Josh D’Amaro steps in as Disney’s next CEO with a $38M pay package, inheriting a company shaped by parks growth and leadership change.
Josh D’Amaro, Disney’s longtime parks chief, will take over as CEO in March 2026 after nearly three decades at the company (Photo: X)
Disney is pressing ahead with its highly anticipated leadership change with Josh D’Amaro set to take over as chief executive in March 2026. D’Amaro, who has been the driving force behind the revival of Disney’s theme parks around the world, will be taking over the reins of the company at a time when it is facing a triple threat of challenges in the form of streaming, theme park revenues, and investor pressure regarding compensation.
Josh D’Amaro is a veteran Disney executive and most well-known for running the company’s Experiences business, which includes its theme parks, cruises and consumer products. He has been with Disney for nearly 30 years and has a reputation as an operator who is fiscally responsible while also focusing on guests and his hiring is a sign of continuity, not disruption.
D’Amaro holds a degree in Business Administration from Georgetown University, which he received in 1993 with his strong finance background served as a good guide in his early professional life and later became an important factor as Disney expanded its capital-intensive business, such as theme parks, resorts and attractions around the world.
By 2024, Disney Experiences generated more than $32 billion in annual revenue, accounting for nearly 40 percent of company operating income.
Disney does not disclose the net worth of its executives, but market observers put Bob Chapek’s replacement, James D’Amaro in the ballpark of $25-$30 million. This is a reflection of his nearly thirty years of service to Disney with a combination of long-term stock awards, performance bonuses and significant senior-level pay.
As the CEO, D’Amaro’s estimated annual compensation is expected to be around $38 million and the deal includes a base salary of $2.5 million, a one-time equity award of $9.75 million and annual long-term stock incentives of $26.2 million. Additionally, there is a bonus component that can pay up to 250% of his base salary, subject to certain performance criteria.
Bob Iger brought home $45.8 million in 2025, which was more than what D’Amaro was expected to take home. However, D’Amaro’s compensation package is more weighted towards equity, which means that if the Disney stock price rises and his overall compensation package may beat Iger’s.
Iger’s most recent compensation deal was worth $46.85 million, broken down into a $1 million salary, $21 million in stock awards, $14 million in option awards, $7.25 million in incentive compensation and $2.6 million in other benefits. This deal reflected his efforts in turning around Disney’s fortunes and the sense of urgency that the board felt during this challenging time.
