On March 18, 2026, Walt Disney Company will officially install Josh D’Amaro as chief executive officer, succeeding Bob Iger after his more than two-decade tenure. D’Amaro, 54, has spent 28 years at Disney and most recently served as chairman of Disney Experiences. His promotion was confirmed in a unanimous board vote led by chairman James Gorman, who cited D’Amaro’s “strong vision for the company’s future and deep understanding of what makes Disney unique.” Iger will remain on the board and as a senior adviser through December 2026 to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Under D’Amaro’s stewardship, the parks and experiences segment delivered a record $10 billion in revenue during the first quarter of fiscal 2026, marking year-over-year growth of 8 percent. The division generated more than 70 percent of Disney’s operating income in that quarter, driven by new ride openings at Shanghai Disneyland and increased per-capita spending at U.S. resorts. Attendance at North American parks rose by 5 percent compared with the prior year, while cruise line occupancy exceeded 95 percent for the ninth consecutive quarter.

Despite strong performance in parks and a return to profitability in streaming operations last year, Disney’s shares have underperformed the broader market over multiple horizons – down roughly 40 percent over the past five years and roughly flat since late 2022, when Iger resumed leadership. Analysts point to a soft second-quarter forecast for media networks and ongoing pressure on ad revenues as key headwinds. Investors will be watching D’Amaro’s plans to expand international park capacity, deploy artificial intelligence partnerships for Disney+, and stabilize ESPN’s digital subscriber base as critical levers for restoring long-term growth momentum.