Disney Names Parks Boss Josh D'Amaro as New CEO

The End of an Era

After nearly two decades at the helm, Bob Iger is stepping down as Disney CEO on March 18, passing the crown to theme parks chief Josh D'Amaro . The move effectively closes the curtains on one of the most closely watched succession sagas in corporate America . This transition comes sooner than expected, as Iger was initially set to hand over the reins at the end of 2026 .

D'Amaro, 54, is the second parks chief to ascend to the top job after Bob Chapek, whose brief tenure as CEO interrupted Iger's two stretches at the helm . That ugly chapter for the usually squeaky-clean Disney put added pressure on this succession process . The board was determined to avoid another misstep after the Chapek debacle that saw Iger return as CEO in 2022.

A Proven Leader from Within

D'Amaro, a 28-year Disney veteran, has served as Chairman of the Disney Experiences segment since 2020 and is the architect of the largest global expansion in Disney Experiences history . As head of the company's largest business segment with $36 billion in annual revenue in FY2025 and 185,000 Cast Members and employees worldwide , he's proven his ability to manage massive operations and deliver results.

D'Amaro joined the company in 1998 with a role at Disneyland Resort and rose through the ranks, previously serving as chief financial officer of Disney consumer products global licensing, president of Disneyland Resort and president of Walt Disney World Resort . His experience spans the company's most profitable division, which has become increasingly crucial as traditional TV viewership declines.

Disney Board Chairman James Gorman revealed that the succession process began with over 100 candidates, including both internal and external candidates, with the board wanting to ensure "whoever got this job beat all comers" .

A Creative Partnership

Dana Walden, a top executive who oversees Disney's television and streaming units and was widely viewed as one of the contenders for the CEO role, will become president and chief creative officer . In this new role – a historic first for the enterprise – Walden will report directly to D'Amaro and will ensure that storytelling and creative expression across every audience touchpoint consistently reflect the brand .

This structure addresses a key concern about having a parks executive lead a company built on storytelling. While Disney's parks and experiences drive revenue and profits, the film and TV products provide most of the storytelling that keeps attractions vibrant and relevant to new generations .

Facing Modern Challenges

D'Amaro is set to take control of a sprawling entertainment empire that includes the Pixar and Marvel studios, the "Star Wars" franchise, the ABC broadcast network, the streaming platforms Disney+ and Hulu, and theme parks around the world . Disney and other legacy studios are grappling with the decline of broadcast television viewership, the rise of generative artificial intelligence, labor union unrest and scrutiny from Trump administration regulators .

The new CEO inherits ambitious expansion plans, including a new theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, separate from Disney's commitment to invest $60 billion in its theme parks over the next decade . With his proven track record in the parks division and the support of a strengthened creative leadership structure, D'Amaro appears well-positioned to guide Disney through its next chapter while honoring the legacy of one of America's most iconic companies.