Josh D'Amaro Appointed as Disney's New CEO, Signaling Strategic Shift Towards Experiences
In a significant leadership transition, Josh D'Amaro has been named the next Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, edging out Disney entertainment co-chairman Dana Walden for the top position. This appointment marks a pivotal moment for the 102-year-old entertainment giant, as D'Amaro brings a deep background in theme parks and experiences rather than traditional film or television.
From Data Book to CEO: D'Amaro's Vision for Disney's Future
Soon after Bob Iger's return to Disney in late 2022, D'Amaro presented the CEO with compelling data demonstrating the untapped potential of Disney's experiences division. His analysis revealed that theme parks and cruise ships were constrained primarily by physical capacity, while guests were consistently spending more during visits. Concurrently, he noted that younger audiences were increasingly abandoning traditional media in favor of video games and virtual worlds.
This data-driven pitch led to two major strategic commitments:
- A near-doubling of investment in parks and cruise ships to $60 billion over the next decade
- A $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, creator of the popular "Fortnite" platform
These moves positioned D'Amaro as a visionary leader within the company, ultimately culminating in his CEO appointment.
The Experience vs. Entertainment Divide
The leadership contest between D'Amaro and Walden represented more than just personal ambition—it reflected a fundamental debate about Disney's identity. While experiences have generated most of Disney's profits since 2022, movies and television remain crucial for creating the stories and characters that drive park attendance, cruise bookings, and merchandise sales.
D'Amaro's appointment signals a clear prioritization of physical experiences, though he will need to quickly master the entertainment businesses Walden will oversee as president and chief creative officer.
A Unique Background for Disney's Top Job
At 54 years old, D'Amaro brings several firsts to the CEO position:
- He is the first Disney CEO since the early 1980s without television or film experience
- He is the first to have managed an individual theme park
- He has significant international experience from working overseas
Colleagues describe him as possessing Bob Iger's charisma combined with Bob Chapek's profit-focused financial discipline. A competitive athlete who paddle boarded in Florida and plays basketball with colleagues, D'Amaro is known for his ability to connect with everyone from park guests to Hollywood talent.
Navigating Challenges and Controversies
D'Amaro inherits several significant challenges:
- Stock performance: Disney has underperformed the broader market for five years
- Visitor demographics: Declining foreign attendance at U.S. theme parks
- Political tensions: Ongoing conflicts with various political figures over issues ranging from late-night television to LGBTQ rights and employee wages
Unlike Iger and Walden, both Democrats, D'Amaro is a registered independent whose recent political donations have been directed to Disney's corporate PAC.
The "Optimization" Philosophy
Former colleagues characterize D'Amaro's approach as "optimization"—focusing on extracting maximum value from existing assets. Under his leadership, Disney has implemented dynamic pricing strategies that charge more during peak periods while maintaining affordable entry-level options. While premium experiences can cost up to $449, the basic Disneyland ticket has remained at $104 since 2019.
"Josh was always very mindful and sensitive to having entry level affordability, especially for young families," said Catherine Powell, former head of Disney's U.S. and European parks.
From Art Student to Theme Park Expert
D'Amaro's path to Disney's corner office was unconventional. After studying art at Skidmore College, he transferred to Georgetown University for a business degree. Following six years at Gillette, he joined Disneyland in 1998 in a business planning role, where he developed expertise in theme park pricing, marketing, and logistics.
His breakthrough came in 2010 when he revitalized the struggling Adventures by Disney travel division, transforming it from a money-losing operation to a profitable business within three years. Subsequent leadership roles at Animal Kingdom, Disneyland, and Walt Disney World further demonstrated his ability to energize cast members and understand guest preferences.
Balancing Innovation with Practical Constraints
D'Amaro's leadership style emphasizes team commitment over mere compliance, as demonstrated during the controversial addition of Avatar-themed elements to Animal Kingdom. However, his desire to be liked has sometimes led to indecisiveness, particularly regarding costly projects like the long-delayed Tomorrowland renovation at Disneyland.
Despite these challenges, D'Amaro has successfully managed Disney's creative talent, particularly the Imagineers who design the company's physical spaces. In 2023, he brought back a respected veteran to lead Walt Disney Imagineering, resulting in the division's busiest period in decades with projects ranging from new attractions based on Monsters, Inc. and The Lion King to a new theme park in Abu Dhabi.
Embracing Digital Transformation
D'Amaro's vision extends beyond physical spaces into digital realms. He frequently visits Epic Games' North Carolina headquarters, championing the use of Unreal Engine technology across Disney's development pipeline. This includes updates to attractions like the Millennium Falcon ride, timed with upcoming Star Wars film releases.
As one of Disney's most visible executives alongside Iger and Marvel's Kevin Feige, D'Amaro maintains an active Instagram presence with 173,000 followers, offering a more casual behind-the-scenes perspective than Disney's traditionally controlled publicity approach.
When he unveiled extensive park plans at Disney's D23 fan convention in 2024, the reception was overwhelmingly positive, cementing his status as both corporate leader and fan favorite. "Within a year of being at Disneyland, he became this pseudo-celebrity people stop and ask for selfies," noted Gavin Doyle of fan site MickeyVisit.com.
As D'Amaro prepares to officially assume the CEO role next month, his unique background and data-driven approach position him to lead Disney through its most ambitious expansion in theme park history while navigating the complex transition from traditional media to experiential entertainment.
