Disney's Saudi Connection (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,136143,00.html) by Roger Friedman

quick quote
On July 1, just a week after “Fahrenheit 9/11” opened, the Times reported “Disney Gives Details of Plan to Aid European Parks.” The story details the financial history of EuroDisney, including this one important fact that has somehow been overlooked: In 1994, two years after the theme park opened and was already plunged into financial chaos, one man saved it. That was Prince Walid bin Talal of Saudi Arabia. His investment, valued at above $24 million, literally saved EuroDisney from closing and created a bond between the Saudi royal family and Disney CEO�*Michael Eisner that lasts until this day.

Adrienne

That was Prince Walid bin Talal of Saudi Arabia.

I was introduced to him once. His card has his name as Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

But that's quite a mouthfull so it's understandable why folks always want to shorten his name. ;)

The monkeys in the zoo over at Walt Disney Imagineering, just refer to him as "Big Al." :)

Anyway, just a few weeks ago Big Al completed his purchase of one of my favorite hotels...London's famous Savoy Hotel. It will be managed by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, and it will be Fairmont's first hotel management job in Europe.