Disney Appoints Theme‑Park Veteran Josh D’Amaro CEO, Effective March 18, 2026
Updated (3 articles)
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Image: NewsweekAUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 10: Josh D’Amaro speaks onstage at “Creating Happiness: The Art & Science of Disney Parks Storytelling” during the 2023 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Austin Convention Center on March 10, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Errich Petersen/Getty Images for SXSW) Source Full size
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Image: NewsweekAUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 10: Josh D’Amaro speaks onstage at “Creating Happiness: The Art & Science of Disney Parks Storytelling” during the 2023 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Austin Convention Center on March 10, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Errich Petersen/Getty Images for SXSW) Source Full size
CEO Transition Set for March 18 After Board Vote Disney’s board confirmed that Josh D’Amaro will assume the chief executive role on March 18, 2026, while longtime leader Bob Iger will shift to a senior adviser position and remain on the board through December 31, 2026 [1][2][3]. The announcement came during Disney’s annual meeting and marks the latest step in a succession plan that followed Iger’s 2022 return after a brief 2020 handoff to Bob Chapek [3]. D’Amaro, 54, will inherit a company navigating streaming volatility and heightened political scrutiny [2].
D’Amaro’s Park‑Centric Track Record Fuels Leadership Choice Joining Disney in 1998, D’Amaro rose from Disneyland operations to chair the Disney Experiences division, overseeing 12 parks, 57 resort hotels, cruise lines, and consumer‑product businesses [1][2][3]. The Experiences unit generated roughly $36 billion in revenue last year and employs about 185,000 staff worldwide [2][3]. His hands‑on style, frequent park visits, and strong social‑media presence have made him a visible figure among cast members and guests [1].
Strategic Emphasis on In‑Person Entertainment and New Markets Disney plans to invest tens of billions over the next decade in theme‑park attractions, new cruise ships, and technology upgrades, positioning parks as the core growth engine amid streaming uncertainty [1][3]. The company announced its first Middle‑East park on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, the first new Disney park in 15 years, underscoring a long‑term expansion agenda [1][3]. D’Amaro also intends to deploy generative AI across studios, Imagineering, and consumer experiences as a creative accelerator, building on Disney’s $1 billion OpenAI partnership [1].
Leadership Team Refresh, Compensation Details, and Market Reaction Dana Walden, co‑chair of Disney’s entertainment business, will become president and chief creative officer, reporting directly to D’Amaro in a “historic first” alignment of storytelling and business strategy [2][3]. D’Amaro’s compensation package totals about $38 million for the first year, including a $2.5 million base salary, $26.3 million in Disney shares, and a $9.7 million bonus [2]. Disney shares slipped roughly 1 % in early trading after the news, with analysts warning that the parks focus must be balanced against the need to sustain strong content output [2].
Sources
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1.
Newsweek: Disney Names Josh D’Amaro CEO, Emphasizes Parks, AI and Abu Dhabi Expansion: details D’Amaro’s appointment, his park‑operations background, $60 billion ten‑year park investment, AI strategy, and the Abu Dhabi project .
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2.
BBC: Disney Appoints Theme‑Park Chief Josh D’Amaro as CEO: reports the March 18 start date, $38 million compensation, Dana Walden’s new CCO role, political pressures, and a 1 % share dip .
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CNN: Disney Announces Parks Chief Josh D’Amaro as New CEO, Replacing Bob Iger: highlights the March 18 transition, Iger’s advisory role, Walden’s CCO appointment, Abu Dhabi park tour, and the strategic focus on parks and cruises .
Timeline
1998 – Josh D’Amaro joins Disney, beginning his career in park operations and later rising through Disneyland and Walt Disney World leadership, eventually chairing Disney Experiences [1][3].
2020 – Disney hands off the CEO role to Bob Chapek and the COVID‑19 pandemic forces worldwide park closures, testing the resilience of Disney Experiences [1].
2022 – The board forces Bob Iger to return as CEO after a brief Chapek tenure, shaping a careful succession plan for the conglomerate [1][2].
2025 – A CNN report details Disney’s planned Abu Dhabi resort on Yas Island, marking the company’s first new park in 15 years and signaling a strategic push into the Middle East [2].
Feb 3, 2026 – Disney’s board announces that Josh D’Amaro will become CEO on March 18, 2026, succeeding Bob Iger who will stay on as senior adviser until Dec 31, 2026; Iger calls the parks business “never been more broad or more diverse” [1][2].
Feb 3, 2026 – The board unveils D’Amaro’s compensation package worth roughly $38 million, including a $2.5 million base salary, at least $26.3 million in shares, and a $9.7 million first‑year bonus [1].
Feb 3, 2026 – Dana Walden is promoted to president and chief creative officer, reporting to D’Amaro in a “historic first” role designed to align storytelling across Disney’s businesses [2].
Feb 5, 2026 – D’Amaro outlines a $60 billion, ten‑year investment plan to expand parks, resorts, cruise ships and AI‑driven creative tools, positioning in‑person experiences as Disney’s core growth engine [3].
Feb 5, 2026 – D’Amaro says Disney will leverage generative AI as a “creative accelerator” across studios, Imagineering and consumer experiences, echoing Iger’s view after a $1 billion OpenAI investment [3].
Mar 18, 2026 – D’Amaro officially assumes the CEO role, inheriting a company with $36 billion in Experiences revenue and a global workforce of roughly 185,000 employees [1][3].
Dec 31, 2026 – Bob Iger’s advisory contract ends, completing the transition from his two‑decade leadership to D’Amaro’s tenure [2].