Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Announces Promotions of Key Leaders

by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:24 AM ET, Thu February 1, 2018

WHY IT RATES: There is a new face leading the Disneyland Resort in California, as Josh D'Amaro has been named president of the theme park.-Donald Wood, Breaking News Senior Writer.

Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Bob Chapek announced today the promotions of key leaders for the Parks segment.

Effective March 5, Michael Colglazier will become president and managing director, Asia Pacific, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and Josh D'Amaro, a 20-year Disney veteran and former Disneyland executive, will become president of the Disneyland Resort.

"One of our company's greatest strengths is the vast array of talented leaders at our destinations around the globe," said Chapek. "Michael and Josh bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their new roles and share a passion for delivering extraordinary experiences for our guests. They are the right leaders to bring our ambitious expansion plans to life during this period of unprecedented growth."

For the past five years, Colglazier, 51, has served as president of the Disneyland Resort, where he led a workforce of 30,000 cast members, oversaw the successful 60th anniversary Diamond Celebration and drove the resort's record business performance and growth.

In his new role, the 28-year Disney veteran will be responsible for overseeing the company's parks and resorts operations and development throughout Asia, including Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland with the Oriental Land Company and Shanghai Disney Resort. Bill Ernest, who held this role since 2008, announced his retirement earlier this month after a nearly 24-year career with Disney.

"Bill has had a tremendous career at Parks and Resorts, and his leadership was integral to paving the way for a strong and bright future for our Disney parks in Asia. Bill is a man of great character and has a huge passion for what we do. I want to thank him for all of his efforts and wish him all the best in his retirement," Chapek said.

Commenting on his new role, Colglazier said: "It has been an incredible privilege to lead Walt Disney's original park for the past five years and to drive his legacy of innovation, quality and storytelling alongside my fellow cast members. Being part of the Disneyland Resort community has been a wonderful source of joy for me and my family. I am tremendously excited to join our teams in Asia, where our growth opportunities are diverse and endless."

D'Amaro, 46, who most recently served as senior vice president at Walt Disney World Resort where he oversaw marketing strategy, sales and business development, began his Disney career in 1998 as a senior business planner at the Disneyland Resort. Over the course of his eight years at Disneyland, D'Amaro held several leadership positions with increased responsibilities in operations, business planning, finance, sales and marketing.

"I am incredibly excited to be returning to the place where I began my Disney career 20 years ago," said D'Amaro. "I look forward to working closely with my fellow cast members, overseeing the Disneyland Resort during such an exciting period of growth, and once again becoming a member of the Orange County community."

Prior to his role at Walt Disney World, D'Amaro served as senior vice president, Resorts and Transportation, from 2014 to 2017, where he was responsible for the operation of Walt Disney World's 26 resort hotels and the resort-wide transportation system. D'Amaro additionally served as vice president of Animal Kingdom Park from 2012 to 2014, during a time when the park was undergoing the largest expansion in its history.

D'Amaro has also held sales and marketing positions with Adventures by Disney as well as with Hong Kong Disneyland. From 2008 to 2010, D'Amaro served as vice president, finance, Global Licensing for Disney's Consumer Products Division. Prior to joining Disney in 1998, D'Amaro worked in financial planning for The Gillette Company in Boston.

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