Thomas Mazloum has been named the new president of the Disneyland Resort. The announcement was made earlier today by Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro. Mazloum takes over the role from Ken Potrock. Potrock will be taking over a newly created role as president, The Walt Disney Company Major Events Integration. This will be effective in March 2025.
Thomas Mazloum will be coming to the Disneyland Resort from his role as president, New Experiences Portfolio & Disney Signature Experiences. In this role, he oversees the Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, and also Adventure by Disney. He has been in this role since 2020. Mazloum has led the Disney Cruise Line to new heights that included new ships, new investments, and the planned expansion of the Disney Cruise Line fleet that will double its size by 2031.
Mazloum has held many other leadership positions within The Walt Disney Company throughout his career. He has had leadership positions at Walt Disney World Resort where he oversaw Resorts, Transportation, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Club 33, Disney Springs, and more. In his new role, he will not only be overseeing the current Disney parks, Downtown Disney District, and hotels but also the expansion of the Disneyland Resort as a part of DisneylandForward, which was approved by the Anaheim City Council last year.
“Thomas is an innovative and inspiring leader with immense operational expertise, a deep
passion for our cast and guest experience, and a strong sense of community,” said D’Amaro. “He will guide Disneyland Resort through an exciting new era of growth with the recent approval
of DisneylandForward, unlocking opportunities for expansion and investment in Anaheim for the
next 40 years.”
Along with overseeing the expansion of the Disneyland Resort with DisneylandForward, Mazloum will also be leading the Disneyland Resort as it celebrates its 70th anniversary. This celebration will begin on May 16, 2025, and continue on through the summer of 2026. It will include the return of Paint the Night, a new show with an Audio-Animatronic Walt Disney in the Opera House at Disneyland, and more!
“With the launch of the 70th Anniversary celebration later this year, the addition of new
experiences underway and the opportunities for growth, there couldn’t be a more thrilling time to take on this role,” said Mazloum. “I am honored to be asked to lead the incredible Disneyland
Resort team and remain committed to upholding the culture and legacy of Walt’s first park, while building the future.”
The Disneyland Resort president is charged with leading the 36,000 cast members at the resort. The role also oversees the operation of both theme parks (Disneyland and Disney California Adventure), the three resort hotels, and Downtown Disney District.
Mazloum has a degree in hotel management and administration in Innsbruck. He also has several business certifications from institutions including Cornell University, the Hotel School of Lausanne, and the Hotel School of Salzburg.
The newly created role of president, The Walt Disney Company Major Events Integration which Ken Potrock will be moving to, will be charged with maximizing the companywide value of large-scale sports, entertainment, and tourism events. This ranges from the 2027 Los Angeles Olympics to the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America. Potrock has been with Disney for almost three decades and came to the Disneyland Resort in 2020. During his tenure at the resort, he led the successful post-pandemic reopening followed by securing the approval of DisneylandForward. He also saw the opening of Avengers Campus, the re-imagining of Pixar place Hotel, and the expansion/transformation of Downtown Disney District. On top of that, he has overseen the continued expansion of Disney California Adventure. This includes the recent announcement of two new attractions that will be coming to Avengers Campus and also new attractions that are inspired by Avatar and Coco.
Thomas Mazloum will begin the transition to his new role immediately.
Thomas Mazloum Biography
Since 2020, Thomas Mazloum has served as president of New Experiences Portfolio & Disney Signature Experiences, leading key growth businesses for the Disney Experiences segment including Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney, National Geographic Expeditions, Golden Oak, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Disney Institute and Storyliving by Disney.
During a period of unprecedented growth for Disney Cruise Line, Mazloum led the teams responsible for the award-winning operation of six cruise ships, two island destinations in The Bahamas, Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, and cruise terminals in Port Canaveral and Port Everglades – all of which feature immersive family entertainment, enchanting storytelling and world-class service. Under Mazloum’s leadership, Disney Cruise Line is significantly expanding its global offerings to 13 ships including the Disney Destiny, scheduled to set sail from Port Everglades in late 2025; the Disney Adventure, which will sail from Singapore in 2025; and additional ports-of-call in new regions.
Mazloum also oversaw Disney Vacation Club, the companyʼs popular vacation-ownership program that features a portfolio of 17 themed resorts; Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions, Disneyʼs guided group travel businesses; Golden Oak, the companyʼs luxury community of custom homes at Walt Disney World Resort; and Disney Institute, which celebrates advancement and exploration through engaging and enriching programming.
Additionally, Mazloum has been instrumental in guiding the strategic development of the Storyliving by Disney master-planned communities that highlight the attention to detail, unique amenities and special touches that are Disney hallmarks. Two residential communities are currently underway: the Cotino community in Southern California and the Asteria community near Raleigh, North Carolina.
Before being named president of Disney Signature Experiences, Mazloum served as senior vice president of operations at the Walt Disney World Resort, overseeing 30 Disney resort hotels as well as premium services, security and transportation operations.
He began his Disney career in 1998 as a hotel director for Disney Cruise Line and later served as general manager of Food & Beverage and Special Events at EPCOT. Before returning to Disney in 2017, Thomas served as the chief operating officer of Crystal Cruise Line.
Thomas earned his degree in hotel management and administration in Innsbruck. A lifelong learner, he has also received several business certifications from institutions including Cornell University, the Hotel School of Lausanne and the Hotel School of Salzburg.
Daps Magic would like to welcome Thomas Mazloum to the Disneyland Resort and wish him all the best in this new era at The Happiest Place on Earth! We also wish Ken Potrock well in his new role.
What do you think of Thomas Mazloum joining the Disneyland Resort as its new president? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
