If you read about the history of the company before Eisner took over, none of Walt's living relatives were well equipped to run things. Roy E included.

If you read about the history of the company before Eisner took over, none of Walt's living relatives were well equipped to run things. Roy E included.

Once in a while, Kings Island or Cedar Fair does something to remind us that it is - primarily - a business, which must answer to its shareholders and make money. Most of us feel a very personal connection with the park and forget (unintentionally or otherwise) that it needs to make money and react emotionally or feel personally hurt by something like parking prices going up or a ride closing.

The case with Disney is a hundred times worse. Or more. It's not only a business, but a massive one. It needs a businessman at the helm, not someone with the last name "Disney." I think that's more understood now than it used to be, but it's still not great.

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Disney Wars is an interesting read.

I would also argue that to be successful in the park business you need to be emotionally attached to a certain level. There is a fine balance between emotional attachment and smart business. Disney not to long ago was moving away from their parks as key parts of the business, but as a shareholder it became evident that overall business is good when the parks themselves are vibrant and thriving. I would argue Disney is finally taking that approach after many years of neglecting the parks, it may be slow but it is movement in the right direction.

_{Fun article. I feel sorry for those who never got to experience the original Extraterrorestrial Alien Encounter. That is one ride I would LOVE to see duplicated at Kings Island. Maybe that big brown box could house something similar some day.}

That was the first attraction I experienced in any Disney Park. I was 12 at the time and really into thrill rides, so I didn't expect to get too much thrill out of the Disney Parks. Needless to say that expectation went by the wayside almost immediately.

I experienced the original Extraterrorestrial attraction. I didn't care for it and I don't care for it now. At least now it is somewhat family friendly but with 60+ attractions at the Magic Kingdom I can find many other things to enjoy before it.

When it first opened, it provided quite the scare factor, esp amongst the smaller set. Eisner himself ordered the ride neutered somewhat about 6 months after it opened. I experienced it in its original state and even as an adult, I found it to be quite a thril. It was also Eisner who "plussed" (Walt's phrase for improving a ride experience) TOT by having it reprogrammed to have random drop sequences.

I rode the Alien Encounter when I was younger in one of its initial versions. It scared the bajeezus out of me. Like straight up terrified my sister and I both....

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One of the many reasons it exists in its modified version today. Disney, especially the Magic Kingdom is not in the business of scaring the bajeezus out of kids.