The Walt Disney Co. board is nearing a decision on the next Disney CEO, with theme parks chief Josh D’Amaro emerging as the apparent front-runner to succeed Bob Iger, according to people familiar with the matter.
D’Amaro, 54, currently serves as chairman of Disney’s experiences division — the unit that delivers the majority of the company’s profits through theme parks, resorts, and cruise operations. If the board formally approves his appointment in the coming week, he will take the helm of one of the world’s most recognizable entertainment brands.
Board Nears Consensus After Lengthy Search
The board has been conducting a CEO succession process for nearly three years, a search led by Disney Chairman James Gorman, who has overseen corporate leadership transitions in prior roles. The process began in earnest following Bob Iger’s return to the CEO role in 2022, after his initial tenure from 2005 to 2020.
Bob Iger via CNBC Television YouTube
Despite the apparent alignment around D’Amaro, Disney has not yet finalized a decision.
In a statement, a Disney spokesperson said: “The board has not yet selected the next CEO of the Walt Disney Co. and once that decision is made, we will announce it.”
The board could still change course before a vote.
Why D’Amaro Is the Leading Candidate
D’Amaro has been with Disney since 1998, rising through leadership roles in parks and resorts across California, Florida, and international operations including Hong Kong. His experience overseeing Disney’s theme parks — long the most profitable segment of the company — is central to his appeal as a potential Disney CEO.
The Disney Wish cruise ship docked at Castaway Cay – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro
As experiences division chairman, D’Amaro is currently overseeing a $60 billion investment to expand Disney’s resorts and theme parks worldwide. He has also led strategic initiatives such as expanding the Disney Cruise Line and driving a major investment in Epic Games, acquiring a $1.5 billion stake in the creator of Fortnite.
A High-Stakes Transition for the House of Mouse
The anticipated appointment of a new Disney CEO marks a pivotal moment for the company. Under Bob Iger’s current leadership, Disney navigated a period of strategic realignment, restructuring and major content investments. Iger’s eventual departure had been projected to open the door for several of Disney’s divisional leaders — including entertainment co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, and sports chair Jimmy Pitaro — who had been internally considered for the role.
HULU ON DISNEY+ CELEBRATION – Some of the biggest stars across The Walt Disney Company celebrate the official launch of Hulu on Disney+ at an exclusive cocktail reception hosted by Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, along with special guest Bob Iger, on Friday evening in Los Angeles. (Disney/Greg Williams)
DANA WALDEN (CO-CHAIRMAN, DISNEY ENTERTAINMENT, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY), ROBERT A. IGER (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY), ALAN BERGMAN (CO-CHAIRMAN, DISNEY ENTERTAINMENT, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY)
D’Amaro’s emergence as a frontrunner reflects the board’s prioritization of operational leadership and profitability, especially given the outsized contribution of the parks division to overall earnings.
What Comes Next
Disney has scheduled its fiscal first-quarter earnings report for Monday, a milestone that could coincide with an official announcement. The company also reaffirmed in a regulatory filing that it plans to name a successor in early 2026 and has set its annual shareholder meeting for March 18, a date that could align with a new CEO reveal.
Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro via Disney Parks YouTube
The final weeks of the succession process will likely see heightened market attention on the company’s stock and strategic outlook as investors prepare for leadership change at the top of Disney’s global empire.
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