Overview
- Joe Schott began his tenure as Walt Disney World president on August 3, 2026 and posted a LinkedIn message saying the return “feels a lot like coming home” and that his priorities are supporting Cast Members, delivering guest experiences, and building on the resort’s foundation.
- He succeeds Jeff Vahle, who worked his final day on July 31 after a 36-year career leading the resort through pandemic reopening and a run of major attraction openings.
- Schott brings nearly 45 years with Disney and senior operational experience at Shanghai Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney Attractions Japan, and as president of Disney Signature Experiences.
- He takes charge of roughly 80,000 Cast Members and a slate of projects already in progress that represent billions in investment, including Piston Peak and a Villains land at Magic Kingdom, Monstropolis at Hollywood Studios, and the Tropical Americas land at Animal Kingdom.
- The immediate priorities for his leadership are execution of in‑flight projects, clear communication with Cast Members about workplace changes, and public signals at the D23 Expo that will show how he plans to deliver on the resort’s investments.