Fired Disney CEO Bob Chapek Claims He Steered Parks Through COVID and Built Josh D’Amaro

Disney has a new CEO and a new era is underway, but one of the company’s former leaders is suddenly reinserting himself into the conversation.

Bob Chapek is preparing to release a memoir about his decades at Disney, and he isn’t avoiding the most controversial parts of his time with the company. Instead, Chapek is defending his decisions while making a notable claim about Josh D’Amaro’s journey to the CEO position.

In Chapek’s telling, he played an important role in recognizing D’Amaro’s potential and pushing him higher through Disney’s corporate ranks.

Now that D’Amaro controls the company Chapek once led, those comments add another layer to their shared history.

Chapek Connects Himself to D’Amaro’s Rise

Chapek discusses D’Amaro in Behind the Castle Walls: My Thirty Years at the Happiest Place on Earth, his upcoming memoir.

According to excerpts obtained by The New York Times, Chapek portrays himself as an early supporter of D’Amaro inside Disney.

“I consistently suggested the idea of promoting him,” Chapek writes.

He also claims D’Amaro had been relatively unknown within Disney’s corporate structure before Chapek recognized his potential.

But Chapek doesn’t stop at taking some credit for D’Amaro’s promotions.

When discussing the changes he wanted to pursue at Disney, Chapek describes D’Amaro as “the tip of my spear.”

That language directly connects Disney’s current CEO to Chapek’s vision for the company during one of its most turbulent periods.

COVID Put Both Executives in New Roles

Their professional relationship became particularly important in 2020.

Disney promoted Chapek from chairman of its parks division to CEO in February of that year. Shortly afterward, COVID-19 forced Disney into a crisis few executives could have anticipated.

The company temporarily closed its theme parks and suspended cruise operations as the pandemic disrupted its businesses.

D’Amaro received a major promotion during that uncertainty.

In May 2020, he became chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, moving into the position Chapek previously held.

That put D’Amaro in charge of the theme park business as Disney attempted to recover.

When the parks eventually reopened, guests found a different vacation experience. Reservation systems became part of trip planning, pricing continued to change, and Disney placed greater emphasis on premium products. Several complementary offerings also disappeared.

Chapek Continues to Defend His Approach

Those changes became a major part of Chapek’s reputation among Disney fans, but the former CEO apparently isn’t interested in running away from his strategy.

His upcoming memoir reportedly defends his approach to increasing revenue at Disney’s theme parks.

The New York Times reports that Chapek remains proud of introducing airline-style dynamic pricing concepts into Disney’s park business.

His argument centers on crowd levels and guest satisfaction. Chapek believes higher prices can help reduce overcrowding, potentially creating a better experience for people who do visit.

Many Disney fans didn’t view the strategy quite so favorably.

Chapek’s years in leadership became associated with rising vacation costs and growing frustration over additional charges.

That makes his comments about D’Amaro especially significant.

D’Amaro developed a more personable public image, frequently appearing inside Disney parks and interacting with Cast Members. Chapek’s memoir, however, reminds readers that D’Amaro also held a major leadership role during Disney’s implementation of controversial business changes.

D’Amaro Is Staying Out of the Conversation

D’Amaro hasn’t publicly challenged Chapek’s account.

A spokesperson for D’Amaro declined to comment when The New York Times asked about Chapek’s description of their relationship.

D’Amaro became Disney CEO in March 2026 after the company selected him to succeed Bob Iger.

Chapek never received the same kind of transition.

Disney’s board removed him as CEO in November 2022 after less than three years in the position and quickly returned Iger to the company’s top job.

Now, Chapek has an opportunity to present his own account of that period.

Disney’s Past Is Following Its New CEO

Chapek’s comments create an unusual situation for D’Amaro as he establishes his own leadership at Disney.

D’Amaro earned the experience that eventually led Disney’s board to select him as CEO. At the same time, Chapek clearly wants people to remember that he advocated for D’Amaro years earlier.

He also isn’t separating D’Amaro from his controversial strategy. By calling him “the tip of my spear,” Chapek connects Disney’s current leader to his own vision for changing the company.

D’Amaro now gets to decide what his Disney era looks like.

Chapek, meanwhile, appears determined to shape how people remember his era.

And as Disney moves forward under its new CEO, its former leader is making sure his role in D’Amaro’s journey doesn’t disappear from the story.