For months, industry watchers have speculated about who will finally succeed Bob Iger at Disney, and a clear frontrunner has now emerged. According to a detailed report from The Wall Street Journal, Josh D’Amaro—the chairman of Disney Experiences—has become the internal favorite to step into the top job as Disney CEO.
Disney’s board, which plans to announce Iger’s successor in early 2026, appears determined to avoid the turbulence that defined the company’s previous transitions. The strategy this time is deliberate and controlled, with the chosen executive expected to work alongside Iger before officially stepping in. It’s a succession plan designed to avoid the chaos of the Chapek era (which many blame on Iger specifically) and ensure the company moves forward without another high-profile stumble.
Why D’Amaro Is the Favorite
Josh D’Amaro oversees Disney’s Experiences division—an empire that includes theme parks, consumer products, cruise lines, and gaming. It is, by far, the company’s most successful and stable business segment as traditional television continues to shrink and streaming struggles to deliver the margins Disney once enjoyed from its cable networks.
Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro via Disney Parks YouTube
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That alone gives him a strategic advantage over other candidates. But internally, D’Amaro is viewed as more than just a parks executive. He’s seen as charismatic, analytical, and unusually popular (relatively speaking compared to Iger and the other candidates) among Disney’s fanbase—a rarity for top-level Disney brass in recent years. Even as he has overseen several rounds of price increases at the parks, his public image has remained somewhat strong.
Behind the scenes, D’Amaro has been pushing for Disney to expand its gaming footprint and integrate more gaming technology across the company. He also championed Disney’s $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games last year, setting the stage for deeper partnerships with one of the world’s largest entertainment ecosystems. To many inside Disney, that makes him a forward-looking leader in a company desperate to recapture innovation.
The Walden Factor
Dana Walden remains the most serious rival to D’Amaro. As co-chair of Disney Entertainment, she oversees a massive portion of Disney’s film, TV, and streaming output. Supporters view her as the company’s most seasoned creative executive, someone with decades of industry experience and a track record of navigating high-profile relationships across Hollywood.
Dana Walden via Variety YouTube
But according to the Journal’s reporting, D’Amaro is still the leading contender, and that perception is shared by many within Disney’s ranks. Walden’s influence remains strong—especially in the streaming sector, which she helps supervise—but Disney Experiences is where the company sees the most reliable growth. With a planned $60 billion expansion of theme parks on the horizon, elevating the leader who already runs that division makes strategic sense.
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)
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Additionally, Walden’s position was reportedly weakened due to her close personal friendship with former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. Many believe Walden’s open support for the former VP in the last U.S. presidential election could put Disney in hot water with the Trump administration were she to secure the top job.
A Drama-Free Transition (For Once)
If there’s one thing the board wants to avoid, it’s another succession debacle. Disney has already lived through that twice: first with the chaotic finale of the Eisner era, and again when Chapek’s short tenure imploded so dramatically (fans openly speculate that both instances were related to Bob Iger’s behind the scenes maneuvers).
Michael Eisner and Bob Iger at Michael Eisner’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony – Youtube, Walk of Fame
This time, the board is locking in senior leadership with contract extensions stretching from 2027 to 2029, all while keeping the process tightly controlled under board chair James Gorman. Even outside candidates—such as Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson—have been considered, but the consensus remains that internal promotion is the far more likely outcome.
Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge – YouTube, LaughingPlace
And that’s where D’Amaro has the clearest path. He is already deeply embedded in Disney’s long-term strategy, leading the company’s most profitable division, and—most importantly—has earned the confidence of the board.
The Bottom Line
Disney appears ready to move forward with a steady, structured handoff for the next CEO, and Josh D’Amaro is positioned exactly where he needs to be. If the company is truly committed to a smooth succession, elevating the leader of Disney Experiences—while giving him time to work alongside Iger—may be the most stable path forward.
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)
In the world of corporate leadership, perception often signals direction. And right now, all signs point to a growing reality: Josh D’Amaro is the likely heir to the Disney throne.
Do you think Josh D’Amaro will be the next Disney CEO? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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