Matt Ouimet's Mark

[JJ61]

I'm very anxious to see what Matt Ouimet's first 'original' mark on DLR will be. Matt has been (rightfully) praised for preparing DL for it's 50th and getting some momentum built for the future. So far, however, I would argue that all the work has been to 'clean up' the slide from the Pressler/Harriss era. (Please don't flame me for any mis-spellings.)
First up was the repainting and refurb of a park gone darkly neglected in this area. We all remember Al's postings of dinged up garbage cans, right? Space Mountain refurb was in the works, if not accelrated. Buzz? On the drawing boards, and even then to correct a 'Ooops' with the TL 98. Even the Finding Nemo redo of the subs goes to correct a transgression by the recent managment team.
Over at DCA? Any work there goes towards correcting the mistakes and miscalculations made when that park was conceived and birthed.
I know that when you want to build something, you have to start with a strong foundation. So far, I see MO building a solid foundation, clearing out the wreckage that was made before him and starting back with what made DL strong in the first place. Which brings me back to my original statement: 'I'm very anxious to see what Matt Ouimet's first 'original' mark on DLR will be.'

[travelmom]

Whatever is, I will be eternally grateful for the new shift in priorities for the park.

[MasterGracey]

Midway Mania?


Hmm.

I think in the long run, he'll be widely recognized not for a single achievement (like a big new E-Ticket, or a whole theme park), but for simply bringing the parks back to how they should be.

Pressler and Harriss aren't known for Indiana Jones Adventure, the 40th Years of Adventure celebration, or Disney's California Adventure - they're known for running the parks into the ground.

Matt is known and will be known for restoring Walt Disney's masterpiece.

[JJ61]

Excellent reply. Let's hope he is also known for handing off this responsibility to someone who cares for is as he does...

[2DieFR]

^No Andy, you're wrong- Matt is known and will be known for PAINT!

[MasterGracey]

Excellent reply. Let's hope he is also known for handing off this responsibility to someone who cares for is as he does...

Yeah, I hope his successor is just as good (if not better), but ultimately (and unfortunately), I don't think Matt will get much say in who gets to take over once he moves on...

[RenMan]

To what extent is Matt involved in design decisions at DL? Does he have say in what new attractions go in?

[skratch addict]

dont mean to sound too uneducated, but who is Matt Ouimet? like whats his job title?

[Brain Toad]

President of DLR.

I had to look it up myself.

[Aura of Foreboding]

Upon reading the title, I was thinking... "Has President Matt found a new Marc Davis for Disneyland?!"

Yeah... Only a Classic Disney nut would get that out of the title: "Matt Ouimet's Mark".

[mrfantasmic]

Although, a lot of people refer to Indy as Eisner's mark.
I'd agree too *hides*

[skratch addict]

President of DLR.

I had to look it up myself.

thanks, not sure why i didnt think to look it up myself.

[BigPigletFan]

^No Andy, you're wrong- Matt is known and will be known for PAINT!

Yes, PAINT! That is exactly what I was going to say!

[travelmom]

And lets not forget vision, this man walks the park, interacts with actual people, and has gotten back to the basic Disneyland philosophy that made the park such a stand-out experience. Yes Paint needed to be in this vision!

[Cmash95]

matt has enough work just in refurbishing and reworking dca to last him about 10 years at least unfortunately I am not sure how much say so he has in his parks. I mean look at the subs for instance. Lassetter has made so many changes in the original desing that it's coming in over budget and the opening date has been pushed back. I hope that matt isn't just a figurehead but I am becomming more and more concerned that ne might be just the name on the door.