Larissa Manoela and Josh D’Amaro, Chairperson of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, wave to the audience after Panel Disney Experiences during Day 2 of the D23 Brazil: A Disney Experience at Transamerica Expo Center on November 09, 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Ricardo Moreira | Getty Images
Disney is turning the page on a new chapter as Josh D’Amaro steps in as CEO of the media and theme park powerhouse.
D’Amaro most recently served as chairman of Disney Experiences, which includes the company’s theme parks, cruise line, resorts and consumer products. He will officially succeed Bob Iger as chief executive during the company’s annual shareholder meeting Wednesday.
The longtime Disney executive takes over after a period of uncertainty for the century-old company — including a closely watched succession race and a recent reorganization and turnaround — that has left it with a mixed reception from Wall Street.
Disney’s stock is down more than 10% year to date as of Tuesday’s close.
D’Amaro’s most immediate task will be sustaining momentum in Disney’s core growth areas. The company’s most recent quarterly earnings were lifted by its theme parks and streaming, the two areas that remain in focus for investors, industry peers and consumers alike.
The company has recently embarked on a major investment in its theme parks, including an expansion with a theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and has seen its streaming business reach consecutive quarters of profitability.
Disney also returned to the top of the box office with hits like “Lilo & Stitch,” “Zootopia” and “Avatar” in 2025.
Welcome wagon
In this handout image provided by Disneyland Resort, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro and The Walt Disney Company Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger speak during the 70th anniversary celebrations of Disneyland Resort on July 17, 2025 in Anaheim, California.
Handout | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images
This is the second time Iger handed over the reins to a successor in roughly six years. He will remain as a Disney senior advisor and board member until he retires from the company on Dec. 31.
The storied CEO led Disney for roughly 20 years over the course of two stints at the top. In his first 15 years Iger was responsible for some of its biggest acquisitions like Marvel and Fox’s entertainment assets, as well as the launch of Disney+.
He stepped down in 2020, but his time away from the company was capped at two years following a handoff to Bob Chapek that was rife with drama.
In Disney’s February announcement of D’Amaro’s appointment, Iger called D’Amaro an “exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO.”
D’Amaro, 55, has been at Disney since 1998 and has held a variety of roles at the company. Under his leadership, Disney’s theme parks division has blossomed into a driving force and an earnings driver.
