Credit: Inside the MagicDisney has confirmed who will step into a leadership position within its theme parks division as anticipation builds for Bob Iger’s exit as CEO.
While no company’s leadership stays completely stagnant over the decades, The Walt Disney Company has managed to spark more drama than most regarding its upper ranks.
Before Bob Iger ever entered the picture, Disney had weathered stormy years at the top. Walt’s brother Roy kept the company steady after Walt’s death in 1966, but by the late 1970s, Disney was faltering. The boardroom battles that followed paved the way for Michael Eisner’s takeover in 1984.
Eisner was credited with revitalizing Disney, driving expansion across television, animation (he oversaw the so-called Disney Renaissance), and theme parks. Yet his reign grew increasingly controversial. Critics accused him of micromanagement and clashing with senior executives, and by the early 2000s his leadership style had sparked shareholder rebellions, ultimately leading to his ouster and Iger’s rise.
Iger entered in 2005 and quickly established himself as a transformative leader, acquiring Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox. His departure in 2020 and Bob Chapek’s elevation seemed to mark a smooth transition. Instead, Chapek’s turbulent tenure — marked by pandemic closures, PR missteps, and, it’s since been revealed, tension behind the scenes with Iger — left Disney in turmoil.
The Battle For Disney’s New CEO
Bob Iger’s dramatic 2022 return was hailed as a stabilizing move, but his second run has proved far more contentious. Cost-cutting, layoffs, declining box office returns, and high-profile battles with Florida officials have soured sentiment. More recently, Disney+ and Hulu have seen a sharp increase in users unsubscribing from the streaming platforms after The Walt Disney Company temporarily shafted late-night host Jimmy Kimmel amid pressure from the Trump administration.
On a more minor note, Star Wars fans have taken personal offence at the recent revelation that Iger nixed a planned Ben Solo Star Wars return, as revealed in an interview by Adam Driver. A plane was spotted soaring over The Walt Disney Company offices this week, flying the banner “Save The Hunt for Ben Solo” in a bid to catch Iger’s attention.
SOMEONE FLEW A BANNER PLANE OVER DISNEY STUDIOS LMAOOO #TheHuntForBenSolo ✈️ ICONIC
SOMEONE FLEW A BANNER PLANE OVER DISNEY STUDIOS LMAOOO #TheHuntForBenSolo ✈️ ICONIC pic.twitter.com/Ot5aT59xyt
— taylor 🕸️ (@empressrey) October 23, 2025
In other words, despite once being celebrated as Disney’s savior, Iger is now facing skepticism from many fans. Attention has turned to the next generation of senior leadership for The Walt Disney Company, with the two frontrunners for the CEO position said to be Dana Walden, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment (who was recently endorsed by Kimmel himself), and Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences. While D’Amaro has also divided some fans in recent years, he spent a lengthy period as a revered figure within diehard Disney circles for his work at Disney parks.
Should D’Amaro assume the top role, fans have expressed hopes that he will oversee a new golden era for Disney’s theme parks worldwide.
For Disney, reinvigorating its theme parks does seem to be a top priority as of late. The company has made plenty of noise about its plans to pour $60 billion into its theme parks and experiences over the coming years, spanning projects such as Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Cars Land and a Disney Villains land at Magic Kingdom, and a new Avatar area in Disney California Adventure Park.
The company has also made some big changes to the teams running its theme parks.
More Changes Unveiled For Disney Experiences
Last week, Disney promoted Michael Moriarty – the current president and managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort – to executive vice-president and chief financial officer of Disney Experiences. This follows an impressive turnaround for the park, which has a spotty history when it comes to profitability.
Some have taken this as the first signs of shifting gears within Disney Experiences, ultimately building up to D’Amaro’s accession to the role of CEO.
Now, another big change has been revealed for Disney’s theme parks department.
Tim Sypko, who has spent five years as senior vice-president of operations at Hong Kong Disneyland, will officially take over as president of Hong Kong Disneyland on November 23.
Sypko began his Disney career in 1990 at Walt Disney World, advancing through roles in workforce management, guest experience, and operations. The company credited his “steady leadership, operational expertise, and overall business acumen” with driving “substantial change and expansion, contributing to record-breaking business results and exceptional guest satisfaction.”
“Tim’s appointment reflects our continued commitment to growth and innovation at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and across Disney Experiences,” said Jill Estorino, president and managing director of Disney Parks International. “His deep operational expertise and strategic leadership will be instrumental as we build on our already strong partnerships and further expand the resort’s offerings.”
As part of the leadership changes, Hong Kong Disneyland CFO Lesz Banham will step into the role of senior vice-president of finance at Disneyland Resort in California, effective from January.
Analysts said Moriarty’s successor must harness Disney’s global resources while keeping the park competitive with fresh attractions. Some of its more recent additions include the World of Frozen and Stark Expo’s upcoming Spider-Man drop-tower ride, all designed to draw visitors from Hong Kong, mainland China, Southeast Asia, and beyond.
Who do you think should take over the role of Disney CEO?