Josh D’Amaro Expected to be Named Next Disney CEO

Josh D’Amaro Expected to Take the Helm at Disney

Major media outlets are reporting a seismic shift at the House of Mouse: Josh D’Amaro, current Chairman of Disney Experiences, is poised to become the next CEO of The Walt Disney Company. Sources indicate the Board of Directors is aligning on D’Amaro and is expected to formalize the decision with a vote as early as this week. Adding to the transition, current CEO Bob Iger reportedly intends to exit ahead of his December 2026 contract end to ensure his successor a “fresh start.”

Related – Industry Experts Favor Josh D’Amaro as Next Disney CEO

Reports from major financial outlets, including Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal, indicate that the Disney Board of Directors is “aligning” on Josh D’Amaro, current Chairman of Disney Experiences, as the company’s next CEO. A formal board vote is reportedly scheduled for this week at Disney’s Burbank headquarters.

While a Disney spokesperson cautioned that a final selection hasn’t been made, Bloomberg sources emphasize that D’Amaro has emerged as the clear frontrunner to conclude a high-stakes, three-year succession search.

In a surprising twist, current CEO Bob Iger is reportedly planning to step down before his contract expires on December 31, 2026. According to the WSJ, Iger is eager to provide his successor with a “fresh start” rather than lingering as a “lame duck” leader.

Insiders suggest Iger is ready to trade the boardroom for the open seas. He has privately expressed a desire to move on from the daily “grind,” citing a wish to spend more time:

• Sailing his new superyacht, Aquarius, which was delivered last summer.
• Managing Angel City FC, the women’s soccer team he and his wife, Willow Bay, acquired in 2024.
• Supporting his wife’s work at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Should the board confirm D’Amaro this week, Iger isn’t expected to vanish immediately. He likely will remain in the CEO role for several months to mentor and transition the new leader, ensuring a smoother handover than the tumultuous Chapek era.

Although the air is thick with “smoke,” nothing is official until the white smoke rises from Burbank.

For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.

Let our friends at Get Away Today help you book your next Disney or Universal Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.