Bob Iger Bristles at Talk of Josh D’Amaro as His Successor, But the Disney CEO Race Is Heating Up

Is Josh D’Amaro poised to be the next Disney CEO? Many believe so, but the competition to succeed Bob Iger – and take over his position – is reportedly still ongoing.

The competition to replace Bob Iger as CEO of The Walt Disney Company is becoming a highly anticipated event, drawing attention from both Hollywood and the broader business world. Although Iger maintains that no decision has been reached, most indications suggest that Josh D’Amaro, currently head of Disney Parks, is the leading candidate to become the next Disney CEO-even though Iger reportedly wasn’t pleased when this possibility was discussed publicly. It’s a closely watched battle, and many believe D’Amaro is the frontrunner.

Witnesses say Iger was eating at Farmshop in Santa Monica when someone he was with mentioned that D’Amaro would be a good choice as future CEO. This comment apparently upset Iger, who raised his voice to state that the board hadn’t made any decision about that, and he had no clue where that idea originated.

The situation highlighted how delicate the issue of who will take over remains, especially since Bob Iger’s contract is set to end in December 2026.

The Candidates in the Running

The Disney board has reportedly narrowed its focus to four internal contenders:

Josh D’Amaro – Chairman of Disney Experiences (parks, cruises, consumer products)
Dana Walden – Co-Chair of Disney Entertainment
Alan Bergman – Co-Chair of Disney Entertainment
Jimmy Pitaro – Chairman of ESPN

Those familiar with the situation say the competition is essentially a head-to-head battle between D’Amaro and Walden. Bergman and Pitaro are generally considered to have much lower chances of winning, seen as long shots in the race. Experts believe the outcome will likely depend on these two frontrunners.

At 54, D’Amaro has become a leading candidate because of his strong connection to Disney’s history and his successful leadership of its most financially successful part of the company. Meanwhile, Walden, who came to Disney with the 2019 Fox acquisition, is highly regarded by those in finance for making Disney+ profitable and creating critically acclaimed TV shows such as The Bear and Only Murders in the Building.

Why Josh D’Amaro Leads the Pack

When considering financial success and how well someone fits the company’s image, D’Amaro has a strong history of achievement. During his time leading the company, Disney’s Experiences division has become the most profitable part of the business-generating $8.12 billion in profit during the first nine months of fiscal year 2025. This is more than twice the earnings of Disney’s sports division and exceeds the revenue from the entertainment side, which covers films, streaming services, and television.

Disney’s Parks, Experiences and Products division – including parks, resorts, cruises, and merchandise – is now the company’s biggest driver of growth. To support this, Disney plans to invest $60 billion over the next ten years in things like new park attractions, more cruise ships, and even its first theme park licensed to operate in the Middle East. D’Amaro also manages Disney’s $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, securing Disney’s position in the future of digital gaming and interactive entertainment.

To many leaders at Disney, he’s the obvious choice to take over. As one manager shared after a company retreat in Florida, where division leaders outlined their plans for the future: “D’Amaro’s presentation was the most motivating.”

Cracks in the “D’Amaro Success Story”

Looking at the numbers, Josh D’Amaro’s leadership of the Experiences division seems perfect: it’s brought in record profits, Disney is investing more globally, and it’s been able to support the company’s earnings even while other parts of the entertainment business are facing challenges. However, the situation is actually more complex than it appears.

Although Experiences has seen a 33% increase in profits this year, this growth isn’t mainly due to more people visiting the parks. Actually, attendance at Disney’s U.S. parks has decreased in 2025, especially in Orlando. Both industry experts and surveys of Disney fans show fewer visits from middle-class families, who historically made up the core of Walt Disney World’s visitors.

Instead, the company’s income has increased thanks to price increases for almost everything at the theme park. Ticket prices have risen much faster than the rate of inflation, and guests continue to be unhappy with the extra cost of Genie+. Also, the cost of food and merchandise is at an all-time high. Popular options like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique are now surprisingly expensive, and improvements to the park that were promised a long time ago have been put on hold.

As a lifelong cinema and Disney devotee, I worry about a recent trend I’ve noticed. While a particular strategy might look good to investors right now, I fear it’s at the expense of the people who really love Disney. It seems Disney is focusing more and more on “Disney Adults” – those of us with money to spend – instead of the families that Walt Disney originally envisioned enjoying the parks. It’s a shift that feels…off, and I’m concerned about what it means for the future. I’ve always believed the parks were built for those family experiences, and I hope that doesn’t get lost.

If Mr. D’Amaro becomes CEO, some critics suggest his strategy of increasing profits by charging existing visitors more could eventually fail. They believe that new competition, like Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe, might attract families who are unhappy with these price increases.

The Iger Factor

Bob Iger has a significant influence on everything happening. He had postponed his retirement several times previously, and famously chose Bob Chapek in 2020-but Chapek was later removed from his position after a period of difficulty for the company. While Iger’s return was intended to bring stability, it has also created some lasting issues.

The board, led by Chairman James Gorman (who successfully managed the transition at Morgan Stanley), is committed to avoiding previous errors. This time around, the selection process is more organized, with consistent committee meetings. However, Bob Iger’s response to the possibility of Josh D’Amaro becoming Disney’s CEO indicates he might still find it difficult to relinquish control. It’s a key point to watch, as succession planning is vital for Disney’s future.

Dana Walden’s Challenge

Dana Walden is the one person who could potentially slow down D’Amaro’s progress. She excels in the areas where Disney has struggled the most – streaming and TV. Walden successfully guided Disney+ to become profitable after a long period of losses, and she’s also proven skilled at creating critically acclaimed shows that enhance Disney’s reputation. Disney benefits greatly from her expertise.

She’s also been making more appearances with Wall Street and in the media, giving talks at important events and being interviewed on CNBC. Those who support her believe her experience in the entertainment industry makes her a more natural leader for a media company compared to someone like D’Amaro, who comes from a background focused on parks.

Despite this, there’s still debate about Walden’s involvement in difficult company choices-like when Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show was temporarily taken off the air and then brought back after he shared false information regarding Charlie Kirk’s death. This remains a point of contention.

The Dana Walden Kamala Harris Connection

A further challenge for Dana Walden’s potential appointment is her established personal relationship with former Vice President Kamala Harris. They’ve been friends for many years, and Walden has often been seen with Harris at social and political gatherings in Los Angeles. Within the entertainment industry, this connection is often viewed positively – as a sign of strong connections and access to powerful networks.

However, given the current political situation, that connection could actually become a problem. With President Trump returning to power and his team already expressing doubts about companies that support progressive causes, some people are wondering if Disney would choose a CEO who is so well-known for being connected to Harris.

As I’ve been thinking about who will take the reins at Disney next, it’s clear they’re facing a much tougher landscape than their predecessors did. It’s not just about pleasing investors and making hits in Hollywood anymore. The political climate in Washington has shifted, and it’s become a lot less welcoming for entertainment companies. Things like regulations, how closely Disney is watched for monopolies, and even taxes could all depend on how the new administration views the company’s leadership. Honestly, a CEO who’s openly aligned with someone like Kamala Harris might be starting at a disadvantage. It feels like navigating Washington will be a huge part of this next leader’s job, and they’ll need to be incredibly savvy to succeed. This isn’t the same Disney world as during the Obama or Biden years, that’s for sure.

Some people who are critical of Karen Walden as a potential CEO believe her selection could lead to unwanted political conflicts, especially when Disney is already facing many challenges. Those who support her argue that her strong relationships in Hollywood are exactly what Disney needs to stay ahead in the changing world of media. However, it’s clear that her friendship with Kamala Harris creates a political issue that other candidate, Josh D’Amaro, doesn’t have to worry about in the race for Disney CEO.

What Comes Next?

Disney has stated that its board of directors will reveal who will take over from Iger at the beginning of next year, well before his current contract ends. This move is intended to guarantee a smooth handover of power and prevent the kind of leadership issues the company has faced before.

Currently, Josh D’Amaro still appears to be the likely future CEO of Disney. He’s been present at important events such as film premieres, meetings with investors, and even ceremonial occasions like the ringing of the New York Stock Exchange bell with Iger to celebrate Disneyland’s 70th anniversary. Many people believe he already acts and carries himself as if he’s destined to lead Disney one day.

Until the company’s board of directors decides who will take over next, the future leadership is unclear-and Iger seems worried about the discussion surrounding his eventual replacement, suggesting it’s still very much ongoing.

2025-10-03 17:00