Former Walt Disney Company Chief Executive Officer Michael Eisner publicly congratulated Josh D’Amaro on his selection as the next chief executive of The Walt Disney Company, offering advice as the company transitions leadership in March 2026. Eisner posted his remarks on the social media platform X, emphasizing continuity in strategic focus and creative values as Disney enters a new era.
Congratulations to Josh D’Amaro for becoming the CEO of the Walt Disney Company, and congratulations to Chairman James Gorman for making such a wise pick as well as promoting Dana Walden to president and chief creative officer. My advice to Josh is continue Bob Iger’s strategy…
— Michael Eisner (@Michael_Eisner) February 3, 2026
Disney announced on February 3, 2026, that D’Amaro — currently chairman of Disney Experiences — would succeed longtime CEO Bob Iger effective March 18, 2026. The choice was made in a unanimous vote by Disney’s board of directors and follows a multi-year succession planning process. Iger will remain a senior adviser and board member through the end of 2026.
Eisner’s Comments
In his post, Eisner wrote, “Congratulations to Josh D’Amaro for becoming the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, and congratulations to Chairman James Gorman for making such a wise pick as well as promoting Dana Walden to president and chief creative officer.”
Michael Eisner being interviewed in Walt Disney World in front of the pink birthday cake castle – YouTube, Top Clips
Eisner then offered three pieces of advice. “My advice to Josh is continue Bob Iger’s strategy that creativity will handle profits, always protect the brand, and keep close the words of Walt Disney: ‘We love to entertain kings and queens, but the vital thing to remember is this–every guest receives the VIP treatment.”
Disney CEOs
Eisner is a significant figure in Disney’s modern history. He served as chairman and CEO from 1984 until 2005, a period in which Disney expanded its theme parks, acquired major media assets, and experienced the Disney Renaissance of movies. His departure followed a prolonged period of executive and shareholder tensions.
Michael Eisner and Bob Iger at Michael Eisner’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony – Youtube, Walk of Fame
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Bob Iger became Disney’s CEO in 2005 and helmed the company through a series of landmark acquisitions including Pixar in 2006, Marvel in 2009, and Lucasfilm in 2012. These moves reshaped Disney’s media and entertainment portfolio. Iger stepped down as CEO in 2020 but returned in 2022 to replace his successor, Bob Chapek, before announcing in early 2026 that he would transition the role to D’Amaro.
The relationship between Eisner and Iger has been characterized in reporting as business-focused and occasionally strained, particularly around the leadership transition in the early 2000s. Eisner’s final years as CEO included a contentious succession process that ended with Iger emerging as his successor after pressure from the board and influential shareholders. Analyses of that period describe challenges and disagreements around succession planning and leadership style, though characterizations of personal animosity tend to come from commentary rather than formal statements by either executive.
Looking Ahead to New Leadership
Josh D’Amaro has spent 28 years at Disney, joining the company in 1998 and steadily rising through leadership roles across parks, resorts, and cruise operations. He initially focused on operations and guest services before taking on broader responsibilities overseeing global parks and experiences, including Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disney Cruise Line. D’Amaro played a key role in reopening parks after the 2020 lockdowns.
Josh D’Amaro by the Tree of Life – Disney
Dana Walden’s elevation to president and chief creative officer — a newly defined role reporting directly to D’Amaro — underlines Disney’s effort to maintain a clear emphasis on content creation and storytelling as part of its broader leadership transition.
As Disney moves forward with the leadership change, industry observers and stakeholders will assess how D’Amaro navigates the company’s complex portfolio, and whether the blend of experience and continuity championed by Eisner and Iger will align with evolving market and creative demands.
What are your thoughts on what Michael Eisner said about Josh D’Amaro leading the company? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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D’Amaro keeps trying to arrange a meet up with my 9 year old nephew on Roblox.
You made me laugh.
Woke feminist in charge of creativity. A KK clone. And, a 28 years-at-Disney guy who is mates with all the wokies, Epstein Islanders; and did woke stuff to the poor, now-souless parks. Disney is absolutely doomed. I don’t care how many assets it has, it will lose them all, like WB and Ubisoft.