ORLANDO, Florida — Veteran entertainment-and-resort executive Jay Stein, widely credited with transforming a studio tour into a theme-park business, has died. His family confirmed his death to WESH 2 News in Florida.

Stein began his career in the mailroom at MCA Inc. in the late 1950s, rising through the company to become chairman and chief executive of its Recreation Services Group, according to Theme Park Insider .

According to WESH, in the mid-1980s, he spearheaded the push to build Universal Studios Florida, the first major park for what became the Universal Destinations & Experiences portfolio, opening in 1990. Under Stein’s leadership, the company adopted the slogan “Ride the Movies!” and made itself a direct competitor to the Disney theme-park system.

Stein is survived by his

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