Disney signals next CEO will take over a company with strong momentum

Disney ready for its next CEO.

On Monday, the company’s management outlined its latest accomplishments in its quarterly earnings report. CEO Bob Iger has stated that Disney will be ready to seize the momentum when his soon-to-be-determined successor takes over.

“I am incredibly proud of everything we have accomplished over the past three years to put Disney on a path of continued growth. I am inspired and energized by the opportunities ahead of this great company,” Iger told investors on Monday.

Iger regained the CEO role in late 2022 following a failed succession plan involving former parks boss Bob Chapek. Disney tapped Chapek to replace Iger in 2020, but fired him 2.5 years later and reversed most of the changes he implemented.

Now Disney is counting on a smoother handover for the second time, backed by its growth path.

Disney’s board is meeting this week and is expected to vote on the next CEO, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters. The company had previously announced that it would announce Iger’s replacement in the first quarter of this year.

“I think what’s notable is that when I came back three years ago, there was a tremendous amount that needed to be fixed,” Iger said on Monday’s call. he said. “But anyone who runs a company knows that it can’t just be about fixing it. It’s about preparing a company for its future and actually getting it off the ground, but also taking steps to create growth opportunities.”

Disney on Monday beat Wall Street expectations for both revenue and earnings for its fiscal first quarter.

The company’s experiences division, which includes theme parks, resorts and cruises, generated more than $10 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time. Disney Experiences President Josh D’Amaro is among those to be appointed as the next CEO.

Industry insiders and Disney sources expect D’Amaro to be appointed as Iger’s successor, but the decision ultimately rests with the Disney board and will not be final until directors vote.

Iger said he thinks the parking business and its ability to grow will “go way, way up.” Disney now plans to develop a theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi, is launching more cruise ships and is in the midst of its previously announced $60 billion investment in theme parks over the next decade.

Meanwhile, Disney’s entertainment segment (the unit that houses TV networks, streaming and theatrical releases and is arguably the unit in need of the biggest turnaround in recent years) saw revenues rise 7% in the period. Disney stopped short of pausing streaming subscription growth this quarter but offered guidance that showed Disney is confident it will continue to grow and offset traditional TV declines.

While theme parks, resorts and cruises drive Disney’s profits, its TV, streaming and film businesses are mostly in focus. After years that were not very successful at the box office, Disney made its mark in 2025 and declared its leadership on Monday.

“Looking back at just a few years where our film business was suffering from Covid and the streaming business was clearly not in an acceptable place, it’s clear that both of those businesses, or let’s call it our entertainment business, have a bright future and are going to grow,” Iger said on the company’s earnings call.

Disney Co-Chief Executive of Entertainment Dana Walden is also among Iger lieutenants vying for the CEO seat, CNBC previously reported.

Former Morgan Stanely CEO James Gorman is leading the process to select his successor. Given the focus on theme parks in recent years, speculation has swung in D’Amaro’s favor lately.

“In a world that’s changing so much… trying to maintain the status quo was a mistake,” Iger said Monday, addressing Disney’s latest leadership transition.

“And I’m sure my successor won’t do that,” he said. “I think they will be dealt a good hand in terms of the strength of the company, a range of growth opportunities, and also the expectation that in a changing world you have to continue to change and evolve.”