Josh D'Amaro Talks Disney World Strategy in First CNBC Interview as CEO

Josh D'Amaro joined CNBC's Julia Boorstin for his first CNBC interview since becoming Disney's CEO five months ago. The two spoke outside the Disney+ Expo hall at D23 in Anaheim this weekend, before doors opened to the fans lined up outside.

Josh D'Amaro at D23 2026

D'Amaro said he feels good about where the company stands after his first full quarter as CEO. He pointed to revenue growth, 28% earnings growth, and what he called a surprise from the parks division.

"The parks, I think, were a big surprise to people, and they just keep generating returns for the company," D'Amaro said. Streaming also expanded its margins during the quarter, he added.

D'Amaro credited former CEO Bob Iger for handing him a strong business. Streaming turned profitable under Iger. The Parks Division saw investment that D'Amaro said is now paying off. ESPN completed its move to direct-to-consumer streaming, and the film slate remains strong.

From here, D'Amaro said his focus shifts to four areas:

• Storytelling
• Moving with more speed and urgency
• Embracing technology
• Operating as "one Disney" across every division

"There are so many other competitors out there that would love to have the IP that we have, that would love to have the collection of businesses that we have and the scale," D'Amaro said. "If we operate as one consolidated business across everything that we do, that is incredibly powerful."

D'Amaro described streaming as becoming the company's "digital centerpiece." That means one account and one membership across all of Disney, including the parks.

Disney already collects data through Disney+ and through your visits to Walt Disney World. D'Amaro said combining that data lets Disney speak to guests "with one voice" instead of treating each business separately.

For park guests, that could mean a more connected link between your streaming account and your park visits, from planning tools to loyalty perks. D'Amaro said the goal is to raise lifetime value for fans and returns for shareholders.

Disney's stock is down 11% over the past year, though it's up 4% since D'Amaro became CEO. He said he isn't satisfied with where the stock sits right now, but pointed to third-quarter earnings as proof his strategy is working.

"Some of the businesses that investors have questions about, parks for example, in Q3, I think we kind of are defying gravity on that front, and that's just because of how we're investing in these businesses," D'Amaro said.

He said the plan going forward stays the same: grow streaming, keep investing in the parks and experiences business, finish the ESPN direct-to-consumer transition, and keep making strong films.

Josh D'Amaro at D23 2026