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Bay Lake Today
By the People, for the People
Disney Names New Parks Chief Focused on Efficiency
Thomas Mazloum, former head of Disney Cruise Line, takes over as Disney Parks President with a mandate to improve service and operations.
Mar. 14, 2026 at 4:41pm
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Disney has named Thomas Mazloum, the former head of Disney Cruise Line, as the new President of Disney Parks. Mazloum is known for his 'hospitality-first' approach and focus on improving efficiency and service standards. However, his tenure as Disneyland president over the past year has divided fans, with some praising his efforts to enhance the guest experience, while others lament the loss of 'magic' through cost-cutting measures like reduced restaurant hours and character meet-and-greets.
Why it matters
As Disney embarks on a $60 billion expansion of its theme parks, Mazloum's appointment signals a shift towards a more corporate, efficiency-driven approach that could clash with the traditional 'Disney magic' that fans have come to expect. His success in balancing operational improvements with preserving the parks' unique charm will be closely watched by the Disney community.
The details
During his time as Disneyland president, Mazloum implemented what insiders called the 'Hospitality Reset,' which included expanding overnight maintenance budgets to reduce attraction downtime, restoring all-day park hopping, but also cutting restaurant hours, eliminating Magic Mornings, and reducing the presence of atmospheric characters to streamline operations. Critics argue this 'thinning' of the experience has led to a more corporate, less spontaneous park visit.
- Mazloum was named Disney Parks President on March 13, 2026.
- He served as Disneyland president from 2025 to 2026.
The players
Thomas Mazloum
The new President of Disney Parks, known for his 'hospitality-first' approach and focus on improving efficiency and service standards. He previously led Disney Cruise Line and served as Disneyland president.
Josh D'Amaro
The former President of Disney Parks, who Mazloum is replacing in the role.
What they’re saying
“Hospitality is a watering can. You must constantly fill the can with new fans because existing fans inevitably 'leak' through holes in the bottom—holes caused by rising costs, loss of interest, or poor service. By focusing on impeccable service, he believes you can shrink those holes and keep the brand healthy.”
— Thomas Mazloum, Disney Parks President
“Under Thomas Mazloum's very short tenure as Disneyland's President we saw significant cuts to restaurant hours, the loss of Magic Mornings, weird cost saving menu changes, the elimination of most mobile checkout locations, major characters being taken off the schedule, the loss…”
— Matt, Disney Scoop Guy
What’s next
Disney fans will be closely watching how Mazloum's efficiency-focused approach plays out at Walt Disney World, as the company embarks on a massive $60 billion expansion of its theme parks.
The takeaway
Mazloum's appointment signals a shift towards a more corporate, operations-driven leadership of Disney's theme parks. While his focus on improving service and reducing downtime has some benefits, there are concerns that it could come at the expense of the 'Disney magic' that fans have long cherished.
