In the annals of corporate history, few hand-offs have been as disastrous as the transition from Bob Iger to Bob Chapek. It was a move that was supposed to secure Disney’s future in the digital age; instead, it nearly unraveled a century of brand equity. As we enter February 2026, Bob Iger is finally speaking with unfiltered clarity about the state of the company he inherited upon his return—and the monumental task of “fixing” what he describes as a fractured kingdom.
For Iger, the last three years haven’t just been about managing a global conglomerate; they have been an intensive rescue mission. From dismantling broken organizational structures to repairing the fractured relationship with Disney’s most loyal fans, Iger is determined to leave the company on solid ground before he walks away for the second time.
The Deconstruction of the Chapek Architecture
When Iger re-entered the CEO’s office in November 2022, he didn’t just find a company with a lower stock price; he found one that had lost its identity. The “mess” he speaks of was most evident in the Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution (DMED) division—a Chapek-era invention that centralized all decision-making regarding content distribution.
Under DMED, the creative geniuses behind Marvel, Pixar, and Disney Animation were stripped of their financial authority. They could make the movies, but they couldn’t decide how to release them. Iger’s critique of this period is biting: he argues that it prioritized “spreadsheets over storytelling.”
“A lot of fixing had to be done,” Iger recently admitted. His first order of business was to kill DMED and return the “P&L” (profit and loss) responsibility to the creatives. By putting the power back in the hands of the filmmakers, Iger signaled that the “Iger 2.0” era would be defined by quality over quantity—a direct pivot away from the Chapek strategy of flooding Disney+ with content to drive subscriber growth at any cost.
Repairing the Magic: The Guest Experience Overhaul
While the corporate structure was a mess, the “on-the-ground” experience at Disney Parks was arguably in even worse shape. Under Chapek’s leadership, Disney Parks became synonymous with nickel-and-diming. From the introduction of the paid Genie+ service to the removal of free perks like Disney’s Magical Express and hotel parking, the “Disney Magic” was being overshadowed by a perceived lack of value.
Iger has spent a significant portion of his return performing a “PR surgery” on the Parks division. Working closely with Josh D’Amaro, Iger has:
- Reduced the complexity of the Lightning Lane system.
- Increased “low-cost” ticket availability to ensure the parks remain accessible to the middle class.
- Brought back fan-favorite perks, such as free overnight parking for resort guests.
Iger’s goal was to stop the “brand erosion” that occurred when guests began to feel like they were being viewed as “cogs in a machine” rather than valued visitors. By the start of 2026, guest satisfaction scores have reportedly begun to climb back to pre-pandemic levels.
The Master Plan: Setting Up a Successor for Success
The most poignant lesson Iger learned from the Chapek era was that a talented executive isn’t enough; a successor needs a culture of support. Iger has been open about the fact that Chapek’s positioning led to many of the failures that followed.
To ensure the next hand-off is permanent, Iger has implemented a “Succession Bootcamp” unlike anything the company has seen. He is no longer looking for a “mini-Iger.” Instead, he is looking for a leader who can thrive within the restored creative-first structure.
The James Gorman Influence
Under the guidance of James Gorman, the former Morgan Stanley CEO who now chairs Disney’s succession committee, the search for the next CEO has become a clinical, data-driven process. Gorman’s involvement is a clear sign that Iger wants to remove the “personality” from the choice and focus on operational stability.
Iger is reportedly mentoring four internal candidates—Dana Walden, Alan Bergman, Josh D’Amaro, and Jimmy Pitaro—not by having them compete, but by having them collaborate. He wants the next CEO to step into a role that is clearly defined, with a healthy balance sheet and a creative engine that is already firing on all cylinders.
Leaving the Keys to a Clean House
Bob Iger’s second departure, currently slated for the end of 2026, will be his final legacy. If he leaves and the company falters again, his reputation as a legendary CEO will be tarnished. If he leaves and the company thrives under new leadership, he will be remembered as the man who saved Disney from itself.
By blaming Chapek for the “mess,” Iger isn’t just venting; he is setting a benchmark. He is telling the world—and the next CEO—that the “Disney Way” is about the marriage of art and commerce, and that tilting too far toward the commerce side is a recipe for disaster.
Conclusion: The Custodian of the Kingdom
In 2026, Bob Iger is no longer a “builder” of empires—he is a custodian. He spent his first term buying Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. He has spent his second term fixing the plumbing and electrical systems in the house where those brands live.
As the search for the next CEO enters its final stages, Iger’s message is clear: the fixing is primarily done. The “mess” has been cleared. The following person to take the throne will benefit from a streamlined, creative-focused Disney that understands its value isn’t just in its stock price but in its ability to tell stories that matter.
Do you think Bob Iger has done enough to “fix” Disney? Is the company ready for a new leader, or should Iger stay even longer? Share your thoughts on the “Succession Struggle” in the comments below!
Honestly will miss Iger he has his work cut out for him after Chapek wrecked the company. Think Iger got Disney on the right path hoping Josh gets it – with place in the parks he can truly completely fix the parks & hotels part of thy company to really make it for the every day people to come back not just The rich…. being back perks like free magical express & free spontaneous fast pass that works more like the original ticket one…. make vacations in thy parks more spontaneous & less stressed & planned so far in advanced you really can’t know what you want. Miss the days waking up at Pop deciding that morning let’s go to Hollywood Studios let’s do this there today! Let’s go to Magic Kingdom for dinner & fireworks and late magic hours they are the park open late tonight let’s hop over there! Much More enjoyable on the fly!
I hope Josh is truly connected to the guests who he now will be representing. Listen to those of us who visit the parks every chance we can, listen when we say things are getting beyond expensive for the average working family. We dont expect miracles, but we just want the parks and resorts to be enjoyable at a fair price. Over the past 30+ years the prices have risen exponentially and have priced out many people. The whole disney experience has been catered to the rich, and while the rich do have disposable income, the ones who have helped build the experience are those of us who save for a year or more just to be able to afford 1 week at disney. The average guest will spend more money more often if the general prices are affordable. The rich will visit 1 or 2 times a year and spend a large amount of money those 1 or 2 times, the working class that could visit 3 or more times a year will ultimately spend a larger amount over numerous trips with friends and family. The common working class families are the one who put the most financial power into the parks and resorts. But we have been left out in the cold looking in to the catering done for the rich. I also hope Josh has a better plan for the disability passes. My terminally ill sister who is a give kids the world memeber no longer qualifies for the disability pass, she is severely limited in the ability to enjoy attractions and the way the DAS system is now, she means nothing to Disney any more. I am a cancer patient myself and have difficulty with many aspects of the disney park experience, again I do not qualify for any type of disability assistance for attractions. The only people who seem to be able to get a DAS pass are those with autism, which is not fair to those of us with physical disabilities, those of us that have real health concerns with the summer temperatures, sure its easy to say “well visit during the fall or winter”, but we dont always have the option to choose when we actually have a chance for vacation. Over the last 30+ years, my family alone has spent well over 3 million dollars going to disney, taking disney cruises, buying vacation club. And it seems like we are no longer valued guests. I truly hope Josh really hears all of us who arent considered rich or famous and puts more value in returning guests.
Iger fixing the mess that he put Chapek in charge of? What a twat. Josh D’amaro has A LOT of messes to clean up after Iger nearly destroyed the Disney Identity.
Somehow Iger made himself WORSE than Michael Eisner.
The things that Iger needed to “fix” were policies that he put in place and dropped in Chapek’s lap. Chapek was fired for implementing his mistakes.