Key Leadership Promotions Announced for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts (WDPR) Bob Chapek announced the promotions of key leaders for the Parks segment. Effective March 5, Michael Colglazier will become president and managing director of WDPR’s Asia Pacific Operation 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,” Chapek said. “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 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.

Colglazier is an active member of the community, serving as chair as the University of California, Irvine’s Chief Executive Roundtable and as a director on the board of Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

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 Resort, Tokyo Disneyland Resort with the Oriental Land Company and Shanghai Disney Resort.

“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,” Colglazier said. “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, 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 nearly 20 years ago,” D’Amaro said. “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. In addition, D’Amaro 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 also has held sales and marketing positions with Adventures by Disney as well as with Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. From 2008 to 2010, D’Amaro served as vice president, finance, Global Licensing for Disney’s Consumer Products Division.