Man Who Picked Anaheim/Orlando for Disney Goes to the Great Theme Park in the Sky

Talk about an influential guy:

Harrison “Buzz” Price, the research economist who picked Anaheim as the location for Disneyland, has died at the age of 89.

Walt Disney and his brother, Roy O., hired Price to find potential sites for the first theme park. Price recommended 160 acres of orange groves in Anaheim as the location for Disneyland, which opened in 1955.

Price became one of Disney’s trusted advisers and also helped pick Orlando for Walt Disney World. Price also did research projects for other theme parks, including Knott’s Berry Farm.

Price, who died Sunday, was selected as a Disney Legend in 2003.

The Anaheim location was spot on, but Walt often said his one big regret was that he didn't buy enough land. When cheap motels sprang up around the park it really bugged Disney, so when it was time to build Walt Disney World he made sure to get enough land to keep the cheap motels at bay.