As a hotel property grows, so do its employees. The legacy only lives on as each one passes their knowledge and experience to the next. Over time, each little change and each little step of growth becomes the story of the hotel. Who knows that story better than someone who has been part of it for more than 36 years? Judy Gomez has been a part of Grand Legacy At The Park since just 4 years after the owner bought the property. She has seen every manager, every carpet color, every bed type, and every towel animal. She is so proud of what the Grand Legacy At The Park has become and what it is headed to in the future.
Judy Gomez started at the property when it was called the Saga Inn. She started in 1978 as a part time maid cleaning rooms. She quickly showed her potential and the manager at the time promoted her to a Manager of Housekeeping just 2 months after she started! She was nervous at this new change but wanted to show she could work hard. She did just that; she proved to be an outstanding employee because by the end of that same year she was promoted once more to Executive Housekeeper – the title she still holds to this day. She cared about her girls and wanted to push them to become a great team the owner could be proud of.
The owner of the property was excited about the amusement park Disneyland and what business it brought to the area. Harbor Blvd used to be a street with gas stations and a lone Denny’s that he later saw boom with hotels and attractions! At the time when Judy started, the business was new and had 110 units that were ready to be rented. She recalls days in the front office when she would walk in to report to the boss and was nervous. He had such a big personality and was tough, but he still made a point to talk to every employee to see what they were up to. Judy remembers that during one of these days in stumbles a young boy with long shoelaces flying through the door as the clock reads 10 minutes passed the hour. It was the youngest son of the owner. He was late. She laughs as she tells how the young boy loved to work hard for his dad, but was a jokester at heart. He was put to work sorting the mail and sending out the bulk mail to previous guests. Judy’s favorite story of this young man was when he gave rides to guests on golf carts to the park entrance, without approval. He later worked full-time at the front desk and, with his dad’s guidance and counseling, became his right hand man. The young boy grew up to be the now operator and part owner of the Grand Legacy At The Park- who Judy says is a complete joy to work with.
Updates and advancements should be part of every business, but Judy believes the progress at the Grand Legacy At The Park is something that doesn’t even compare to other properties. She remembers when this hotel started as 110 units and she had 1 or 2 girls working with her during the day. Now, this expanding hotel has 44 housekeeping employees and 9 to 13 girls work directly with Judy on a daily basis. Judy also informs me that the love given to each employee has grown remarkably. The hotel now has monthly birthday celebrations with a feast of food and cake for everyone to join in on. There are also monthly incentive meetings where improvements are acknowledged and each employee is heard. Judy’s favorite event is when they do a biannual luncheon where the boss and managers cook hot dogs for a day of stories and laughs- especially if the boss tries to speak Spanish.
The legacy of this hotel right at the main entrance of the Disneyland® Resort in California lives on and adds a special, enchanting feeling to the property. Judy’s comment on this legacy she has been a part of is that it gives employees a sense of pride. She loves to see the property and employees grow and loves the updates. She remarks that before, years would pass by and you would think, “Wow, we did that much in a year?” Now just months pass and the progress is inconceivable! She looks over the property- with the proudest look on her face – from the pool with raining palm trees and water cannons to the new tower and suites, “I never dreamed this would all be here!”
