Disney Execs Said to Favor This Candidate as Bob Iger’s Successor

Disney’s search for its next leader is heating up, and many inside the company believe they already know who has the best chance of replacing Bob Iger.

Josh D’Amaro, who runs Disney’s theme parks, has emerged as the top contender, according to executives and industry figures familiar with the process.

The board is reviewing four internal candidates: D’Amaro, Dana Walden, Alan Bergman, and Jimmy Pitaro. Walden and Bergman share control of Disney’s entertainment division, while Pitaro oversees ESPN.

Even as the speculation grows, Iger has pushed back on the idea that a decision is close. According to someone who witnessed a recent exchange, Iger said he had “no idea” where talk of D’Amaro’s appointment was coming from, insisting that the board has not chosen a successor yet.

The search is being led by Disney Chairman James Gorman, who joined the board in 2024 after overseeing leadership changes at Morgan Stanley.

Disney has confirmed that its succession committee has been holding regular meetings but has not revealed details. A spokesperson for the company declined to comment.

D’Amaro has led Disney’s Experiences division since 2020, which includes theme parks, cruise ships, and consumer products. The unit has been booming, delivering $8.12 billion in profit in the first nine months of fiscal 2025, more than Disney’s film, TV, streaming, and sports businesses combined. Disney has committed up to $60 billion over the next decade to expand parks, add cruise ships, and open its first licensed theme park in the Middle East.

D’Amaro has also become a regular presence at public events, joining Iger at Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration on Wall Street, appearing at film premieres, and speaking at industry conferences. He has even been spotted at events hosted by rival companies, such as Netflix, where he met with senior executives.

Dana Walden is seen as his strongest competition. Along with Alan Bergman, she helped steer Disney+ into profitability after years of losses. Walden has also been working to build trust with investors, appearing on CNBC and taking part in financial conferences.

Insiders view Bergman and Pitaro as less likely choices, though they remain part of the process. For many observers, the contest is shaping up as a direct race between D’Amaro and Walden.

Whoever is chosen will face big challenges. Disney is investing heavily in its theme parks while trying to fix its struggling film and TV businesses. The company is also working to stay competitive in streaming, an area where it has lost ground in recent years.

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