Disney’s 1984 Takeover Battle and the Road to the Eisner Era (Ep. 91)

Jim Hill and Len Testa continue their chronological Disneyland series by examining the corporate upheaval that reshaped Disney in the mid-1980s. Jim traces Roy E. Disney and Stanley Gold’s push for new leadership, the takeover threats facing the company, and the events that brought Michael Eisner and Frank Wells into power. Along the way, they connect those boardroom battles to New Fantasyland, Disneyland’s entertainment, and the park’s changing priorities.

Original Air Date: November 15, 2015 (estimated)
Original Title: Disneyland 1983-4

HIGHLIGHTS

• The company’s early-1980s television challenges, Disney Channel launch, and reluctance to release classic films on home video.
• New Fantasyland’s opening and the oversized inflatable characters in Flights of Fantasy.
• Disney’s involvement in planning the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics ceremonies.
• Roy E. Disney, Stanley Gold, Ron Miller, and the struggle over Disney’s leadership.
• Saul Steinberg’s takeover attempt, greenmail, and the disputed Gibson Greetings acquisition.
• The arrival of Michael Eisner and Frank Wells and Disneyland’s labor and attendance challenges.
• The Country Bear Christmas Special and the beginnings of holiday attraction overlays.
• Year-round daily operation, Videopolis, and the new partnership with George Lucas.

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
View transcript here.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill: X and Instagram @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
• Len Testa: Bluesky @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram @len.testa | touringplans.com

FOLLOW

• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• X and Instagram: @JimHillMedia
• YouTube and TikTok: @jimhillmedia

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Produced by Aaron Adams

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/

Jim and Len trace Disney’s 1984 corporate crisis, the arrival of Michael Eisner and Frank Wells, and the changes that followed at Disneyland.

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