The senior Disney executive who led development of the billion-dollar MyMagic+ technology project is stepping down and will leave the company in July.
Nick Franklin, executive vice president for next-generation experience at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, is a 17-year Disney veteran and the longest serving member of the company’s executive committee.
Franklin oversaw development and testing of the MyMagic+ project, starting with a team of 35 which eventually swelled to over 1,000.
Walt Disney Co. has reputedly invested over $1 billion in the project which was finally rolled out for all Walt Disney World visitors in March.
The MyMagic+ tech allows visitors to pre-book rides up two months in advance and pay for goods and services through chip embedded wristbands.
Before heading the MyMagic+ project, Franklin was involved in the company’s Far East expansion with the Hong Kong Disneyland joint venture and $5 billion Shanghai Disneyland resort, due to open next year.
