For nearly four years following his abrupt termination in November 2022, former Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek stayed largely out of the spotlight while Hollywood observers, theme park fans, and Wall Street analysts continued to pick apart his tenure. That silence is now officially over. As detailed in a preview reported by The New York Times, Chapek is settling some serious corporate scores in his forthcoming memoir, Behind the Castle Walls: My Thirty Years at the Happiest Place on Earth.

Written with bestselling co-author Don Yaeger and published by Gallery Books, the memoir offers Chapek's own account of one of the most consequential chapters in Disney's recent history. Rather than expressing regret over the controversial pricing decisions that drew criticism from many theme park guests, Chapek openly defends his approach — and points the finger squarely at his predecessor and successor, Robert A. Iger, whom he accuses of a deliberate campaign of corporate sabotage.

Chapek Stands by Disney Parks Price Hikes

During his time overseeing Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products — and later as CEO — Chapek became a lightning rod for public frustration over rising vacation costs. Under his leadership, Disney eliminated beloved complimentary perks like Disney's Magical Express airport shuttles and free FastPass reservations, replacing them with paid offerings including Genie+ and Lightning Lane access. Ticket prices, food costs, and Annual Pass prices all increased across Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

Yet in Behind the Castle Walls, Chapek offers no apology to disgruntled parkgoers. Instead, he proudly defends his commercial strategy, describing his push to introduce airline-style dynamic pricing to Disney's theme park empire. According to Chapek, aggressive price hikes were a necessary tool to manage soaring consumer demand, reduce overcrowding, and improve the overall guest experience. He argues that prior leadership had been far too cautious when it came to monetizing Disney's assets.