EPCOT and Disney Springs Leadership Shakeup: New Vice Presidents Announced

6 days ago in "The Walt Disney Company"

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Team Disney Orlando

Posted: Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:45pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney World is making several leadership changes, with key vice president roles shifting across multiple areas of the resort.

Matt Simon, previously Vice President of Disney Springs, will become the new Vice President of EPCOT. Matt joined Disney Springs in early May 2018 following the departure of Keith Bradford. Before joining Disney, Matt served as Vice President of Operations for North American Properties Atlanta, where he was responsible for the strategic planning and innovative development of all operational and financial facets of Avalon and Colony Square. Prior to that, Matt managed The Grove, which was recognized as having the second highest retail sales per square foot in the country.
Debbie Hart, currently Vice President of Food & Beverage and Merchandise, will move to become the new Vice President of Disney Springs.
Kartika Rodriguez, the current Vice President of EPCOT, will transition to the role of Vice President of Experience Optimization. Kartika was named Vice President of EPCOT in March 2021 following the departure of Melissa Valiquette. Before that, she spent five years as General Manager of Epcot Operations. Kartika also made history as the first Black, female Vice President of a Walt Disney World theme park.
Kara Cressey, who currently holds the Experience Optimization role, will become the Vice President of Customer Experience, which primarily oversees Disney Central call center operations.

With Debbie Hart moving to Disney Springs, the Vice President of Food & Beverage and Merchandise position will be posted for recruitment.

Team Disney Orlando

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Basil of Baker Street4 days ago

lol. Even better!

djkidkaz4 days ago

I think people fail to realize that after the honeymoon period and continuing to live paycheck to paycheck, even Disney is just a job. If you are Joe Cast Member who works at the Emporium 40 hours a week, 5 days a week and then you go on your days off to buy groceries and eggs are $8 a dozen and your just barely scraping by, what motivation do you have to be all jolly and magical? You work for a company that has super high expectations of your daily performance and your living paycheck to paycheck. I think this is why you will see more often that when you interact with the college kids who are their on a program for 6 months, they are more engaged and “magical” because they are just having fun for 6 months, hanging out in the parks, being away from home for the first time, etc. By the time they would get jaded it’s time to go back home.

HauntedPirate4 days ago

Ayla4 days ago

Nothing. :mad:

Basil of Baker Street4 days ago

Ruined Katiebug's vacation!

MisterPenguin4 days ago

Why, what did Sam do?

Basil of Baker Street4 days ago

I bet it was Sam.

Tha Realest4 days ago

But he comes from a principally retail background.

monothingie4 days ago

Well I think one of the responses from another poster stated that Kartika gave the appearance that all the position was to her was a stepping stone upwards. I think you see that a lot these days where people take jobs not because they want to do them, but because it serves only for career advancement. Of course the obvious question is why did she get the job in the first place. But... Unfortunately, it turns out you actually then need to do a good job in order to advance...whoda thunk it?? But even that at Disney is debatable.

"El Gran Magnifico"4 days ago

A recent phenomenon I've experienced is when observing certain CMs. There are some, I question how they ever managed to obtain employment. Not just at Disney, but anywhere. And it has nothing do with appearance. They give off the "I don't even want to be here" and "why are you bothering me with questions? I really don't want to talk to you" vibes. Which does wonders for customer experience. Not all. There are still some very good ones. But every time I go, I seem to run into more and more of the uninspired type. Maybe it's just me. But doubt it.

Jrb19795 days ago

Probably around mid 90s. Kidding In all seriousness yes they have added Remy, Guardians Frozen and redoing Test Track. The main thing most hardcore fans talk about are the festivals.

monothingie5 days ago

The structure and culture of TWDC makes it very difficult to hire qualified candidates for positions. It’s not just the quality of top management, it’s mid and lower management that directly affects things. This is not just with the experiences segment. It’s company wide and it’s why there’s so much failure everywhere.