Joe Schott Takes The Helm At Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World will soon be led by Joe Schott, who will succeed Jeff Vahle, who will be retiring in July after 36 years with the Walt Disney Company. Most recently, Schott was the President of Disney Signature Experiences, where he led teams including Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, and Adventures by Disney.

Schott is taking over during a time when Walt Disney World is undergoing a massive investment in its parks. Currently, there are projects underway at Magic Kingdom with all-new Villains and Cars-themed lands, plus a Monsters Inc.-themed expansion at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and a Tropical Americas land with two massive attractions under construction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Schott is not new to the theme park scene and has over 40 years of leadership across the world. Outside of his role as president of Disney Signature Experiences, he was the president and general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort and the chief operating officer at Disneyland Paris.

Natacha Rafalski Appointed President of Disney Signature Experiences

One of Disney’s most-talked about executives is Natacha Rafalski. She just led Disneyland Paris through a strong period of revitalization with the opening of Disney Adventure World (formerly Walt Disney Studios Park) and the park’s World of Frozen land. Rafalski will leave her position at Disneyland Paris to take a new role as President of Disney Signature Experiences. In her new role, she will guide team initiatives, such as the expansion of Disney Cruise Line and the growth of Storyliving by Disney communities.

Over her 30 years with Disney, she’s been instrumental in closing deals, including negotiating a theme park development agreement for Shanghai Disney Resort.

Christophe Murphy Promoted To President of Disneyland Paris

As Rafalski moves to Disney Signature Experiences, Christophe Murphy will take over as the President of Disneyland Paris. Even though the resort just opened its newest expansion, Disney Adventure World, more is on the way at the parks with an upcoming Lion King-themed land.

Murphy has been with Disney for more than 35 years, and originally joined Disneyland Paris in 1991 during the European resort’s pre-opening phase. He then worked through nearly every part of resort operations before being appointed vice president of Operations for Walt Disney Attractions Japan in 2021. Then, in 2023, he returned to Disneyland Paris as senior vice president of Operations, where a major project included the delivery of Disney Adventure World and World of Frozen.

“Disney Experiences is in the midst of unprecedented expansion with more new projects underway across our global portfolio than at any other moment in our history,” said Thomas Mazloum, Chairman of Disney Experiences, in a release. “These appointments reflect the depth of leadership talent driving Disney Experiences. Joe, Natacha, and Christophe have a deep appreciation of the guest experience, possess extensive financial and operational expertise, and a proven ability to deliver at scale. I have complete confidence in each of them to build on the remarkable momentum underway across these businesses and to write the next chapter of Disney’s story.”