Disney’s Next Act: A (Slightly) Safer Bet

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Right. So, the handover at Disney. Josh D’Amaro is officially stepping into the big chair on March 18th. It’s… well, it’s a relief, honestly. Because let’s be real, the Bob Chapek experiment? A bit of a disaster. I mean, firing the guy who brought back Bob Iger? That’s like admitting you’ve made a spectacularly bad decision, isn’t it? A bit late to the party, perhaps. But hey, at least they learned something. Or so we hope.

Iger, the man who seemingly can’t quite retire, has decided to actually, properly, step aside. This time, though, he and the board seem to have made a marginally more sensible choice. D’Amaro. The current chairman of Disney Experiences. Which, let’s face it, is the only part of the company consistently printing money. Parks and experiences. It’s… predictable. But sometimes, predictable is good. Especially when your stock price is looking a little peaky.

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It’s a Small World, After All (and a Cash Cow)

The board, led by James P. Gorman, apparently did some actual searching this time. And they landed on a guy who knows where the money is. D’Amaro’s been with Disney since 1998, and he’s built up a pretty impressive empire of theme parks and resorts. 12 parks, 57 resorts… it’s a lot of mouse ears. And, crucially, he’s made them profitable. They’re even planning a new park in Abu Dhabi, because, you know, why not? Expand the kingdom. It’s all about the kingdom, isn’t it?

Dana Walden’s getting a promotion too, which is smart. You need someone who understands content, because even the most magical kingdom needs a good story. She’ll be President and Chief Creative Officer. A solid pairing. Although, let’s be honest, even the best creative team can’t fix a fundamentally broken business model. But they can certainly make it look prettier while it’s sinking.

Iger’s return in 2022 was… dramatic. A lot of restructuring, a lot of promises. But the stock hasn’t exactly soared, has it? It’s been… stubbornly mediocre. Down year-to-date, over the past year, and over the past five years. Which, for a company like Disney, is… concerning. It’s like watching a beloved institution slowly lose its sparkle.

The latest earnings report wasn’t terrible. Revenue up 5%. But operating income and earnings per share were down. The one bright spot? You guessed it: Disney Experiences. A record $10 billion in revenue. 8% growth. It’s almost comical, isn’t it? The parks are bailing out the rest of the company. It’s like the responsible adult cleaning up after a particularly messy party.

The Mouse Wants Global Domination (and a Solid ROI)

So, what can investors expect? More of the same, really. D’Amaro will lean into the parks and experiences division. It’s the safe bet. There will be more investment in content and streaming, of course. Because that’s what everyone’s doing. And there’s a good chance they’ll sell ABC. Traditional television is… well, it’s dying a slow, agonizing death. It’s best to cut your losses, isn’t it?

Iger was a ruthless cost-cutter. But Disney might need to go on an acquisition spree to really shake things up. There’s talk of buying Epic Games. Which… is an interesting idea. A bit risky, maybe. But potentially lucrative. What Disney stakeholders really need is a drama-free chapter. A focus on expansion and continuation. It’s a great brand, let’s not mess it up. D’Amaro understands that. He knows how to grow the brand without destroying its magic. He’ll lean into what’s working, and that, frankly, is a relief. A little boring, perhaps, but sometimes boring is exactly what you need.

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2026-02-04 08:42