It’s no secret that The Walt Disney Company is heading toward a major leadership change in 2026. According to a new report from Bloomberg, the race to succeed CEO Bob Iger is narrowing fast. The next CEO may already be within the company, and all eyes are now on Josh D’Amaro, the current Chairman of Disney Experiences, as the leading candidate to take the reins.
After returning to the CEO role in 2022, Bob Iger has maintained that his time back at the helm is temporary. His current contract runs through 2026, and by that time, a new leader will need to be in place. The question remains: who will it be?
According to the recent Bloomberg report, the field has now narrowed to four serious internal contenders:
- Josh D’Amaro – Chairman of Disney Experiences
- Dana Walden – Co-Chair of Disney Entertainment
- Alan Bergman – Co-Chair of Disney Entertainment
- Jimmy Pitaro – Chairman of ESPN
But among them, D’Amaro is reportedly rising to the top – thanks to his growing influence and popularity within the company.
Parks Division Leads the Way
Since becoming head of the Parks and Experiences segment in 2020, Josh D’Amaro has overseen a period of strong post-pandemic growth. His division includes theme parks, cruise lines, and consumer products – areas that generated $8.12 billion in profit through the first nine months of fiscal 2025. That number alone represents more than a third of the company’s profits from its TV, film, streaming, and sports segments combined.
D’Amaro, who has been with Disney for nearly 30 years, is seen by many executives as someone who understands Disney’s culture, a key consideration following the rocky tenure of former CEO Bob Chapek.
Tension at the Top?
An anecdote from the report adds intrigue: during a breakfast in Santa Monica, a witness claims to have overheard a tense moment between Bob Iger and a colleague. When the colleague mentioned D’Amaro would “do a great job” as CEO, Iger reportedly “bristled” and raised his voice, stating that no decision had been made.
This may indicate Iger is either keeping his cards close, or is caught in the middle of a succession plan still in the works.
Challenges for Other Contenders
D’Amaro’s strongest competition appears to be Dana Walden, who has led much of Disney’s television operations. However, recent backlash over the brief cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live (a decision tied to Walden) may have impacted her public and internal standing.
While both Walden and D’Amaro are respected within Disney, and while some may be vying for a duo to take over the company for another Eisner-Wells situation, only one is likely to claim the top job.
Disney is expected to announce its next CEO sometime in early 2026, according to internal plans. How do you feel about Josh D’Amaro potentially becoming Disney CEO?
