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Josh D’Amaro’s Netflix Appearance Sparks CEO Speculation: What’s Next for Disney?

BBG News

The most convincing indication yet that the potential future CEO of Disney might be Josh D’Amaro didn’t stem from a meeting in a boardroom or an investment conference—instead, it was at the celebration following one of its main competitors.

At Netflix‘s 2025 presentation for upcoming shows, some industry experts noticed an unanticipated individual wandering the corridors: Josh D’Amaro, potential future CEO of Disney Experiences and Chairman at present. As Bloomberg revealed, even top executives from Netflix were taken aback by D’Amaro’s attendance, as they hadn’t known why the head of Disney’s theme parks would attend an event for a rival company’s pitch.

Why This Is Not Normal

At the upfronts, studios and streaming services reveal their future content lineups to advertisers in a carefully planned manner. This arena is primarily about promoting each company’s own brand, rather than a place for competing executives to socialize unless there’s a joint production or licensing agreement involved. In such cases, the negotiations are typically handled by studio officials, not theme park management.

It’s been proposed that D’Amaro was present because Disney often invests heavily in advertising for its parks, cruise line, and merchandise. However, upon closer examination, this theory seems unlikely. In a corporation like Disney, media buying is typically managed by high-ranking marketing VPs and external agencies. While D’Amaro might approve high-level budgets, he wouldn’t usually be the one to search for ad spaces or attend events like this for tactical ad purchasing reasons.

So what was he doing there?

3 Possible Reasons D’Amaro Crashed Netflix’s Party

1. CEO Campaigning Behind the Scenes

As Bob Iger steps down from his role as Disney CEO by early 2026, Josh D’Amaro has emerged as a strong contender for the position. His recent participation at the MoffettNathanson investor conference, which was a role previously held by Iger, is already being viewed as a trial for leadership.

Attending Netflix’s presentation could be seen as a strategic decision, intended to demonstrate broad industry presence and significance beyond his previous roles. It seems he aims to communicate that he is no longer confined to being known solely as “the parks guy,” but rather is capable of competing at the highest levels across various sectors.

2. Signaling Openness to Licensing Partnerships

It’s being discussed that Disney might start giving permission for some of its older content to competitors such as Netflix, with the aim of maintaining and increasing their income.

In essence, D’Amaro might be attempting to broaden his professional connections beyond his current sphere, possibly positioning himself for a more comprehensive company role, or even gathering potential allies should he ascend to the CEO position.

3. Soaking Up PR Glow

With strong earnings and the unveiling of a new theme park initiative in Abu Dhabi, it’s possible that D’Amaro was seeking to enjoy the spotlight at a prominent industry gathering.

However, performing this action independently could potentially spark some surprise within Disney, as they typically prefer coordinated steps for such decisions.

A Troubling Track Record for Fans

Should it be true that D’Amaro is running for the CEO position, many dedicated Disney supporters have valid reasons to express their concerns. Under his guidance, Disney Parks seem to have distanced themselves from their loyal fanbase, prioritizing financial records over core fan experiences.

Here’s the damage report:

  • Prices Have Soared: A 2024 Wall Street Journal report revealed the cost of a four-day Walt Disney World trip for a family of four hit $4,266—up from $3,230 five years earlier. Much of that came from monetizing previously free services like FastPass (now Lightning Lane).
  • Guest Satisfaction Has Fallen: Internal surveys leaked to the WSJ showed declining return intent from parkgoers. Disney also dropped to 77th in the Axios Harris Poll 100 for corporate reputation and fell behind Dollywood in Newsweek’s 2025 theme park customer service rankings.
  • Projects Have Been Canceled: The Mary Poppins attraction and Play! Pavilion at EPCOT were both announced in 2019 under Bob Chapek but quietly shelved during D’Amaro’s time as Experiences boss. As of 2023, Disney removed the Play! Pavilion from official park guides and confirmed both concepts were being “re-evaluated.” No replacements have been announced.
  • Maintenance and Magic are Fading: Reports of extended ride downtimes, cleanliness issues, and scaled-back live entertainment have grown. Magic Kingdom in particular has taken hits to its once-pristine reputation. Not to mention massive infrastructure issues leading to several sewage leaks in Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, along with a ceiling collapse in EPCOT’s Land Pavilion.

What This Means for Disney’s Future

Internally, D’Amaro is widely admired for his charm, media skills, and profitability, but promoting him could be perceived as misleading by the broader Disney fanbase. They have witnessed the parks evolving from enchanting getaways into practical, phone-focused workplaces. Under his leadership, Disney Experiences have indeed shown impressive earnings, however, they’ve also sparked significant discontent.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve noticed that some key players in the industry, such as Dana Walden, are burdened by political ties (specifically her friendship with Kamala Harris). On the other hand, more subtle figures like Alan Bergman and Jimmy Pitaro haven’t been as vocal or proactive in their public endeavors.

However, D’Amaro is making a presence. He attends investor meetings and competitor gatherings frequently. It seems he’s omnipresent. If this is what the future Disney CEO resembles, concerned fans of the company’s creative and cultural direction may find themselves with additional reasons to fret.

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2025-05-21 20:01

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