As a 10-percent holder of stock in Euro-Disney, Disneyland Paris’ parent company, Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed, potentially had the power to scuttle The Walt Disney Company’s $1.25 Billion bailout of Disneyland Paris. No one expected that action as the Prince had also supported previous debt restructurings for the European Resort and this weekend the Prince confirmed his support for this latest action.
Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al Saud is a member of the Saudi Royal family and has been listed among the most influential and richest men in the world.
Disneyland Paris saw 14.9 million guests last year, but that was a 6% drop over the previous year. The park continues to struggle to escape the debt from its initial construction, and to offer a profitable, but affordable vacation in a Europe that is facing continuing tough economic times.