Walt Disney is one of the most well known business men in history. A man in business who wanted nothing to do with money, shortcuts or finding a good way to get another buck from the customer. Normally that is called a failed business, but with Roy Disney, his brother, by his side it meant a business built on hard work, ingenuity and creativity. And then it became a global media empire. Now, as Josh D’Amaro takes over as CEO of The Walt Disney Company, he was asked about Walt Disney’s legacy and what that means to him as the new leader.
New Disney CEO, Josh D'Amaro, was asked about Walt Disney's Legacy and what that means to him and the future of the company. https://t.co/72hpMuBeri pic.twitter.com/DS9Px1SzsA
— Everything You Need To Know (@EYNTKinfo) March 19, 2026
Josh D’Amaro has officially taken over The Walt Disney Company. During his first Annual Shareholders Meeting he said, “As I officially step into this role with an incredible team at my side, I’m truly excited about the road ahead. And I have absolute confidence in our ability to deliver high-quality, experiential storytelling that stands head and shoulders above the rest.”
D’Amaro is standing on the shoulders of Disney greats throughout history that helped expand Disney’s entertainment offerings with new parks, cruise ships, intellectual properties, land acquisitions, government friendships, merchandise rights and so much more. Throughout The Walt Disney Company’s long history, there have been numerous large-scale decisions that made it what it is today. D’Amaro was asked about Walt Disney, the man who made the initial decision to gamble it all for a dream.
D’Amaro on Disney
D’Amaro stated he holds Walt Disney in high regards and thinks of his legacy often. When asked about Walt, he answered, “You know, Walt, he created this company around a very simple, but I think a really powerful idea, that greatly storytelling and creativity, they can actually bring people together and create experiences that stay with them for their who life…I think less about preserving something from the past and more about carrying forward the innovative spirit that defined him (Walt Disney)… Walt, he was incredibly optimistic about the future, he embraced new technology, he took a lot of creative risks,” said D’Amaro.
Looking forward has been a large part of The Walt Disney Company’s plans in recent years. What some may consider going against the Disney style or tradition is what Disney Leadership is pushing as creative and technological risk. Disney acquired a $1.5 billion equity stake in Epic Games, the makers of Fortnite, in 2024. Epic Games is a game and 3D engine developer, probably most well known for their incredibly hit game, Fortnite. A game which, at its core, is about shooting and destroying other players to win Victory Royale. In the world of Cinderella, this doesn’t align with the brand, but when looking at the broad scope of Disney storytelling, it does.
Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Avatar, all franchises that don’t focus on princesses and fairytales. The Walt Disney Company is no longer defined by a single storyline and it hasn’t been for a long time. Walt Disney was always focused on what’s next and how the company could fit audiences around the world. Before Alice in Wonderland there were the True-Life Adventures, before Sleeping Beauty there was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The Disney brand has always been innovating and changing, while also looking back for strong stories and values.
The Walt Disney Company is changing, yet again
Another such example of Disney change can be seen at Magic Kingdom Park with the demolition of the Rivers of America. This is a heated subject as fans of traditional Disney hate to see this part of the park leave. Other fans are all for the new attractions and offerings that come with this monumental project. Much like with Epic Games, this goes against what some consider “Disney” while doing what others believe is “Disney.”
From a leadership or public relations role inside of the company, I have to imagine the best and worst part of the company is how integrated the Disney name is in the lives of the general public. Visiting a Disney Park for the first time feels like a rite of passage. For many families if you put on a film with the kids, it is made by Disney. Some of the world’s most popular franchises are owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company. With this great power comes financial success but also the eyes of the world, and the world rarely agrees.
Disney has to constantly work to appease longtime fans, create new fans, make critics happy, uphold the gold standards they set yet also create entirely new innovations that break the rules they are known for. When done perfectly, it makes you a mountain of money, but the tiniest mistake can seem like a monumental failure. Josh D’Amaro didn’t just assume a new job, he inherited a legacy. His next few months and years will be heavily scrutinized while also being highly praised as he has chosen to become the sole face of hundreds of thousands of Cast Members, film makers, Imagineers, Crew Members, executives, artists and everyone else the company employs.
Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro’s "mic drop" moment today? This right here. 👀
"Simply put, while others in our industry are consolidating just to compete, are struggling to be relevant in a fragmented and disrupted world, Disney’s in a category of one, poised to accelerate into our… pic.twitter.com/mCsdvJ1XHA
— Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) March 18, 2026
Stay tuned for what’s next with D’Amaro and The Walt Disney Company
One thing is for sure, an overwhelming amount of longterm Disney fans love Josh D’Amaro and Josh himself presents as someone passionate and confident about his role. As 2026 continues, we will begin to see his plans in action with the company expected to be fully following his set guidance by 2027. The next few years are crucial as the last time former CEO Bob Iger stepped down his replacement Bob Chapek was met with much backlash.
Josh D’Amaro is stepping into the company during a more stable time but he still has many struggles he will have to deal with each and every day. Best of luck to you Josh as you continue forward, guiding one of the most influential companies in human history.
