Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum has reflected on his first D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, sharing his thoughts on the weekend's biggest announcements, the fan reactions that stood out most, and what drives his approach to leading Disney Experiences.
Speaking to the Disney Parks Blog following the event, Mazloum was candid about what D23 2026 meant to him personally — and what it confirmed about the direction he wants to take the business.
A Dream Come True
Mazloum described his new role in terms that make clear how personally he connects with the business he now leads.
"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."
Despite the scale of the Horizons: A Carousel of Progress showcase on Saturday night, Mazloum said his favorite part of the weekend wasn't the stage.
"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. Getting to surprise them one night and thank them the next — that was a real thrill for me."
What Got the Biggest Reactions
When asked what landed hardest during the showcase, Mazloum pointed directly to the announcements that Disney Parks fans have been waiting the longest to hear.
"The reactions that I felt most in the room were around the fan-favorite announcements such as the reanimation of the Yeti at Expedition Everest, the return of Figment, Dreamfinder and Spaceship Earth to EPCOT, and, of course, the transformation of Tomorrowland in Disneyland."
He acknowledged openly that these aren't announcements aimed at first-time visitors — they're for the people who know and love these parks most deeply.
"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."
On Tomorrowland, he placed the announcement in a broader context about how Disney values what already exists, not just what's coming next.
"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."
What He's Most Excited About
Looking ahead to everything announced at D23, Mazloum said his greatest excitement is around the firsts — things Disney has never done before.
"I'm most excited about our firsts. 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."
He also highlighted the significance of bringing beloved stories to park guests for the first time.
"I'm also thrilled to see our first attractions dedicated to other favorites, such as Coco and Encanto — and of course our first attraction based on The Lion King. These new attractions are powerful because their stories are beloved to our returning guests, and they will certainly bring in new guests who may have never been to a Disney park before."
Holding Onto What Makes Disney Different
On how Disney Experiences maintains its standards as the business scales, Mazloum returned to fundamentals.
"I think about this every day. I believe that no matter what role someone has within our company, our north star should always be to make every moment magic. That means fusing creativity with hospitality and mixing friendliness with the unexpected. It means holding ourselves to a standard nobody else in the world is even attempting and then living up to it every single day."
He drew on nearly three decades with the company, recalling the feeling of sitting in his Disney Traditions orientation class for the first time.
"I still remember sitting in my Disney Traditions orientation class almost 30 years ago, a little nervous about living up to the reputation of this company and everything it's capable of. That feeling hasn't really left me — it's just turned into motivation."
On the cast and crew who bring the experience to life every day, he spoke proudly.
"They're the greatest storytellers in the world, and they're the heart of this business. 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. Honestly, it's what makes me most excited for what's still ahead."
WDWMAGIC Intelligence
Answers from our archive, with sources
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