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Disney Boosts Stake in Paris Theme Park, Offers to Buy Rest

  • Company lifts stake to 85.7% by buying 9% from Prince Alwaleed
  • Offers premium of 67% for rest of Euro Disney SCA stock
Mickey Mouse poses in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris.

Mickey Mouse poses in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris.

Photographer: Thomas Samson/AFP via Getty Images
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Walt Disney Co. plans to take full ownership of its ailing theme park in Paris to get the resort under control after 25 years of ups and downs at its first and only outlet in Europe.

Disney is acquiring a 9 percent stake in Euro Disney SCA from Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal’s Kingdom Holding Co. for 2 euros ($2.13) a share, payable in Disney stock. That will give it an 85.7 percent holding, and it’s offering the same price in cash for the rest, according to a statement Friday. The offer is 67 percent higher than Euro Disney’s closing price Thursday.