Bob Iger is set to finally leave the Walt Disney Company in 2026 (for real this time, hopefully), and the race for a successor has reportedly come down to the Chairman of Disney Parks and Experiences (Josh D’Amaro) and Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment (Dana Walden). But insiders seem to think D’Amaro has the edge.
The choice is up to the Disney Board team to choose the successor.
According to a report in Bloomberg, both candidates are strong, but many expect Josh D’Amaro to come out on top.
D’Amaro has been with the Walt Disney Company for over 20 years and has led the most profitable division for about five years. Walden came with the Fox acquisition in 2019.
With Disney’s massive expansion and $60 billion earmarked for parks and experiences, new attractions, and Disney Cruise Lines ships, D’Amaro seems like a better fit.
His division makes more than double the division Walden co-chairs with Alan Bergman.
Plus, D’Amaro is well-liked throughout the company.
Dana Walden has been in a couple of controversies lately.
Firstly, she and Bob Iger were the ones who decided to take Jimmy Kimmel off the air, and we know how that ended up.
Walden and Kamala Harris have been friends for years, and the ABC debate was questioned due to that relationship. During the debate, there were a lot more “fact-checks” against Trump than Harris.
Walden heads up the television side of Disney Entertainment which would include ABC and shows like “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “The View.
This leads me to my next point, ABC get protected a lot because Bob Iger came from that network when Disney bought it.
Iger may favor Walden as the CEO pick based on an anecdotal story from the Bloomberg article,
It seems Iger “raised his voice” and got angry when it was suggested that Josh D’Amaro would be a good pick for CEO,
“His breakfast partner suggested Josh D’Amaro, head of Disney’s theme-parks division, “will do a great job when he’s appointed CEO.” Iger bristled, according to a person who witnessed the exchange. He raised his voice, saying the board hadn’t made a decision and that he had “no idea” where that notion was coming from.”
Walden was also credited with helping to bring Bob Iger back as Disney CEO.
According to various accounts, she would walk with the ex-Disney CEO and ask him about coming back.
“That Friday, Ms. Walden called Mr. Iger and canceled a walk they had planned for that afternoon. Ms. Walden said Ms. Arnold would be calling him instead. Mr. Iger reported this to his wife.
“They’re not asking you back,” she said.
Mr. Iger agreed, but wondered, “What if they do?”
Ms. Bay said he’d have to accept. “If they’re asking you to come back, they must be desperate. And second, you love the company and the people, you kind of owe it to them.”
If this is true it would make sense that Bob Iger favors Walden and wants her to succeed him. If true, this would also explain his comments and tone toward someone mentioning D’Amaro.
Thankfully, Bob Iger doesn’t get to choose.
But it is looking more and more likely that one of these two will win. I just hope they don’t pick Walden because she’s a woman. I don’t think she would be the best choice here.
Of course, that is just my opinion.
What do you think? Comment and let us know!
Pirates & Princesses (TM) (Stylized as PNP) is an independent, opinionated News and Information site focused on Travel, Entertainment, Fashion, the “Geek Girl” Lifestyle, and more. We focus heavily on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Orlando Resort, and other themed entertainment and travel destinations. Our news staff includes former theme park and entertainment industry employees, journalists and dedicated pop culture and theme park enthusiasts. Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of this site, our affiliates or our sponsors.