Disney Names Josh D\'Amaro as Next CEO

Josh D'Amaro, President of Walt Disney World Resort, at the

Super Bowl Parade at Magic Kingdom, 2020. Photo by elisfkc2,
licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Disney has appointed Josh D'Amaro, currently chairman of Disney
Experiences—which generated \$36 billion in revenue FY2025—as its
next chief executive officer, succeeding Bob Iger with his role
officially beginning March 18 during Disney's annual shareholder
meeting, according to the official Disney announcement and CNBC.

Iger, who reclaimed the CEO position in 2022 after the turbulent tenure
of his chosen successor Bob Chapek, will transition to a senior advisory
role and remain a board member until his retirement on December 31,
according to CNBC. The transition had originally been expected to occur
at the end of 2026, making the February announcement earlier than most
observers anticipated.

Who Is Josh D'Amaro

D'Amaro has spent more than two decades inside the Disney organization,
rising through roles in theme parks and consumer experiences. As
chairman of Disney Experiences — the division overseeing Walt Disney
World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and international resort
properties — he has been the executive most directly responsible for
the physical embodiment of the Disney brand.

Iger addressed the selection in a statement, describing D'Amaro as
having "an intrinsic understanding of the Disney brand" and "a
profound insight into what appeals to our audiences, combined with the
diligence and meticulousness necessary to execute some of our most
ambitious initiatives," according to CNBC.

Wall Street and Industry Reaction

D'Amaro takes over amid mixed signals from investors. On the day Disney
reported quarterly earnings that exceeded expectations — driven by
strong performance in both theme parks and streaming — the company's
stock still declined by 7%, according to CNBC. The market's reaction
reflected broader uncertainty about the company's direction heading
into the post-Iger era.

Disney board chairman Mark Gorman offered a framing of the company's
core identity ahead of the transition, stating: "If you consider the
essence of the Disney company, it is creativity. It's the incredible
intellectual property that has been created over the years," according
to CNBC.

What Comes Next

D'Amaro inherits a Disney that has stabilized its streaming operations
after years of losses, while continuing to invest heavily in theme park
expansion. Disney World's four upcoming land additions — Villains
Land, Monstropolis, Piston Peak, and Tropical Americas — are moving
through active construction phases, representing some of the largest
park development investments in the company's recent history.

The March 18 annual meeting marks the formal transfer of authority, with
Iger remaining available in an advisory capacity through year-end. For a
company of Disney's cultural scale, the transition carries significance
well beyond the executive suite.

References: Disney Ceo Josh Damaro Successor Bob Iger | Disney Ceo Succession Timeline Josh Damaro Bob Iger