Joe Schott Named New Walt Disney World President as Jeff Vahle Retirement Triggers Leadership Shuffle

Walt Disney World has a new president. Disney Experiences has officially named Joe Schott as the resort’s next leader, taking over from Jeff Vahle following Vahle’s retirement announcement after 36 years with the company. Schott’s appointment is part of a wider leadership shuffle announced by Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum — one that reshuffles top executives across Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and Disney Signature Experiences.

Quick Summary

• Joe Schott named President of Walt Disney World Resort, succeeding Jeff Vahle who retired after 36 years with Disney
• Schott brings 40+ years of Disney international leadership experience, including Shanghai Disney Resort and Disney Signature Experiences
• Natacha Rafalski moves from Disneyland Paris President to President of Disney Signature Experiences
• Christophe Murphy promoted to President of Disneyland Paris
• All new leaders assume their roles by end of July 2026
• Schott takes over as Walt Disney World undergoes its largest Magic Kingdom expansion in history

Who Is Joe Schott?

Joe Schott is one of the most experienced international operators in Disney’s entire leadership structure. He brings more than 40 years with the company to the Walt Disney World job — and his resume is remarkable.

Most recently, Schott served as President of Disney Signature Experiences, overseeing the launches of two new cruise ships: the Disney Destiny and the Disney Adventure. Before that, he spent years leading Shanghai Disney Resort as President and General Manager, guiding a major expansion that included the opening of the Zootopia-themed land. Under his tenure, Shanghai Disney Resort surpassed 100 million guests in under a decade.

His earlier roles included Chief Operating Officer of Disneyland Paris and Executive Managing Director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan. Schott started his Disney career as a Jungle Cruise Skipper — and now he returns to lead the resort where that career began.

Why This Moment Matters for Walt Disney World

Schott steps into the top job at a genuinely historic moment for the resort. Walt Disney World is currently undergoing the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom’s history, with major new lands also in development at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

The leadership transition from Vahle to Schott comes at a critical stage of those projects. Schott’s track record — delivering a themed land expansion at Shanghai, growing a cruise fleet, overseeing complex international operations — positions him well to shepherd these major builds through to completion.

The Full Leadership Shuffle Explained

Schott’s move to Walt Disney World triggers a cascade of changes across Disney’s international leadership.

Natacha Rafalski, who has been President of Disneyland Paris since 2018, moves to take Schott’s former role as President of Disney Signature Experiences. That division oversees Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, Aulani, Adventures by Disney, National Geographic Expeditions, Storyliving by Disney, and Golden Oak. Her biggest task will be managing Disney Cruise Line’s ambitious fleet expansion from eight ships today to 13 vessels by 2031.

At Disneyland Paris, Rafalski leaves behind a transformed resort. She spearheaded the 2 billion euro conversion of Walt Disney Studios Park into Disney Adventure World, adding Marvel Avengers Campus and World of Frozen in the process.

Taking over at Disneyland Paris is Christophe Murphy, who is promoted to President after more than 35 years with the company. Murphy originally joined Disneyland Paris in 1991 during its pre-opening phase, returned to the resort in 2023 as Senior Vice President of Operations, and oversaw the delivery of the Disney Adventure World expansion that opened in March 2026. He now takes the reins as the resort begins development of a new Lion King-themed land.

What This Means for Your Walt Disney World Visit

For guests, the leadership change is largely behind the scenes — but it matters for what is coming. The projects already announced for Walt Disney World remain on track. Schott inherits a full construction pipeline and a resort in the middle of its biggest transformation in decades.

As Thomas Mazloum put it in the announcement: Disney Experiences is in the middle of unprecedented expansion, with more new projects underway across its global portfolio than at any other moment in history. The new leadership team is being assembled specifically to deliver that expansion at scale.

All three new leaders assume their roles by the end of July 2026. Stay tuned to DisMornings for updates as these transitions take effect and more details emerge about the projects each will be overseeing.

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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!