Disney's Animal Kingdom VP Djuan Rivers to retire

Jan 14, 2021 in "Disney's Animal Kingdom"

Posted: Thursday January 14, 2021 10:25am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Djuan Rivers, vice president Disney's Animal Kingdom is retiring after a 30 year career with the Walt Disney Company.

Prior to taking on the role at Disney's Animal Kingdom in 2014, Djuan has previously served as the general manager of Aulani, and as a vice president, Hotels and Business Solutions at Disneyland Paris.

Elsewhere at Walt Disney World, he had served as general manager of Disney's Wilderness Lodge, and vice president, Downtown Disney.

At Disney's Animal Kingdom, he oversaw the opening of Pandora - The World of AVATAR, and most recently the reopening of the park following the COVID-19 shutdown.

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EagleScout610Jan 18, 2021

That was his leave of absence he just never returned from

RSoxNo1Jan 18, 2021

Is it 2007 already?

UNCgolfJan 17, 2021

I doubt it will be very soon because I don't think they want to spend that kind of money at the moment. But I do think the days of Animal Kingdom being mostly thematically consistent (Chester and Hester arguably excluded) will end eventually. While I'm not sure Zootopia will ever be on the table, I expect to see additions that are only tangentially connected to animals/nature at best. Unless Disney has new management with a different outlook by the time they're ready to ramp up CapEx again.

EagleScout610Jan 17, 2021

Up next: The yeti is retiring

pdude81Jan 17, 2021

I wouldn't get too worried yet, guys. It's not like the President of Animal Kingdom is retiring

LilofanJan 15, 2021

Great for Djuan.He commented that he is moving to Paris to pursue being a world traveler. With him visiting 60 countries from his Instagram account , his new adventures will add more to his bucket list.

Notes from NeverlandJan 14, 2021

Retiring can be contagious. It's not uncommon to see multiple retirement-aged folks leave after one does.

dreamfinderJan 14, 2021

Yeah, but that means nothing. Alot of time execs will be offered a hefty package to "retire". That package costs the company less by dropping compensation and lets them replace the exec with someone younger who earns less. Or not replace them at all and merge job roles elsewhere.

HauntedPirateJan 14, 2021

Splash retheme cancellation confirmed!!! 😂 (Wishful thinking, I know)

the.dreamfinderJan 14, 2021

Maybe, maybe not. They’re not going to spend money unless they have to.

TrainsOfDisneyJan 14, 2021

He’s 56. I’m going to guess that DAK is about to get “more Disney” very soon.

Magicart87Jan 14, 2021

Anyone else retires and the furries will win. Don't let it happen Disney! #Nahtazutopia

PolynesianPrincessJan 14, 2021

Seems like LOTS of retiring happening these days... Wouldn't be surprised if he was ushered out....

JohnDJan 14, 2021

"Djuan Rivers, vice president Disney's Animal Kingdom is retiring after a 30 year career with the Walt Disney Company."