Disney Prepares to Face Company-Shaking Issues as New CEO Takes Over
Walt Disney World has been changing so fast lately that it almost feels like guests can’t keep up. One day it’s construction walls, the next it’s another closure or planning adjustment, and somehow the vacation experience keeps getting more complicated instead of easier.
That’s why Disney’s next leadership shift feels so intense.
Because in March 2026, Josh D’Amaro officially steps into the CEO role, and if anyone expects everything to calm down once Bob Iger steps away suddenly, they may be disappointed.
Disney isn’t moving into a quiet era. It’s moving into a complicated one.
Bob Iger Steps Down, Josh D’Amaro Takes Over March 18, 2026
Bob Iger has been one of the most recognizable names in modern Disney history. His leadership helped shape Disney into what it is today, but it also came with controversies that have divided fans.
Now, Disney is preparing for a major transition.
Josh D’Amaro is set to take over as CEO on March 18, 2026, and the pressure on him will be immediate. This won’t be a slow adjustment period where people patiently wait to see what happens. Fans and investors will be watching closely from day one.
And while Disney may frame this shift as exciting, Iger leaves behind a company facing rising prices, creative backlash, and guest frustration. That tension won’t disappear just because the CEO changes.
D’Amaro won’t be starting fresh.
He’ll be inheriting a company already under a microscope.
A New CEO Won’t Automatically Fix Disney’s Problems
Many fans see Josh D’Amaro as Disney’s “fresh start.” He’s often viewed as the park’s executive who understands what guests actually want.
But the reality is that Disney has too many major issues happening at once. Even if D’Amaro wants to shift the company’s direction, he still has to deal with problems that have been building for years.
One of the biggest pressure points starts with Disney’s movies.
Disney’s Movie Struggles Keep Growing
Disney used to dominate the box office so consistently that families trusted almost every release. Even average films still felt like major events.
That trust has been slipping.
And when Disney movies stop generating excitement, it affects everything. Merchandise sales slow, brand momentum weakens, and theme park tie-ins lose their appeal. Disney needs films to maintain its image.
Why Disney Fans Are Losing Interest in Recent Films
Disney’s film struggles have become harder to ignore, and several complaints keep coming up:
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Original movies don’t feel as memorable anymore
Many fans feel newer stories lack the humor and charm that made Disney classics timeless. -
Sequels are exhausting audiences
Disney keeps returning to familiar franchises, and some fans feel drained instead of excited. -
Controversy is taking over the conversation
The live-action Snow White (2025) became a massive example of backlash dominating the narrative. -
Disney’s creative direction feels inconsistent
Instead of uniting audiences, some projects split the fanbase.
When movies struggle, Disney’s larger brand suffers too.
Disney World Vacations Are Becoming Harder to Justify
Disney World still makes massive money, but more families are starting to treat the vacation as a stressful financial decision instead of an automatic dream trip.
That shift matters.
Because if middle-class families decide Disney isn’t worth the cost, Disney risks losing the audience that built its theme park success.
Why Families Are Pulling Back From Disney Trips
The frustration isn’t coming from one issue. It’s multiple problems stacking up:
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Classic rides keep disappearing
Parents want their kids to experience what they grew up with, and losing those attractions weakens the emotional pull. -
Planning feels overwhelming
Lightning Lane strategies, dining reservations, mobile ordering, and constant app-checking can make Disney stressful. -
Prices feel impossible to justify.
Tickets, hotels, food, Lightning Lane costs, and souvenirs add up quickly, and families feel priced out. -
International travel is dropping.
Even if Disney is profitable now, losing international visitors could hurt long-term growth.
Disney may still be thriving today, but the bigger question remains: how long can this model last?
Disney Is Balancing Too Many Challenges at Once
Even if Josh D’Amaro wants to focus on the parks, Disney has other significant issues. Disney Cruise Line expansion adds financial risk. Disney+ continues frustrating subscribers as prices rise. Disney is also investing heavily in video games, which could pay off, but it adds another gamble.
Disney isn’t dealing with one problem.
It’s dealing with several at once.
A New Era, But Not a Calm One
Josh D’Amaro taking over as CEO on March 18, 2026, will be a defining moment for Disney. But it also comes with enormous pressure.
Fans want magic back. Families want affordability. Investors want growth.
And Disney can’t keep raising prices, making planning harder, and releasing divisive creative projects forever without something snapping.
Disney is entering a new era. But it’s not entering a calm one.
