{"id":276370,"date":"2026-05-19T10:06:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T10:06:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/276370\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T10:06:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T10:06:58","slug":"walt-disney-world-joe-schott-to-be-new-president-in-july","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/276370\/","title":{"rendered":"Walt Disney World: Joe Schott to be new president in July"},"content":{"rendered":"

Joe Schott, a 40-year veteran cast member and longtime executive at Walt Disney Co.<\/a>, will be the next president of Walt Disney World<\/a>, the company announced Monday.<\/p>\n

Schott\u2019s most recent role has been president of Disney Signature Experiences, the division that includes Disney Cruise Line<\/a>, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney, Aulani, the company\u2019s resort in Hawaii, and other entities.<\/p>\n

His previous positions included as president of Shanghai Disney Resort, chief operating officer of Disneyland Paris and executive managing director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan.<\/p>\n

\"JoeJoe Schott will become president of Walt Disney World in July. (Walt Disney Co.)<\/p>\n

His first Disney job \u2014 hired at age 17 \u2014 was in Florida as a Jungle Cruise<\/a> skipper at Magic Kingdom<\/a> theme park. Schott grew up in Central Florida and earned a bachelor\u2019s degree from Nova Southeastern University.<\/p>\n

Schott takes over the WDW presidency from Jeff Vahle, who is retiring in July<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jeff Vahle, Disney World\u2019s president, announces retirement<\/a><\/p>\n

Walt Disney World, which has about 80,000 employee, is in the midst of expansion mode with new lands under construction at Disney\u2019s Hollywood Studios, Disney\u2019s Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom, which is consider the world\u2019s most visited theme park annually.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we continue creating experiences for the next generation of guests and fans around the world, it is essential that we place thoughtful leaders in roles where they can have the greatest impact \u2014 leaders with deep operational expertise, creative instincts, global perspective, and, most importantly, a sincere passion for our company and our people,\u201d Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Experiences, posted on social media Monday.<\/p>\n

Disney building new ferryboat, naming it after former president<\/a><\/p>\n

In an executive ripple effect, Natacha Rafalski will move into Schott\u2019s spot as president of Disney Signature Experiences. She has been president of Disneyland Paris since 2018.\u00a0 She will be replaced by Christophe Murphy, who has been senior vice president for operations at the French resort since 2023.\u00a0 But it all started at the top after CEO Bob Iger retired and Josh D\u2019Amaro was elevated to chief executive. Mazloum replaced D\u2019Amaro.<\/p>\n

dbevil@orlandosentinel.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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