A Beloved Disney World Cast Member Is Retiring

Here at AllEars, we LOVE Disney World Cast Members!

Those folks truly make the magic, and without them, the parks wouldn’t be the same. Over the years, there have been some standout Cast Members who offer us looks into the behind-the-scenes of the parks, and one of those is Dr. Mark.

Dr. Mark Penning is the Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment, and for the past few years, his Instagram account has taken us behind-the-scenes of all things nature in Disney World. He directly oversees operations at Animal Kingdom, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and The Seas with Nemo and Friends.

He’s often the one to announce when new babies are born and shows off incredible content of the animal care that Disney offers. He has even taught us more about the conservation efforts in the parks!

But now, it has been announced that Dr. Mark is retiring from his role at Disney and taking up a new venture. He has been named the new director of the North Carolina Zoo. He will begin his role there this summer.

“I am very excited to be moving to the beautiful state of North Carolina and joining the fabulous team at the North Carolina Zoo,” Penning said. “I have long admired the zoo with its stunningly picturesque setting, modern animal habitats, engaging experiences for visitors, and talented team of zoo professionals. They have created a world-class destination where families can connect with nature and with each other and experience the joy and wonder of being outdoors. It is an honor and a privilege for me to join the team.”