Joe Schott takes over as Walt Disney World president, nearly 45 years after his first Disney job steering the Jungle Cruise

Joe Schott spent his first day running Walt Disney World talking about a part-time job he says he took nearly 45 years ago, skippering a Jungle Cruise boat.

Schott officially became president of Walt Disney World Resort on Monday, August 3. He marked the occasion with a message on LinkedIn, his first public remarks in the role, and he opened it on the Jungle Cruise.

Jeff Vahle, left, and Joe Schott, right, on Main Street, U.S.A. This photo accompanied Schott's LinkedIn message. Credit: Joe Schott via LinkedIn

"When I took a part-time job as a skipper on the Jungle Cruise nearly 45 years ago, I never could have imagined where the journey would lead from there. I've gone from Florida to Disney destinations around the world and back. Returning to the place where it all began feels a lot like coming home."

What else he said

The rest of the message laid out his priorities and thanked the man he is replacing.

"I am honored to be President of Walt Disney World during such an exciting time. With significant investments and growth underway across our property, we have tremendous opportunities ahead. My focus is simple: support our Cast Members, deliver exceptional Guest experiences and build on our strong foundation."

"I also want to thank Jeff Vahle for his leadership and stewardship of Walt Disney World. He has helped shape the resort's success, strengthen our culture and position us for the opportunities ahead. I am honored to follow in his footsteps."

He closed by thanking people for the warm welcome and saying he is grateful for the opportunity.

From the Jungle Cruise dock to Shanghai and back

Joe Schott's official Disney Experiences portrait. Credit: Disney

Disney's own leadership profile calls him a more than 40-year Disney veteran. He grew up in Orlando and started out on the operations side at Walt Disney World, skippering Jungle Cruise boats. Decades of leadership roles followed, in Florida and overseas. He backed Tokyo Disney Resort from inside Walt Disney Attractions Japan, held the chief operating officer job at Disneyland Paris while its parks and hotels were being revitalized, and then ran Shanghai Disney Resort as president and general manager.

Most recently he was president of Disney Signature Experiences, the division covering Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, Golden Oak, Storyliving by Disney, Aulani, and the combined Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions business. Disney Cruise Line launched both the Disney Destiny and the Disney Adventure under him. Disney bills the Adventure as the cruise line's first entry into the Asian market.

The job in numbers: Disney's own corporate profile now lists Schott as president of Walt Disney World Resort, which it calls America's largest single-site employer. By Disney's count the payroll runs to roughly 80,000 cast members. The property itself covers two water parks, a sports complex, the Disney Springs shopping, dining and entertainment district, upward of 25 hotels and the four theme parks.

He arrives mid-construction

The timing is the interesting part. Schott takes the chair while Walt Disney World is in the middle of what Disney itself calls a period of significant investment and growth. Inside the theme parks alone, four projects are under construction across three of the four parks. Magic Kingdom is getting the Piston Peak area plus a land built around Disney Villains. Disney's Hollywood Studios is adding Monstropolis, and its centerpiece is a suspended Monsters, Inc. roller coaster. Disney's Animal Kingdom is building Tropical Americas, which will bring Encanto and Indiana Jones attractions to the park.

None of that is his to claim credit for yet. Delivering all of it is now his job.

Vahle's half of the handoff

Jeff Vahle retired after a 36-year Disney career. He took the president's job in 2020 and stayed in it for six eventful years: the pandemic-era phased reopening, the 50th anniversary celebration, and four major attraction debuts. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, TRON Lightcycle / Run and Tiana's Bayou Adventure all opened on his watch, along with Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana. He signed off on Friday, July 31, his last day in the role and three days before Schott's start date, with a farewell message addressed to the Central Florida community.

Sources

• WDW News Today, "Joe Schott's First Remarks Returning to Walt Disney World Resort as President: 'Feels a Lot Like Coming Home'"
• Blog Mickey, "Joe Schott Officially Takes Over as Walt Disney World President"
• Blog Mickey, "Jeff Vahle Posts Farewell Message on His Last Day as Walt Disney World President"
• Disney Experiences, Joe Schott leadership profile

Image credits: Featured photo of Jeff Vahle and Joe Schott on Main Street, U.S.A. courtesy of Joe Schott via LinkedIn. Portrait of Joe Schott courtesy of Disney.