Disney CEO Bob Chapek Removed from Disney D23 Presentation Lineup

With Destination D23 right around the corner, many Disney fans have been anxiously checking the presentation schedule to confirm speakers and events (especially as the event will also be shown virtually so that fans from anywhere will be able to tune in.)

Originally, both Disney CEO Bob Chapek and Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Park and Experiences and Products were both listed on the day’s lineup to make an appearance, however it seems Disney quietly removed Chapek from the event as he is no longer listed as a speaker on the Destination D23 program.

Chapek was originally scheduled to appear during D23’s welcome presentation, where we expected he would offer brief remarks to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort and to kick off the event alongside Josh D’Amaro.

Since the lineup changed on Disney’s official website, Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Wahler shared the following statement with our affiliate site Disney Dining on the topic:

“Bob has a conflict in LA on Friday night and couldn’t make it back to Orlando on time. Mr. Chapek will be making a statement tomorrow, November 18, about his need to pull out of the D23 event.”

The news of Chapek pulling out of the event due to a scheduling conflict follows the past couple of weeks of growing frustration among Disney fans, ultimately resulting in fans creating an online petition calling for his removal as CEO.

While Chapek generally does not seem as enthusiastic as other Disney executives have been in the past when making public appearances, some fans have been speculating that he pulled out of the event due to fans’ disapproval of him.

We are waiting to learn more details from Chapek himself regarding his appearance at Destination D23, and will be back with updates on his statement as we learn more.