Disney Names New President for Cruise Line, Guided Tours

The Walt Disney Company created a new division encompassing Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, and Disney Vacation Club. Jeff Vahle has been appointed president of the new entity, called Disney Signature Experiences, which oversees the cruise line, the vacation time-share operation, and the travel guide company, as well as Disney’s Hawaii resort Aulani.

Vahle, a 28-year veteran of the company, takes over for Anthony Connelly, who was president of New Vacation Operations and Disney Cruise Line since last fall, when he took over following Karl Holz’s retirement. Disney did not release the reason for Connelly’s departure.

Vahle takes on the role as Disney Cruise Line undergoes a major expansion, growing from four to seven ships in the next six years. Due in 2021, 2022 and 2023, the ships will be the largest in the fleet at 140,000 gross tons — slightly larger than the 130,000 gross tons of Dream and Fantasy, but with the same number of staterooms at 1,250.

Vahle will also oversee Disney Vacation Club, the vacation-ownership program that has 14 resorts, including several at Walt Disney World and Aulani in Hawaii; and Adventures by Disney, which is Disney’s guided travel company that includes the popular river cruise offerings in Europe, among them close to 40 itineraries across 30 countries.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to be part of an incredible team that makes magic for millions of guests every day at Disney destinations around the world,” said Vahle in a press release. “I look forward to leading this creative, dedicated and hardworking team as we build on the success of these businesses during this unprecedented era of growth and innovation.”

Vahle started at Disney in 1990 and will continue his current role overseeing the Global Facilities Operations and Sourcing and Procurement departments.