Stupid Guest Tricks

From MiceAge

Nowhere Man

While the marketing tactics and approaches may be different, the executive leadership at both Disney properties seems to be heading in the same direction. Matt Ouimet was a much needed breath of fresh air when in 2003 he suddenly arrived in Anaheim, and the positive change he had on the Anaheim property has been well documented. Ed Grier, on the other hand, is cut from Walt Disney World executive cloth, and he and WDW's new chief Meg Crofton appear to have very similar corporate styles. Not that most people know what those styles are, as both Ed and Meg have been curiously hard to find on their properties.

Where Matt Ouimet made a quick name for himself by constantly being spotted wandering around property during business hours with his nametag on, and also spotted just as much if not more wandering around property incognito observing things on weekends in jeans and a sweatshirt, Ed Grier simply hasn't been seen much at all.

We'd told you about the publicity campaign TDA was undertaking on Ed's behalf to try and convince the Cast Members that he has been very busy out and about, and two weeks ago that campaign kicked off with an employee newsletter devoted entirely to Ed's "First 100 Days." The newsletter was full of pictures of Ed at official receptions, meeting the mayor of Anaheim or the current Miss California. The slick marketing piece also had a huge picture of Ed crammed into the back of a rented limousine with some random Cast Members who were mercifully saved from riding the stinky employee parking lot shuttle bus, just to prove that he has been out meeting hourly Cast Members as well as the local politicians and beauty queens.

So we went to the Cast X-mas party Monday night, and my hubby pointed out all the stuff he did for the Holiday Small World retrofit, along with Haunted Mansion Holiday when we saw Nowhere Man walking down the middle of Main Street throroughly engrossed in a conversation with someone I assume was one of his TDA flunkies. Later on, speaking with a tour guide, she said that he literally went through City Hall trying to hide his face by shielding it with his hand.

What a jerk.

Matt Ouimette could talk to everyone, Michael Eisner and Frank Wells made sure they met everyone and shook hands when they were new to the company, Robert Iger introduced himself to CM's during the Pirates premier and asked them about their jobs and this guy has the audacity to attempt to hide his face from CM's on stage???

If you don't want to deal with the CM's, maybe you shouldn't have taken the job. I'm sure that something in accounting could be made available if you'd rather deal with numbers than people.

Now now MS,the employees 'did' put a newsletter about Eds 'first 100 dys. I'm sure it was TDA employees,if it had been CMs,it would have been a milk-carton with his picture on it," Have you seen me?" :twisted:

BirdMom wrote:Later on, speaking with a tour guide, she said that he literally went through City Hall trying to hide his face by shielding it with his hand.

What a jerk.

Your story reminds me of when the San Francisco 49'ers were trying to get a ballot measure passed to build a new stadium. Someone inside the organization decided that the owner, Eddie Debartola, should get out and press the flesh. Eddie was scared to death and was dragged to the first sports bar kicking and screaming.

His reception was unbelievable. He was mobbed by fans who told him how much they appreciated what he had done for the team and the city and they'd vote for anything to help the team out.

After a few more receptions like that you couldn't keep him in the office.

Seems like Ed would get the same reception if he could just get the stick out of his keester.

Gosh,i'm sorry MS. I thought at least 'someone' could call 911 or the FBI,heck even the local dairy. I do sympathize with the lack of $$,but you can always 'window' shop. ;)