AVP
10-14-2003, 02:20 PM
Received from Disneyland Public Affairs:
Matt Ouimet Promoted to President of the Disneyland® Resort
Former Disney Cruise Line President Brings 14-Years of Disney Experience
ANAHEIM, Calif. October 14, 2003 – Matt Ouimet, a 14-year Disney veteran and president of the Disney Cruise Line, has been promoted to president of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, it was announced today by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts president, Jay Rasulo. Ouimet will report to Rasulo and replaces outgoing president Cynthia Harriss who resigned for personal reasons.
“Matt’s deep understanding of the brand, focus on the quality of the guest experience and demonstrated ability to manage complex operations will be a tremendous asset in driving the continued growth of the Disneyland Resort. In addition to his exceptional leadership skills, Matt has a proven track record of success having built the Disney Cruise Line into one of our strongest businesses,” said Rasulo.
“Disneyland has been a symbol of magic and imagination since Walt Disney first opened the gates nearly 50 years ago. It is an honor to be working with the team to showcase this legacy as we approach the Golden 50th Anniversary in 2005,” said Ouimet. “I look forward to taking an active role in the community that has embraced our company for so long.”
“We all thank Cynthia for her 11 years of dedicated service to the Walt Disney Company,” said Rasulo. “I respect her decision knowing that she will be successful in any future endeavor. I know the cast of the Disneyland Resort joins me in wishing her well.”
“This was a very difficult personal decision,” Harriss said, “but it is the right time to step down in order to ensure a timely transition as the Disneyland Resort approaches its most important milestone. I am grateful to the leadership team and cast who helped create so many special memories over the past six years and I am proud of everything we accomplished in our expansion of the Disneyland park to a resort destination,” Harriss continued.
Ouimet joined The Walt Disney Company in 1989 and over the last 14 years has held leadership positions in real estate development, finance and business development. He has held a series of executive positions that include senior vice president and chief financial officer at the Disney Development Company (now part of Walt Disney Imagineering) and senior vice president of Finance and Business Development at the Walt Disney World Resort as well as executive general manager of Disney Vacation Club and Disney’s Wide World of Sports.
Since becoming president of Disney Cruise Line in 1999, Ouimet oversaw the establishment of this exciting business as a successful element of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts portfolio. Under his leadership, the Disney Cruise Line grew into one of the country’s premier cruise operators. His focus on the guest experience has resulted in the highest guest satisfaction ratings of all of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts vacation experiences.
Active in Florida’s business community, Ouimet 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.
A native of upstate New York, Ouimet is a graduate of Binghamton University. He and his family will begin the transition to California immediately.
The Disneyland® Resort features two theme parks, an entertainment district and three hotels. All within walking distance are: Walt Disney’s original theme park, Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure™ Park, Downtown Disney® District, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel®, Disney’s Paradise Piersm Hotel, and the Disneyland Hotel.
Matt Ouimet Promoted to President of the Disneyland® Resort
Former Disney Cruise Line President Brings 14-Years of Disney Experience
ANAHEIM, Calif. October 14, 2003 – Matt Ouimet, a 14-year Disney veteran and president of the Disney Cruise Line, has been promoted to president of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, it was announced today by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts president, Jay Rasulo. Ouimet will report to Rasulo and replaces outgoing president Cynthia Harriss who resigned for personal reasons.
“Matt’s deep understanding of the brand, focus on the quality of the guest experience and demonstrated ability to manage complex operations will be a tremendous asset in driving the continued growth of the Disneyland Resort. In addition to his exceptional leadership skills, Matt has a proven track record of success having built the Disney Cruise Line into one of our strongest businesses,” said Rasulo.
“Disneyland has been a symbol of magic and imagination since Walt Disney first opened the gates nearly 50 years ago. It is an honor to be working with the team to showcase this legacy as we approach the Golden 50th Anniversary in 2005,” said Ouimet. “I look forward to taking an active role in the community that has embraced our company for so long.”
“We all thank Cynthia for her 11 years of dedicated service to the Walt Disney Company,” said Rasulo. “I respect her decision knowing that she will be successful in any future endeavor. I know the cast of the Disneyland Resort joins me in wishing her well.”
“This was a very difficult personal decision,” Harriss said, “but it is the right time to step down in order to ensure a timely transition as the Disneyland Resort approaches its most important milestone. I am grateful to the leadership team and cast who helped create so many special memories over the past six years and I am proud of everything we accomplished in our expansion of the Disneyland park to a resort destination,” Harriss continued.
Ouimet joined The Walt Disney Company in 1989 and over the last 14 years has held leadership positions in real estate development, finance and business development. He has held a series of executive positions that include senior vice president and chief financial officer at the Disney Development Company (now part of Walt Disney Imagineering) and senior vice president of Finance and Business Development at the Walt Disney World Resort as well as executive general manager of Disney Vacation Club and Disney’s Wide World of Sports.
Since becoming president of Disney Cruise Line in 1999, Ouimet oversaw the establishment of this exciting business as a successful element of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts portfolio. Under his leadership, the Disney Cruise Line grew into one of the country’s premier cruise operators. His focus on the guest experience has resulted in the highest guest satisfaction ratings of all of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts vacation experiences.
Active in Florida’s business community, Ouimet 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.
A native of upstate New York, Ouimet is a graduate of Binghamton University. He and his family will begin the transition to California immediately.
The Disneyland® Resort features two theme parks, an entertainment district and three hotels. All within walking distance are: Walt Disney’s original theme park, Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure™ Park, Downtown Disney® District, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel®, Disney’s Paradise Piersm Hotel, and the Disneyland Hotel.