Marquis Who’s Who Honors Gary Maggetti for Expertise in Entertainment, Recreation and Tourism

Mr. Maggetti was featured in Greer Wylder’s book “Born in O.C.” and has participated in numerous media interviews spotlighting his contributions.

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA, February 27, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ — Gary Maggetti has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Maggetti has built a distinguished career spanning three decades with The Walt Disney Company, where he is recognized for his expertise in multi-unit leadership and strategic thinking. Since 2016, he has served as general manager of Disney California Adventure Park West at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts U.S., leading attractions, retail and food and beverage guest show operations for World of Color. In this capacity, he oversees central bakery operations and park banquets supporting both theme parks, conducts daily park walks to gauge guest sentiment and support cast member performance, and drives strategic planning one to five years out, including new attraction development and construction impact readiness. He is responsible for establishing leadership teams and operational frameworks to stand up new attractions, planning and executing major park festivals—including the inaugural Food & Wine Festival in 2006, Lunar New Year Festival and Festival of Holidays—and removing roadblocks while prioritizing initiatives to align frontline leadership for operational clarity and guest satisfaction. His efforts have fostered environments that inspire guest return visits and cast member engagement.

A hallmark of Mr. Maggetti’s legacy is the establishment and management of the unique festivals at Disney California Adventure Park. He has been involved in every festival since their inception, except during a brief hiatus in 2010 due to redevelopment projects such as World of Color, Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and Cars Land. Upon his return in 2016, he successfully revived these events, adapting them to the transformed landscape. These festivals, which run for one to two months each year, require collaboration with cast members from across the resort—many of whom volunteer from other roles to participate. He takes particular pride in cultivating an atmosphere where approximately 35,000 cast members are invited to join these long-term events, each spanning 53 days. He cherishes the enthusiasm with which they contribute their time and effort, believing that true leadership ensures both employees and guests genuinely want to be part of the experience.

From 2013 to 2016, Mr. Maggetti was director of food and beverage and merchandise at Disney Parks, where he led teams responsible for delivering exceptional guest experiences across multiple business lines. Prior to this role, he served as general manager of food and beverage and store operations from 2011 to 2013 at The Walt Disney Company, overseeing daily operations and driving improvements in service delivery.

In 2010 to 2011, Mr. Maggetti achieved a personal milestone by serving as director of food and beverage at Tokyo Disney Resort, a position he aspired to for five years before securing it through demonstrated commitment and expertise. During his tenure in Japan, he managed complex operations while navigating cultural nuances and supporting large-scale projects.

From 2009 to 2010, Mr. Maggetti held the role of general manager of food and beverage at The Walt Disney Company, where he was instrumental in optimizing operational efficiency across various venues. Between 2005 and 2009, as director of theme parks food and beverage at The Walt Disney Company, he played a pivotal role in shaping the culinary landscape of the parks.

Throughout his career journey, Mr. Maggetti has emphasized the importance of transferable skills over subject matter expertise. He believes that leadership style and personal reputation are critical components of success. His approach centers on collaboration—seeking input from his team rather than relying solely on his own views—and empowering team members to exercise their judgment. He values storytelling as a communication tool, often asking teams about the memorable experiences they create rather than focusing solely on financial metrics.

Mr. Maggetti’s professional affiliations include membership on the board of directors for the California Restaurant Association since 2014. He has also served as chairman of the board from 2022 to 2023, vice chairman from 2021 to 2022 and second vice chairman from 2020 to 2021 within the same organization. Additionally, he has been an advisory board member for the Customer Experience Program at University of California Irvine since 2021; chair of the Customer Experience Advisory Council at University of California Irvine for six years; executive board member for the hospitality program at California State University Long Beach; board member for Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County Inc. from 2004 to 2010; board member for Tim Salmon Foundation; volunteer for book and canned food drives; supporter of Toys for Tots; volunteer for Disney Service Anniversary Celebration Events; and participant in Disney VoluntEARS initiatives.

His achievements have been recognized with several honors, including induction into The W.A. Franke College of Business Hall of Fame at Northern Arizona University in 2023 and receipt of the Gold Spirit of Disneyland Award from The Walt Disney Company in 1998. Mr. Maggetti was also featured in Greer Wylder’s book “Born in O.C.” and has participated in numerous media interviews spotlighting his contributions.

Mr. Maggetti’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in hotel and restaurant administration from Northern Arizona University, earned in 1995. He attributes his success not only to formal education but also to the people around him—colleagues who have provided valuable lessons through both positive interactions and challenging experiences.

Born in San Jose, California, Mr. Maggetti is dedicated to balancing his professional ambitions with family life alongside his wife and their three sons. Looking ahead, he remains passionate about contributing his expertise within The Walt Disney Company while seeking opportunities that allow him to support his family more closely—demonstrating an ongoing commitment to both personal fulfillment and professional excellence.

About Marquis Who’s Who®:

Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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