Credit: DisneyDisney has officially announced that Josh D’Amaro will become its next CEO, succeeding Bob Iger on March 18, 2026.
For Disney fans, this isn’t just another corporate headline. D’Amaro has been one of the most visible leaders the parks division has had in years, and his style has always felt very “future-focused.” That matters because when Disney changes leadership at the top, the theme parks don’t stay the same for long.
And with Disney entering a new era, Walt Disney World is already positioned to evolve in some pretty dramatic ways.
The big question isn’t whether changes are coming. It’s how fast Disney will push them once D’Amaro officially takes control.
1. Saying Goodbye to More Classic Attractions
If Josh D’Amaro’s leadership has shown us anything, it’s that Disney isn’t afraid to touch its classics anymore.
D’Amaro has expressed a desire to follow in Bob Iger’s footsteps, leaning into creative storytelling while modernizing Disney’s brand for newer generations. That sounds exciting, but longtime fans know what that often means: more attractions will get “updated,” and some may not survive at all.
We already know Carousel of Progress is getting a significant scene change featuring a Walt Disney animatronic. That alone is a strong signal that Disney is willing to adjust even the most historic attractions if they fit the company’s evolving vision.
And once Disney starts making changes like that, it rarely stops at just one.
It’s easy to imagine more refreshes coming to rides like It’s a Small World, Peter Pan’s Flight, Haunted Mansion, and Jungle Cruise. Some of those updates could be simple quality-of-life improvements. Others could be more noticeable changes meant to keep the experience feeling modern.
Even attractions like Mission: SPACE could see major adjustments, whether that’s a smoother ride system or an entirely new overhaul. Disney has already proven it will retheme and modernize rides if it believes the payoff is worth it.
Just look at how quickly Splash Mountain became Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Under D’Amaro, that kind of transformation may become the new normal.
2. New Rides Will Keep Moving Full Speed Ahead
While some fans worry about the classics, others are watching the new projects with excitement. And one thing seems almost guaranteed under Josh D’Amaro: Disney World is not slowing down on ride development.
Several major attractions have already been confirmed, and they’ll continue to move forward no matter who sits in the CEO chair. But with D’Amaro in charge, the parks could feel even more focused on ride-driven expansion.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is already preparing for its Encanto and Indiana Jones additions, which will help reshape the park’s future and give guests a reason to stay longer than a half day.
Hollywood Studios is also moving into a new era with a major suspended roller coaster planned for the upcoming Monstropolis land. And then there’s the Muppets retheme coming to Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, which is a pretty major shift for one of the park’s most recognizable attractions.
Magic Kingdom also has massive momentum heading its way with Piston Peak, which will bring two Cars-themed attractions into the park. That expansion alone is going to reshape the guest experience in a significant way, both visually and strategically.
Disney is also leaning into limited-time event experiences, including Soarin’ Across America, which is coming to EPCOT for America’s 250th anniversary. That announcement shows Disney still wants to create temporary offerings that bring fans back for something new.
And if you pay attention to how Disney has been operating lately, it’s clear that this “build bigger, build faster” mindset will only become more aggressive under D’Amaro.
3. The Coco Ride Speculation Is Only Getting Louder
One of the biggest rumors Disney fans refuse to let go of is a Coco ride.
And honestly, it makes sense why the speculation keeps growing.
Disney recently announced that Disney California Adventure will be getting a Coco attraction, which immediately sparked the same question Disney World fans always ask: if Disney is building it there, why wouldn’t they eventually bring it to Florida too?
Disney has a long history of using international projects as testing grounds for future expansions. Once they have a concept that works, they often find ways to adapt it for other resorts. That’s why so many fans believe Disney World could eventually get a Coco ride under Josh D’Amaro’s oversight.
And while fans debate Coco, another huge rumor refuses to go away: Villains Land.
A fully themed villains expansion has been requested for years, and fans have especially latched onto rumors of a Maleficent coaster. If Disney ever wanted to drop a massive announcement that instantly changes public perception, Villains Land would be it.
And under D’Amaro’s leadership, that kind of bold, attention-grabbing move feels more possible than ever.
4. Disney Will Lean Harder Into New Entertainment and Characters
Not every change at Walt Disney World comes from a new ride announcement. Sometimes, the biggest shifts come from entertainment.
And under Josh D’Amaro, Disney is likely going to expand its lineup of experiences that don’t involve standing in a two-hour standby line.
One of the biggest rumored additions right now is Bluey and Bingo potentially coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. If that happens, it would instantly become one of the most in-demand character offerings on the property.
Bluey has become a phenomenon, and Disney would be wise to capitalize on that popularity. It’s precisely the kind of modern character experience that could pull younger families toward Animal Kingdom and help balance crowds across the resort.
Hollywood Studios is also expected to continue pushing family entertainment, including offerings like Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!. Disney has been leaning more into stage shows again, and that’s a strategy that makes sense for both guest satisfaction and crowd control.
Instead of forcing everyone to chase the same handful of attractions, Disney can create more “must-do” entertainment options that spread people out.
Under a CEO who understands the parks inside and out, expect Disney to treat character experiences and live shows as a bigger priority than they’ve been in years.
5. New Lands Will Completely Reshape Disney World’s Identity
Disney World is already moving toward major expansions that will reshape the parks in ways that go far beyond new attractions.
Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom is one of the most prominent examples. The addition of Encanto and Indiana Jones isn’t just a ride update—it’s a full identity shift for that section of the park.
Hollywood Studios is also preparing for Monstropolis, which will add another central IP-based area to a park that’s already packed with recognizable franchises.
And then there’s Magic Kingdom’s future, which could be transformed dramatically with Piston Peak and the addition of two Cars attractions. That expansion will change the layout, visuals, and overall tone of the park, a change guests will notice immediately.
Villains Land also remains the ultimate wildcard. Disney knows fans want it. Disney knows it would be a massive win. And if Josh D’Amaro wants to define his CEO era with something unforgettable, a villain’s expansion could easily become his signature project.
It’s another reminder that Disney World is becoming less about staying the same and more about constantly evolving.
Final Thoughts
Josh D’Amaro taking over as Disney’s CEO doesn’t mean Walt Disney World will suddenly change overnight.
But it does mean the direction is clear.
Disney is going to modernize more classics. Disney will keep building new rides. Disney is going to chase major IP expansions like Coco and Villains Land. And Disney is going to expand its entertainment offerings so the parks feel more alive, more current, and more competitive.
Most importantly, Disney will keep building lands that reshape the entire resort.
Whether fans love these changes or hate them, one thing is clear: the Disney World of the next decade will look very different from the Disney World people grew up with.