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Michael Eisner Criticizes Disney Park Pricing, Endorses Josh D’Amaro in New Interview

He says paid upgrades undercut Disney's 'VIP for all' promise ahead of the March CEO handoff.

Overview

  • In an In Depth with Graham Bensinger interview, the former CEO said he is 'not wild' about how expensive it is to visit Disneyland and Walt Disney World and that selling premium add-ons makes it harder for all guests to feel like VIPs.
  • Coverage highlighted the replacement of free FastPass with paid Lightning Lane tiers and a Premier option reported at over $400 per person as examples driving higher out‑of‑pocket costs.
  • Eisner publicly backed incoming CEO Josh D’Amaro and advised him to continue Bob Iger’s creative-first strategy, protect the brand, and keep Walt Disney’s VIP-for-all ethos.
  • He blasted Bob Chapek’s tenure as 'a marriage made in hell,' criticizing moves such as separating distribution from creative, while crediting Iger with steering the company well.
  • Eisner said he regrets Disney’s Miramax acquisition because of Harvey Weinstein’s behavior and predicted theatrical exhibition will fade over about 20 years as home viewing dominates.