Update: As of February 2026, Josh D’Amaro has been named the next Disney CEO, indicating a significant shift in the future of Disney Parks.
We’re getting close to another CEO transition at Disney. Bob Iger is set to step down in 2026, and this time, there’s real structure behind the succession plan. After following leadership shifts and public appearances closely over the past year, we’re increasingly convinced that Josh D’Amaro is likely the next Walt Disney Company CEO, as he embodies the qualities that make him the Josh D’Amaro next Disney CEO.
There’s been no formal announcement (yet), but Disney’s made a habit of dropping quiet hints before big moves like this. Here are five clear signs we’ve picked up on that make a strong case for D’Amaro being the next to lead The Walt Disney Company.
1. D’Amaro Is Starting to Represent Disney at the Highest Level
Earlier this month, D’Amaro spoke at the MoffettNathanson Media & Communications Conference. It’s the kind of event that usually features the company’s top executive, and last year, that role was filled by Iger. This time, it was D’Amaro speaking to Wall Street about the company’s broader strategy.
That shift alone suggests something important: he’s being trusted to speak on behalf of the entire company, not just the parks.
2. He’s Overseeing the $60 Billion Disney Experiences Expansion
Josh D’Amaro is leading the charge on Disney’s largest investment in parks and experiences to date, $60 billion over the next decade. This includes new attractions, land expansions, cruise line growth, and infrastructure updates across every resort.
You don’t hand a plan of that scale to someone who’s not expected to be around to carry it through.
3. He’s Managing Disney’s Global Expansion, Starting with Abu Dhabi
When Disney announced its upcoming indoor theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi, D’Amaro was front and center. It’s a bold move into a new region with an all-new park format. That he’s the one leading this expansion tells me he’s deeply involved in the long-term strategic vision. After the announcement D’Amaro led the media blitz interview on multiple media outlets. D’Amaro is tasked with navigating the political complexities of the Middle East and that challenges that come with it at home. Read my thoughts on the controversy surrounding Abu Dhabi.
4. He’s Being Integrated into Disney’s Creative Brain Trust
At SXSW earlier this year, D’Amaro appeared alongside some of the company’s biggest creative names including Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr., and Alan Bergman, for a panel about world-building. The topic went well beyond the parks. They talked about integrating storytelling across platforms, from theme parks to streaming to film.
Being part of that conversation doesn’t happen by accident. It shows the company sees him as more than an operator. He’s someone they’re bringing into the fold creatively, which is a major piece of the CEO role in a company that lives and dies by storytelling.
5. He’s Built Strong Support Among Cast Members and Fans
This one’s more anecdotal, but it’s consistent: people like working with and for Josh D’Amaro. Cast Members who interact with him say he’s approachable and present. He visits the parks regularly and doesn’t just show up for photo ops. Guests who follow Disney leadership recognize him when they see him because he’s actually around.
That kind of visibility and approachability might sound secondary, but in a company that struggled with perception during the Chapek years, it makes a difference. And from a succession standpoint, it gives him a head start when it comes to internal trust and public confidence.
Why This Is Good for the Parks
If Josh D’Amaro does become CEO, the parks are going to matter more than they have in a long time.
D’Amaro has deep operational experience inside the parks. He knows what it takes to run them at the ground level, and he understands how guests experience them day-to-day. That’s not something you can learn in a boardroom. It comes from walking the parks, talking to Cast Members, and actually listening to feedback.
Having someone with that kind of perspective at the top means decisions that impact the parks are more likely to come from a place of actual understanding. That matters when you’re allocating capital, making creative choices, or deciding how much flexibility to give guests in planning their trips.
And from what we’ve already seen, growth is coming. The $60 billion expansion plan includes more capacity, new lands, and upgraded infrastructure. That’s not just spin. Those are projects that will shape how we experience the parks for decades. Having a CEO who not only understands that—but helped design it—could make a real difference in how those plans are prioritized and executed.
Final Thoughts
Josh D’Amaro hasn’t been named CEO yet. But when you look at who’s been put in front of investors, who’s managing the most ambitious company projects, and who’s trusted across the company, the direction feels clear.
If the board does choose Josh D’amaro as the next CEO, it’ll also mark the first time in a long while that someone with deep parks experience is leading the company. That could be a big deal. Post COVID the parks have often taken a backseat to other priorities at the corporate level. A CEO who comes from parks and experiences world might finally give them the attention they’ve earned.