Josh D'Amaro
Summary
Josh D'Amaro is Disney's Chief Executive Officer and a director, having taken over as CEO on March 18, 2026, after more than 27 years with the company. ([thewaltdisneycompany.com](https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/disney-ceo-announcement/?utm_source=openai))
Biography
D'Amaro joined Disney in 1998 and built his career primarily in the company's parks and resorts business. He held operating and strategy roles at Walt Disney World, served as president of Disneyland Resort from 2018 to 2019, and was president of Walt Disney World Resort from 2019 to 2020. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1744489/000174448926000022/dis-20260202.htm?utm_source=openai)) In 2020, D'Amaro became chairman of Disney's parks and experiences operations, later known as Disney Experiences. That segment includes theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, vacation clubs, and other consumer experiences. Before becoming CEO, he led a broad expansion program involving new attractions, lands, hotels, cruise ships, and technology, and Disney reported that the segment generated $36 billion of revenue in fiscal 2025. ([thewaltdisneycompany.com](https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leadership/josh-damaro-2/?utm_source=openai)) His appointment makes him an internal successor with deep experience in Disney's largest operating segment, but he had limited experience running the company's film, television, streaming, and sports businesses before becoming CEO. ([thewaltdisneycompany.com](https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/disney-ceo-announcement/?utm_source=openai))
Notable achievements
- Led Disney Experiences during a period of major post-pandemic recovery and reported financial growth. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1744489/000174448926000022/fy2026_q2x8kxneoxex991.htm?utm_source=openai))
- Oversaw the largest announced expansion in Disney Experiences history, including new attractions, themed lands, resorts, and technologies. ([thewaltdisneycompany.com](https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leadership/josh-damaro-2/?utm_source=openai))
- Advanced a plan to invest approximately $60 billion over a decade in Disney's parks, resorts, cruise ships, and related experiences. ([disneyconnect.com](https://disneyconnect.com/dpep/leaders/josh-damaro/?utm_source=openai))
- Expanded Disney Cruise Line plans, including four additional ships announced in 2024. ([thewaltdisneycompany.com](https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/disney-cruise-line-fleet-expansion-d23-horizons/?utm_source=openai))
- Managed major openings and projects such as Tiana's Bayou Adventure, Tokyo DisneySea's Fantasy Springs, and the Disney Treasure cruise ship. ([disneyparksblog.com](https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/continuing-to-turbocharge-disney-experiences/?utm_source=openai))
Problem areas / controversies
- The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser closed after less than two years, and Disney expected substantial accelerated depreciation related to the failed project. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2023/05/25/galactic-starcruiser-disney-hotel-close/?utm_source=openai))
- Guests and analysts have criticized Disney's rising park prices and paid add-on systems, including premium Lightning Lane access, for making visits less affordable. ([latimes.com](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2024-08-11/d23-disney-mega-fans-price-increases-parks-matter?utm_source=openai))
- Disneyland reached a $233 million settlement concerning claims for back wages involving approximately 52,000 current and former cast members; the underlying lawsuit was filed before D'Amaro became CEO, but it concerned operations within the business he led. ([disneyexperiences.com](https://disneyexperiences.com/disneyland/our-cast/our-work-with-unions/disney-reached-agreement-wage-lawsuit/?utm_source=openai))
- D'Amaro's company-wide CEO tenure was still short as of August 12, 2026, so his record on Disney's studios, streaming, sports, and overall capital allocation remained limited.