Disney has tapped Josh D’Amaro to lead the Magic. I can confirm the chairman of Parks, Experiences and Products will become CEO, effective March 18. Bob Iger, the architect of Disney’s modern era, is retiring. The handoff marks a new chapter for the world’s most famous storytelling company, one powered by theme parks, ships, and franchises that shape pop culture.
Josh D’Amaro becomes CEO on March 18, succeeding Bob Iger, who is retiring.
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From Main Street to the corner office
D’Amaro is a Disney lifer, and that matters. He rose through the parks, learning the business from the ground up. He led Disneyland Resort. He led Walt Disney World. He oversaw consumer products, the shop window for Disney’s characters and brands. That path gives him a rare edge at the top job.
He knows the cast member culture. He knows the guest experience. He knows how a character meet, a parade, and a movie tie in can move an entire family. His appointment signals a parks first mindset across the company. The timing lines up with Disney’s multi year, multi billion dollar push in parks and cruises. New lands are planned, more ships are coming, and the parks remain the profit engine that funds big creative bets.
What this pick means for fans and stars
Disney fans will feel this almost immediately. Expect a steady focus on the in park experience, from capacity and entertainment to how tech helps guests plan a day. Genie and line systems will get attention, with an eye on ease and value. D’Amaro has made guest satisfaction a mantra, and he knows how to turn sentiment into repeat visits.
For Hollywood talent, this move is a signal. The person who knows how to turn a story into an experience now runs the company. That affects how Marvel lands its next era, how Star Wars expands beyond the screen, and how Pixar reconnects with families. D’Amaro has worked closely with Imagineering, consumer products, and character teams. He understands how a film can live in theaters, on Disney Plus and Hulu, in the parks, and on a Halloween costume. That is the Disney flywheel in motion.
Celebrities who have built franchises with Disney will be looking for clarity. Release windows, crossover events, and live experiences are all on the table. A concert film that becomes a park event, a sports doc that becomes an ESPN fan fest, a streaming hit that becomes a cruise night, this is his sweet spot. 🎬
A parks leader in the CEO seat tells creative partners this, Disney will reward stories that show up in real life.
The road ahead, streaming, ESPN, and the next wave of growth
The job is broader than parks. D’Amaro inherits a streaming bundle that includes Disney Plus and Hulu. He also steps into a crucial season for ESPN, with its direct to consumer plan moving forward. The mandate is clear, make streaming work, keep ESPN strong, and keep parks growing.
He will need to set a simple plan fans can understand. Where do films debut. How do Disney Plus and Hulu work as one experience. What sports rights matter most for ESPN’s future. He must also guide cost discipline without losing the magic. That balance will define the next five years.
- What to watch right now:
- A clear streaming plan for Disney Plus and Hulu
- ESPN’s direct to consumer rollout and rights strategy
- New park lands and the next cruise ship reveal
- The studio slate, with Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar resets
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Beyond Iger, writing Disney’s next chapter
Bob Iger steadied Disney when he returned in 2022. He managed through deep change and hard choices. He leaves a company that still owns the world’s most valuable characters, and a fan base that spans generations. D’Amaro now steps into an iconic seat, with a mandate to bring the story back to people, in person and on screen.
He understands the heartbeat of the brand, a family walking down Main Street, a child seeing a character up close, a crowd cheering a finale. He also knows the power of a subscriber clicking play. If he can pull those threads together, Disney can grow on both sides of the screen.
This is a handoff from a legendary deal maker to a builder of experiences. It signals a company ready to win by delighting fans in the real world, then inviting them to keep watching at home. The castle lights stay on. The logo still glows. And on March 18, Josh D’Amaro takes the keys and starts the next ride. 🎢
