Josh D’Amaro is the Chairman of Disney Experiences, a creative engine and powerful long-term growth driver for The Walt Disney Company, entrusted with bringing beloved franchises to consumers through products and theme park experiences around the world.
D’Amaro 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 parks. This business includes the top-rated Disney Cruise Line — consisting of six ships and two island destinations — as well as Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney, and Storyliving by Disney.
His portfolio includes Walt Disney Imagineering, the world-renowned 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 award-winning Research and Development division.
In addition, he leads Disney Consumer Products, home to the world’s leading licensing business for toys, apparel and home goods — including the acclaimed NatGeo franchise — and the world’s largest children’s print publisher; as well as Disney’s digital games and apps business, including its collaboration with Epic Games. D’Amaro’s scope includes global strategy, finance, operations, marketing, creative development and technology.
With a worldwide team of 185,000 Cast Members, D’Amaro is leading 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, ships and technology. Work is under way on an extensive and far-reaching slate of projects around the globe, including seven additional cruise ships, as well as six new theme park lands and areas — with 14 new attractions — that will bring guests deeper into the stories they love, including Monsters, Inc., Cars, Indiana Jones, Encanto, Avatar, The Avengers, Coco, The Lion King and the classic Disney Villains.
D’Amaro’s expansion of Disney Experiences extends into the digital space, where a collaboration with Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, will create a new gaming and entertainment universe, reaching the next generation of Disney fans.
As Chairman, D’Amaro partners closely with the company’s film and TV studio creative leads and 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 our 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 have included Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Marvel-themed Avengers Campus, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, World of Frozen, Zootopia, Fantasy Springs, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and many more, generating excitement and high guest satisfaction.
Under his leadership, Disney Cruise Line is experiencing unprecedented growth. By early next decade, the fleet will expand to a total of 13 ships, all with Disney’s world-class entertainment, renowned dining and impeccable guest service. Disney Cruise Line serves as a powerful ambassador for the Disney brand in ports and markets around the globe beyond its theme parks, including expanding its reach further into the Asia-Pacific region.
Prior to becoming Chairman, D’Amaro served as both President of the iconic Disneyland Resort and President of Walt Disney World 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, creative 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 more than 155,000 wishes over the last 44 years. He is also a member of the United States Travel Association (USTA) Leadership Roundtable.
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