The clearest sign yet that the future Disney CEO could be Josh D’Amaro didn’t come from a boardroom or an earnings call—but from the afterparty of one of its biggest rivals.
During Netflix’s 2025 upfront presentation, industry insiders spotted an unexpected figure walking the halls: Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences and future Disney CEO hopeful. As Bloomberg reported, D’Amaro’s presence surprised even senior Netflix executives, who had no idea why Disney’s theme park chief would show up to a competitor’s pitch event.
Why This Is Not Normal
The upfronts are highly strategic showcases where studios and streamers present their upcoming content slates to advertisers. It’s a space dominated by internal brand messaging—not a place for rival executives to mingle unless there’s a co-production or licensing deal on the table. Even then, it’s usually handled at the studio level, not by theme park leadership.
Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro via Disney Parks YouTube
READ: George Wendt, Beloved ‘Cheers’ Star Who Played Norm, Dies at 76
Some have speculated that D’Amaro was there because Disney is a major ad buyer for its parks, cruise line, and merchandise divisions. But this doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. In a company like Disney, media buying is handled by senior VPs in marketing and external agencies. D’Amaro might sign off on top-level budgets, but he wouldn’t personally scout ad inventory or attend an event like this for tactical buying purposes.
So what was he doing there?
3 Possible Reasons D’Amaro Crashed Netflix’s Party
1. CEO Campaigning Behind the Scenes
With Bob Iger stepping down as Disney CEO in early 2026, Josh D’Amaro is emerging as a frontrunner for the top job. His recent appearance at the MoffettNathanson investor conference—a role Iger himself filled in prior years—is already seen as a leadership audition.
Bob Iger via CNBC Television YouTube
Showing up at Netflix’s upfront may have been another calculated move to signal industry visibility and cross-sector relevance. He’s not just the “parks guy” anymore—he wants everyone to know he can play in the big leagues.
2. Signaling Openness to Licensing Partnerships
There’s speculation that Disney may begin licensing more of its back catalog to rivals like Netflix in a bid to stabilize revenue.
Dana Walden via Variety YouTube
READ: AI Darth Vader in Fortnite Sparks SAG-AFTRA Backlash Over Actors’ Voice Rights
While these decisions typically fall under Dana Walden or Alan Bergman, D’Amaro may be trying to build relationships outside his silo in preparation for a broader corporate role—or in the event he needs allies as CEO.
3. Soaking Up PR Glow
Coming off positive earnings and the announcement of a new theme park project in Abu Dhabi, D’Amaro may have simply wanted to bask in the limelight at a high-profile industry event.
Concept art for the new Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi – Disney
But if this was a solo act, it may raise eyebrows inside Disney, where such moves are normally tightly choreographed.
A Troubling Track Record for Fans
If this is indeed D’Amaro’s campaign for the CEO chair, many Disney loyalists are rightfully concerned. Under his leadership, Disney Parks have alienated core fans while chasing record profits.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Ken Potrock, Asad Ayaz, Ariana DeBose and Josh D’Amaro at Disneyland with a performance from Wish at Disneyland on November 11, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Disney)
Here’s the damage report:
- Prices Have Soared: A 2024 Wall Street Journal report revealed the cost of a four-day Walt Disney World trip for a family of four hit $4,266—up from $3,230 five years earlier. Much of that came from monetizing previously free services like FastPass (now Lightning Lane).
- Guest Satisfaction Has Fallen: Internal surveys leaked to the WSJ showed declining return intent from parkgoers. Disney also dropped to 77th in the Axios Harris Poll 100 for corporate reputation and fell behind Dollywood in Newsweek’s 2025 theme park customer service rankings.
- Projects Have Been Canceled: The Mary Poppins attraction and Play! Pavilion at EPCOT were both announced in 2019 under Bob Chapek but quietly shelved during D’Amaro’s time as Experiences boss. As of 2023, Disney removed the Play! Pavilion from official park guides and confirmed both concepts were being “re-evaluated.” No replacements have been announced.
- Maintenance and Magic are Fading: Reports of extended ride downtimes, cleanliness issues, and scaled-back live entertainment have grown. Magic Kingdom in particular has taken hits to its once-pristine reputation. Not to mention massive infrastructure issues leading to several sewage leaks in Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, along with a ceiling collapse in EPCOT’s Land Pavilion.
What This Means for Disney’s Future
While D’Amaro remains a favorite internally—charismatic, media-savvy, and profitable—his elevation may send the wrong message to the broader Disney fanbase. They’ve watched the parks transform from magical escapes into logistical, phone-centric grindhouses. His leadership has seen Disney Experiences generate strong earnings, yes—but also deep discontent.
Kamala Harris. Dana Walden via Variety YouTube
Meanwhile, contenders like Dana Walden are weighed down by political baggage (her friendship with Kamala Harris), and quieter executives like Alan Bergman and Jimmy Pitaro haven’t made the same public push.
But D’Amaro has. He’s showing up at investor conferences. He’s showing up at rivals’ events. He’s everywhere. And if this is what the next Disney CEO looks like, fans worried about the company’s creative and cultural direction may soon have even more to worry about.
Do you think Josh D’Amaro is the next Disney CEO? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
UP NEXT: Warner Bros Discovery Credit Rating Cut to Junk Status by S&P — Studio is Over $38 Billion in Debt
