Disney just ended months of speculation about its leadership future. The entertainment giant announced Tuesday that Josh D'Amaro, the executive who's spent nearly three decades with the company and currently oversees its sprawling theme parks empire, will take over as CEO on March 18th. The move caps a year-long succession drama as Bob Iger winds down his second stint running the House of Mouse, this time handing the reins to an insider who's built his career bringing Disney's physical and digital experiences to life across 12 parks and 57 resorts worldwide.
Disney just closed the book on one of entertainment's longest-running succession stories. After more than a year of whispers and board room intrigue, the company announced Tuesday that Josh D'Amaro will step into the CEO role on March 18th, taking over from Bob Iger in a transition that's been telegraphed since Iger returned from retirement in 2022 to replace Bob Chapek.
D'Amaro's not exactly a household name outside Disney circles, but inside the company he's practically royalty. The 28-year Disney veteran currently chairs the Disney Experiences segment, which means he's responsible for everything from the Magic Kingdom to Tokyo DisneySea. That's 12 theme parks and 57 resorts spread across three continents, plus Disney's cruise line, the legendary Imagineering division that designs the company's attractions, and a portfolio of consumer products that puts Disney characters on everything from lunchboxes to luxury handbags.
What makes D'Amaro's appointment particularly interesting is his digital portfolio. He's been overseeing Disney's partnership with Epic Games to build a Disney universe inside Fortnite, a deal that signals how seriously Disney takes the intersection of physical and digital entertainment. It's exactly the kind of hybrid thinking the company needs as traditional media continues its uncomfortable evolution into streaming and interactive experiences.
The succession drama started heating up when Disney confirmed Iger would name his replacement by early 2026. D'Amaro emerged as the frontrunner alongside ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro and Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden. All three represented different visions for Disney's future - sports, streaming, or experiences - making the choice a referendum on where Disney thinks its next decade of growth will come from.
