Josh D’Amaro, the executive behind Disney’s booming theme parks and experiences division, has been named the next chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, marking a major leadership transition at one of the world’s most powerful entertainment empires.
Disney confirmed on Tuesday that D’Amaro will officially assume the role next month, succeeding longtime CEO Bob Iger. Alongside the announcement, the company revealed that Dana Walden — who currently oversees Disney’s television networks and streaming operations — will take on the newly expanded role of president and chief creative officer.
The decision brings an end to years of speculation surrounding Iger’s eventual successor. At 74, Iger has spent much of the past decade navigating Disney through rapid industry disruption, including the streaming wars, the pandemic-era shutdown of theme parks, and internal leadership turbulence.
D’Amaro, 54, becomes the second parks executive to rise to Disney’s top job, following Bob Chapek’s ill-fated tenure as CEO. Chapek took over in 2020 when Iger initially stepped aside, but mounting tensions between the two men eventually erupted into a behind-the-scenes power struggle. That conflict culminated in Iger’s return to the CEO role in late 2022, an unusual and widely scrutinized move that put additional pressure on Disney’s next succession plan.
This time, the company appears determined to ensure stability.
“Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO,” Iger said in a statement. “He has an instinctive appreciation of the Disney brand, and a deep understanding of what resonates with our audiences, paired with the rigor and attention to detail required to deliver some of our most ambitious projects.”
Iger added that D’Amaro’s ability to balance creativity with operational excellence made him uniquely suited for the role, calling the appointment a pivotal moment for the company’s future.
D’Amaro has led Disney Experiences — which includes theme parks, resorts, cruise lines, and consumer products — since 2020. Under his leadership, the division has become Disney’s most reliable revenue engine, particularly as streaming profitability remains a challenge across the industry.
Well-known among Disney’s most devoted fans, D’Amaro frequently tours parks around the world and highlights frontline employees, known internally as “cast members,” across his social media platforms. His visibility and hands-on leadership style have helped cement his reputation as a people-focused executive deeply connected to the guest experience.
His elevation to CEO underscores the growing importance of Disney’s physical destinations. The company is investing tens of billions of dollars to expand its parks, open new attractions, and add cruise ships, betting that immersive, in-person experiences strengthen long-term brand loyalty and drive sustained growth.
Last month, D’Amaro accompanied Iger on a visit to Disney’s planned resort destination in Abu Dhabi — the company’s first entirely new theme park project in 15 years — signaling the global ambitions tied to Disney’s next growth phase.
Iger recently highlighted the parks division’s performance during Disney’s quarterly earnings call, expressing strong confidence in its future.
“When you look at the footprint of the business today, it’s never been more broad or more diverse,” Iger said. “The projects that we have underway are going to make it even more so. As I look ahead, I am very bullish on that business and its ability to grow.”
According to Disney, D’Amaro will officially take over as CEO on March 18, following the company’s annual shareholder meeting. Iger will remain involved as a senior adviser and board member until his contract concludes at the end of the year, ensuring a transitional period of continuity.
With D’Amaro at the helm and Walden steering Disney’s creative strategy, the company is positioning itself for a new era — one defined by global expansion, experiential storytelling, and a renewed focus on the magic that made Disney a cultural giant.
