Disney Names New Presidents for Walt Disney World, Signature Experiences, and Paris

Disney this week unveiled a slate of leadership changes that will set up its parks, resorts, cruise line, and experiences up for what it says will be its next chapter of growth. 

The first is a new president for Walt Disney World Resort—Joe Schott is taking over for Jeff Vahle, who is officially retiring this summer after a 36-year career with The Walt Disney Company. Schott was most recently the head of Disney Signature Experiences, which includes its cruise and vacation divisions. He’s been with Disney for 40 years, starting his career as a Jungle Cruise Skipper at Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando. Schott comes aboard as Walt Disney World is in the middle of its largest expansion project ever, including major work at three of its parks.

The second is new leadership at Disney Signature Experiences, which includes Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, Aulani, Adventures by Disney, and National Geographic Expeditions. With Schott moving to Walt Disney World, Natacha Rafalski, a 30-year Disney veteran, will take over. Rafalski previously served as president of Disneyland Paris.

The last is a new president at Disneyland Paris—Christophe Murphy will take over for Rafalski. Murphy is yet another longtime Disney veteran—he’s been with the company for 35 years, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Operations for the Paris resort.

“Disney Experiences is in the midst of unprecedented expansion with more new projects underway across our global portfolio than at any other moment in our history,” said Thomas Mazloum, Chairman, Disney Experiences. “These appointments reflect the depth of leadership talent driving Disney Experiences. Joe, Natacha, and Christophe have a deep appreciation of the guest experience, possess extensive financial and operational expertise, and a proven ability to deliver at scale. I have complete confidence in each of them to build on the remarkable momentum underway across these businesses and to write the next chapter of Disney’s story.”