Phil Holmes, an executive with the Magic Kingdom, is my 159th pick to be named a Disney Legend.
There is a Portrait of Phil Holmes, Magic Kingdom Vice President, in the Bonjour Village Gifts shop in The Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland that contains a few secrets.
Mr. Holmes was a host of the Haunted Mansion, on the opening day of Magic Kingdom and has been with Disney for over 40 years!
Here are some of the Hidden Details in the portrait.
- 40 Year Anniversary Ring
- Donald Duck (40 Year Anniversary Award)
- The peanuts are for the Storybook Circus
- There is a piece of the Haunted Mansion wallpaper
- The genie lamp for the Aladdin ride
- A Magic Kingdom Park Map
- Snow White Apple
Phil Holmes was Walt Disney World's vice president for the Magic Kingdom, the busiest theme park in the world and the epicenter of Walt Disney Co.'s "Year of a Million Dreams" campaign. Holmes spoke recently with Sentinel staff writer Scott Powers. Posted June 19, 2007
Question: Is there still a lot of Walt Disney in this park?
Answer: I believe so. A lot of people such as myself have been here a long time. Yesterday, I was in with a group of about 100 of our salaried cast members, and we were listening to a little bit of a heritage session, called Walt and You, and it takes our newer salaried cast and takes them on that journey [to] understand Walt was a real man. He had this vision and dream, but it took a lot of work. This is the outcome.
Q: Like a remarkable number of other theme-park executives, not just here but anywhere, you started out at or near the bottom. How come that still works well in this business, compared with others?
A: For our company, a lot of our success is based on continuing to bring great people in. I think the culture is one of the draws. It really comes back to the associations and the people who are some of the best in the industry we do. You really enjoy the camaraderie and learning from each other. That has always served us well. What better way to learn the theme-park business than to grow up in it?
Q: Is Universal Orlando's planned new Harry Potter area any kind of threat, and is there a response in the works?
A: I think our opinion is the stronger each of this region's parks becomes, hopefully the more people that come into the Florida area and have a great experience. Hopefully it is the great experience of Florida we focus on. With all the great destinations around the world, it's easy for people to make choices other than Florida. Clearly, I think what Universal is doing will just help strengthen the overall portfolio that we all offer.
Q: What's been your favorite moment so far in the "Year of a Million Dreams" campaign?
A: It has to come back to the [Cinderella] Castle suite and interacting with some of these families that are randomly picked. It amazes me how so many of these families are so deserving and have such great stories of their own. One that comes to mind is a family of five, a mom and four kids -- had saved forever to come down, they were staying in a small campground off property. So when we award that to them, we go with them to pick up a few things so they can spend the night [in the castle]. So they go back, gather that up. They're walking down Main Street. The oldest boy is leading the way. The host says to the mom, "What a beautiful sweater you're wearing." The boy looks to the tour guide and says, "You know, nobody ever compliments my mom." We arrive up on the second floor, at the castle suite; without a word, every one of these kids slips off their shoes and places them at the door. And then the door opens and their mouths just kind of hang open.
Q: Have you had a personal opportunity to hand out any of the more intimate dreams?
A: No. I have had the opportunity to shadow the dream squad, but they entrust that very important job to those professionals, those cast members who are doing a great job with it.
Q: Do you worry at all that the increasingly digital generations will find the 40-year-old attractions quaint but not very exciting anymore?
A: I think what we have found is, especially in the Magic Kingdom, there are classic attractions like it's a small world, like Pirates of the Caribbean, like Haunted Mansion, where people really enjoy reliving the moment, because of the memories they built around those with their families. You know: "I was able to come with my parents, now I come with my son." Those are really the enhancement, too, the overall experience. I think there is a real balance there. With Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor, we've clearly taken the interactive experience to the next level, and people love that because they can be part of the show. I think we will continue to use technology in that way.
Q: For you, what's the Magic Kingdom's least appreciated feature?
A: I would say there still is a lot of opportunity that our guests can enjoy, as difficult as it is, by enjoying the park at a slower pace. It may take you a day and a half or two days. But, you know, spread it out. Take a ride on the train. Go ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. Take time to for the slower things, where you can enjoy the vistas and have family time where you can talk. There certainly are a good number of people who do that.
