Marne-la-Vallée, France – May 18 – Christophe Murphy has been named the new President of Disneyland Paris, with his tenure set to begin on July 6. This appointment follows a distinguished career spanning over 35 years within The Walt Disney Company.
A Leader with Extensive Disney Experience
Christophe Murphy’s career at Disney has seen him hold various leadership positions across Europe and Asia. Most recently, as Senior Vice President of Operations at Disneyland Paris, he was instrumental in guiding the end-to-end operational strategy for two of the resort’s most ambitious milestones: the inauguration of Disney Adventure World and the opening of World of Frozen. Under his leadership, teams successfully implemented extensive preparatory measures, ensuring a smooth launch for both visitors and employees.
He will succeed the current President, Natacha Rafalski, who will transition to the role of President, Disney Signature Experiences, also effective July 6.
“I am very proud of the progress our teams have made in transforming Disneyland Paris and bringing our expansion projects to life,” stated Natacha Rafalski. “Christophe brings solid experience and an international vision that will enable the destination to continue its growth trajectory.”
Leading Disneyland Paris into a New Era of Development
As President, Christophe Murphy will oversee Europe’s leading tourist destination during an unparalleled phase of development. His responsibilities will include leading an organization of over 20,000 Cast Members across two theme parks, seven Disney hotels, the Disney Village entertainment complex, and the site’s offices. A key priority will be the continuation of the largest expansion project since 1992, which notably includes the future Lion King-themed area, for which preparatory work has recently commenced.
“It is a great honor to take on these responsibilities at a pivotal moment for Disneyland Paris,” said Christophe Murphy. “I began my journey with Disney here more than three decades ago, and this place has profoundly shaped my personal history. It is with particular emotion that I build upon this heritage to create even more memorable experiences for our visitors and fans, both in France and internationally. Whether in our parks, our hotels, or at Disney Village, new stories come to life every day, and I am very happy to be able to count on our dedicated and talented teams to continue growing our destination.”
A Global Perspective and Proven Track Record
Before his return to Disneyland Paris in 2023, Christophe served as Vice President of Operations at Walt Disney Attractions Japan. In this role, he collaborated closely with Oriental Land Company, contributing to the maintenance of the highest standards of quality and hospitality, as well as the implementation of Tokyo Disney Resort’s expansion strategy. His experience also strengthened operational cooperation and fostered the sharing of best practices on a global scale. Furthermore, he has held commercial responsibilities, thus complementing his comprehensive understanding of the visitor journey.
Having joined Disneyland Paris in 1991, Christophe subsequently held numerous positions with increasing scope in operations and support functions. He is recognized for his ability to unite large international teams and lead complex projects across a broad portfolio of activities.
