March 18, 2026 was a big day for Disney. Josh D’Amaro officially took the reins as CEO, and he didn’t waste a single second of it.
At the 2026 Annual Shareholder Meeting, D’Amaro delivered pre-recorded remarks filmed next to the old animation building on the Disney lot — and laid out his vision for the company. Parks expansions, a brand-new cruise ship, technology partnerships, and one clear message: Disney is in a category of one.
Here’s everything Josh D’Amaro announced on his first day as Disney CEO and what it means for fans.
Quick Summary
- Josh D’Amaro officially became Disney CEO at the 2026 Annual Shareholder Meeting on March 18
- Thanked Bob Iger, who stays on as Senior Advisor and Board member through December 31, 2026
- Announced the Disney Believe — DCL’s 9th ship, part of a fleet expansion from 3 to 13 ships by 2031
- World of Frozen opens in Paris later this month
- Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure is doubling in size
- A Villains land is coming to Magic Kingdom
- Abu Dhabi will become home to Disney’s first new theme park in over a decade
- Epic Games/Fortnite partnership confirmed for technology integration
Josh D’Amaro Steps Into the CEO Role
D’Amaro didn’t need day one to figure out who he is. He’s been at Disney for 28 years.
He grew up watching The Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights. His first visit to Disneyland happened when he was 10 years old. This isn’t a corporate outsider taking over a beloved brand — this is someone who has lived Disney from both sides of the turnstile.
At the shareholder meeting, D’Amaro opened by honoring his predecessor. He had nothing but respect for Bob Iger, crediting him for the foundation Disney stands on today. Iger isn’t going far — he stays on as Senior Advisor and Board member through December 31, 2026, giving D’Amaro a safety net of institutional knowledge during the transition.
The Disney Believe: A 9th Ship for Disney Cruise Line
One of the biggest announcements was the reveal of the Disney Believe — the newest Disney Cruise Line ship.
Disney Cruise Line is growing fast. D’Amaro confirmed the plan to expand the fleet from its current size all the way to 13 ships by 2031. To put that in perspective, that’s more than quadrupling the original fleet from when the line launched with just 3 ships.
D’Amaro recently visited the Disney Adventure in Singapore, so his enthusiasm for DCL came through clearly in his address. The Believe adds another option for families looking to combine a Disney vacation with the cruise experience.
Josh D’Amaro Disney CEO Parks Expansion: The Pipeline Is Loaded
If you love Disney Parks, D’Amaro’s address had a lot to get excited about. The pipeline he laid out covers multiple continents.
World of Frozen Opens in Paris This Month
World of Frozen is coming to Disneyland Paris — and it’s happening later this March. If you’re planning a Paris trip anytime soon, this one is practically around the corner.
Avengers Campus at DCA Is Doubling in Size
Disney California Adventure’s Avengers Campus is getting a major expansion. D’Amaro confirmed it’s doubling in size — meaning more attractions, more space, and a lot more Marvel for guests who can’t get enough.
A Villains Land Is Coming to Magic Kingdom
This one has been rumored for a while, and D’Amaro made it official: a dedicated Villains land is coming to Magic Kingdom. No specific timeline was given, but having it formally acknowledged moves it from rumor to reality.
Abu Dhabi Gets Disney’s Newest Theme Park
Disney’s first new theme park in over a decade will be in Abu Dhabi. This is a massive deal — new parks are rare events, and a new park signals serious long-term investment in Disney’s international presence. The Abu Dhabi announcement alone would have made this shareholder meeting memorable.
Technology: The Epic Games and Fortnite Partnership
D’Amaro also addressed the Epic Games and Fortnite partnership. Disney and Epic have been building their relationship, and this collaboration is part of how Disney plans to connect with guests beyond the physical parks.
The details were high-level, but the direction is clear: Disney wants to show up where fans are spending their digital time, not just in the parks themselves.
What Makes Disney Different
D’Amaro closed his address with something that felt personal, not corporate: “Disney is in a category of one.”
He highlighted that Disney grants a Make-A-Wish wish every single hour of every single day. That’s not a metric most companies can claim. It reflects the emotional weight of what Disney means to people — the kind of connection that goes far beyond theme parks and movies.
For D’Amaro, who grew up watching Walt’s anthology show on Sunday nights and then spent 28 years building his career inside this company, that’s not a talking point. It’s a mission.
What This Means for Josh D’Amaro Disney CEO Fans and Park Visitors
D’Amaro’s first day as Disney CEO gave fans a clear picture of what’s ahead. The parks pipeline is real and ambitious. The cruise line is expanding at a pace the company has never attempted before. And the new CEO is someone who understands Disney from the inside out.
The announcements from the 2026 shareholder meeting — Abu Dhabi, Avengers Campus, World of Frozen Paris, the Disney Believe — represent one of the most loaded expansion slates in Disney history. If you’ve been looking for a reason to stay excited about what’s coming, D’Amaro’s first day just gave you several.
Keep up with all the latest Disney Parks news at DisMornings — we’ll have updates on every one of these announcements as more details drop.
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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop
I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!
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