The D’Amaro-Walden Era Begins Today at Disney
Disney’s IT department quietly pushed an update to The Walt Disney Company website this morning. And with that, it’s official: Josh D’Amaro is now CEO, and Dana Walden steps into a newly created role as President & Chief Creative Officer. Several other executives also shifted seats.
Walden’s role is especially interesting. “Chief Creative Officer” isn’t just a fancy title. Disney is putting someone in charge of making sure its storytelling is aligned across film, TV, streaming, and the parks. She also has deep Hollywood relationships, something Bob Chapek sorely lacked when he assumed control of the company in 2020.
Pairing her with D’Amaro makes a lot of sense. It’s the kind of balance Disney has thrived on before: Walt and Roy, Eisner and Wells. One focused on the creative, the other on the bigger picture. If this works the way it’s supposed to, Walden shapes the stories while D’Amaro makes sure the whole machine runs.
D’Amaro’s updated bio gives us the corporate version of what’s ahead:
“As part of his strategic vision for the company, D’Amaro has outlined priorities aimed at uniting human creativity with cutting-edge technology to create unforgettable storytelling experiences that deepen Disney’s enduring bond with fans and consumers. Under his leadership, Disney is harnessing the power of its creative engines, global reach, and multiple consumer touchpoints to accelerate into a new era of innovation and growth.”
That checks every corporate bio box: leadership, innovation, growth. All the greatest hits. It reads exactly like what it is, something written for shareholders, not for the people rope-dropping Main Street U.S.A.
Yet, I still woke up pretty happy this morning. Why? Because if there’s one thing to feel good about with D’Amaro stepping into the top job, it’s that the parks aren’t an afterthought for him. They’ve been his entire world for a while now.
As Chairman of Disney Experiences, D’Amaro wasn’t just signing off on new lands and attractions. Sure, he did plenty of that. But he was also out there walking the parks, talking to Cast Members and guests, and actually seeing how things function on the ground. That perspective matters.
Disney is in the middle of a massive investment cycle. Billions are flowing into parks and cruise ships. Big projects like Monstropolis, World of Frozen, and a Villains-themed land were already in motion under Bob Iger, and they’re not slowing down.
But honestly? Right now, I’m less excited to see what D’Amaro announces next and more interested in what gets better. The small stuff. The way a Cast Member can completely turn your day around. The feeling you get when riding an attraction and everything just works. The tiny operational details most people never notice until they stop working.
That’s where D’Amaro’s track record matters. He understands the balance. Big swings are great, but they only work if park operations are rock solid. You can build the most ambitious land Disney’s ever attempted, but if the popcorn cart is down or an animatronic is frozen mid-scene, the magic starts to teeter.
It’s easy to focus on the billion-dollar expansions. But the real hope here is that D’Amaro, Walden, and Thomas Mazloum – Disney’s new Experiences Chairman – lock in on what makes a Disney park feel like Disney in the first place.
