Jack Lindquist, a legend within the attractions industry and Disneyland’s first president, has died aged 88.

Lindquist, who was honoured last November with an induction into the IAAPA Hall of Fame, and was inducted as a Disney Legend in 1994, was iconic in the attractions sector.

Hired by Walt Disney a few months after the park first opened in July 1955, Lindquist would spend nearly four decades working in senior roles at Disneyland.

Working as a marketing executive for nearly 30 years and later being named president of Disneyland California in 1990 until his retirement in 1993, industry leaders have called Lindquist a pioneer, credited with founding and greatly expanding the arts and sciences of attraction promotion, with many of his techniques replicated industry-wide.

“He made sure Disneyland was the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’ for each guest who walked through the gates, setting the standard for every leader that followed,” said Bob Iger, chair and CEO of Disney.

“Those of us who had the good fortune to know Jack will always remember the kindness, humility and dedication that made him such an important part of this company and a true Disney Legend.”

Lindquist lives on at Disneyland California, where he is honoured with a window on Main Street, which reads: “J.B. Lindquist, Honorary mayor of Disneyland, Jack of all trades. Master of fun.”

Speaking in November at IAAPA in Orlando, Lindquist offered advice to the next generation of budding attractions operators, telling them to carve their own path.

“You’ve got to be your own person,” said Linquist. “Set your own standards, be your own person, you gotta build your life and your future to suit your specifications. What works for some of us won’t work for others. You have to find your own way.”

Speaking during a packed Legends session, Lindquist expressed his hope for the future of the attractions sector, saying that there was “more opportunity than ever”, praising exponential growth in recent years.

“Look at the number of new theme parks, waterparks and so forth,” he said. “The industry is growing tremendously. I don’t know where the next Walter Knott is coming from but it’s not important because it’s a new world with new challenges and they are going to make this happen in the future. New ideas are going to come from the industry. You’ve got to be embedded and love what you’re doing and think outside the box. Go crazy.”

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