D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa is the biggest celebration of Disney fandom, and this year was especially memorable for Thomas Mazloum.
Experiencing his first D23 as Chairman of Disney Experiences, Thomas spent the weekend sharing exciting updates, meeting fans from around the world, and hearing firsthand what Disney means to so many people. From the excitement of Horizons: A Carousel of Progress to conversations across the show floor, D23 2026 offered countless opportunities to connect with the fans who bring so much passion and enthusiasm to Disney every day. Whether it was a conversation on the show floor or a reaction inside the showcase, those moments were a reminder of something Thomas has long believed: guests and fans are at the heart of everything Disney Experiences creates.
Of course, there was plenty to be excited about, too. From fan-favorite announcements to new experiences on the horizon, D23 2026 left Disney fans with a lot to look forward to in the years ahead.
Disney Parks Blog caught up with Thomas after the event to talk about his first D23 Event as Chairman, the moments that sparked some of the biggest reactions from fans, and why listening to guests will always be an important part of what’s next for Disney Experiences.
As the new chairman of Disney Experiences, what insights can you share about your new role?
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.
Following this year’s Disney Experiences showcase, what are you most excited for guests to experience in the years to come?
I’m most excited about our firsts… the things that we’ve never done before. 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. 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.
What does it mean for you to share this year’s D23 with our biggest fans?
Our fans are at the center of everything we do, same as our guests in the parks and cruise ships, and they bring so much energy and passion. 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 reaction?
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. 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. 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.
As Disney Experiences continues to grow and evolve, how do you ensure that everything we do remains focused on delivering exceptional experiences?
I think about this every day. And 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. 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.
What would you like guests and fans to know about the passion, creativity and care that go into creating the Disney experiences they know and love?
Really, this is all about our cast, Crew, and our Imagineers. 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!
