Following his first D23 as Chairman of Disney Experiences, Thomas Mazloum sat down for a more candid conversation with the Disney Parks Blog about his new role, the announcements that received the biggest reactions, and the importance of listening to longtime Disney fans.
Mazloum described leading Disney Experiences as a “dream come true,” pointing to the company’s ability to turn familiar stories into physical places guests can actually explore.
“My new role is a dream come true. I’m in a unique position to see the full potential of this company come to life in real time – cruising Route 66 with Lightning and Mater in Anaheim, walking through Arendelle with Olaf in Hong Kong or Paris, walking through Zootopia in Shanghai, flying with the Na’vi in Orlando, dancing through the ballroom with Beauty and the Beast in Tokyo, or sailing with Captains Mickey and Minnie on one of our ships. Nobody else can bring those real-world fantasies to life the way Disney Experiences can.”
Mazloum Is Excited About Disney’s “Firsts”
Looking beyond D23 2026, Mazloum said he’s particularly excited about projects Disney has never attempted before. That includes the first Villains-themed land planned for Magic Kingdom, along with Disney’s first attractions dedicated to Coco and Encanto and the first Lion King ride, coming to Disneyland Paris.
“I’m most excited about our firsts… the things that we’ve never done before. This is our first Villains Land. It’s such a bold, different concept. Our villains are some of the most iconic characters. And what our Imagineers and Live Entertainment teams are building toward is going to feel nightmarishly magical, in the best way.”
Listening to Disney Parks Fans
Some of the biggest D23 reactions, however, weren’t for completely new attractions. Mazloum specifically pointed to the announced reanimation of the Yeti at Expedition Everest, the return of Figment and Dreamfinder, updates to Spaceship Earth at EPCOT, and the planned transformation of Disneyland’s Tomorrowland. Some of Disneyland’s most beloved entertainment from recent years are also making a comeback. These announcements received loud and clear celebratory reactions from the audience.
“Figment and the Yeti may not be household names to every Disney guest, but they are certainly favorites among our most loyal fans. I want them to know that we hear them… and, as a Disney fan myself, I can’t wait to see these characters back in action.”
He also said Disneyland’s Tomorrowland plans demonstrate that Disney is paying attention to its existing attractions and lands, not solely concentrating on building something new.
“Tomorrowland shows once more that we are listening, and that we care about our existing lands and attractions as much as the new ones. Tomorrowland is such an important part of Walt’s original theme park. It represents our dreams and aspirations for the future… and like Disneyland itself, it is important that it never stops evolving and improving.”
His First D23 as Chairman
Despite appearing onstage for the major announcements, Mazloum told Disney Parks Blog that his favorite part of D23 was actually getting onto the show floor and speaking directly with fans.
“Our fans are at the center of everything we do, same as our guests in the parks and cruise ships, and they bring so much energy and passion. Being on stage was incredible, but honestly my favorite part was just walking the expo floor, talking to people one-on-one about why they love Disney.”
As Disney Experiences prepares for major expansions across its parks and cruise line, Mazloum said maintaining Disney’s standards remains something he thinks about every day. He recalled attending his Disney Traditions orientation nearly 30 years ago and feeling nervous about living up to the company’s reputation. According to Mazloum, that feeling has since become motivation.
And while D23 naturally put plenty of attention on new rides, lands, and projects, Mazloum ultimately credited Disney’s Cast Members, Crew Members, and Imagineers for keeping guests coming back.
“Guests visit us the first time for the stories they want to be part of and the characters they love, but they come back time and again, generation after generation, because of how our cast makes them feel. There’s a trust there, and that’s the thing I want us to hold onto as we keep growing.”
For Mazloum’s first D23 as Chairman, his comments offer an early look at how he’s approaching Disney Experiences: continue building new things, take care of what’s already there, and most importantly, keep listening to the fans.
