Josh D’Amaro

Chairman, Disney Experiences

Josh D’Amaro is the Chairman of Disney Experiences, a creative engine and powerful growth driver for The Walt Disney Company, responsible for bringing beloved franchises to consumers through products and experiences around the world.

D’Amaro’s portfolio includes Walt Disney Imagineering, the team of artists, engineers and storytellers who imagine the future of the guest experience and bring Disney stories to life in new, innovative ways, including its Research and Development division. He also oversees Disney Parks, encompassing 12 theme parks in the United States, Europe and Asia, and Disney Signature Experiences, which offers family travel and leisure experiences beyond the theme parksand includes the award-winning Disney Cruise Line – consisting of five ships and two island destinations – as well as Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney, and Storyliving by Disney. In addition, he leads Disney Consumer Products, home to the world’s leading licensing business for toys, apparel, and home goods, and the world’s largest children’s print publisher; and Disney’s digital games and apps business, including its collaboration with Epic Games to create an all-new interactive entertainment universe. D’Amaro’s scope includes global strategy, finance, operations, marketing, and technology.

With a global team of 180,000 Cast Members, D’Amaro is spearheading the company’s strategy to ‘turbocharge’ Disney Experiences, creating groundbreaking experiences for audiences through a 10-year, $60 billion investment in new attractions, lands, hotels, cruise ships, and technology.

As Chairman, he partners closely with the company’s film and TV studio creative leads, together with Walt Disney Imagineering, to bring Disney’s most popular and powerful creative assets to life in a way that only Disney can. His affinity for the brand is coupled with a deep respect for Guests, and the Cast Members who create magic every day.

D’Amaro has been instrumental in driving the segment’s tremendous growth and evolution, launching franchise-expanding experiences on both coasts of the United States and across the globe. These include Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Marvel-themed Avengers Campus, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, World of Frozen and many more, generating excitement and high guest satisfaction. The much-awaited Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens at the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts in 2024.

Under his leadership, Disney Cruise Line is experiencing unprecedented growth and expansion, serving as a powerful ambassador for the Disney brand in ports and markets around the globe beyond its theme parks, including Australia and New Zealand for the first time in 2023. Disney will nearly double the worldwide capacity of its cruise line, adding two ships in fiscal year 2025 and another in 2026, delivering even further growth potential, including a new homeport in Singapore beginning in 2025 that will expand its reach further into the Asia-Pacific region.

Since taking the helm in 2020, D’Amaro’s team has earned more than 130 awards and accolades, including multiple THEA Awards for top attractions and experiences, and industry-best cruise line rankings for many years running from U.S. News & World Report, Travel & Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler and others.

Prior to becoming Chairman, D’Amaro served as President of the iconic Disneyland Resort and President of Walt Disney World Resort, where he oversaw significant expansion projects including the comprehensive reimagination of EPCOT, which has transformed the resort.

A graduate of Georgetown University with a degree in business administration, D’Amaro began his career at Disney in 1998 at the Disneyland Resort. Over his 26-year career, he has held leadership positions across the company both internationally and domestically, including Chief Financial Officer for Disney Consumer Products Global Licensing, Chief Commercial officer for Walt Disney World Resort and various business planning, strategy, marketing and operations roles.

D’Amaro serves on the National Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish America, a charity that has partnered with Disney to fulfill nearly 155,000 wishes over the last 44 years. He is also a member of the United States Travel Association (USTA) Leadership Roundtable. Outside of work, D’Amaro enjoys snowboarding and is an avid runner who has participated in half-marathons and triathlons.

To learn more about D’Amaro, follow him on Instagram and LinkedIn.