Here's an article from the New York Times speculating on his replacement:
At Disney, Speculation Over Executive's Successor
By LAURA M. HOLSON
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 26 — Speculation at the Walt Disney Company has already begun about who will take the place of Paul Pressler, the former chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, who is leaving to become chief executive of the Gap. A Disney executive said no decision had been made, but an announcement is expected in the next week. Several internal candidates are being considered.
Al Weiss, the president of Disney World in Florida, is said to be lobbying for the job, according to two former Disney executives. A longtime Disney employee who was up for the job once before, Mr. Weiss is well liked and thought by some at the company to be the natural choice. But a colleague, Linda Warren, Disney World's executive vice president for marketing and brand management, is another executive being considered. Ms. Warren is one of the top-ranking women in the company and used to work directly for Michael D. Eisner, Disney's chief executive. She is said to be close to him.
Another potential candidate is James A. Rasulo, the chairman and chief executive of Disneyland Paris, who, according to two people who know him, has been trying to move back to the United States for more than a year. And there are some dark horses: Cynthia Harris, president of Disneyland Resort, and Matt Ouimet, the president of Disney Cruise Lines who was recently given the responsibility of developing new business for the parks group.
Despite the many internal candidates, though, the departure of Mr. Pressler, a well-regarded senior executive, is something of a jolt to the company, which has been struggling in recent years because of lackluster ratings at the ABC network and lower attendance at its United States theme parks. Mr. Pressler was often mentioned as a potential successor to take over for Disney's president, Robert A. Iger.
"Pressler is a seasoned executive, and we believe he will be missed," said Christopher Dixon, an analyst at UBS Warburg. The departure will renew questions about Disney's ability to retain management and spur further speculation as to senior management succession.
Senior Disney executives, told of Mr. Pressler's departure only late Wednesday night, were surprised by the news, one person close to the company said. But Mr. Pressler, according to people who know him, is ambitious and had wanted to run his own company for some time. "This is just a great opportunity for him," said one friend who insisted on anonymity.
Unlike other executives who left Disney, Mr. Pressler had a close relationship with Mr. Eisner, according to these people. As such, Mr. Eisner is likely to consult him on a successor.
Whoever gets Mr. Pressler's job will have plenty of work ahead. The parks are Disney's biggest money maker, accounting for about 40 percent of operating earnings last year. But since the terrorist attacks last September, the number of international travelers coming to the United States parks has dwindled and is expected to be down about 5 percent in the current quarter. . Analysts said that travelers are likely to stay away because of uncertainty over Iraq.
Mr. Pressler's successor will also be required to oversee the selling of some Disney's assets. The company recently hired an investment bank to help it sell the California Angels, the baseball team in which Disney has a controlling interest, and the Mighty Ducks hockey team of Anaheim, Calif.
