Ed Grier is Retiring!

[ryanvalle]

Disneyland CMs today received notice that Ed Grier is retiring as Disneyland's President.

Im in the middle of lunch so Ill be posting more info after I eat (that is if thereis any more)

---------- Post added at 01:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:00 PM ----------

The Cast Member email sent

"Dear Fellow Cast Members,

Here at the Disneyland Resort, I have had the pleasure of leading a talented and dedicated Cast. I have been humbled and honored during the past three years as I’ve watched your hard work create smiles and laughter, and delight our Guests. The power of Disney magic never ceases to amaze me, and your passion will always be a source of inspiration.

My decision to retire from the Walt Disney Company was not an easy decision; Disney has been my home for nearly three decades. As with any family, I’ve watched it grow and evolve. The past year also has been a time for growth and change in my own family.

One defining moment came when my wife and I moved our youngest son into his dorm at Stanford this fall. It was an opportunity to reflect on the past, and consider the next chapter of our own lives. I have had a long and rewarding career with the Walt Disney Company, and am excited to explore what’s next.

Disney has taken my family on an extraordinary ride around the world - from Orlando to Paris, Tokyo and Anaheim - and I have enjoyed every minute of it.

While I look forward to the opportunities ahead, I will greatly miss the many friends and Cast Members I have met along the way. Thank you for the enthusiasm, energy and encouragement you have always provided. It has been my pleasure and privilege to be part of your team."

Found on micechat.

[HT_NSU]

If they're looking to hire a replacement, I'm available!

[peaches magee]

Haha, me too HT!
Man, it's the time of retirement at Disney, aye?

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

Haha, me too HT!
Man, it's the time of retirement at Disney, aye?

Apparently so.

And if they need anyone, I'm sure all they need to do is look on there and they'd find plenty of worthy people.

[jflores]

How long did he hold that post?

[peaches magee]

Per wikipedia... he has worked for Disney since '81 but has only been in that position since 2006? Not very long.

[ryanvalle]

How long did he hold that post?

Roughly around 3 years.

[peaches magee]

Looks like they named a new president...

George Kalogridis, who previously oversaw Anaheim theme parks’ operations, today took over as the new president of the Disneyland Resort — the largest private employer in Orange County, Disney announced today.

Kalogridis, 55, is replacing Ed Grier, who announced his retirement last week and had his last day Friday.

Kalogridis most recently worked as the chief operating officer for the Disneyland Resort Paris.

But he served at the Anaheim resort at a crucial time — serving as senior vice president of Disneyland Resort operations from 2000 to 2002 when Disney’s California Adventure and Downtown Disney opened.

Kalogridis was brought in specifically for the addition. Now, California Adventure is in the middle of a $1-billion expansion, which began two years ago.

“I am thrilled to be returning to Disneyland, particularly during this exciting time of significant expansion,” said Kalogridis in a prepared statement.

“I look forward to working with the cast who make the magic for our guests every day and partnering with the Orange County community to ensure the Anaheim Resort Area continues to thrive,” he said.

For 38 years, Kalogridis has worked at the company, starting as a busboy at the opening of the Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World in Florida and rising up to EPCOT’s vice president. He has also served as a general manager of the Grand Floridian Beach Resort, in human resources at Walt Disney World and on the development team for the Paris park.

“George is a proven strategic thinker whose operational expertise and strong leadership skills will serve him well in leading the Disneyland Resort,” said Al Weiss, president of Worldwide Operations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, in a prepared statement. “We are excited to welcome him back to California and look forward to his leadership as we continue to expand and grow this beloved place.”

About 20,000 employees work at the Disneyland Resort, which includes two theme parks, Downtown Disney and three hotels on 560 acres in Anaheim. The resort contributes about $3.7 billion annually to the local economy, according to a Disney press release.

Source: ocregister.com

[peaches magee]

DP... video with Disneyland's new president.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blo...eyland-resort/

[cbisson]

saw him in the parks a few weeks back.

[ryanvalle]

saw him in the parks a few weeks back.

i've been reading a lot about this, assuming that "him" is the new president. haha. Glad to see that he's not being a grier and actually going out to the parks and possibly interacting with guests.

it makes me hopeful that he will experience the park from a guests' P.O.V. and improve it from that aspect.

[HT_NSU]

Grier never went out into the parks? Heh, if I were in that position, I'd probably get fired for being in the parks too much!

[cbisson]

Grier never went out into the parks? Heh, if I were in that position, I'd probably get fired for being in the parks too much!

by "him" i do mean George the new president. and grier did go in the parks but only for PR Reasons. Grier could care less about cast members and guests.

[ryanvalle]

Yeah, from what I've been reading is that Grier wasn't really hired to improve the park itself but instead was given the job to improve its the parks relation with the city of anaheim. Doesn't seem like much, but I'm sure that it's the creation of the stronger relationship that allowed the resort to do their expansion project.

[cbisson]

Yeah, from what I've been reading is that Grier wasn't really hired to improve the park itself but instead was given the job to improve its the parks relation with the city of anaheim. Doesn't seem like much, but I'm sure that it's the creation of the stronger relationship that allowed the resort to do their expansion project.

Anahiem better like disneyland. Disneyland pumps about 3.7 Billion dollars of tourests money into their city.