Disney Picks Parks Veteran Josh D’Amaro As Next CEO, Dana Walden as Creative Chief
After years of speculation over who would eventually take the keys to the Magic Kingdom, The Walt Disney Company has finally made it official: Josh D’Amaro is moving from the theme parks to the corner office.
In a unanimous vote on Monday, Disney’s Board of Directors tapped D’Amaro, the current Chairman of Disney Experiences, to step up as the company’s next CEO. He’s set to take over the reins on March 18, 2026, succeeding Bob Iger, the longtime leader who came out of retirement three years ago to steady the ship after a brief stint by a former Parks boss – Bob Chapek.
D’Amaro isn’t walking into the role alone. In a move that underscores Disney’s “storytelling first” mantra, the company is also promoting TV and streaming heavyweight Dana Walden to the newly created role of President and Chief Creative Officer.
Industry analysts and internal reports frequently characterized Walden as D’Amaro’s primary competition. While D’Amaro held the keys to the highly profitable Parks division, Walden was viewed as the “creative heavyweight,” leading Disney’s streaming, television, and news businesses—the very heart of the company’s modern content strategy.
Rather than choosing one and losing the other, the Board appears to have opted for a “best of both worlds” setup. By creating the new President and Chief Creative Officer role for Walden, Disney has paired D’Amaro’s operational and financial expertise with Walden’s creative leadership.
In her new position, Walden will ensure that “storytelling and creative expression” remain consistent across every part of the company, reporting directly to D’Amaro in a structure some observers have compared to the legendary partnership of Michael Eisner and Frank Wells. Or to go back further, Walt and Roy Disney.
D’Amaro, 54, is a familiar face to the “Cast Members” who run Disney’s global empire. A 28-year veteran of the company, he started at the Disneyland Resort in 1998 and worked his way up through the ranks, eventually overseeing everything from cruise ships to the $36 billion theme park business.
Known for his approachable style and “boots on the ground” leadership, D’Amaro has been the face of Disney’s massive global expansions, including recent hits like World of Frozen and the upcoming Monsters, Inc. land.
“Josh has that rare combination of inspiring leadership and a deep passion for the Disney brand,” said James Gorman, Chairman of the Board. “He’s the right person to take the helm.”
A Changing of the Guard
The announcement marks the beginning of the end for the “Iger Era.” Since returning in 2022, Bob Iger has been busy restructuring the company, fixing the streaming business, and mentoring the next generation of leaders.
Iger isn’t heading for the exit just yet, though. He’ll stay on as a Senior Advisor and board member through the end of 2026 to make sure D’Amaro and Walden have a smooth start.
“I’m incredibly proud to step away at a moment when Disney’s future has never been brighter,” Iger said, noting that the company is in a much stronger position today than it was just a few years ago.
For D’Amaro, the new job is the opportunity of a lifetime. “Disney’s strength has always come from our people,” he said. “I’m excited to honor our legacy while continuing to innovate and grow.”
