The burning query for fanatics of Walt Disney International and Disneyland at the beginning is who turns into the Chairman of Parks & Motels (sorry, Reviews) now that Josh D’Amaro has been named the brand new CEO. This put up speculates about most sensible contenders, who we view as darkish horse lengthy pictures, and extra.
With D’Amaro ascending to the nook administrative center, anyone must take over the one maximum successful department of all of the Walt Disney Corporate. Disney Reviews generated $36 billion in earnings in fiscal 2025 and represents over 70% of Disney’s total running source of revenue.
No longer most effective that, however the corporate’s present 10-year plan requires making an investment $60 billion into Parks & Motels, with that spend in large part being backloaded. Many tasks are already in flight with development wanting to be navigated; others are nonetheless in building and have not begun to even take-off.
The stakes are upper than the wait time for Slinky Canine Sprint, and the verdict will form the way forward for Walt Disney International, Disneyland, and parks all over the world for many years to return. It’s now not simply the Parks Chair place that’s essential, however all the local-level management adjustments which are inevitable as soon as D’Amaro begins assembling his staff. The CEO determination can have a cascading impact on quite a few different essential positions.
For reference, the final time Disney named a brand new CEO, it was once Bob Chapek transferring as much as the highest spot on February 25, 2020 when Bob Iger impulsively “retired” for the primary time. Josh D’Amaro wasn’t named Parks Chair till Might 18, 2020. At the moment, 4 different leaders had been promoted, 3 of whom are represented at the record underneath.
On the chance of pointing out the most obvious, the instances are other this time. At the one hand, D’Amaro isn’t ascending to the CEO seat till mid-March, so the naming of a brand new Parks Chair may just take even longer. Alternatively, the entire procedure was once chaotic final time, and having continuity will have to be the most well liked manner–and what we’d be expecting, given how clean the remainder of the succession procedure has been.
In mild of all that, we wouldn’t be in the least shocked to peer a brand new Parks & Motels Chair named in the following few weeks. D’Amaro has probably been getting ready for this inevitability, so it’s now not as though he’s beginning the quest from sq. one. On the absolute newest, I’d be expecting to peer the brand new Parks Chair at the level on the relaunch of Disney Journey International on the finish of March 2026. That it is going to be their large creation to fanatics, media, and Wall Side road.
In keeping with management adjustments over the past 12 months and my very own research, I’ve narrowed it right down to 4 robust contenders plus a couple of less-likely wildcards. Let’s speak about every of them in flip…
Thomas Mazloum, Disneyland Lodge President
Of the 4 applicants, Thomas Mazloum is the obvious selection. He’s lately President of Disneyland Lodge, which has traditionally been a stepping-stone place to greater issues within the Disney Parks. (See additionally, Josh D’Amaro, who I’m informed is it seems that up for a large promotion?)
Mazloum took over as Disneyland Lodge President in early 2025, succeeding Ken Potrock (who was once “promoted” to overseeing Primary Occasions Integration). Earlier than taking the reins at Disneyland, Mazloum spent a number of years as President of Disney Signature Reviews, the place he oversaw Disney Cruise Line all the way through a length of explosive growth and expansion that’ll successfully double the fleet measurement.
Previous to main Disney Signature Reviews, Mazloum served as SVP of Operations on the Walt Disney International Lodge, overseeing 31 Disney lodge motels, in addition to Disney Springs, ESPN Huge International of Sports activities and transportation operations. His resume reads like a biggest hits of Parks & Motels operations. He started his Disney occupation in 1998, or even left the corporate for some time to function the Leader Running Officer for Crystal Cruise Line prior to returning to Disney in 2017.
One under-discussed side of Mazloum’s occupation is that he was once instrumental in dealing with the reopening of Walt Disney International. I not-so-fondly recall observing the weekly Orange County Financial Restoration Activity Power livestreams and listening to common (non)updates from Mazloum. I’m not sure as to the entire extent of Mazloum’s position in that, or whether or not he caught round after being promoted to go of DCL, however he headed up the reopening of the lodge motels and Disney Springs, at minimal, and equipped the root for the profitable reopening of the parks as an entire.
Mazloum is tasked with shepherding the formidable growth plans at Disneyland. If he can navigate the politics of Anaheim, arrange the development chaos, and effectively get all of the ones tasks off the bottom and on time table, it is going to be any other feather in his cap.
I’ve had the risk to speak to Mazloum on a couple of events at more than a few occasions and feature come away inspired. He understands each the operational and inventive facets of the trade, and values the visitor enjoy. Maximum lately, I ran into him randomly past due within the night roaming Fantasyland on New 12 months’s Eve (picture above), which wasn’t on my bingo card.
In having a look on the trajectory of his occupation over the past 6 years, Mazloum moves me as a depended on D’Amaro lieutenant who has been cycled thru excessive stakes scenarios that wanted each a mild contact and instructed motion. I’m nonetheless slightly baffled that Disney driven out (?) Ken Potrock after he had effectively navigated native politics and were given DisneylandForward greenlit.
The easiest way to reconcile that was once Potrock now not being seen as the proper particular person to position the plan into motion and/or D’Amaro short of Mazloum to have slightly extra enjoy prior to ascending to the highest spot. My greatest complaint of Mazloum is that, below his watch, Award Wieners misplaced its fan-favorite Filmstrip Fries. That’s almost definitely underneath his pay grade, however what Thomas? You’re the highest canine, and are in control of all frankfurter and/or french fry fails that occur to your realm.
Joe Schott, Disney Signature Reviews President
Joe Schott is any other robust contender who’s necessarily the reflect symbol of Mazloum. Whilst Mazloum left Disney Signature Reviews to take over Disneyland, Schott left Shanghai Disney Lodge to take over Disney Signature Reviews. (Get it? Park to send vs. send to park.)
Schott is a 40-year Disney veteran who began his occupation as a frontline Solid Member in Operations at Walt Disney International. He started as a Jungle Cruise skipper on the Magic Kingdom, making him just about the quintessential “Disney Parks Man.” (Critically, simply what number of excessive rating leaders and creatives were given their get started at Jungle Cruise?! Should be one thing within the water.)
From there, Schott spent 15 of the final 18 years operating out of doors of the USA. He led Walt Disney Points of interest Japan in enhance of the Tokyo Disney Lodge for 3 years all the way through the resortʼs twenty fifth anniversary. He spent 5 years at the revitalization effort of Disneyland Paris as Leader Running Officer. Following that, he served six years as President and Common Supervisor of Shanghai Disney Lodge. Underneath his management, that younger park expanded to open the highly-successful Zootopia land, at the side of new points of interest and leisure, all whilst in large part “bring to a halt” from the home operations because of the laborious border closure all the way through COVID.
To that time, Shanghai Disney Lodge is notoriously complicated from a trade and political perspective. Managing relationships with Chinese language govt officers, native trade companions, and Shanghai Shendi Team definitely required finesse and political acumen. The truth that Schott now not most effective survived however thrived in that setting for six years (once more, all the way through COVID) speaks volumes.
Now, as President of Disney Signature Reviews, Schott oversees Disney Cruise Line, which (once more) is in a dramatic length of expansion that now, almost definitely now not coincidentally comprises more than one ships within the Asian marketplace, in addition to different top rate choices.
What makes Schott in particular intriguing is his decade-plus of enjoy main the global parks thru anniversaries, growth, revitalization, and (oddly) even border closures. With Disneyland Abu Dhabi at the horizon, having anyone with deep global operational wisdom could be priceless. (I additionally wouldn’t be in the least shocked if there’s a 2d gate in Shanghai someday all the way through D’Amaro’s tenure. And clearly, extra DCL ships…in every single place.)
I’ve most effective ever had the risk to speak to Schott as soon as, however got here away inspired. He obviously is aware of Disney inside and outside–his intensity of information and interest was once spectacular, particularly about issues out of doors his process description. He additionally struck me as very right down to earth and human (identical is going for Mazloum). I’ve talked to a couple of individuals who up to now labored for Schott, and all imagine him to be the kind of passionate chief who makes folks need to paintings more difficult.
Michael Moriarty, Disney Reviews VP & CFO
Michael Moriarty was once a part of the latest recreation of musical chairs, being promoted from President and Managing Director of Hong Kong Disneyland Lodge to Government Vice President and Leader Monetary Officer of Disney Reviews, final October. As I famous on the time, this appeared like an exact promotion fairly than a face-saving step against the door.
Moriarty brings just about twenty years of Disney management enjoy. He up to now served as CFO at Walt Disney Imagineering and Hong Kong Disneyland Lodge, and held finance management roles at Walt Disney International. However what essentially units him aside is his observe file as President of Hong Kong Disneyland for the previous 5 years.
Underneath Moriarty’s management, Hong Kong Disneyland grew to become round in impressive model. In keeping with what we noticed all the way through our final seek advice from to HKDL, the as soon as “little fort park that might” has blossomed into its personal. It’s almost definitely a beautiful secure wager that those numbers will display important year-over-year development, with even upper benefit, attendance and occupancy numbers.
Given Moriarty’s management in attaining those effects, in addition to opening International of Frozen, launching the twentieth Anniversary, getting the Wonder growth again heading in the right direction, and navigating the demanding situations of the COVID closures (plural), it sort of feels like Moriarty can be a main candidate for additional long run promotion, and that the CFO position is simply a stepping stone.
I’ve by no means spoken with Moriarty myself, nor have I even talked with any individual who has labored for him in any significant sense. For those who apply his Instagram account, about as a lot about him as I do. In keeping with that, I’m in truth somewhat shocked they might pry him clear of HKDL. Dude turns out to truly love where.
Natacha Rafalski, Disneyland Paris Présidente
Closing however now not least is Natacha Rafalski, who has served as Présidente of Disneyland Paris since 2018. Of the 4 applicants, Rafalski is in all probability essentially the most intriguing as a result of she represents a distinct profile than the others.
Rafalski joined the Walt Disney Corporate in 1995, and has held management positions in more than one markets. She spent a number of years as CFO for Disney’s Higher China area, overseeing company treasury and fiscal negotiations for Shanghai Disney Lodge. She then moved to Disneyland Paris in 2017 as CFO and Senior Vice President of Industry Technique & Finance.
Underneath Rafalski’s management, Disneyland Paris has passed through an exceptional transformation. She’s lately overseeing a €2 billion growth plan for Walt Disney Studios Park, which can culminate in its relaunch as Disney Journey International when the brand new International of Frozen opens subsequent month. She’s additionally guided the lodge thru its post-pandemic restoration and situated it for long-term expansion as Europe’s most sensible vacationer vacation spot.
The most important query mark, from my point of view, is whether or not Rafalski has the variability of high-level enjoy for the Parks Chair place. Navigating the Chinese language and Eu markets by myself would recommend that the solution is almost definitely sure, particularly for the reason that she’s additionally controlled an enormous growth plan, and delivered effects. She’s additionally Franco-American and grew up in Paris, so selling her to the highest position would sign the significance of numerous management to Disney.
Natacha Rafalski is any other comparative unknown to me in my view, however French fanatics appear to like her. Her enjoy is powerful, and the turnaround she’s completed at Disneyland Paris–and particularly the much-maligned 2d gate–speaks for itself. On that foundation by myself, she’s a powerful candidate for the highest process. However, I appear to keep in mind sharing identical sentiment about Catherine Powell, and that didn’t finish neatly.
Wild Playing cards
Earlier than wrapping up, I will have to point out a couple of wild playing cards. Let’s get started with Jeff Vahle, President of Walt Disney International Lodge. On paper, he will have to be a number one candidate. In any case, he’s been operating the biggest Disney lodge on the earth for the final ~6 years, and it’s been reclaimed its name as the corporate’s golden goose all the way through that point.
On the other hand, I’d be shocked if he’s within the operating. Possibly that is simply me underestimating or misreading him, however Vahle moves me as extra reserved–he’s an engineer and ops man–and now not the kind of particular person made for the highlight that includes a extremely public-facing position like Parks Chair. (I hate to awaken Chapek, however the comparability to how he was once miscast and would’ve excelled in a distinct position feels apt.) This isn’t to forged aspersions, as It’s not that i am lower from that material, both.
From what I perceive, Vahle has been instrumental in growing the plans for Walt Disney International growth; my intestine is that he stayed on this position all the way through all the different musical chairs final 12 months as it’s the endgame for him, now not a stepping stone. However once more, he’s the WDW President, so he’s a extremely logical candidate to transport up. I already worry coming to remorseful about now not giving him a complete profile or right kind attention.
I’ve interacted with Vahle on a number of events and know numerous individuals who have interfaced with him on the corporate. And that’s all I’ve to mention about that. Shifting alongside…
Then there’s Ken Potrock. I’ll be fair, when he was once moved to Primary Occasions Integration, I believed it was once a lame duck position. The type of face-saving Disney gives continuously to unswerving leaders as a substitute of flat-out firing them. In any case, the corporate discussed the 2028 Olympics within the announcement, which air on NBC.
Then the corporate introduced the USA 250th Anniversary “Disney Celebrates The usa” marketing campaign. Then there have been more than one sightings of Potrock at the lot in Burbank–I even noticed him there. It now turns out that this could be a really-for-real process, and one with an administrative center on the company headquarters.
Possibly Potrock is a quiet darkish horse candidate who has been getting essentially the most face time with Iger and D’Amaro, and has discovered a technique to jockey into the highest position. He did do a just right process with DisneylandForward, and he’s an excessively likeable dude. I’d now not be in the least dissatisfied to peer him transfer up, or again within the parks fray.
In any case, I will’t assist however point out Bruce Vaughn, the recently-returned head of Walt Disney Imagineering.
In an ordinary situation, fanatics would drift their favourite Imagineers as ‘want record’ heads of Parks & Motels. I’ve noticed names like Joe Rohde and Tony Baxter discussed on numerous events prior to now, and that was once all very clearly wishcasting. No longer in the least grounded actually given what the process involves.
Bruce is slightly other as an government with enjoy out of doors of Disney, and one with a longtime operating dating with Josh D’Amaro. My direct and oblique impressions of Vaughn since his go back are extremely certain. The most productive of any individual in this record, and it’s a powerful record. I’m assured in announcing that Imagineering is in just right palms below his stewardship.
With that mentioned, I’m nonetheless now not satisfied his position could be severely regarded as as a stepping stone for Parks Chair. And in truth, I’m now not certain I’d need him to go away WDI, as he’s gotten the inventive arm again heading in the right direction and provides the management Imagineering wishes.
In the end, my view is that any of the highest 4 applicants may just declare the highest process. They’re all certified, all of them have observe information of luck, they usually all deliver other strengths to the desk. Most significantly, all of them have many years of enjoy at Disney Parks & Motels, and now not Client Merchandise or no matter. Whoever will get the highest process will maximum for sure be a “parks particular person” and get what makes those puts and reports particular.
As for who’s possibly, it is dependent upon what Disney’s priorities are for the again part of the following decade. If the point of interest is on home expansion and executing at the $60 billion growth plan throughout Walt Disney International and Disneyland (the place kind of part of that cash can be spent), Mazloum makes essentially the most sense.
If the point of interest is on global growth, with Disneyland Abu Dhabi opening and doable long run tasks in different markets, Schott is almost definitely the most productive select. I’m in my view prone to suspect that the global parks subject rather less than Disney is letting on at the moment all the way through interviews, and that Disneyland Abu Dhabi is only a just right speaking level within the succession select (take note, it’s necessarily a licensing deal). For the reason that, Mazloum moves me because the frontrunner.
As for my private choice, I need to see anyone who walks the parks incessantly. Somebody who doesn’t simply communicate to frontline Solid Individuals, however listens to them. An individual who isn’t afraid to swing for the fences on a dangerous or envelope-pushing mission, but additionally keen to workout restraint the place suitable. A pacesetter who isn’t afraid to make tricky selections that prioritize long-term sustainability and pride over momentary income, corresponding to bringing again the Filmstrip Fries.
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OUR THOUGHTS
Who do you assume can be subsequent Parks & Motels Chair of the Walt Disney Corporate? Will it’s Thomas Mazloum, Joe Schott, Michael Moriarty, and Natacha Rafalski? Probably the most wildcards, or not one of the above? Who will have to it’s? Do you settle or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we will mean you can solution? Listening to your comments–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please proportion your ideas underneath within the feedback!
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