Report: Bob Iger Spent Millions of Dollars at Disney Before Announcing 2026 Departure

Bob Iger’s final year leading The Walt Disney Company came with an extraordinary price tag—nearly $46.4 million in total compensation, including lavish personal perks funded by corporate dollars. Financial disclosures released this week reveal the outgoing CEO’s 2025 pay package featured over half a million dollars in private jet expenses alone, alongside millions more in security costs and other benefits. The revelations arrive as Disney prepares to hand the reins to Josh D’Amaro, current Chairman of Disney Experiences, who takes over as CEO on March 18.

The compensation figures starkly contrast with what Disney pays its theme park workforce, where the typical cast member with over eight years of service earns just $56,932 annually. That creates an 805-to-1 ratio between executive and median worker compensation.

Breakdown of Executive Spending Under Bob Iger

According to analysis published by The Wrap, Iger’s 2025 compensation stretched across multiple categories that together paint a picture of executive-level privilege:

His base salary stood at $1 million—a relatively modest figure by CEO standards but still nearly 18 times what a median Disney cast member earns. Stock awards added $21 million to his package. Option awards contributed another $14 million. Non-equity incentive compensation delivered $7.25 million.

The “other compensation” category proved most controversial at $2.59 million. Within that bucket, private jet expenses consumed $568,000—more than ten times the annual earnings of many Disney Parks employees. Personal security services accounted for $1.85 million of the remainder.

Disney CEO Bob Iger’s private jet expenses in 2025 totaled to be $568,000. ✈️💸

Disney CEO Bob Iger's private jet expenses in 2025 totaled to be $568,000. ✈️💸 pic.twitter.com/6u68bYjfmY

— Boardwalk Times (@BoardwalkTimes) January 28, 2026

The Cast Member Perspective

While Iger traveled via private aircraft on Disney’s dime, the company’s frontline workers—those operating attractions, serving food, cleaning hotels, and creating the magic guests pay premium prices to experience—earned a fraction of executive compensation.

The $56,932 median figure is among experienced cast members who’ve been with Disney for over 8 years. Entry-level workers and those with less tenure earn substantially less. These employees work physically demanding jobs in challenging conditions, yet their total annual compensation wouldn’t cover even Iger’s private jet budget for a single year.

Iger’s Rocky Return

Bob Iger initially left Disney in early 2020 after years of successful leadership. His departure seemed permanent—a planned succession after building Disney into an entertainment powerhouse through strategic acquisitions and theme park expansion.

Bob Chapek took over as CEO just as the COVID-19 pandemic devastated Disney’s business model. Theme parks closed. Film production halted. The streaming service Disney+ launched but struggled to achieve profitability, despite rapidly adding subscribers.

Chapek’s leadership faced mounting criticism. Content strategy emphasized volume over quality, alienating longtime fans. The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser—an immersive hotel at Walt Disney World Resort that charged thousands per night—opened with fanfare but closed permanently after barely a year due to weak demand.

Most damaging was Chapek’s public confrontation with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over state legislation restricting classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity. The political battle resulted in Florida stripping Disney of its control over the Reedy Creek Improvement District, eliminating decades of special governing privileges at Walt Disney World Resort.

Behind the scenes, Iger and Chapek’s relationship reportedly soured quickly after the transition. In November 2022, Disney’s board made the stunning decision to remove Chapek and reinstate Iger—less than two years after his supposed retirement.

Leadership Transition Ahead

Last week, Disney announced that Josh D’Amaro will become CEO on March 18, 2026, with Dana Walden serving as President and Chief Creative Officer. Iger will continue advising D’Amaro and serving on Disney’s board through the end of 2026 before his second—and presumably final—exit from the company.

D’Amaro currently oversees Disney Experiences, which includes all theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, and related businesses. Unlike Chapek, D’Amaro enjoys widespread support among Disney enthusiasts and has cultivated a positive public image through his leadership in the parks.

Disney hasn’t revealed what compensation package D’Amaro will receive as CEO.

What do you think of Bob Iger choosing Josh D’Amaro as the next Disney CEO? Share your opinion with Disney Dining in the comments!