Disney CEO Bob Iger tells Cast Members that theme parks 'is a business where you spend to succeed'

Nov 28, 2023 in "The Walt Disney Company"

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Bob Iger

Posted: Tuesday November 28, 2023 3:00pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney CEO Bob Iger hosted a Town Hall session with Cast Members today, discussing the company's recent achievements and future building opportunities.

Bob Iger

Despite not taking questions or making any new announcements, Iger continued reiterating recent messaging that Disney plans to invest heavily in the company's theme park segment.

Referring to the recently announced $60 billion investment in parks and resorts across the next ten years, Iger told Cast Members watching the virtual event that "this is a business where you spend to succeed." Iger has previously said that the investment would allow for expanding and enhancing domestic and international parks and cruise line capacity.

Speaking in April 2023 at the Walt Disney Company Annual shareholder meeting, Disney CEO Bob Iger said that Disney plans to spend $17 billion over the next ten years, specifically at Walt Disney World, bringing 13,000 new jobs to the area.

Interim CFO Kevin Lansberry told investors earlier this month to "expect those investments to ramp up towards the back half of that 10-year period with more gradual increases in the first few years."

Iger was joined at today's Town Hall by the four Disney segment Chairmen - Alan Bergman, Josh D'Amaro, Jimmy Pitaro, and Dana Walden.

Today's Town Hall session comes almost a year after Iger returned to the top job at Disney. When asked about the challenges facing him on his return, Iger said, "I knew that there were a myriad of challenges that I would face coming back. I won't say that it was easy, but I've never second-guessed the decision to come back, and being back still feels great."

In a previous memo to employees inviting them to the session, Iger said, "As I reflect on the immense progress we've made this year and look ahead to the many opportunities before us, I'm grateful to all of you - the people of this great company - for the tremendous work you do each and every day to ensure we continue delivering incredible entertainment for our audiences, guests, and fans all over the world."

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SirwalterraleighMar 22, 2026

Naming an “internal” successor with a 25 year toil is not exactly a shot of adrenaline It’s not like we didn’t just see this….except of course we did I hope I’m totally wrong…which is often the case…but the first week was not arrow up

BagOfGroceriesMar 22, 2026

What happened is they named a successor, the successor is now in charge, and Bob was clearly ready to leave. He wouldn’t have thrown himself the celebration if he wasn’t. Sure, we don’t know if Josh will do a good job in the role, but treating Iger as the boogeyman isn’t gonna solve anything.

SirwalterraleighMar 20, 2026

So what has happened? You want the sad truth version?

BrianLoMar 19, 2026

Not the jokes. :) There were firm and unmovable beliefs that no successor would be named and his contract would be re-extended. These continued after they committed to the successor search and early 2026 timeline was announced as the boards target.

HauntedPirateMar 19, 2026

When will copious numbers of the “Thank You Bob!” button be available on eBay? Asking for a friend.

SirwalterraleighMar 19, 2026

It’s a terrible look. Someone can’t tell the difference between themself and their job It’s a forced attempt at a cult of personality Alot of That going around

SirwalterraleighMar 19, 2026

How are things in dimension X these days? 🤔

GimpYancIentMar 19, 2026

Move on? Leave? Gone? More like not in a position, readily visible, but lingering in the shadows, hanging around in the background lurking.

LSLSMar 19, 2026

I mean, he's not actually gone yet. And most of us were making jokes because he never really left before (and his short term return added what, like 2 or 3 years before he potentially moved on?).

HMFMar 19, 2026

Yes, so much so that I am 100% certain the person in the 2007 SSE garage scene is not supposed to be him. (sarcasm)

SirwalterraleighMar 19, 2026

You can be stale and run Starbucks…or an airline…or a brokerage Can you think of a company where stale is WORSE than Disney? I can’t think of one. They sell emotions…you have to constantly trigger them.

SirwalterraleighMar 19, 2026

He failed technology transition in a lot of ways… And all that other stuff was commitments that lead to over expansion…they weren’t capitalized to sustain it at that time. A couple of back to back recessions didn’t help much… Pixar was Eisner’s ego and temper. He didnt get along with Steve Jobs. Who Bob let dictate the direction of the whole operation for a couple years (he was scared of him)…and was bailed out by his death. Serendipity for bob. Actually…Bob had a lot of serendipity…the last 15 years the power brokers have “outlawed” recessions…which is dangerous and unnatural. But helps a company like Disney more than ANY. His luck has run dry a lot the last few years. The clover turned brown

BrianLoMar 19, 2026

So in the end: Iger left, a little early, on good terms, in a fairly organized and sign-posted fashion. Though I probably shouldn't expect any accountability of the missed predictions to the contrary.