Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum Discusses His First D23

Thomas Mazloum Discusses His Experience at D23

Thomas Mazloum, the Chairman of Disney Experiences, recently caught up with the Disney Parks Blog to share his personal reflections following his very first D23 Ultimate Fan Event in his executive role. Between hosting the high-energy Horizons: A Carousel of Progress showcase and spending time on the show floor with parkgoers, Mazloum opened up about what makes Disney fandom so special—and why listening to guests remains his team’s ultimate North Star.

Calling his leadership position a “dream come true,” Thomas Mazloum emphasized the unique privilege of seeing Disney’s global portfolio come to life in real-time. Whether it’s walking through Zootopia in Shanghai, sailing with Captains Mickey and Minnie, or cruising Route 66 in Anaheim, he noted that “nobody else can bring those real-world fantasies to life the way Disney Experiences can.”

While commanding the stage in front of thousands of passionate fans was an incredible experience, Mazloum admitted that his favorite moments happened away from the spotlight:

“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.”

Reflecting on the biggest crowd reactions during the showcase, Mazloum pointed directly to long-awaited projects that speak directly to Disney’s most loyal enthusiasts:

• Nostalgic Classics & Fan Requests: Updates like the reanimation of the Yeti at Expedition Everest, the return of Figment and Dreamfinder alongside a Spaceship Earth refresh at EPCOT, and the upcoming reimagining of Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park.
• Bold “Firsts” for Disney Parks: The development of the company’s first-ever dedicated Villains Land—which he described as “nightmarishly magical”—as well as brand-new attractions themed to Coco, Encanto, and The Lion King.

Having started his Disney career nearly 30 years ago, Mazloum reflected on his early days sitting in his Disney Traditions orientation class. He noted that while innovative attractions draw guests in for their first visit, it’s the extraordinary care from Cast Members that keeps families coming back for generations. Moving forward, his goal is to maintain that trust, mix friendliness with the unexpected, and ensure every decision puts fans right at the center of the story.