There’s a reason longtime Disney fans talk about certain attractions with so much affection. It’s not always about thrill levels or cutting-edge effects. It’s about how those experiences made people feel.
Lately, that feeling has been harder to pin down—but a potential leadership shakeup could change that.
Industry reports suggest Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro is on track to become the next CEO of The Walt Disney Company, with the board expected to vote soon. Meanwhile, current CEO Bob Iger is reportedly preparing for an early departure. Nothing has been confirmed publicly, but the momentum is impossible to ignore.
And for park fans, the excitement isn’t about corporate reshuffling—it’s about what kind of Disney might emerge next.
A CEO Who Thinks Like a Park Guest
D’Amaro has spent his career inside Disney’s parks and resorts division. That background shapes how he views success. Where others may focus on quarterly returns, parks leaders tend to think in guest memories, repeat visits, and emotional connection.
That mindset could be exactly what Disney needs right now.
Over the last several years, the parks have leaned heavily into large-scale IP expansions. While many of those projects are impressive, they don’t always deliver the warmth or humor fans associate with classic Disney experiences.
That’s where the Muppets enter the conversation.
The Muppets Represent What Fans Feel Is Missing
Disney’s decision to develop Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets signaled something important. The company is willing to take a chance on characters who aren’t currently dominating theaters or streaming charts.
At the same time, the closure of Muppet*Vision 3-D created frustration. For many fans, it wasn’t just another show—it was a reminder of how clever and character-driven Disney once allowed its attractions to be.
That contradiction has led fans to wonder whether the Muppets’ role in the parks is finished—or just being reshaped.
Could the Door Be Open Again?
D’Amaro hasn’t promised anything publicly, but supporters believe he’s more receptive than most executives to guest sentiment. As CEO, he’d be in a position to explore creative compromises—reimagined shows, new formats, or even entirely new spaces that celebrate character-driven humor.
Some fans have even floated the idea of a Muppets-focused land. Not a ride-heavy area, but a place built around shows, interactive gags, and walk-around chaos. Something intentionally different from Disney’s recent mega-expansion strategy.
It wouldn’t need to be flashy to work. It would just need personality.
A Shift in Disney’s Emotional Direction
What fans miss most isn’t any single attraction. It’s the feeling that the parks are allowed to be weird, funny, and a little imperfect.
D’Amaro understands that kind of magic. He’s repeatedly emphasized emotional storytelling and guest connection during his time leading Disney Experiences.
If he becomes CEO, Disney could begin steering back toward experiences that prioritize charm over scale—and heart over spectacle.
And if the Muppets end up playing a bigger role in that future, many fans would see it as a sign that Disney is finally listening again.
