This is the official bio provided from Disney for Michael A. Colglazier, the newly named President of the Disneyland Resort:

On January 9, 2013, Michael A. Colglazier, a 23-year veteran of The Walt Disney Company, was named president of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. Michael will oversee a workforce of 25,000 cast members at the 500-acre resort, which includes the world-famous Disneyland Park, the newly expanded Disney California Adventure Park, the classic Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the Paradise Pier Hotel and Downtown Disney. His appointment will be effective February 1, 2013.

Since 2010, Michael has served as vice president of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, where he led more than 3,000 cast members. During this time, Michael oversaw day-to-day operations and was instrumental in the initial planning and development stages of the new Avatar-themed experiences being planned for the park.

Prior to his role with Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Michael served as a vice president on the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts’ Global Development team where he was responsible for identifying new global growth and business opportunities for the Parks and Resorts segment. From 2003 to 2007, Michael served as vice president of Disney Photo Imaging, where he spearheaded the invention and growth of Disney’s “PhotoPass” service, creating an industry-changing, web-based business model that creates value from the millions of photos captured each year in Disney parks.

As vice president of Operations Strategy and Technology for Walt Disney World Resort from 2000 to 2003, Michael was responsible for managing the labor needed to operate four theme parks, all of the resort’s 17 hotels, two water parks and Downtown Disney. In addition, Michael led business and technology teams to create new experiences for guests.

Other positions include serving as general manager of Innoventions at both Epcot and Disneyland parks, and manager of project development at Disneyland Resort. Michael began his career with the company in 1989 as a corporate analyst with The Walt Disney Company.

Born and raised in Indiana, Michael graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, and received his master’s degree from Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.

Michael has been active in the Central Florida community, serving on the boards and committees for The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, The Orlando Science Center and the Florida Film Economic Advisory Council.


Michael’s Disney Career – At a Glance

Disneyland Resort - Anaheim, California
President February 1, 2013 to present
Manager, Project Development 1991 – 1992

Walt Disney World Resort - Orlando, Florida
Vice President, Disney Animal Kingdom Park 2010 to January 31, 2013
Vice President, Disney Photo Imaging 2003 – 2007
Vice President, Operations Strategy and Technology 2000 – 2003
General Manager, Epcot and Disneyland Innoventions 1994 – 2000

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Vice President, Global Development 2007 – 2010

The Walt Disney Company
Corporate Strategic Planning Analyst/Sr. Analyst 1989 – 1991