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The Walt Disney Company said Tuesday that Josh D'Amaro will become its next chief executive, succeeding Bob Iger and closing a yearslong search for the leader of one of the world's most influential entertainment companies.
D'Amaro, 54, currently oversees Disney Experiences, the division that includes theme parks, resorts and cruise lines. He will assume the role on March 18 following Disney's annual shareholder meeting. Iger, 74, will remain a senior adviser and board member through the end of the year.
Dana Walden, who runs Disney's television and streaming operations and had been widely viewed as a leading contender for the top job, was named president and chief creative officer. The newly created role places Walden in charge of storytelling and creative direction across the company, reporting to D'Amaro.
The appointment marks the second time a parks executive has risen to Disney's top position, after Bob Chapek's turbulent tenure that prompted Iger's return in late 2022. That episode cast a long shadow over the succession process and raised the stakes for the board's decision.
In a statement, Iger praised D'Amaro as a leader who blends imagination with operational discipline, saying his understanding of the Disney brand and its audiences makes him the right choice for the moment.
D'Amaro is a familiar figure to Disney's most devoted fans. Since taking charge of the parks business in 2020, he has regularly visited properties around the globe and highlighted frontline employees on social media, reinforcing the division's central role in the company's strategy.
Theme parks and cruises have become an increasingly vital engine of growth. Disney is investing tens of billions of dollars to expand attractions, add ships and open a new resort destination in Abu Dhabi, its first new theme park in 15 years.
