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A MOUSE
CLUBHOUSE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
GARY MAGGETTI
talks about a very magical memory
by Scott and Shani Wolf
 I
had never met Gary Maggetti before this interview. As someone who enjoys
cooking as well as eating at many of the Disneyland Resort's great
restaurants I was sure I'd enjoy this meeting with Disneyland Resort's
Director of Parks Food & Beverage.
What I didn't expect was to find somebody who is so nice, friendly,
courteous and professional. It's just wonderful how it's so obvious that
Gary not only loves his job, but gets great joy by pleasing the public
via the many types of food experiences available at Disneyland. His
enthusiasm is contagious and I couldn't wait to get back into the park
to eat at another Disneyland restaurant.
Sometimes working for Disney can be just as magical for the
employees. Gary recalls a very special memory.
Gary Magetti: I was at Tomorrowland Terrace at the time and my new
assignment was in outdoor vending. There were a couple other managers in
outdoor vending and my new operations manager who I was going to be
reporting to.
They called me out from the restaurant I was in and said that they
needed to talk to me at the castle. I was like, “No problem. Hey
whatever time… I’ll be there.” So I headed over and I met up with one of
the managers that looked like they were making their rounds. If you work
in outdoor vending, basically you spend most of your time outdoors which
is so much fun, and walking around making sure the carts open on time
and that all our Cast Members have the stock that they need and that
they’re addressing any concerns.
So it wasn’t unusual for me to be walking thru the park and actually see
a manager from the outdoor vending area, just kind of, “Oh hey, how are
ya doin’?” Well, that’s how it seemed that day. I went up to the castle
and I saw one of the managers and they kind of waved to me and walked
over and we started chatting for a minute and they said, “What are you
doing here?” and I said, “I’m supposed to meet with Lisa.” She said, “Oh
look it’s…” one of the other managers and they came over. All of a
sudden, the two restaurant managers and the operations manager came
walking up and I’m standing there talking to them and Lisa said, “I need
you to follow me.”
We walked thru the castle and she had this special key, she opened up
this door and we walked up into what was the Sleeping Beauty walk-thru,
but we kept going and we’re walking up into the castle. I’d never been
in there before, and she opened up this other door, and now we’re on top
of the castle looking out over Fantasyland.
There were balloons there, and a “Congratulations” sign and she said,
“Gary, we’d like to offer you the restaurant manager position in outdoor
vending.” All I knew was I had interviewed for a position. And she said,
“I just wanted you to look out and see the area that you’re going to get
a chance to work in. Congratulations, and would you accept the
position?” Do I accept the position? Does a baby go “goo?” (we all
laugh)
I’ll never forget that.
More from Gary:
His start with Disney
Disneyland's Club 33
See other interviews
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by
the participants in the interviews are solely those of the interviewee
and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mouse Clubhouse. Mouse
Clubhouse accepts no legal liability or responsibility for any claims
made or opinions expressed within.
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