New Disneyland boss. Opinions?
 

Wow, I'm so out of the loop. I've just now learned that there's a new Resort president, George Kalogridis.

So what's the word on the street from our resident CM's? Seem like the right guy? This article makes him out to be a saint (his connection to pin trading aside). Promoted from within, having started as a busboy at WDW. Too the time as a VP in Florida to call people who filed complaints on attraction condition. Has spent a day as a sweeper after getting the new position. Walks the park asking leads about issues that affect their department. I mean, he's at least going through the motions of caring. Might it translate into actual results in the form a better attention to the parks and guests?

I saw him out and about in the park, shortly after he took over. That is more than I can say for the last guy.

Wait... does this mean that Matt Ouimet isn't around any more?!?

I'm out of the Disneyland loop. Haven't been to see Captain EO, don't know if I'll go until Disneyland Birthday. My Disneyland buddy and I are no longer on speaking terms, much less Disneyland-visit terms.


I would not bother renewing my pass at all, except I'm likely going to throw a big Disneyland 55 party at the Disneyland Hotel - to which all swankers are invited.

Well, Pressler and Harriss had an issue with him and sent him packing to Florida, which is a pretty damn good endorsement in my book. I have nothing to complain about so far.

I liked Kalogridis back when he was VP of Epcot. (Mind you, when Ed Grier was VP at the studios park, I thought he was very hands on and available, which he turned out to famously not be when he got to CA.)

I was curious, so I looked into what happened to Ed Grier. According to Theme Park Insider, "...under his watch, Disneyland has prospered the past three years, with Disneyland Park winning the Theme Park Insider Award as the world's best theme park in 2009 and 2008."

After Disney, Ed moved on to become the dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business.

The Orange County Register profiled Disneyland Resort George Kalogridis in its "Around Disney" blog by writer Sarah Tully. Yes, the person pictured with him in the third photo down (at the link below) is myself, and Mr. Kalogridis seemed genuinely interested in talking to guests when I met him on opening day of Captain EO's return.

Read the article at:
"New Disneyland Resort president gives inside look"


Disneyland Resort President George Kalogridis shares a laugh with Captain EO enthusiast Daniel Lew, from Oceanside, in front of Disneyland Feb. 23, 2010. Lew was the first person in line at the Anaheim theme park to stand in line for the re-release of the 1986 3D Michael Jackson flick. He arrived at 9:00 p.m. the night before. PHOTO BY JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

9:00pm the night before? Geek! :p

Yeah, I saw that of Daniel picture in the Register, and said "Hey! I know that guy! Well, sort of."