BREAKING! Lead Tokyo Disney Imagineer Will Now Be Disneyland Resort Creative Leader

Ahead of the big expected Disneyland Resort news coming this weekend at D23 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, we just got the most promising detail yet that Disney means business about real expansions as part of DisneylandForward.

Tokyo Disney Resort has long been the envy of the United States theme park guest's eye. Due to a unique foreign ownership structure, the resort has invested in big ways for all of their major expansions.

Now, the lead Imagineer who oversaw that work is headed to lead projects for the Disneyland Resort. Typically we don't report on all executive movements, but this one feels substantial.

Daniel Jue Becomes Portolio Creative Executive For Disneyland Resort

Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative group behind all of the theme park design and creation work for Disney around the world. There are layers of leadership within the group. There are portfolio creative executives for each of the resorts around the world that oversee teams and are responsible for the overall projects coming to that park. That role heavily influences how expansion is approached.

Now, the lead executive who oversaw Tokyo Disney for over 13 years is coming to the Disneyland Resort. Daniel Jue, just posted on LinkedIn that he is now the Portfolio Creative Executive for the Disneyland Resort.

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In the job description, he shared he is now the “Creative leader of the Disneyland Resort portfolio, overseeing Imagineering teams in Glendale and in Anaheim; responsible for developing strategic objectives, Master Planning, Visioning, and development of projects within the resort with our site partners”. The update which was posted on August 8, 2024, lists him as in the position since June 2024.

Previously at Tokyo Disney his position was detailed as having the same function. His previously projects at Tokyo Disney include the $2 billion FantasySprings land expansion, the Tokyo Disneyland Expansion including the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast ride, the Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel, and more.

As part of the DisneylandForward presentations, aspects of FantasySprings were teased as potential inspirations for future expansions. We also made size comparisons to that expansion during our coverage of the new area

This is huge news because Daniel Jue had the most enviable position within all of Walt Disney Imagineering previously working at Tokyo Disney. He had massive budgets and got to oversee projects at the park regarded as the most ambitious Disney Park in the world. If he and his leadership at Imagineering now believe that Disneyland is worthy of his expertise, then I believe it is actually time to get excited about major expansions.

Combine this with the bold statement from the head of Walt Disney Imagineering and we are about to see some really impressive news.

I have had the personal opportunity to spend time with Daniel Jue and he means business. The way that he spoke with me about the creative and guest experience is amazing and the moment I saw this update I had to share it. This is one of those times that it is worthwhile to read into this hiring news.

Update – After we posted the news, legendary Disney Imagineer and soon to be Disney Legend officially, Joe Rohde, commented on our Twitter post sharing this news writing – “Congratulations to Dan Jue, truly one of the best creative leaders I know. Thoughtful, brave, compassionate.” Another ringing endorsement to have you excited about this key hire.

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Anyone who has watched the Disney Plus Imagineering Story documentary have also seen Daniel Jue sharing stories about Tokyo Disney including the emotional video about the reopening to Tokyo Disney after the earthquake.

Now, to know that he has decided to take an opportunity at Disneyland makes me thrilled to know that they truly are serious about where the parks are going.

Stay tuned here for more Disney Parks news as we wait for the major announcements coming this Sunday.

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