Disney Names Parks Chairman Josh D'Amaro as Next CEO Effective March 18
Burbank, Tuesday, 3 February 2026.
Disney officially appoints Josh D’Amaro as CEO, succeeding Bob Iger on March 18, 2026. The choice of the parks chairman underscores the critical financial importance of Disney’s experiential division.
From Revenue Records to the Corner Office
The selection of Josh D’Amaro as CEO serves as a direct endorsement of the strategy that recently propelled the company’s experiences division to record heights. As previously reported, this division generated a historic $10 billion in revenue [https://wsnext.com/4afb822-Disney-Earnings/], effectively anchoring the media giant’s financials during a volatile period for its linear networks and streaming arms. D’Amaro, who has steered the experiences segment since 2020, will officially assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on March 18, 2026, coinciding with the company’s annual meeting [1][2]. This move concludes a rigorous succession planning process led by board chair James Gorman, who emphasized that the committee “looked at all comers” to find the best candidate for the role [1].
A Reshaped Executive Tier
The leadership transition involves a broader restructuring of Disney’s upper echelons. Alongside D’Amaro’s promotion, Dana Walden has been named President and Chief Creative Officer, a role in which she will report directly to D’Amaro effective March 18 [1]. Meanwhile, current CEO Bob Iger, who returned to the helm in 2022 following the ouster of Bob Chapek, will not be departing immediately [2]. Iger is set to transition into a role as a senior advisor and board member, remaining with the company until his retirement on December 31, 2026 [1]. This extended handover period is designed to ensure stability, a priority Iger highlighted by noting that the “importance of the succession process cannot be overstated” [1].
Strategic Continuity in Experiences
D’Amaro’s appointment signals a commitment to the aggressive expansion strategies he piloted within the parks and products division. During his tenure as Chairman of Disney Experiences, D’Amaro oversaw a massive portfolio including 12 theme parks and led significant international growth, such as the new park currently under construction in Abu Dhabi [2]. His strategic footprint also extends to the digital realm; he spearheaded the company’s substantial investment in Epic Games, a move aimed at integrating Disney characters into the popular Fortnite ecosystem [2]. Furthermore, he has been instrumental in vastly growing the cruise business, a capital-intensive sector that has become increasingly vital to Disney’s bottom line [2].
Market Volatility and Investor Sentiment
The market’s reaction to Disney’s recent performance has been complex. While the announcement of D’Amaro’s appointment saw the stock rise on Tuesday [3], this optimism followed a sharp downturn just a day prior. On February 2, despite reporting quarterly earnings and revenue that topped expectations, Disney stock lost 7% [1]. Analysts attributed this drop to a tepid forecast for growth in the current period [4]. The mixed sentiment is further highlighted by vocal investors like Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management, who argued that the company’s valuation “makes no sense” and suggested that a break-up of the conglomerate into three distinct parts—parks, non-sports entertainment, and sports—should be a priority [4]. As D’Amaro prepares to take the reins, he faces the dual challenge of maintaining the momentum in the experiences division while addressing investor concerns regarding the broader corporate structure.