LOS ANGELES, Feb 3, 2026, 05:59 (PST)
- Disney announced Josh D’Amaro will take over as CEO starting March 18
- Dana Walden takes on the newly created role of president and chief creative officer, reporting directly to D’Amaro
- Bob Iger will remain a senior adviser and board member through Dec. 31, 2026
Walt Disney Co on Tuesday tapped theme-park head Josh D’Amaro as its next CEO, set to take over from Bob Iger at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on March 18. The company also promoted entertainment executive Dana Walden to president and chief creative officer. (The Walt Disney Company)
The decision puts an end to months of speculation over Iger’s successor, a figure widely seen as one of the most powerful leaders in modern entertainment. Investors have demanded a smoother transition, wary of the chaos that followed previous leadership changes.
The parks business — which drives ticket sales, hotel stays, and cruise bookings — is now central to Disney’s shift. The company continues to rely on these reliable cash flows while its streaming and film studios navigate a tougher market.
Board chairman James Gorman described D’Amaro as a “rare combination of inspiring leadership and innovation.” Iger praised D’Amaro’s “instinctive appreciation of the Disney brand.” D’Amaro, in turn, emphasized that “Disney’s strength has always come from our people.”
Panrotas, a Brazilian travel-industry outlet, reported that Disney’s board unanimously chose D’Amaro on Monday to lead the company. He currently heads Disney Experiences, the firm’s largest revenue segment. That division pulled in $36 billion in fiscal 2025 and employs roughly 185,000 globally, according to the report. (Panrotas)
Walden’s elevation introduces a fresh role at Disney, one aimed at guiding storytelling and creative direction across everything from studios and streaming to the broader portfolio. The company confirmed Walden will report straight to D’Amaro, with studio head Alan Bergman and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro holding onto their current positions.
Iger, 74, will stay on as a senior adviser and board member until he retires on Dec. 31, 2026, Disney said. The company praised him for reshaping Disney’s structure and focusing efforts—especially on turning streaming into a steady money-maker and steering ESPN toward a digital-first path.
Wall Street largely sees D’Amaro, 54, as a reliable internal choice with strong operational experience. “D’Amaro is really the builder-operator who can protect the magic and make the machine more predictable,” said Bill Campbell, head of research at Paragon Intel. (Los Angeles Times)
But this handoff isn’t a victory lap. Analysts point to D’Amaro’s slimmer clout in Hollywood just as writers’ and actors’ union contracts come up for renewal this spring, and studios grapple with how to manage generative AI tools. Disney’s parks business is also dealing with a “headwind” from weaker international travel. Meanwhile, the media field grows tougher as competitors like Netflix and Paramount chase scale. (Reuters)
D’Amaro, who joined Disney in 1998, has led key resort operations, holding top roles at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World before moving up to head the parks and experiences division. He’s set to officially step into the role after the annual meeting, while Iger remains involved during the handover.
Portuguese business daily Jornal de Negócios reported a day earlier that D’Amaro is shaping up as the likely internal pick for Disney’s top job. Still, a Disney spokesperson made clear the board hasn’t finalized any successor yet. The paper highlighted hefty spending plans under D’Amaro’s leadership in parks and cruising, while also mentioning other executives in the running. (Jornaldenegocios)
The coming months will reveal if a parks-first CEO can maintain the company’s creative momentum while reining in streaming costs and navigating a rapidly shifting talent and tech environment. The first firm deadline is March 18, when the board expects the new structure to be in place.
