In a landmark announcement from The Walt Disney Company, Josh D’Amaro, longtime Disney leader and current Chairman of Disney Experiences, has been elected by the Board of Directors to succeed Bob Iger as Chief Executive Officer effective March 18th, 2026.
A New Chapter Begins for Disney Leadership
The decision, announced following a unanimous vote by the Board, marks a pivotal moment in Disney’s leadership transition. D’Amaro will officially become CEO following the company’s Annual Meeting in March, and will also join the Disney Board of Directors.
As head of Disney’s largest business segment, D’Amaro has overseen global growth across theme parks, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, and Disney Vacation Club, helping redefine the guest experience through creativity and innovation.
“This company has been part of my life for almost three decades,” D’Amaro shared in the announcement. “There is no limit to what Disney can achieve, and I am excited to work with our teams across the company and brilliant creative partners to honor Disney’s remarkable legacy while continuing to innovate, grow, and deliver exceptional value for our consumers and shareholders.”
Iger: “The Right Person to Become Our Next CEO”
Bob Iger, who will continue to serve as a Senior Advisor and remain on the Disney Board through the end of 2026, praised D’Amaro’s leadership and vision.
“Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO,” said Iger. “He has an instinctive appreciation of the Disney brand, and a deep understanding of what resonates with our audiences, paired with the rigor and attention to detail required to deliver some of our most ambitious projects. His ability to combine creativity with operational excellence is exemplary and I am thrilled for Josh and the company.”
Dana Walden to Lead Disney’s Creative Future
Alongside D’Amaro’s appointment, Disney announced that Dana Walden will become President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company—a newly created role that reflects the central importance of storytelling across every corner of the business.
Walden’s elevation brings creative oversight of Disney’s studios, streaming, and content divisions directly under the CEO’s leadership, ensuring tight alignment between vision and execution. Her years of experience across broadcast, streaming, and original content make her a powerhouse to watch as Disney builds toward its next generation of storytelling.
What Comes Next for Disney Experiences?
As D’Amaro prepares to step into the CEO role, questions naturally arise about the future leadership of the Disney Experiences segment. There’s no set timeline for naming a new Chairman, but history may offer a hint. When Bob Chapek was named CEO in February 2020, D’Amaro was announced as Chairman of Disney Parks just a few months later in May.
This role oversees everything from the theme parks to consumer products, Disney Cruise Line, and Disney Vacation Club. Until a successor is named, the organization will likely continue forward under its current leadership structure.
What This Means for Disney Vacation Club Members
DVC Members may be especially curious about how this news affects Disney Vacation Club. Given that D’Amaro has directly overseen DVC within the Disney Experiences portfolio, his promotion reinforces the importance of the Member experience in the broader company strategy related to its theme parks.
Unless a new Experiences Chairman significantly redefines priorities, there’s no indication of major changes to how DVC is managed or operated. In fact, D’Amaro’s deep understanding of theme parks and the DVC Member community is likely to remain an asset for years to come.
A Look Ahead
With Josh D’Amaro as incoming CEO and Dana Walden spearheading creative strategy, Disney is entering a new era led by seasoned, trusted executives with a proven commitment to innovation, storytelling, and the guest experience.
From Walt Disney World to Disney Vacation Club, these changes signal stability at the top and a continuation of the company’s long-term vision. As always, we at DVC Fan will be keeping a close eye on how these leadership moves shape the Disney Vacation Club brand in the year ahead.
Are you excited by this historic leadership change? What do you think it means for the future of Disney Parks, Disney Vacation Club, and Disney storytelling? Join the conversation over in the DVC Fan Facebook Community.
