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Disney Board Poised to Vote on Successor, With Parks Chief Josh D’Amaro the Reported Favorite

Company results show the experiences division at a high-water mark, bolstering a parks-first successor narrative.

Overview

  • Multiple outlets report directors are aligning on Josh D’Amaro to replace Bob Iger, with a board vote expected this week, while Disney says no decision has been made and any selection will be announced once finalized.
  • Disney’s fiscal first quarter beat expectations as the Experiences unit topped $10 billion in revenue for the first time, underscoring the parks business as the company’s primary profit driver.
  • On the earnings call, Iger advised that preserving the status quo would be a mistake and, per prior Wall Street Journal reporting, has told associates he plans to pull back from daily management before his contract ends, with a short mentoring transition anticipated.
  • The board-led succession process, overseen by chairman James Gorman, has also evaluated Dana Walden, Alan Bergman, and ESPN chief Jimmy Pitaro, following a multi-year vetting, coaching, and compensation review.
  • Shares fell roughly 5–6% after results as investors weighed guidance including international visitation headwinds at U.S. parks, even as leadership highlighted long-term growth investments and momentum.