A major leadership transition is unfolding at The Walt Disney Company, and one of the most important positions tied to Disney’s theme parks now has a new leader.
As the company prepares for CEO Bob Iger’s departure and Josh D’Amaro’s promotion to the top job on March 18, Disney has confirmed that Thomas Mazloum will become the next Chairman of Disney Experiences.
The Disney Experiences division plays a huge role within the company. It oversees the global theme parks, Disney Cruise Line, resort hotels, consumer products, and Walt Disney Imagineering–the arm responsible for creating and developing attractions around the world.
With D’Amaro moving up to CEO, Disney needed a new leader to guide this massive part of the business, and now the company has revealed its choice. Thomas Mazloum, who currently serves as President of the Disneyland Resort in California, will take over as Chairman of Disney Experiences when the leadership changes go into effect on March 18.
“Thomas Mazloum is an exceptional leader with a genuine appreciation for our cast members and a proven track record of delivering growth,” said Josh D’Amaro in a statement, via The Hollywood Reporter. “His focus on service excellence, broad international leadership, and strong connection to the creativity that brings our stories to life make him the right leader to guide Disney Experiences into its next chapter.”
Mazloum’s current role places him in charge of operations across the entire Disneyland Resort. That includes Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, three Disney hotels, and the Downtown Disney District. Altogether, the destination employs roughly 36,000 cast members under Mazloum’s leadership.
Before the announcement, many observers had already suggested that Mazloum would likely take the role once D’Amaro became CEO. His long history within the company includes leadership positions in cruise line operations, resorts, and international Disney businesses.
The transition comes as Disney’s parks and experiences division continues to expand. This segment includes Disney’s theme parks around the globe, Disney Cruise Line, international vacation offerings, and a wide range of consumer products tied to Disney films, television, and other entertainment brands.
During D’Amaro’s time overseeing the division, the Experiences segment has remained one of the company’s most profitable areas and has helped fuel major investments in parks and attractions. Mazloum’s promotion also sets off several additional leadership changes within the Experiences organization.
Jill Estorino will step into the role of President of the Disneyland Resort. Estorino previously served as President and Managing Director of Disney Parks International and has spent more than three decades working for the company.
Elsewhere, Tasia Filippatos will take over as the leader of Disney Parks International, overseeing Disney’s parks and resorts outside the United States. At the same time, Lisa Baldzicki has been promoted to President of Disney Consumer Products. All of these leadership updates will take effect on March 18, the same day D’Amaro officially begins his tenure as CEO.
The move follows months of speculation surrounding the company’s succession plans. Investors and industry observers had closely monitored the process as Disney evaluated potential candidates to replace Iger.
Earlier reporting indicated that several internal executives were considered before Disney ultimately selected D’Amaro for the CEO role. Dana Walden was among those mentioned during the process and will now serve in a President position at the company.
For guests who visit Disney’s parks and resorts, the leadership shift could help shape the future of experiences across Disney destinations.
The Experiences division is responsible for many of the company’s largest guest-focused projects, including new attractions, cruise ships, resort expansions, and merchandise tied to Disney’s entertainment franchises. Now, as Chairman of Disney Experiences, Mazloum will play a central role in directing those efforts moving forward.
With D’Amaro taking over the CEO role and Mazloum guiding the parks division, Disney is entering a new phase that will influence how the company continues expanding its immersive destinations around the world.
How do you feel about this next chapter for Disney? Let us know in the comments down below!
