Ouimet out, Grier in at Disneyland

By Robert Niles: The Walt Disney Company has announced that Ed Grier will replace Matt Ouimet as president of the Disneyland Resort.

Ouimet is leaving the company to join Starwood Resorts, a leading upscale hotel chain. Grier is a Disney veteran, who most recently has overseen operations at the Tokyo Disney Resort as executive managing director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan.

Tokyo DisneySea has been considered one of the world's top theme parks, since its 2001 opening. (The park won the 2005 Theme Park Insider Award as the world's best theme park.) Disneyland, once the undisputed industry leader in attendance and quality, however, took much criticism under the leadership of former executives Paul Pressler and Cynthia Harriss. Under Ouimet, however, Disneyland turned around, with improved maintenance, show quality and new attractions, capped by a wildly successful 50th anniversary celebration.

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