Disneyland Windows > Jim Cora
Location: Disney Clothiers, Ltd., Main Street USA, Disneyland
In 1957 James Cora started out as a part-time attractions host at Disneyland. Over the next 43 years in the Walt Disney Company, Cora's management skills helped him climb through the corporation. In 1971, Cora was part of the management team that opened the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Cora redesigned Disneyland Park management in 1974, creating three areas headed by production directors - with Cora directing Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. Cora was promoted to Director of Operations for the Tokyo Disneyland Project in 1979. When the park opened, Jim Cora was promoted to Vice President, Walt Disney Productions Japan. He returned to California in 1983, when he became Vice President of Disneyland International. As part of the Disneyland Paris project in 1985, Cora's responsibilities included negotiations, master planning and site research. Two years later, he was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Euro Disneyland Corporation. In 1995, Cora was promoted yet again, to President of Disneyland International and in 1999 became Disney International Chariman, the position he held until his retirement in 2001.