Ex-Disney CEO Defends Park Price Hikes in Memoir Amid Tensions with Iger
Ex-Disney CEO Bob Chapek defends park price hikes in memoir, reveals feud with Iger, and claims no wrongdoing.
POLICY WIRE — City, Country — Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek has expressed no regret for implementing significant price increases at the company’s theme parks, according to his upcoming memoir.
The book, titled *Behind the Castle Walls: My Thirty Years at the Happiest Place on Earth*, details Chapek’s tenure as Disney’s leader from 2018 to 2022, a period marked by challenges including the pandemic and internal controversies over pricing strategies.
During his time at the helm, Disney adopted an airline-style dynamic pricing model and began charging for services that were once free, such as the FastPass system. Chapek also raised subscription fees for Disney+ and ESPN, while discontinuing complimentary shuttle services and introducing paid parking at Florida hotels.
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Chapek claims he was unfairly removed from his position, attributing his dismissal to a campaign led by Bob Iger, the man who initially selected him as his successor. He insists he had no wrongdoing and felt betrayed by the board’s decision.
Iger, who briefly retired in 2021, later returned as CEO after Chapek’s abrupt exit. The two have long been at odds, with Chapek alleging Iger intentionally worked against him.
In the memoir, Chapek also credits himself with helping current CEO Josh D’Amaro climb the corporate ladder, stating he actively supported his promotion despite D’Amaro being relatively unknown at the time.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
