Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Vahr has announced that he will be retiring at the end of July.
“I started my career as a Magic Kingdom engineer and am about to end it with the best job ever, working with our incredible cast members and community to lead Walt Disney World through a period of tremendous growth,” Valle posted on his LinkedIn account Monday afternoon.
Valle has been in the top job at WDW since May 2020, succeeding Josh D’Amaro, who was then chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Projects. D’Amaro is currently the CEO of the Walt Disney Company.
Mr. Vale’s previous Disney positions include overseeing Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney, Golden Oak and Aulani, a Disney resort in Hawaii. He grew up in Central Florida and joined the company in 1990.
His online posts included a collage of photos including team members (including Damaro), a cruise ship, animals, Cinderella Castle, the Muppets, and the Mandolorian.
Vahle graduated from Auburn University and received a master’s degree in business administration from Rollins College.
As president, Vale has overseen Disney World through most of the pandemic, celebrated the Magic Kingdom theme park’s 50th anniversary, and launched several expansion projects, including the upcoming Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Monsters, Inc., which brings villains to Magic Kingdom. Land at multiple attractions at Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
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“When I look back, I see that every time I walk somewhere, we’re digging somewhere new. It’s amazing everything that comes out of the ground,” Vale said last year.
A successor has not been announced.
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