Catherine Powell has been promoted from her role as Présidente of Disneyland Paris operating group, Euro Disney S.C.A., to lead the entire newly-titled “Western Region” of Disney Parks & Resorts. In her new role, Catherine will oversee both Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World in Florida as well as Disneyland Paris, reporting to Disney Parks & Resorts chief Bob Chapek. Until a successor is announced to take Disneyland Paris into its next era, Catherine will continue in her current position alongside these new responsibilities. The move is part of a wider management restructure within this arm of The Walt Disney Company, apparently echoing what has been a successful management structure for the “Eastern” division of parks. In a statement today, Catherine Powell commented: “I wanted to thank everyone for their kind congratulations. My role is expanding as I take on the running of the parks in California and Florida in addition to Disneyland Paris. I am moving but not leaving! I am and will always remain attached to Disneyland Paris.”

Watch: Catherine Powell and Bob Chapek open Disneyland Paris 25th Anniversary Having joined the Euro Disney group to manage Disneyland Paris in April 2016, Catherine leaves it a throughly changed resort. Now a wholly-owned part of The Walt Disney Company, the resort has seen new initiatives such as Star Wars Season of the Force and Marvel Summer of Super Heroes usher in a new era of far closer integration with both Disney itself and fellow Disney resorts, finally keeping pace with the demands of visitors. Though no fully new-build attractions have been opened during Catherine’s term, she leaves with an enormous revitalisation project complete and one of its biggest ever expansions signed and sealed. Her successor will need to ensure that those assets remain looking freshly-polished and that the $2 billion transformation of Walt Disney Studios Park proves value for money for its new parent. But the most important transformation has already happened: not spades in the ground but spiritual. Disneyland Paris is now well ahead with a journey to improve the quality of everything and everyone it touches. Closer to the standards of its American cousins, closer to the desires of its European visitors. In short, not bad for two years’ work. Félicitations, Catherine!