Disneyland Resort, Disney Signature Experiences and more are receiving new leadership and transitions are beginning immediately. Josh D’Amaro, president of Disney Experiences, has made new appointments to his executive team, adding a new role in primary events integration. This leadership restructuring comes at a time when the Experiences segment is making plans and executing a new expansion strategy across its theme parks and cruise lines globally.
The first big announcement is that 30-year Disney veteran, Ken Potrock, will be taking on the newly created role of President, The Walt Disney Company Major Events Integration. According to Disney, “In this role, Potrock will be responsible for developing comprehensive, cross-company plans to maximize the value of large-scale sports, entertainment and tourism events ranging from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics to the 250th Anniversary of the nation.”
Potrock’s former role was as President of the Disneyland Resort, which began in 2020. During his time in the coveted role, he led the post-pandemic reopening of the parks and secured approval for DisneylandForward. Additionally, he oversaw plenty of other expansions and renovations at Disneyland’s current footprint, including the opening of Avengers Campus and the reimagining of the Pixar Place Hotel.
In his new role, Potrock will continue to report to D’Amaro, with accountability to Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN.
To fill the vacancy at the Disneyland Resort, D’Amaro has tapped Thomas Mazloum as the new president. He will lead more than 36,000 employees and oversee the operation of the theme parks, resort hotels and the Downtown Disney District. Additionally, Mazloum will be integral to leading Disneyland through the new growth that will come as part of DisneylandForward.
Mazloum is leaving his role as president of Disney Signature Experiences, which includes Disney Cruise Line and Disney Vacation Club. Under its leader, Disney Cruise Line has evolved plans to double the length of its fleet through 20231, shipping a new ship this year, the Destiny Disney. Mazloum also held leadership positions at Walt Disney World.
In his new position, Mazloum will continue with D’Amaro.
Joe Schott will assume the role of president of Disney Signature Experiences, where he will lead the family and recreation segment that goes beyond the theme parks. Schott has been with Disney for 40 years and most recently led Shanghai Disney Resort as president and general manager. Under Schott’s leadership, Shanghai opened the popular Zootopia-themed box and drew up plans for a new Spider-Man-themed hotel and attraction. He will now report directly to D’Amaro.
To fill Schott’s void in Shanghai Disneyland, Andrew Bolstein was promoted to President and Managing Director of the Croissant Complex. He was a component of the leadership inauguration in the theme park in China, although his 30 -year -old Disney career also worked at Walt Disney World, Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Resney Resortarry Bolstein will fall under Jill Estorino, President and Disney Director Management Parks International.
“We have a deep bank of globally conscious business leaders who bring the versatility to play key roles across our diverse portfolio,” D’Amaro said in a press release. “These incumbent leaders have deep technical and operational experience with a strong vision. and visitor experience and possess qualities that drive innovation, creativity and results. “
Anaheim, California – August 9: Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, appears at the Disney. . . [ ] Entertainment Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California on August 9, 2024. ( Photo by Jesse Grant /Getty Images for Disney)
These leadership changes come just over a year before The Walt Disney Company is set to have a new CEO, as Bob Iger has promised to have a successor take over in 2026. The current internal candidates still top of mind for the CEO position include D’Amaro and Dana Walden, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment.
What’s even more telling is that the new theme park leadership roles constitute successors to a prospectively empty role left over through D’Amaro. In the past, Disney has moved other people from Walt Disney World or president of Disneyland to president of Disney Experiences. This means that Mazloum or existing Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle may be potential applicants for an empty president to lead Disney and Beyond Parks.
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