Matt Ouimet rides Space Mountain as a guest

DisneyDaniel · 07-12-2005, 06:09 PM

One would think that Disneyland Resort President Matt Ouimet could ride the re-opened Space Mountain whenever he wants, bring any guests he wants, and head straight to the front without standing in line. But that was not the case on July 4, 2005 when Matt and his daughter entered the Space Mountain attraction by standing in line, just like any regular guest.

As I stood in line for Space Mountain with a posted wait time of 45 minutes at 10:30 a.m., I noticed someone not that far behind me who looks like Matt and he was accompanied by a teen-age girl. However, he was dressed casually just like many guests would on a warm July in Southern California: polo shirt, shorts, shoes with no socks, and sunglasses (but not worn). There was no name badge and nothing to indicate him as a Cast Member.

However, this gentleman looked just like Matt Ouimet, and if he was enjoying a day in the park on a holiday, then I wanted to respect his privacy. So, I did and didn't bother him. No one else in line paid any attention to him either since we're all seemingly just guests in line.

Thirty minutes later, as we're entering the "space ship, rocket-loading area" inside, I just had to ask and find out. It was killing inside if I walked away without knowing, even though I've seen and met him briefly a couple times at the park before, but he previously wore his name tag and was dressed like management.

After politely asking him if he was Matt Ouimet, he said, "Yes." Then he asked for my name, shook my hand, and engaged me in a brief conversation. Among other things, Matt said he had ridden Space Mountain prior to that day, but he was there to ride it with his daughter, who had not gone on the ride yet since its reopening.

...So, the point of this narrative is that I was really impressed that Matt chose to stand in line with his daughter as park guests. It was also great parenting that his daughter stood in line and experienced the entire Space Mountain queue, even though her father is the Disneyland Resort president! Matt was friendly, very personable--and reminded me of those legendary stories of how Walt Disney would sometimes stroll through Disneyland during normal operating hours.

Needless to say, meeting Matt at Disneyland--and seeing that he stands in line, too--was the highlight of my 4th of July!

Here's a picture of Matt and his daughter in the front row on Space Mountain:

€uroMeinke · 07-12-2005, 06:29 PM

That's one smart man - glad he's with us now

Cadaverous Pallor · 07-12-2005, 07:16 PM

OMG, that is AWESOME!!!

cstephens · 07-12-2005, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyDaniel

Here's a picture of Matt and his daughter in the front row on Space Mountain:

How cool! Thanks for posting that story and the picture.

Motorboat Cruiser · 07-12-2005, 08:45 PM

Wow, thanks for sharing that.

Great story!

Morrigoon · 07-12-2005, 09:27 PM

That's awesome

blueerica · 07-13-2005, 10:23 AM

Great story!!!!

MickeyLumbo · 07-14-2005, 01:11 PM

i told you TDA is keeping an eye on you

Thank you so much for the account of Matt and his daughter at SM. He truly is a role model - as a parent, a Cast Member and a "manager".

This morning, he issued a personal invitation via video to CM's to join him for the Window Dedication. He really "gets it".

CM Matt rocks and so do you Daniel!

mhrc4 · 07-15-2005, 11:50 PM

very cool, i have been impressed with him and how he conducts himself and his business since day 1.

07-12-2005, 06:09 PM	#1
DisneyDaniel California Adventurer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 537	Matt Ouimet rides Space Mountain as a guest One would think that Disneyland Resort President Matt Ouimet could ride the re-opened Space Mountain whenever he wants, bring any guests he wants, and head straight to the front without standing in line. But that was not the case on July 4, 2005 when Matt and his daughter entered the Space Mountain attraction by standing in line, just like any regular guest. As I stood in line for Space Mountain with a posted wait time of 45 minutes at 10:30 a.m., I noticed someone not that far behind me who looks like Matt and he was accompanied by a teen-age girl. However, he was dressed casually just like many guests would on a warm July in Southern California: polo shirt, shorts, shoes with no socks, and sunglasses (but not worn). There was no name badge and nothing to indicate him as a Cast Member. However, this gentleman looked just like Matt Ouimet, and if he was enjoying a day in the park on a holiday, then I wanted to respect his privacy. So, I did and didn't bother him. No one else in line paid any attention to him either since we're all seemingly just guests in line. Thirty minutes later, as we're entering the "space ship, rocket-loading area" inside, I just had to ask and find out. It was killing inside if I walked away without knowing, even though I've seen and met him briefly a couple times at the park before, but he previously wore his name tag and was dressed like management. After politely asking him if he was Matt Ouimet, he said, "Yes." Then he asked for my name, shook my hand, and engaged me in a brief conversation. Among other things, Matt said he had ridden Space Mountain prior to that day, but he was there to ride it with his daughter, who had not gone on the ride yet since its reopening. ...So, the point of this narrative is that I was really impressed that Matt chose to stand in line with his daughter as park guests. It was also great parenting that his daughter stood in line and experienced the entire Space Mountain queue, even though her father is the Disneyland Resort president! Matt was friendly, very personable--and reminded me of those legendary stories of how Walt Disney would sometimes stroll through Disneyland during normal operating hours. Needless to say, meeting Matt at Disneyland--and seeing that he stands in line, too--was the highlight of my 4th of July! Here's a picture of Matt and his daughter in the front row on Space Mountain: __________________ Yes, I do LOVE Disney California Adventure. Disneyland is not so bad either ;-)
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07-12-2005, 06:29 PM	#2
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	That's one smart man - glad he's with us now __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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07-12-2005, 07:16 PM	#3
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	OMG, that is AWESOME!!! __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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07-12-2005, 08:45 PM	#5
Motorboat Cruiser Cruiser of Motorboats Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 3,665	Wow, thanks for sharing that. Great story!
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07-12-2005, 09:27 PM	#6
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	That's awesome __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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07-13-2005, 10:23 AM	#7
blueerica Nueve Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,497	Great story!!!! __________________ Tomorrow is the day for you and me
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07-14-2005, 01:11 PM	#8
MickeyLumbo thankfully grateful Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: shangrila Posts: 1,388	i told you TDA is keeping an eye on you Thank you so much for the account of Matt and his daughter at SM. He truly is a role model - as a parent, a Cast Member and a "manager". This morning, he issued a personal invitation via video to CM's to join him for the Window Dedication. He really "gets it". CM Matt rocks and so do you Daniel! __________________
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07-15-2005, 11:50 PM	#9
mhrc4 Call me Justin Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: sOCal Posts: 376	very cool, i have been impressed with him and how he conducts himself and his business since day 1. __________________ [Disneyland - Walt Disney World - Disneyland Paris] 3 down, 2 to go
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