Matt Ouimet Overrated?

[Cory Mitchell]

Now, I'm somewhat new to MiceChat and I thought that I'd raise this question based on my observations of various threads. Clearly, Matt has done some tremendous work for the Disneyland Resort since he took control. The restoration of the park has been remarkable, and the change in direction that seems to be taking place is admirable and promising. Yet the "collective orgasm" over Matt that seems to be occurring on this board has me believing that maybe he is becoming a tad bit overrated. The thread where everyone made "Ouimetland" logos and "Thank You Matt" graphics. The comparison of Matt to Walt and the suggestion of Matt running the company. These all struck me over-congratulatory. Any thoughts?

[Club 33]

Yes, well, no. I mean, we can be silly no matter what the case, but I don't think Matt is overratted. The thing is, we finally have Management that cares about Disneyland and cares about us. You cant overrate that.

[dramaqueen]

Why do you think he is overrated?

[IndyJn511]

Hes just done a fantastic job for Disneyland, especially since we had those other two devils in the past running things. If he has such a passion for his work, why NOT make him head of the company?

[DoppelV]

He's not overrated, he just the DL fan's version of FDR. Disneyland's been in a Great Depression, and he's just the guy to give it the New Deal. Of course FDR also did have a hand in WWII, but we'll set that aside for this post.

[The Mad Hatter]

Everyone is just thankful to him for doing a great job.

[Cory Mitchell]

why NOT make him head of the company?

Because running Disneyland and running Disney are two very different jobs.

[fearsnda]

Everyone is just thankful to him for doing a great job.

You can say that again. Oh wait, you already did. I agree that the thread with the "Thank You Matt T-Shirts" is a WAY WAY WAY too much. Also, the "Cast Member Matt" babble irks me too. Don't get me wrong, I am impressed by what he has undertaken, but I am also not insane. I know that in the end, he is still a suit in a corperation and he's still my boss. So I take all this praise with a rather large grain of salt.

- FNDA

[IndyJn511]

Because running Disneyland and running Disney are two very different jobs.

Yea, but Walt went ahead and did it anyway... and Roy.....and Roy Jr.....

[Druggas]

At least he has done something positive for DL. He has my loyalty until he stops putting DL on the to-do list.

[Cory Mitchell]

I agree that the thread with the "Thank You Matt T-Shirts" is a WAY WAY WAY too much. Also, the "Cast Member Matt" babble irks me too. Don't get me wrong, I am impressed by what he has undertaken, but I am also not insane. I know that in the end, he is still a suit in a corperation and he's still my boss. So I take all this praise with a rather large grain of salt.

- FNDA

Ok...thanks...I thought I was the only one.

[dramaqueen]

I am just curious as to why you would say that he is overrated- to me, overrated means you have not done what everyone says you have, or you have not lived up to expectations. In my opinion, this does not describe Matt Ouimet at all.

[Cory Mitchell]

I am just curious as to why you would say that he is overrated- to me, overrated means you have not done what everyone says you have, or you have not lived up to expectations. In my opinion, this does not describe Matt Ouimet at all.

Maybe I chose the wrong word. I think that a certain amount of praise that is being heaped on him is excessive.

[The Mad Hatter]

You can say that again. Oh wait, you already did.

Didn't realize I double posted. I got an error when I tried to submit :monkey:

[dramaqueen]

I guess maybe we are a little over-enthusiastic because it looked like there was no hope for Disneyland. He seems to have provided this hope, but I will agree with you on the fact that it remains to be seen if he really is the savior we all give him credit for being. Time will tell and the way he administers the park after the 50th will speak volumes as to his legacy as the president of Disneyland.

[Disneyphile]

I think people are hyped up to praise him, because he's a breath of fresh air after the last decade of Pressler-induced smog, and seeing what he's done has made us excited about what's to come. I take a look at the park these days, and I just want to hug the man. He brought back the "warm fuzzies" that I used to get whenever I entered the park as a kid.

And does that make me insane? Heck, we'll just add it to the proud list of things people think I'm insane for.

[Cory Mitchell]

Time will tell and the way he administers the park after the 50th will speak volumes as to his legacy as the president of Disneyland.

I think that dramaqueen makes a critical point here. The company has clearly put more money into Disneyland for the 50th. it will be interesting to see what happens when that money disappears after the 50th celebration is over. All paint fades eventually.

[fearsnda]

Ok...thanks...I thought I was the only one.

It's nice to not be all alone... in the dark... crying.

[Dirton]

I think why he is so great and why I think he could run Disney is how similar to Walt he is. It seems that his devotion and imagination are not bound like the rest of the world. He loves Disneyland, as Walt did and is making it his home, as Walt did and he loves the public, as Walt did. I don't know about you but I think that's what's important. With those ideals of true passion, I think he will take Disneyland to great heights and hopefully some day he'll be doing the same for Disney.

[travelmom]

I don't agree about it being WAY WAY too much.
It may be too much for some but not all.
As someone who has literally been depressed for a long time about the obvious serious decline of Disneyland, with the greedy short-sighted direction of the corporation and Pressler in particular, I feel strongly that Mr. Ouimet is not overrated. For some, a tee-shirt is not too much. I have waited a very long time to feel this good about Disneyland again. By the way, I am quite sane, just happy.