As The Walt Disney Company considers its next CEO, it’s hard not to feel underwhelmed by the leading candidates. Each has a commendable record on paper, but the specific needs of Disney seem to demand something these contenders just don’t offer. Let’s break down why each potential CEO lacks what it takes to guide Disney into its next chapter.
Andrew Wilson: Strong in Gaming, Weak in Disney’s Core Areas
Andrew Wilson has led Electronic Arts (EA) since 2013, steering the company to impressive growth and expanded digital entertainment offerings. He’s undoubtedly an effective leader in the gaming space, which makes sense given Disney’s interests in video games and its recent collaboration with Epic Games. Yet, Disney is so much more than gaming. Wilson has no meaningful experience with theme parks, consumer products, or family-centric branding—key pillars of Disney’s identity. Marginal improvements to Disney+ and gaming won’t address the broader challenges Disney faces, and his lack of alignment with Disney’s core values is hard to overlook. Even if Wilson could increase digital revenue, it feels like he’d miss the heart of what makes Disney special.
Josh D’Amaro: A Disappointing Transformation from Golden Boy to Corporate Robot
Josh D’Amaro once felt like the natural heir to Disney’s leadership—a true “Disney guy” with deep roots in the company. D’Amaro brought passion and dedication to his roles at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disneyland, and eventually Walt Disney World. Fans admired him as someone who understood Disney’s soul and valued the experiences of cast members and guests alike. Yet, since becoming Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products in 2022, D’Amaro’s track record has fallen short of expectations. Under his leadership, we’ve seen relentless price increases, eroding accessibility for middle-class families, and widespread cutbacks in live entertainment and guest experiences. It’s disheartening to see someone who once championed the “Disney magic” now preside over such drastic cost-cutting measures. D’Amaro might understand Disney’s DNA better than some candidates, but he has become yet another corporate player, prioritizing profit over the fans who truly love the parks.
Dana Walden: Talented in Content but Out of Touch with Theme Parks
Dana Walden, currently co-chair of Disney Entertainment, brings a wealth of experience in media and content development. She’s fostered strong relationships with creative talent and championed diversity and inclusion—a combination that’s reminiscent of Bob Iger’s approach. Walden is skilled in producing compelling content across Disney’s vast entertainment network, which is vital in today’s competitive streaming landscape. Yet, she’s never worked with Disney’s theme parks or consumer products, two areas critical to Disney’s identity and profitability. While she might be the best choice among these candidates for media and storytelling, her lack of theme park experience is a glaring gap. Disney needs a leader who appreciates its diverse divisions, not one solely focused on streaming and content.
Alan Bergman: Creative Experience, But Not for Disney as a Whole
Like Walden, Alan Bergman has a robust background with Disney’s creative divisions. His work with Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios shows he understands the studio side of Disney. However, like Walden, he has no meaningful experience with Disney’s theme parks. Disney’s legacy includes both storytelling and real-world magical experiences, yet Bergman’s background is entirely in studios. He might be able to guide Disney’s film and streaming ventures, but theme parks are central to Disney’s unique value proposition. Without experience in this critical area, Bergman’s leadership would feel incomplete.
The Bottom Line: Corporate Robots in a Company That Needs a Visionary
It’s understandable that no candidate will have perfect experience across every Disney division. But all these options feel like corporate-minded operators, lacking the visionary quality Disney needs. I’m not expecting the next Walt Disney, but I just can’t look at these options and get very excited. Each candidate brings strengths to the table, but they’re either too focused on profit, too narrow in their expertise, or out of touch with the core values of Disney’s unique brand. Even D’Amaro, once a champion of park guests and cast members, now feels like a penny-pinching executive. The heart of Disney—the commitment to magical experiences accessible to everyone—seems lost among these candidates.
At this pivotal moment, Disney should aim for a leader who values its history and diverse offerings, not one who will view the company as a cash cow for Disney+. Without such a leader, Disney’s future may continue down a path of missed opportunities, lost magic, and waning connection with its loyal fans.
