Gault, 58, with 37 years of industry experience, had been running the southwest Orlando attraction since last November when Universal president/CEO Felix Mussenden abruptly walked out after two years on the job. Neither Mussenden nor Universal has clarified whether his leaving was voluntary or a termination.
Gault previously headed Universal Studios Hollywood and opened Universal Studios Japan in March 2001. Industry analysts say Gault's immediate challenge will be regaining attendance volume.
Amusement Business, a trade publication, has reported the Universal Studios attraction had 7.2 million guests in 2001, down 10% from 2000. The park's Islands of Adventure attraction had 5.5 million guests, down 8% from the previous year.
Although he will not be directly involved in the litigation, Gault, as president of the theme park, still has to contend with a pending $500 million civil lawsuit in Orange County Circuit Court filed by Stuart, FL-based lawyer Willie Gary.
The suit alleges Universal officials in 1996 stole the idea for the park's one-year-old Latin Quarter nightclub at the CityWalk attraction from New York entrepreneur Gilbert Feliciano. Universal denies the allegations.
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