http://jimhillmedia.com/article.php?id=1771



Find this hard to believe? Well, you have to understand that -- prior to coming out to Southern California in October 2003 to replace then-Disneyland President Cynthia Harris -- Ouimet & his family had lived in Central Florida for 21 years. More importantly, Matt, his wife, Kathleen and their teenage son & daughter just loved their Orange County lifestyle. Golf at Bay Hill. Jogging, cycling, etc.

But the living-in-LA thing? ... The way I hear it, it really hasn't worked out for the Ouimet family. Though Matt, Kathleen and the kids have given being-out-west the old college try, they still miss all of their friends & family back in Orlando.

Which is why when Jay Rasulo -- the Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts -- promoted Weiss to oversee Worldwide Operations, the Ouimets saw their opportunity to finally return to Orange County. Which is why Matt then allegedly quickly applied to become Al's replacement.

if Matt is like me - he'd move back in a heartbeat - and not because of anything to do with Disney. Family is #1 - and you can tell (IMHO) that in Matt's personality and his focus on doing the right thing and maintaining high quality. those come from a person who is strong in values and deeply cares for others (and not how their home is Laguna Hills is furnished :eek: )

i just wonder if Emmer is the heir what would the focus be? or would the overall show still be the main topic? NOt that it has worked out so well due to staffing - and if a strike looms next year like I hear then it could get worse.

Wow - in fact , that's perfect timing for Matt - leave before any possible problems with the staff and the union. Interesting timing.....

It sucks to get scooped when you have the same story but under conditions that block publishing it. I just added this bit to today's park update.

Matt Ouimet going home to Florida?

Jim Hill, of Jim Hill Media (http://www.jimhillmedia.com/article.php?id=1771) has run a story today (Monday, December 5) reporting strong rumors that Disneyland president Matt Ouimet may be moving back to Florida to take on the President of Walt Disney World office left vacant by the recent promotion of Al Weiss.


While we can not confirm the degree to which this is a done deal, we can confirm that the same scenario is coming out of the Disneyland offices as Jim received from sources in Florida. Unfortunately, what information we have was shared under terms that prevent us from saying any more than that.


If this moves from speculation into reality, then expect a lot howling from the online Disneyland fan community. In his short tenure at Disneyland, Matt Ouimet has quickly won the respect of park watchers and cast members with his apparent dedication to the idea that good money follows good show rather than the other way around.

It sucks to get scooped when you have the same story but under conditions that block publishing it. I just added this bit to today's park update.
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well, that's the difference between a "news and information" site and a "blog and opinion" site... you guys are the former...

Don't want to malign Jim. He, presumably, got the story without the same conditions under which we did (and I do know it was from a different source).

It should be emphasized that this is not a done deal, just something being discussed at this point. It may not happen.

Marice from MouseInfo said there is no chance of this happening. I really trust what Marcie says because she has a very good track record when it comes to the future of the resort.

I talked with Jim about this over the weekend, and he told me who his source is. I also know who our source is. Both of them are very well-placed to have this information. I would say that it's a very solid rumor.

Marice from MouseInfo said there is no chance of this happening. I really trust what Marcie says because she has a very good track record when it comes to the future of the resort.

Let me just say that Marcie has been wrong many times, I suggest you search MouseInfo for conversations between Darkbeer and Marcie (or her old handle, MarcieMI). This way you can see both sides of some of her comments.

This does not mean that any person on the web is perfect or close to perfect when it comes to advance information.

One of the biggest issues is that Disney is known to change their plans many times.

I talked with Jim about this over the weekend, and he told me who his source is. I also know who our source is. Both of them are very well-placed to have this information. I would say that it's a very solid rumor.

that locked it for me - two orgs, two different sources, both with the same basic information. I think it's a locked rumor too (NOTE - RUMOR).

if it were me - I'd go. Back to family, friends, lifestyle I had for 23 years - and be responsibe for what the WDC considers to be the big cheese in resort destinations... (I still prefer DL - but business is business)

Also, wouldn't it be consider a promotion, with a pay raise, and another step up the ladder?

As much as I have been impressed with much of what Matt has done here in Anaheim, if he can move up the ladder.... well, looks like he earned it!

Let me just say that Marcie has been wrong many times, I suggest you search MouseInfo for conversations between Darkbeer and Marcie (or her old handle, MarcieMI). This way you can see both sides of some of her comments.

Exactly. Marcie's track record hasn't been the best. Posters on LP knew about Cars/Test Track getting shelved before she did. So what does that tell you about the depth of her inside sources?

Just because Marcie believes that this will never happen, doesn't mean she actually knows the full details. When highly placed sources in both TDA and TDO have heard about discussions regarding Matt going to WDW, I believe that those discussions are actually taking place.


One of the biggest issues is that Disney is known to change their plans many times.

"Ain't it the truth!"