The Walt Disney Company announced some changes to its leadership for its Disney Experiences segment today. Disney Experiences, led by Chairman Josh D’Amaro, includes six resort destinations across the globe, including 12 theme parks, 57 resort hotels and Disney Vacation Club properties, a top-rated cruise line, other unique vacation experiences, and Disney Consumer Products.
“We have a deep bench of globally minded business leaders who bring the versatility needed to step into key roles across our diverse portfolio,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences. “These tenured leaders have extensive technical and operational expertise with strong insight and understanding of the guest experience, and possess qualities that promote innovation, creativity, and results.”
President, The Walt Disney Company Major Events Integration
The changes to leadership created a new role of President, The Walt Disney Company Major Events Integration. This role will be responsible for developing comprehensive, cross-company plans to maximize the value of large-scale sports, entertainment, and tourism events. These events range from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics to the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America. The role will be taken on by Ken Potrock, who recently was president of the Disneyland Resort. In his role at the Disneyland Resort, Potrock led the successful post-pandemic reopening. He also helped gain approval of DisneylandForward by the City of Anaheim. He also oversaw the opening of the Avengers Campus, the reimagining of Pixar Place Hotel, and the transformation and expansion of Downtown Disney District. He also has led the continued expansion of Disney California Adventure, including recent announcements about two new attractions coming to Avengers Campus. There are also new attractions inspired by Avatar and Coco coming to the park. In this new role, Potrock will continue to report to D’Amaro and also have accountability to Jimmy Pitaro, the Chairman of ESPN.
President of Disneyland Resort
Thomas Mazloum has been appointed as the new President of the Disneyland Resort. He will lead 36,000 Cast Members in this new role and oversee the operation of two theme parks, three resort hotels, and Downtown Disney District. He will also guide Disneyland Resort in a new era of growth with DisneylandForward. Mazloum recently led Disney Signature Experiences where the Disney Cruise Line expanded and secured investment and development plans that will double the fleet size by 2031. Before this role, he held various leadership positions at Walt Disney World Resort. He oversaw Operations, Resorts, Transportation, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Club 33, Disney Springs, and more. In his new role, Mazloum will continue to report to Josh D’Amaro.
President of Disney Signature Experiences
Joe Schott is the new President of Disney Signature Experiences (DSE). This division of Disney Experiences was previously led by Thomas Mazloum. It offers family travel and leisure experiences beyond the theme parks. It includes the Disney Cruise Line (DCL), Disney Vacation Club, Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa, Adventures by Disney, Storyliving by Disney, and more. Schlott has worked for Disney for four decades. Since 2019, he led Shanghai Disney Resort as President and General Manager. In that role, Shanghai Disneyland expanded with a new Zootopia-themed land and added new attractions and entertainment. There is also a third hotel and a new Spider-Man-themed attraction in development. Before leading Shanghai Disney Resort, Schlott led operations at Disneyland Paris and was Executive Managing Director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan at Tokyo Disney Resort. Disney shared that Schott has a vast experience in global markets and extensive knowledge in international operations that will be pivotal to the future of Disney Cruise Line as it continues to expand to new destinations globally. Schott will report to Josh D’Amaro.
President & General Manager of Shanghai Disney Resort
Andrew Bolstein has been named the President & General Manager of Shanghai Disney Resort. Bolstein was part of the opening leadership team for the resort and worked hand-in-hand with imagineers as the park came to life. He has a three-decade career with Disney that started at Walt Disney World Resort. During his career, he has had leadership roles in Hong Kong and Tokyo. He has been in Shanghai for nearly 13 years. Bolstein has vast operational knowledge, a passion for the Disney Cast Members, and the surrounding community. He also has strong relationships with key government, business, and industry partners. Andrew will report to Jill Estorino, President and Managing Director of Disney Parks International.
Disney shared that the transitions to the new roles will begin immediately.
Disney Experiences has a vast reach that includes over 40 countries. It has global theme park travel and experience businesses that include 12 parks around the world, the Disney Cruise Line, and its Disney Consumer Products division which brings Disney IP into homes around the world. It also is the largest licensor in the world.
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