Walt Disney World diehards have sky-high expectations for the modifications Josh D’Amaro will make now that he’s CEO. This covers our want checklist for modifications he might make to go away his personal mark, scoring wins with followers and persevering with the honeymoon. It covers every thing from fast and straightforward wins the brand new CEO might rating in a single day, and others he might announce on the 2026 D23 Expo.
New leaders transferring rapidly to show themselves and begin establishing their very own legacy and management type is frequent and anticipated. Bob Iger famously did so post-Eisner, occurring an acquisition spree after working to restore relationships that had been strained. He later went on to repair a budget new parks constructed within the late stage of the Eisner regime. And Eisner, for his half, was famously transformative 20 years earlier when he took the helm, fairly actually saving Disney from company raiders.
When Bob Chapek took over as CEO, he endeavored to show “I’m low-cost!” as rapidly as doable, speedrunning a slew of terrible initiatives seemingly geared toward alienating followers in document time. He then reallocated that cash in direction of streaming, greenlighting a bunch of content material that was mainly the equal of lighting cash on fireplace. In Chapek’s protection (?), COVID was a loopy time. We’re not anticipating a repeat of his antics with D’Amaro.
What we might see is a mix of two comparatively current management modifications. The primary is when Tom Staggs took over as Parks & Resorts Chair from the notoriously stingy Jay Rasulo. Throughout his time as Parks Chair, Staggs oversaw the event Pandora – World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom, Shanghai Disney Resort, the NextGen initiative and MagicBands, and extra.
Staggs’ observe document was hit and miss, however he took massive swings. The boldest of those is including Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare to the brand new Fantasyland mission shortly after taking the helm. For many who are newer followers, that house was initially going to have a slew of princess meet & greets in separate little cottages (a la Enchanted Tales with Belle). Staggs informed Imagineers to assume larger, and greenlit the revolutionary Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare.
The opposite template for D’Amaro making a right away impression is Bob Iger’s return, when he changed Bob Chapek. Iger was reportedly “alarmed” by worth will increase at Walt Disney World and anxious that Chapek was “killing the soul” of Disney.
He acted accordingly, making a number of modifications one month later to enhance the visitor expertise, like bringing again free in a single day self-parking at on-site resort lodges, including on-ride pictures to the Lightning Lane service, stress-free reservations guidelines, and extra. An extra spherical of guest-friendly modifications have been introduced a number of months later that undid extra of the harm.
With that mentioned, the second Iger regime didn’t magically make every thing higher in a single day. So much has modified since 2019, and far of it for the more serious. There have been cost-cuts paired with worth will increase, on the similar time that the Parks & Resorts income has reached document highs. D’Amaro has been the chair of that division for the final a number of years, and its monetary success is undoubtedly an enormous motive why we was chosen as the following CEO.
There’s no placing the genie again within the bottle on loads of the modifications that Walt Disney World diehards dislike most. That’s simply the disagreeable actuality, and we’re not going to fake in any other case. So if you happen to’re hoping that the restoration of free FastPass makes this checklist, I’ve obtained unhealthy information for you.
On a optimistic be aware, the earlier modifications made upon Iger’s return and the continuing enlargement plans, plus the surge in additional aggressive reductions and different measures geared toward wooing again disenchanted followers, counsel that it is doable to string the needle. To keep up document income, whereas additionally addressing frequent complaints amongst followers and make Walt Disney World extra accessible.
D’Amaro can prolong an olive department to followers by course-correcting some unpopular selections made by his predecessors whereas protecting Wall Road comfortable. There are methods to have his cake and eat it too, making a win-win for the corporate and Disney diehards.
Listed below are some pretty consequential modifications on the desk that D’Amaro might fast-track as straightforward wins…
Calm down or Retire Reservations
Many Walt Disney World followers have the notion that theme park reservations are getting used to cap capability, cut back staffing ranges, or as an essential supply of knowledge for useful resource allocation. None of these issues are significantly true. You is perhaps shocked at how little Walt Disney World makes use of information it collects, and in any case, this information can be obtainable through different channels.
One of many modifications we lauded when Iger returned was the tip of park reservations for normal ticket holders and rest of the foundations for everybody else, together with the introduction of Good to Go Days. This was an excellent concept when it initially launched, however factor circumstances have modified significantly. The default for 45+ weeks per 12 months must be no reservations required. There’s zero hazard of any park hitting capability on over 320 days of the 12 months.
Park reservations have been one among Josh D’Amaro’s initiatives when he was at Disneyland, which is a part of what makes this inconceivable even when it’s extremely logical. Reservations nonetheless make sense for Annual Passholders at Disneyland. However Walt Disney World is completely different. Flip the script and make it so reservations are required on APs for the few weeks per 12 months when crowds pose an issue, and let every thing else be open entry.
Requiring reservations for WDW Annual Passholders is doing extra hurt than good. They’ve principally develop into a formality, and but, there are former APs and potential purchasers who’re holding out because of the reservation rule. Both on precept or as a result of they don’t notice reservations at the moment are a non-factor at Walt Disney World.
Pulling that lever would generate optimistic goodwill and will give AP gross sales a pleasant little enhance, with little to no precise draw back. In the course of the busiest weeks of the 12 months, blockouts do the heavy lifting, anyway. They labored for many years by means of 2019, and would once more in 2026. This one could be a win-win for Disney and visitors, whereas additionally signaling that every thing is on the desk, even his personal pet initiatives, with D’Amaro as CEO.
Restore Free MagicBands
Lots of this checklist goes to contain signaling to followers that the previous Walt Disney World means of doing issues is again. And for all intents and functions, 2019 is mainly the benchmark for lots of followers.
Amidst all the unfavourable modifications within the post-reopening interval, Disney made a number of strikes that slowly killed off the OG MagicBands. First they went from being free to discounted, then costs saved creeping up, then MagicBands have been changed outright by the costlier however no more helpful MagicBand+ wearable. We documented the machine’s downfall within the Finish of an Period for MagicBands at Walt Disney World.
Restoring free MagicBands for resort visitors could be a comparatively low-cost perk that will generate goodwill and enhance the visitor expertise. It will additionally differentiate Disney’s resort providing from Common and different opponents.
Turbocharge the Turbocharge
Earlier this week, we coated a rumor that Walt Disney World’s preliminary plans for the upcoming Villains Land at Magic Kingdom have been “scrapped,” and Imagineering has gone again to the drafting board to give you larger and bolder concepts. That was truly one of many motivations for this put up, though I believe that “scrapped” is the flawed phrase to explain what’s occurring.
Mainly, my wager is that Disney is pulling a “Reverse Toy Story Land” with Villains Land. That they’re going to go full John Hammond on Villains Land, albeit inside the unique plan’s parameters. That means that the Imagineers could be unburdened by funds, and have the clean test to create a Tokyo DisneySea caliber land.
Anybody who has skilled the variations of Toy Story Mania or Soarin(g) in these parks is aware of what I imply by that. In case you haven’t, they’re the definitive variations of these points of interest, with the presentation and thematic packaging far surpassing the U.S. variations of these points of interest. They go above and past, delivering an “unnecessarily” stage of element that just about exemplifies DisneySea and places it in a category all its personal.
Clearly, D’Amaro isn’t going to return out and say, “as a substitute of constructing these new rides by the standard decrease requirements of Walt Disney World, we’re doin’ it up, Tokyo type!” However he might say one thing like, “I’ve informed the Imagineers to dream massive and surpass visitor expectations with these new additions. No element is just too small and no show-stopping scene is just too massive, so we’re investing an additional $X billion within the previously-announced Walt Disney World enlargement, all going immediately in direction of blowing you away with these groundbreaking new points of interest.”
Remake Muppets Courtyard with MuppetVision 3D
So as to pave the way in which the aforementioned turbocharged additions, just a few fan-favorite points of interest have closed. The 2 most notable are the Rivers of America and MuppetVision 3D, the previous of which is rarely coming again.
It’s probably a really completely different story with MuppetVision 3D. Each Disney and the Jim Henson Firm have provided statements suggesting that MuppetVision will, the truth is, dwell on in some capability. This has led us to marvel The place Will MuppetVision Be Relocated at Walt Disney World?
Probably the most intriguing and logical situation includes creating a brand new Muppet Courtyard miniland to associate with the upcoming Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets. There’s a believable situation the place MuppetVision 3D is revived and replaces Villains Unfairly Ever After as soon as Villains Land opens in Magic Kingdom.
Josh D’Amaro would earn loads of goodwill with followers if he greenlit extra of The Muppet Present following its smash success, added MuppetVision 3D to Disney+ ASAP, and teased that there’s extra to return, as plans are already in movement to revive MuppetVision to its rightful place within the parks down the highway.
Embrace Center Class Households
One 12 months in the past, Walt Disney World Being Frightened About Its Excessive Costs stole the highlight and was an extremely scorching matter for weeks. Disney’s rapid response was…not nice, Bob!
However two months later, they really did ship with the announcement of Cool Youngsters’ Summer time plus a slew of ticket and resort reductions that diminished costs to 2019 ranges. We totally anticipate these particular gives to return for 2026, particularly with the summer time slowdown of the final a number of years.
Walt Disney World has achieved extra since to embrace center class households. Issues like Animation Courtyard and Bluey at Animal Kingdom are good begins. However they’re simply that–begins. And these efforts can really feel pretty minimal when contrasted with the brand new bars or bulletins of expensive, adult-oriented upcharges.
Josh has a golden alternative with the upcoming Disney Celebrates America 250th Anniversary occasion for america Semiquincentennial celebration. Lean into Americana and Walt Disney’s distinctly patriotic legacy. Make a giant deal out of it, with massive offers geared toward center class American households.
That is such a simple and apparent win that I’m truthfully shocked we haven’t heard extra about Disney Celebrates America at Walt Disney World in Summer time 2026. What’s been introduced to this point is an efficient begin, however once more, it’s only a begin.
Restore Disney’s Magical Categorical
Because the choice to finish Disney’s Magical Categorical was made, we’ve been saying it is mindless even from a enterprise perspective–that there have to be extra to the story. It’s because, in contrast to different on-site visitor perks, the “free” service was extremely helpful to Walt Disney World. It made vacationers a captive viewers who have been much less more likely to go and spend cash elsewhere.
In recent times, Common has expanded its resort footprint and is now providing a compelling product with nice perks at aggressive costs. Disney ought to already be anxious about that. Common has already stolen market share, and it’s solely going to worsen as Epic Universe finds its footing and phrase of mouth turns optimistic.
This has been my place for years, however I’ve nonetheless been skeptical that Walt Disney World would truly reverse course and admit they obtained it flawed with Disney’s Magical Categorical. I nonetheless wouldn’t put the probabilities of its return above 50/50, however I do assume they’re significantly greater than earlier than.
That is largely as a result of Higher Orlando Aviation Authority, which runs Orlando Worldwide Airport (MCO), needs DME to return and is keen to assist pay for it. If you happen to don’t imagine me, try Will Disney’s Magical Categorical Airport Shuttle Ever Return? That current put up covers the very actual chance of DME returning, as a part of an initiative by MCO.
This additionally explains why we’ve seen free baggage dealing with return as a pilot program. Talking of which, let’s broaden that past Southwest Airways and the Worth Resorts to all airways and lodges. And on the subject of bags dealing with, deliver again resort bundle supply!
Convey Again Cinderella Fort Dream Lights
The Cinderella Fort Dream Lights have been one among our favourite issues about Christmas at Walt Disney World for over a decade. We spent many a late evening on Principal Road, merely gazing down at these resplendent icicle lights, savoring the scene.
For many who have by no means had an opportunity to see the Cinderella Fort Dream Lights, they have been nothing wanting spectacular. The simplicity of bodily mild show gave them a sure appeal and tactile high quality, they usually have been the vacation spotlight for tons of WDW followers. It’s not possible to articulate what made them so particular; phrases and pictures don’t do them justice. No matter reward you’ve heard concerning the Dream Lights, it’s true. All of it.
That is one other win-win for visitors and Disney. Bringing again the Cinderella Fort Dream Lights indicators a sea change, making followers comfortable. It additionally prompts them to e-book journeys, and at a extremely profitable time of 12 months for Walt Disney World…that largely was not as busy as anticipated final 12 months.
Return of Night Further Magic Hours
I’m a giant fan of Prolonged Night Hours. I like the perk and assume it’s far superior to night Further Magic Hours, which had develop into unbearably uncrowded. Nonetheless, Walt Disney World had additionally opened the floodgates on it, rising the eligibility pool to not simply Walt Disney World visitors, however these of Good Neighbor Motels.
The issue with Prolonged Night Hours is optics. Followers know this can be a good perk, however are downright disillusioned and disenchanted that it’s reserved solely “for the wealthy.” If Disney needs to recalibrate and emphasize the center class, a part of that’s firming down situations of the extra overt “classism.”
Undo that harm, deliver again Night Further Magic Hours, and win again followers who really feel ignored. The proper alternative to make this variation is that this summer time. Add a ton of Night Further Magic Hours dates to the calendar in the course of the hottest time of the 12 months when later nights are wanted, additional incentivizing bookings throughout a slower time of 12 months. Once more, win-win.
Greenlight Journey into Creativeness 4.0
Josh, it’s time to play the Figment Card. Bringing again Figment and Dreamfinder is a surefire means of undoing loads of the harm from controversial modifications of the previous couple of years, quieting complaints and criticism. There isn’t a different optimistic announcement that will outweigh so many prior negatives ones.
It’s the surest method to distance your self out of your predecessors, unloading the unfavourable baggage onto them. “Absolutely Josh wasn’t truly answerable for [bad thing from last 6 years], he’s the one who restored Figment to correct glory!” Rivers of America, MuppetVision, DINOSAUR, visitor expertise cutbacks–all of it–could be forgiven by followers within the blink of a watch. Or blamed on another person.
You’ll be a hero, Josh. Many years from now when your legacy is being debated, Disney diehards would nonetheless level to this as proof, very like we overlook lots with late stage Eisner. It’s a no brainer!
On the deserves, Figment is extra standard than ever. He sells popcorn buckets, sweaters, and every thing else. It simply is smart to reimagine Journey into Creativeness. It will generate goodwill amongst WDW diehards and forge new followers within the course of. Figment would develop into the face and mascot of the new-look EPCOT, elevating the in any other case underwhelming central backbone within the course of. It’d be a license to print cash on extra new merchandise, too.
So c’mon, Josh. Break the glass and make the legacy-cementing announcement. In order for you massive and daring, nothing says it like greenlighting a full reimagining of the Creativeness Pavilion, bringing again components of the unique attraction whereas updating it with fashionable expertise and storytelling. Hold Figment entrance and heart, however make him the star of one thing worthy of his legacy.
Recapturing that misplaced magic and spirit of creativeness would have the identical impression in the present day because it did many years in the past, which is why so many people are nonetheless Figment followers. It will show that rides don’t want film IP to be huge successes. That the theme parks, themselves, are a type of mental property. It will reveal D’Amaro’s dedication to honoring Disney’s historical past whereas additionally investing within the parks’ future. That he’s keen to deal with long-standing fan complaints and repair previous errors.
Put money into Solid Members
One of many greatest methods to sign a return to the ‘previous Disney’ means of doing issues is by prioritizing a pre-closure initiative to take a position hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in Solid Member morale. This must be low hanging fruit for D’Amaro, as he was the one who initially championed this.
This is able to have immensely optimistic cascading results. One more and more frequent criticism from readers we’ve heard in the previous couple of years is that Solid Members usually are not as “magical” as they was. There are a number of causes for this, from taking abuse by disgruntled visitors to turnover to low morale.
Fixing low morale alone will assist treatment this. Improved morale additionally reduces turnover. Much less turnover means much less stress on different Solid Members, which additional improves morale. All of this not directly ends in a greater visitor expertise, which improves attitudes of tourists. It’s a not-so-vicious cycle of bettering morale for everybody.
BONUS: Restore the Disney Magic
All the pieces we’ve seen and every thing we’ve heard strongly means that Josh D’Amaro is the true deal. That he lives and breathes Disney, and will get what makes it particular and in contrast to different corporations.
To make certain, he will make enterprise selections which are unpopular with followers. The primary time that occurs, some will declare it’s extra of the identical. In actuality, it’s the character of the beast. Not each choice will make everybody comfortable, particularly as long as demand stays excessive and visitors proceed to pay extra and settle for much less.
On the finish of the day, D’Amaro has a ardour for all issues Disney. He cares about his legacy and the historical past of the corporate that Walt Disney based. This counts for lots. D’Amaro will deliver with him his personal management type, empowering executives, division leaders, managers, and so forth to do issues in a different way. The leaders who we’ve heard from who’ve vouched for D’Amaro and mentioned they’d observe him anyplace will accomplish that, feeling reinvigorated.
How this can present itself from a guest-facing perspective is much less sure. It would imply much less of a deal with squeezing each final greenback out of tourists, it might create extra emphasis on bettering visitor satisfaction scores, providing extra worth for cash, enhancing the in-park expertise, bringing again dwell leisure, bettering upkeep, or being fixated much less on yield administration. Possibly it means creating the Figment Park Universe, and including the unique character to ever park on the planet. Who’s to say?!
“Magic” is a nebulous time period which means various things to completely different followers, however the final consequence of implementing even just a few of those modifications could be undoing the at the very least among the erosion of Disney’s goodwill we’ve seen within the final a number of years. It will sign that there’s a brand new sheriff on the town, and that the D’Amaro period goes to be completely different. That there’s an excellent massive lovely (going to spare you the cringey pun) tomorrow.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Do you anticipate Josh D’Amaro being named CEO to end in enhancements at Walt Disney World? Have excessive, low, or no expectations? Suppose Josh will deliver again Disney’s Magical Categorical, free FastPass, or reservation-free visits? What about restoring Journey into Creativeness to its former glory? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
