Michael Colglaser, president of Anaheim’s Disneyland Resort for the past five years, has been promoted to oversee the theme parks in Asia, a strategically vital division of the Walt Disney Co.
The promotion makes sense because Disney has been investing heavily in its theme parks in Asia, opening a $5.5 billion park in Shanghai in 2016 and the media giant is hoping that will boost theme park attendance significantly.
The Walt Disney Co. also announced plans in 2016 to invest $1.4 billion in a Hong Kong Disneyland expansion, adding a “Frozen”-themed area and a Marvel theme park to the 13-year-old park.
The new position will be effective March 5th.
At the Anaheim resort, Colglaser will be succeeded by Josh D’Amaro, a 20-year Disney veteran who most recently served as senior vice president of marketing strategy, sales and business development at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
D’Amaro previously worked at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim for eight years, overseeing a variety of functions including sales, marketing, finance and business planning.
His duties will also include completing Disneyland’s $1 billion Star Wars expansion, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which is scheduled to open next year.
Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, called the two “the right leaders to deliver on our ambitious expansion plans during a period of unprecedented growth.”
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