “rubber chicken�? dinner. Speaking on behalf of the entire staff of Disneyland, he said, “There are thousands and thousands of cast members who make this a great show.�? He recognized three past cast members who were unable to attend that night: Jack Lindquist, Ron Dominguez, and Jim Cora. He pointed out that they were three Orange County residents who had made Disneyland great.
Matt’s next order of business was a look back at 2005, and a look forward at what 2006 had to offer. He began by marveling that they were barely into the tenth month of an eighteen month celebration. He acknowledged the success of the birthday year, saying, “The traditional busy Summer season was all we hoped it would be, and candidly was more.�? The first fiscal quarter attendance was up 18%. He laughed that Hotel head Tony Bruno’s life was “challenging,�? as the hotels were running at 96% occupancy. All of this positive economic impact, Matt said, has spread to Anaheim and all of Orange County. Disneyland, he concluded, had made a commitment and met it in 2005.
And of 2006? “The good news is, we have a lot planned,�? Matt assured the crowd. But first he detailed 2005, starting with the Global Kick-off, which turned the world’s spotlight on Orange County in January. As images of the even filled the screen, Matt proudly said, “The high energy kick-off set the pace for the celebration.�? He then went through the events of March, 2005, and the official birthday in July.
He paused to point out his favorite photo from the celebration, a sea of guests wearing golden ears on Main Street. As he looked at the image, Matt flatly stated, “This guy bugged me.�? A close up of one guest, without ears and dead center, filled the screen.
As the crowd chuckled, Matt smugly told of how they “helped�? the image a little before sending it to the archives. Through a little “Disney Magic,�? the bare headed guest was fitted with ears, with no one the wiser.
Matt mentioned how gratified he was to spend time with Diane Disney Miller and husband Ron during the celebration. He told of how they spoke of what Disneyland meant to her and the family. Matt also mentioned how pleased he was to meet with astronaut Neil Armstrong at the re-launch of Space Mountain.