Disney Names New Parks Chief

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Bob Chapek, a veteran Walt Disney Co. executive with broad experience, was named Monday as chief of the company’s sprawling parks and resorts division.

Chapek, who has been with the Burbank media and entertainment giant for 22 years, replaces Thomas Staggs, named early this month as chief operating officer and considered first in line to replace Chief Executive Robert Iger.

Chapek has been president of the consumer products division since 2011. Prior to that Chapek served as president of distribution for Walt Disney Studios and president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

Iger said that under Chapek’s leadership the consumer products division – which sells merchandise based on Disney creative content – found success creating new products and experiences that combined technological innovation and creativity.

“He is an experienced and versatile executive well-suited to lead Parks and Resorts into the future,” Iger said in a prepared statement.

A successor to Chapek at consumer products will be named at a later date.

Chapek’s appointment follows by a day Disney’s announcement that it raised entry prices for its California and Florida theme parks.

One day tickets for Disneyland and California Adventure in Anaheim cost $99, up from $96 for visitors 10 years old and up. One day tickets for Walt Disney World in Orlando cost $105, up from $99. One day prices for Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom cost $97, up from $94.

Disney last raised theme park prices last spring.

Shares closed up 44 cents, or a fraction of 1 percent, to $104.99 on the New York Stock Exchange.