Disney Names Josh D’Amaro CEO: A New Era Begins
February 4, 2026, 4:20 pm
Disney appoints Josh D’Amaro as its next Chief Executive Officer. He takes the helm from Bob Iger, concluding a closely watched succession. D’Amaro, previously chairman of Disney Experiences, dramatically grew the parks division. His proven operational leadership and creative integration propelled his rise. Dana Walden becomes President and Chief Creative Officer. D’Amaro inherits Iger’s legacy of strategic restructuring and massive park investments. He must now navigate evolving media landscapes, especially streaming. Disney looks to D’Amaro for continued innovation and robust global growth. This leadership change signals a fresh strategic direction for the entertainment titan. The company eyes a strong future under its new command.
The Walt Disney Company has a new chief executive. Josh D’Amaro takes the top leadership role. He succeeds Bob Iger. The transition ends a prolonged succession search. D’Amaro will officially become CEO on March 18.
This appointment marks a significant moment for Disney. D’Amaro moves from heading the Experiences division. This segment includes theme parks, resorts, and cruises. His leadership saw remarkable growth in this crucial area.
Iger steps into an advisory role. He will remain a senior advisor and board member. His full retirement from Disney is set for December 31. This structured handover aims for a smoother transition than previous attempts.
Dana Walden also gains a new position. She becomes President and Chief Creative Officer. Walden will report directly to D’Amaro. Her focus will be on Disney’s core storytelling and content engine. This highlights the company’s dual emphasis on operational strength and creative output.
D’Amaro brings a long history with Disney. He joined the company in 1998. His career spans various leadership roles. He served as CFO for consumer products. He led both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. His deep operational experience is extensive.
Under D’Amaro, the Experiences division flourished. Revenue soared by nearly 40% since May 2020. Profits increased by almost 50% from 2019 to 2025. This segment now generates about 40% of Disney’s total annual revenue. It contributes between 55% and 70% of the company's profits. These numbers demonstrate his impact.
He navigated the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. Parks were closed. Cruises were docked. Hotels stood vacant. D’Amaro used this period for strategic upgrades. Construction continued on new lands. Cosmetic updates improved domestic parks.
Guest technology also saw significant advancements. Mobile ordering capabilities expanded. New itinerary services emerged. A system for purchasing line-skipping passes launched. These innovations enhanced the guest experience.
New attractions opened under his watch. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway debuted. Tron Lightcycle Run launched. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind thrilled visitors. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opened its doors. Refurbished lands like Mickey’s Toontown also came to life.
International expansion also progressed. Fantasy Springs opened at Tokyo Disneyland. A "Zootopia"-themed land opened in Shanghai Disneyland. The cruise line grew significantly. Its fleet is set to double by 2031. Three new ships already sail. A fourth is planned for April.
D’Amaro pushed for strategic investments. He advocated for a $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games. This move creates a digital playground in Fortnite. It targets a younger, harder-to-reach demographic.
His work integrated film franchises into parks. Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar properties are now central to experiences. This deepens the intellectual property connection for consumers. He proved adept at combining creative vision with operational rigor.
Bob Iger’s legacy is immense. He led Disney for roughly 20 years across two stints. His first tenure included major acquisitions. Disney+ launched under his guidance.
Iger’s first succession attempt failed. Bob Chapek took over in 2020. The transition faced drama and poor performance. Disney’s stock declined. Iger returned as CEO in late 2022.
His second CEO stint focused on stabilization. He initiated a massive restructuring. $5.5 billion in cost cuts were enacted. Layoffs reshaped the company. Three main divisions emerged: Entertainment, ESPN, and Parks, Experiences, and Products.
Iger fended off an activist campaign. He guided the TV and streaming business toward profitability. Disney reclaimed its top spot at the box office. He announced a $60 billion investment in theme parks. This fortified Disney’s most reliable business.
The board conducted a thorough search for Iger's replacement. More than 100 candidates were considered. The process involved extensive vetting. D’Amaro and Walden emerged as top contenders.
D’Amaro now faces new challenges. He must navigate the complex streaming landscape. Industry-wide cord-cutting continues. Traditional TV advertising revenue declines. Streaming profitability remains a top priority.
Disney+ initially grew rapidly. The company now focuses on bundling services. An ad-supported tier offers cheaper access. Password sharing crackdowns aim to boost revenue. D’Amaro must ensure continued streaming stability.
He also confronts Iger's powerful shadow. Iger’s return proved necessary once before. This adds pressure to D’Amaro’s leadership. The company’s future depends on his ability to sustain growth.
Disney plans a new theme park in Abu Dhabi. This is separate from the $60 billion park investment. Global expansion remains a key strategy. D’Amaro takes charge of a sprawling media and entertainment conglomerate.
This transition marks a new chapter. D’Amaro’s proven track record in a core business segment positions him well. His operational expertise is undeniable. He must now apply it across Disney’s entire empire. The entertainment world watches closely. A new era for Disney has truly begun.
The Walt Disney Company has a new chief executive. Josh D’Amaro takes the top leadership role. He succeeds Bob Iger. The transition ends a prolonged succession search. D’Amaro will officially become CEO on March 18.
This appointment marks a significant moment for Disney. D’Amaro moves from heading the Experiences division. This segment includes theme parks, resorts, and cruises. His leadership saw remarkable growth in this crucial area.
Iger steps into an advisory role. He will remain a senior advisor and board member. His full retirement from Disney is set for December 31. This structured handover aims for a smoother transition than previous attempts.
Dana Walden also gains a new position. She becomes President and Chief Creative Officer. Walden will report directly to D’Amaro. Her focus will be on Disney’s core storytelling and content engine. This highlights the company’s dual emphasis on operational strength and creative output.
D’Amaro brings a long history with Disney. He joined the company in 1998. His career spans various leadership roles. He served as CFO for consumer products. He led both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. His deep operational experience is extensive.
Under D’Amaro, the Experiences division flourished. Revenue soared by nearly 40% since May 2020. Profits increased by almost 50% from 2019 to 2025. This segment now generates about 40% of Disney’s total annual revenue. It contributes between 55% and 70% of the company's profits. These numbers demonstrate his impact.
He navigated the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. Parks were closed. Cruises were docked. Hotels stood vacant. D’Amaro used this period for strategic upgrades. Construction continued on new lands. Cosmetic updates improved domestic parks.
Guest technology also saw significant advancements. Mobile ordering capabilities expanded. New itinerary services emerged. A system for purchasing line-skipping passes launched. These innovations enhanced the guest experience.
New attractions opened under his watch. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway debuted. Tron Lightcycle Run launched. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind thrilled visitors. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opened its doors. Refurbished lands like Mickey’s Toontown also came to life.
International expansion also progressed. Fantasy Springs opened at Tokyo Disneyland. A "Zootopia"-themed land opened in Shanghai Disneyland. The cruise line grew significantly. Its fleet is set to double by 2031. Three new ships already sail. A fourth is planned for April.
D’Amaro pushed for strategic investments. He advocated for a $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games. This move creates a digital playground in Fortnite. It targets a younger, harder-to-reach demographic.
His work integrated film franchises into parks. Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar properties are now central to experiences. This deepens the intellectual property connection for consumers. He proved adept at combining creative vision with operational rigor.
Bob Iger’s legacy is immense. He led Disney for roughly 20 years across two stints. His first tenure included major acquisitions. Disney+ launched under his guidance.
Iger’s first succession attempt failed. Bob Chapek took over in 2020. The transition faced drama and poor performance. Disney’s stock declined. Iger returned as CEO in late 2022.
His second CEO stint focused on stabilization. He initiated a massive restructuring. $5.5 billion in cost cuts were enacted. Layoffs reshaped the company. Three main divisions emerged: Entertainment, ESPN, and Parks, Experiences, and Products.
Iger fended off an activist campaign. He guided the TV and streaming business toward profitability. Disney reclaimed its top spot at the box office. He announced a $60 billion investment in theme parks. This fortified Disney’s most reliable business.
The board conducted a thorough search for Iger's replacement. More than 100 candidates were considered. The process involved extensive vetting. D’Amaro and Walden emerged as top contenders.
D’Amaro now faces new challenges. He must navigate the complex streaming landscape. Industry-wide cord-cutting continues. Traditional TV advertising revenue declines. Streaming profitability remains a top priority.
Disney+ initially grew rapidly. The company now focuses on bundling services. An ad-supported tier offers cheaper access. Password sharing crackdowns aim to boost revenue. D’Amaro must ensure continued streaming stability.
He also confronts Iger's powerful shadow. Iger’s return proved necessary once before. This adds pressure to D’Amaro’s leadership. The company’s future depends on his ability to sustain growth.
Disney plans a new theme park in Abu Dhabi. This is separate from the $60 billion park investment. Global expansion remains a key strategy. D’Amaro takes charge of a sprawling media and entertainment conglomerate.
This transition marks a new chapter. D’Amaro’s proven track record in a core business segment positions him well. His operational expertise is undeniable. He must now apply it across Disney’s entire empire. The entertainment world watches closely. A new era for Disney has truly begun.