Family. Yes, they may drive us crazy sometimes, and especially at holiday gatherings for some reason, but we love them unconditionally! They are our foundation, our support system, and the friends that we can never be upset with for long. Spending time with family is a time to cherish, whether you live just down the street or in completely different time zones. “The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again.” In this quote, Charles Dickens explains quite precisely the mixed emotions of being away from our loved ones. For those of us in the long distance club, we know these sentiments all too well! And that is part of what makes travel so exciting! We save, plan, and sometimes even surprise our long distance loved ones with a visit… Can you guys keep a secret? I am planning to do precisely this with my family. (Sure hope they aren’t reading this blog too soon!) Who am I, you may be asking? Valid question. Let me begin with a brief introduction:
My name is Katie, and I have been with Grand Legacy At The Park for over 7 years… I began as a Front Desk Agent, and over the years I have played many roles at the hotel. When I was Front Office Supervisor, my main goal was to ensure the highest level of guest satisfaction. As the Special Reservations Coordinator, I am the main on-site contact for all of our group needs. During my time as Revenue Manager, I have been working closely with the owner and a team of upper management professionals to provide competitive rates and amenities to ensure that our wonderful repeat guests will return to us time and time again! As you may have guessed, I naturally know this property like the back of my hand and if you are one of our loyal repeat guests, you probably know me too!
I am actually preparing to embark on an adventure of my own… In a few short days, I will be surprising my long distance family with an impromptu visit. And after that begins, the next chapter of life with my long distance boyfriend in Chicago. Wish me luck! I will miss my Grand Legacy At The Park family though – so much has happened over the tenure of my time with this Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel. It is at Grand Legacy At The Park that I have truly grown, learned and matured into the person I am today, both on a professional and personal level. Hopefully I have left a positive impression on my co-employees, management, and most importantly our guests as well. Although we are parting ways, I am still rather excited to see the improvements to this place that has transformed into a bit of a second home for me. When I return to Southern California this fall for a little visit, I intend to return for the first time as a guest at the hotel to experience for myself the brand new and improved Grand Legacy At The Park! Maybe I’ll even bump into some of you in the highly-anticipated rooftop bar and entertainment section currently being built.
So on this – one of my final days with this supportive family-owned company – I would like to thank the management team, our owner, and my fellow colleagues for the many opportunities for growth and transformation. I will always value the memories, wisdom, and the close professional and personal relationships that Grand Legacy At The Park has bestowed upon me! I’ll miss you guys, but don’t worry – it won’t be long, we’ll meet again… 🙂
Best Regards,
KATIE HAMIL | Revenue and Special Reservations Coordinator
Katie, Ruben helped us a LOT last November. We always have multiple
rooms, multiple drama 🙂 and you are leaving in capable hands thanks
to your excellent training. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your story…….I love the personal touch that this hotel has taken on along with all of the upgrades and improvements I really enjoy the stories that are shared and the personal memories they generate. I’ve only been a guest a few times, but I feel connected some how through the emails and stories that are shared. And that is quite rare these days, as everything seems to get less & less personal.
Congratulations Katie – All the best to you on your new journey. I was born and raised in Northern California, but both of my parents were from the Chicago area. Well little towns right outside Chicago – St. Charles and Geneva. If you get a chance, an hours train ride from Chicago will get you there. Very beautiful —-
Good Luck!! Enjoy this new chapter of your life. And thank you again for sharing your story and your feelings about the wonderful family you’ve been working for. They seem to be doing a fabulous job of making everyone’s experience there magical – employees as well as guests. So a big thank you to them as well.
Sincerely,
Bridget Rae – a previous guest touched by your story
Thanks for the farewell message. Good luck to you wherever you go…and don’t worry, Mickey will not be far away!
Katie I do remember you from the past five years I have come to the main gate with my husband and three children. We will be sad to not see you when we arrive in the middle of June but wish you luck where ever life takes you.
Best Regards
Alicia Abigana
Katie!! You will be missed!! Thank you for everything!!!
I just want to say that you were amazing when I booked through you in February this year, and if you are as accommodating and professional with all your future endeavors, you will do extremely well.
Good luck to you
Best of luck to you Katie!
Dear Katie!
We always remember our wonderful stay at the Ramada in addition to our visit
of Disneyland.
From the far Europe (Vienna) we send you our best wishes for your future.
God bless you!
Gerda Bauer and Horst Peroutka
From one Katie to another, thank you Katie!! My family and I have been staying at Ramada Maingate at the Park for over twenty years, since the oldest of my 6 children was five yrs old, now the baby is 13! Katie you have been a pleasure to work with… always so polite, professional and helpful…we will miss you! Best of luck in your new adventure 🙂
Katie, you were the very first person I spoke with at the Maingate back in 2010. My family and I had stayed at other Good Neighbor hotels prior, but due to your amazing personality (via phone!!!) I decided to give the Ramada Maingate a try, and 5 years later we still repeat guests. I’m a little sad that you (and of course Jessica) are no longer there to answer my questions and emails, but happy for your next chapter. What a great way to close this chapter — the Maingate’s remodel and DL’s 60th! Best, the McKenzie’s (Tami & Nickoli)
Over the years during my monthly visits to Maingate, I have always looked to Katie to help me with my accessability issues. I am already missing her. I wish her the very best adventures out there in the real world. And don’t forget to come back and visit.
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which
makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often.
Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
Superb work!