Big news from the heart of magic! Disneyland Paris is about to welcome a familiar face to its highest office. Christophe Murphy officially becomes the new President of Disneyland Paris on July 6.
Christophe is no stranger to Disney magic. With over 35 years of experience across Europe and Asia, he knows the parks inside out. Most recently, as Senior Vice President, Operations at Disneyland Paris, he was instrumental in two massive projects: the opening of Disney Adventure World and World of Frozen. You know, making sure everything runs perfectly for us, the guests, and the amazing Cast Members.
He takes the reins from current President Natacha Rafalski, who will become President, Disney Signature Experiences, also on July 6. We wish her all the best in her new role!
Natacha shared her thoughts on the transition: « I’m incredibly proud of how our teams have transformed Disneyland Paris and brought our expansion projects to life. Christophe brings solid experience and an international vision that will allow the destination to continue its growth momentum. »
As President, Christophe will lead Europe’s top tourist destination during an unprecedented growth phase. He’ll oversee over 20,000 Cast Members across two theme parks, seven Disney Hotels, Disney Village, and all the site’s offices. And guess what? One of his main priorities will be continuing the biggest expansion project since 1992! Yes, that means moving forward with the future Lion King-themed land, whose preparatory work has already begun. Pretty exciting, right?
Christophe himself shared his excitement: « It’s a great honor to take on these responsibilities at such a pivotal moment for Disneyland Paris. I started my Disney journey here over three decades ago, and this place has deeply marked my personal story. It’s with a special emotion that I build upon this legacy to create even more memorable moments 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’m thrilled to count on our dedicated and talented teams to continue growing our destination. »
Before his return to Paris in 2023, Christophe was Vice President, Operations at Walt Disney Attractions Japan. There, he worked closely with Oriental Land Company, helping to maintain those incredible quality and hospitality standards we all love, and also worked on expanding Tokyo Disney Resort. His international experience also helped boost global operational cooperation and shared best practices. Plus, he’s even held commercial responsibilities, giving him a super well-rounded view of the entire guest experience.
Christophe first arrived at Disneyland Paris way back in 1991! Since then, he’s held many roles, with increasing responsibilities in operations and support functions. He’s known for his ability to bring together large international teams and lead complex projects across a wide range of activities. Sounds like he’s ready for anything!
