Marne-la-Vallée, France – [May 18] – Today, it was announced that Christophe Murphy has been appointed President of Disneyland Paris, starting July 6.
With more than 35 years of experience at Disney, Christophe has held senior leadership roles across Europe and Asia. Most recently, as Senior Vice President of Operations at Disneyland Paris, he oversaw the end-to-end operational strateg for two of the company’s most ambitious milestones: the inauguration of Disney Adventure World and the opening of World of Frozen. Under his leadership, teams successfully delivered large-scale operational readiness programs, ensuring a seamless launch for both guests and Cast Members.
Christophe succeeds Natacha Rafalski, who currently serves as Présidente of the resort and who will step into the role of President, Disney Signature Experiences starting July 6.
“I’m incredibly proud of the progress our teams have made in transforming Disneyland Paris and driving forward our ambitious expansion,” said Natacha Rafalski. “Christophe brings proven leadership and a global perspective that will ensure the resort continues to thrive.”
As President, Christophe will oversee Europe’s most-visited tourist destination during a period of unprecedented growth, leading an organization of more than 20,000 Cast Members across two theme parks, seven themed hotels, retail and dining district Disney Village, and offices. A key focus will be advancing the resort’s historic expansion, including the future themed area inspired by The Lion King which recently started preliminary construction works.
“It’s an honor to take on this role at such a pivotal moment for Disneyland Paris,” said Christophe Murphy. “Having begun my Disney journey here more than three decades ago, this resort has played a defining role in my life. I look forward to building on its legacy as we create even more unforgettable experiences for our guests and fans around the world. Whether it’s at our parks, our hotels, or Disney Village, new storytelling is coming to life every day, and I’m thrilled to continue this momentum with so many incredible people.”
Before returning to Disneyland Paris in 2023, Christophe served as Vice President of Operations at Walt Disney Attractions Japan, working closely with Oriental Land Company to support the world-renowned standards of quality, guest experience, and expansion strategy at Tokyo Disney Resort. His leadership contributed to strengthening Disney’s global operational network and enriching the company’s cross-continental best practices. Christophe also brings valuable experience from Marketing & Sales, further broadening his perspective across the guest journey. Christophe began his career with Disneyland Paris in 1991 and has since held numerous roles of increasing responsibility in Operations and Support. Over the years, he has built extensive expertise and earned recognition for his ability to lead large international teams, delivering complex initiatives across a diverse portfolio of products and experiences.