Disney Names Josh D'Amaro as Next CEO Amid Strong Box Office Hits and Streaming Success, Despite Challenges in Theme Parks.
In a move that reflects Disney's commitment to internal leadership development, the entertainment giant has announced its new CEO: Josh D'Amaro. The 45-year-old executive, who has been leading Disney's theme parks, cruises, and resorts since 2007, will take over from Bob Iger, who stepped down as CEO last year after just two years in the role.
Iger's departure comes at a time when Disney is enjoying significant success with its latest releases, including "Zootopia 2" and "Avatar: Fire and Ash," as well as strong growth in its streaming business. However, the company has also faced challenges in its domestic theme parks, which have seen a decline in foreign visitors due to immigration crackdowns by the Trump administration and trade tensions with many countries.
Disney's decision to choose an internal candidate for CEO comes after a tumultuous transition process last year, when Iger was forced back into the role just 16 months after stepping down. The company has taken steps to ensure that its next leader is better equipped to navigate the complex landscape of global entertainment and media.
The search for Disney's new CEO began in earnest in 2024, with James Gorman, a veteran executive who previously led Morgan Stanley, leading the effort. While external candidates were considered, it was widely expected that Disney would choose an internal candidate, given Iger's leadership experience and mentorship of several high-ranking executives.
D'Amaro, who has been with Disney since 1998, is well-respected for his expertise in theme park development and operations. He will oversee Walt Disney Imagineering, leading the design and development of the company's theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, and immersive experiences worldwide.
In addition to D'Amaro, Disney has also named Dana Walden as chief creative officer, a newly created role that will report directly to him. Walden brings extensive experience in entertainment media, having previously served as CEO of Fox Television Group for 25 years.
The appointments are effective March 18, and Disney shares have surged over 1% in early trading following the announcement.
In a move that reflects Disney's commitment to internal leadership development, the entertainment giant has announced its new CEO: Josh D'Amaro. The 45-year-old executive, who has been leading Disney's theme parks, cruises, and resorts since 2007, will take over from Bob Iger, who stepped down as CEO last year after just two years in the role.
Iger's departure comes at a time when Disney is enjoying significant success with its latest releases, including "Zootopia 2" and "Avatar: Fire and Ash," as well as strong growth in its streaming business. However, the company has also faced challenges in its domestic theme parks, which have seen a decline in foreign visitors due to immigration crackdowns by the Trump administration and trade tensions with many countries.
Disney's decision to choose an internal candidate for CEO comes after a tumultuous transition process last year, when Iger was forced back into the role just 16 months after stepping down. The company has taken steps to ensure that its next leader is better equipped to navigate the complex landscape of global entertainment and media.
The search for Disney's new CEO began in earnest in 2024, with James Gorman, a veteran executive who previously led Morgan Stanley, leading the effort. While external candidates were considered, it was widely expected that Disney would choose an internal candidate, given Iger's leadership experience and mentorship of several high-ranking executives.
D'Amaro, who has been with Disney since 1998, is well-respected for his expertise in theme park development and operations. He will oversee Walt Disney Imagineering, leading the design and development of the company's theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, and immersive experiences worldwide.
In addition to D'Amaro, Disney has also named Dana Walden as chief creative officer, a newly created role that will report directly to him. Walden brings extensive experience in entertainment media, having previously served as CEO of Fox Television Group for 25 years.
The appointments are effective March 18, and Disney shares have surged over 1% in early trading following the announcement.
josh d'amaro got this!! i'm so hyped he's been with disney for like 27 years already and has all the experience needed to take it to new heights 
his expertise in theme park dev & ops is gonna be a game changer 
can't wait to see what he does with walt disney imagineering 
... I mean, they're still gonna have all those awesome rides and characters right? 
It's just a few challenges that come with being a global company 
. But Josh D'Amaro seems like a great choice to lead the way 
. He's been with Disney for ages and has experience in theme park development, so I think he'll do a great job 
. And hey, it's not like they're losing Bob Iger or anything 
... he stepped down on his own terms after just two years 
. So let's all just calm down and enjoy the new Disney magic 
!
Josh D'Amaro is gonna be the new CEO and I gotta say I'm both hyped and concerned at the same time? 
like he's been with Disney for ages and has a ton of experience in theme park development but has he got what it takes to lead the whole company? 
. I mean, he's been leading them theme park stuff for ages, and they knew Bob was gonna step down soon anyway. It's about time Disney gives one of their own a shot at the top job 
. I mean, she's got experience and all, but is that really what Disney needs right now? More focus on the big picture would be cool 
.
! And let's be real, the guy's been leading those parks for like 18 years, so he must know what works and what doesn't. Plus, with all these new streaming deals they've been making, I think D'Amaro is gonna bring some much-needed expertise to that side of things as well 
. And can we talk about how cool it is that they're promoting someone from within? It's like, totally in line with the whole "leadership development" thing they were talking about last year 
. I'm curious to see how D'Amaro will bring his expertise in theme park development and operations to the role - could we be looking at a whole new wave of innovative experiences? 
!
.
. What does that say about Disney's priorities? Are they more focused on entertainment or, I don't know, corporate growth? 
! I mean, can you imagine someone who hasn't been around since 1998 running this company? It's like they're trying to sabotage our childhoods with mediocre theme parks and overpriced merchandise 
. But seriously, D'Amaro has been leading the charge at Disney World for decades, so he knows exactly what we want (and need): more Frozen and less Mickey Mouse 
.
I mean, it was only expected that an internal candidate would get the job, given Bob Iger's track record of coming back from retirement (like what even is that?). It's not like we're getting a total stranger at the helm or anything... oh wait, we totally are 
.
1% might not seem like much, but it's a tiny bump after a huge decline in them last year. And let's not forget about the streaming business, which has been growing, but also faces challenges like cord-cutting and increasing competition from Netflix. 
. The fact that Disney chose an internal candidate is a good move, especially after last year's drama 
. But let's be real, D'Amaro has the skills and experience to navigate those complex global entertainment and media landscapes 
! March 18 can't come soon enough