Josh D’Amaro, the executive who oversaw the corporation’s amusement parks, is set to take the helm at Disney. His main rival, the head of the streaming services division, has also secured a new role, becoming the company’s president.
Josh D’Amaro, who previously headed the corporation’s theme parks division, will assume the role of CEO of Disney, as announced on the company’s official website.
“Josh D’Amaro possesses a rare blend of inspirational leadership and innovation, a keen eye for strategic growth opportunities, and a deep affection for the Disney brand and its workforce—qualities that make him the clear choice to serve as Disney’s next CEO,” stated James Gorman, Chairman of the Board of Directors for The Walt Disney Company.
Prior to his elevation, the 54-year-old Josh D’Amaro served as the chief of Disney’s theme parks and cruise line segment. D’Amaro joined Disney in 1998, having previously held a managerial position at Gillette. He held various executive posts across the theme parks in California, Hong Kong, and Florida.
D’Amaro succeeds Bob Iger as CEO, who led Walt Disney for over 15 years. Disney’s board deliberated between two contenders: Josh D’Amaro and Dana Walden, the head of the corporation’s television and streaming operations.
Walden will ascend to the position of President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company. This newly established role for the top executive will place Walden reporting directly to D’Amaro, according to the company statement. Her responsibility will be ensuring that the brand’s creative output and communications across all platforms and for every audience maintain stylistic consistency, effectively engage the public, and contribute to the company’s business objectives.
The outgoing Disney CEO, Bob Iger, commented that D’Amaro is an “exceptional leader and the ideal choice to be our next CEO.”
The Disney Experiences business segment, covering amusement park services, which Josh D’Amaro managed, experienced a 6% expansion in 2025, while the operating income for the “U.S. Parks and Entertainment” unit climbed by 9%, reaching $920 million.
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