Disney New Leadership: Theme Park Chief D'Amato Takes the Helm on March 18

[Para 1: The Lead] Disney (DIS-US) announced today, February 18, 2026, that Josh D'Amato, currently the CEO of Theme Parks, Cruises, and Consumer Products, will assume the role of CEO, effective March 18. Current CEO Bob Iger will continue as a board member and senior advisor until his retirement at the end of the year. [Para 2-3: Supporting details & Context] Disney's stock price fell 1.6% in after-hours trading following the announcement, closing at $102.81 per share. This transition comes as Disney continues to restructure its operations, shifting from traditional TV operations to streaming platforms, while heavily relying on its theme park and experiential business for profitability. The board emphasized that this leadership change is aimed at avoiding past pitfalls in succession planning and laying the groundwork for the company's next phase of growth. D'Amato, 54, has been with Disney for 28 years, with nearly his entire career spent in the theme parks and experiences division. He served as the president of Disneyland California and Walt Disney World before leading the Experience division, which includes theme parks, cruises, and consumer products, contributing 38% of Disney's revenue and 57% of operating profits in the last fiscal year. Disney plans to invest $60 billion globally in theme parks and cruises by 2033, expanding its cruise fleet to 13 ships and building its first theme park in the Middle East. The board reviewed over 100 candidates, selecting D'Amato for his understanding of Disney's culture, clear vision for future growth, and extensive experience in the profitable experiential business. However, the new executive team faces challenges, including the ongoing push for content and creative talent. Dana Walden, co-president of Entertainment, will now serve as President and Chief Creative Officer, overseeing film and streaming content production, reporting directly to D'Amato. This restructuring aims to consolidate content decision-making and retain key executives. The market will closely watch whether a leader primarily from the theme park division can successfully manage the creative and content-intensive departments of film, TV, and streaming. D'Amato's recent efforts to expand into gaming and technology, including investments in major game companies and integrating game technology into creative processes, will be pivotal in balancing growth in theme parks with the revitalization of content competitiveness.