The Walt Disney Company announced on February 3, 2026, that Josh D’Amaro, current Chairman of Disney Experiences (overseeing theme parks, resorts, cruises, and consumer products), has been named the next Chief Executive Officer, effective March 18, 2026.
This marks the end of a closely watched succession process for longtime CEO Bob Iger, who will transition to a senior advisory role and remain on the board until his full retirement on December 31, 2026.
The decision, made unanimously by the Board of Directors (led by Chairman James Gorman), positions D’Amaro—a 28-year Disney veteran—as the leader to guide the company through challenges in streaming, content creation, and global entertainment amid evolving consumer demands and competition.
D’Amaro has led Disney Experiences to record performance, generating $36 billion in annual revenue in FY2025 and overseeing the largest global expansion in the division’s history, with 185,000+ employees worldwide.
He is credited with driving financial growth, creative innovation, and top-tier guest satisfaction in parks and resorts.
Concurrently, Dana Walden (Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment) has been appointed President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company, also effective March 18, 2026, strengthening creative leadership.
Board Chairman James Gorman praised D’Amaro’s “rare combination of inspiring leadership and innovation, a keen eye for strategic growth opportunities, and a deep passion for the Disney brand and its people.” The appointment signals a focus on leveraging Disney’s experiential strengths (parks as a major profit driver) while navigating digital shifts.
Analysts and observers note this as a “clean break” from Iger’s long tenure, with D’Amaro’s parks background potentially emphasizing immersive storytelling and guest experiences across the portfolio. D’Amaro’s first-year compensation package is valued at around $45 million (including grants), reflecting the high stakes.
This transition comes after Iger’s return in late 2022 to stabilize the company following challenges in streaming profitability and content strategy. The move positions Disney for its next chapter under internal leadership deeply rooted in the company’s magic—parks and experiences—while integrating entertainment and creative oversight.
Josh D’Amaro, Disney’s incoming CEO (effective March 18, 2026), brings a unique blend of deep operational expertise, guest-first mindset, creative-business acumen, and proven results from leading the company’s most profitable and stable division—Disney Experiences (parks, resorts, cruises, and consumer products).
As a 28-year Disney veteran (since 1998), he offers internal continuity, brand passion, and hands-on leadership that contrasts with more traditional entertainment or finance-heavy CEOs.
Here’s what he specifically brings to the table:
As Chairman of Disney Experiences since 2020, he has overseen the largest global expansion in the division’s history, including major projects like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (which he helped open as President of Disneyland Resort), World of Frozen, and ongoing developments in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and a new park in Abu Dhabi.
Under his leadership, the segment achieved record performance, generating $36 billion in annual revenue in FY2025 (the company’s largest business unit) while managing over 185,000 employees worldwide. This makes him a master at turning intellectual property (IP) into high-margin, repeatable revenue through immersive experiences.
Guest-Centric Operational Excellence
D’Amaro’s career—from early roles in finance, strategy, marketing, and operations at Disneyland, to President of Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World—has been shaped by an obsessive focus on “how does this feel to the guest?” He excels in crowd flow, Cast Member morale, frontline logistics, personalization, and creating emotional connections at scale.
Analysts highlight this as a “PhD in guest experience,” prioritizing real-world magic over spreadsheets, which proved battle-tested during the pandemic recovery.
He combines inspiring leadership and innovation with a savvy, data-driven business approach (high EQ, quantitative mindset, and attention to detail). Board Chairman James Gorman praised his “rare combination of inspiring leadership and innovation, a keen eye for strategic growth opportunities, and a deep passion for the Disney brand.”
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Former colleagues note his admiration for creativity, ability to collaborate with top entertainment talent to bring stories to life via technology, and risk-taking appetite to push boundaries.
With decades immersed in the company (including international roles), he has an “instinctive appreciation” of what resonates with audiences globally. Bob Iger described him as having “the rigor and attention to detail required to deliver ambitious projects” and an “exemplary” ability to merge creativity with operational excellence. This positions him to guide Disney through streaming challenges, content shifts, and competition by leveraging experiential strengths as a core growth engine.
Described as likable, empathetic, and approachable (never acting “above” others), he builds strong relationships across teams, listens actively, and admits gaps when needed—qualities that foster loyalty and morale in a massive organization.