Walt Disney World 55th Anniversary: Josh D'Amaro and Thomas Mazloum Share Messages

By WDWMAGIC Staff · Thursday October 1, 2026 1:24pm ET · "Magic Kingdom"
Walt Disney World 55th Anniversary: Josh D'Amaro and Thomas Mazloum Share Messages
Josh D'Amaro and Thomas Mazloum both posted on Instagram to mark the resort's 55th anniversary on October 1, thanking Cast Members and Imagineers for bringing Walt's vision to life.

Walt Disney World Executives are sharing messages for the Walt Disney World 55th anniversary today. Josh D'Amaro, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, and Thomas Mazloum, Chairman of Disney Experiences, each posted on Instagram to mark the milestone and thank Cast Members.

Walt Disney World opened on October 1, 1971.

Josh D'Amaro

D'Amaro posted a set of photos from the Walt Disney Archives. He wrote that the images remind him of how "one bold idea grew into a place where generations of families, including mine, have made memories together."

He then pointed to Cast Members as what stands out most to him:

"For 55 years, they've brought Walt's vision to life, creating the moments, memories, and magic that make Walt Disney World so special every day."






View this post on Instagram










A post shared by Josh D'Amaro (@joshdamaro)

Thomas Mazloum

Mazloum congratulated Walt Disney World on 55 years and thanked current and former Cast Members and Imagineers.

He wrote: "I am so grateful to every current and former Cast Member and Imagineer who has helped bring Walt's dream to life for generations."

He also looked ahead: "With so much happening right now across the resort, I can't wait for what the future will bring!"






View this post on Instagram










A post shared by Thomas Mazloum (@thomas.mazloum)

Celebration at Magic Kingdom

Earlier today, Walt Disney World President Joe Schott spoke at Cinderella Castle just before the park opened. Mickey, Minnie and other characters joined him on stage. 

Conversation

30 comments
Discuss on the Forums
Much better presentation than the 50th, which is sad.
↩ replying to jrhwdw
Celebration completed. ✅

Move on folks, nothing else to see here. 😟
Nice and understated. The stickers are a neat touch as well.
What dozen characters, it’s just Mickey, his friends, and the princesses…, I mean they weren’t going all out which backfired five years ago (don’t @ me), but…, the 45th one day festivities had an abundance of pals out in the castle on this day ten years ago, why are still going with the cheap and lazy, cost cutting, COVID-era, most marketable route, even though some of their movies were successful (at least Hollywood Studios made up for it for their awesome promo shot)
Wow. that is almost as impressive as the 50th celebration... Such a difference from how they have celebrated the milestones at Disneyland.... I remember Disneyland's 35th Had a giant machine at the entrance gates and every 35th person through the turnstiles got a gift of some sort...I can't even imagine todays management ever allowing something like that to happen...lol Maybe nowadays every 35th Guest would get an extra charge on their bill for the day.....
I think I would rather they had not even mention it than what they did, they sure have lost all sense of show and presence.
Honestly though, they just did the 50th (however poorly it was done), then the Disney 100. It feels like we just finished celebrating anniversaries. 55 is cool, but it's not some mega number for them to push a ton of capital into marketing. The 60th will be a bigger push with all the new rides and lands open. 55 is just a milestone for having a 5 at the end of the number, but nothing really more.
A milestone is a milestone... I am glad they gathered cast members for that incredible photo. They need to celebrate more often and better...the Covid-addled 50th cannot be their new standard....
Did they mention who are the Magic?
↩ replying to ToTBellHop
I feel certain they will....lol
↩ replying to ToTBellHop