Disney Braces for Major Turmoil as New CEO Steps Into the Spotlight

Walt Disney World has been going through a stretch of changes that feels nonstop. One week, it’s a new construction wall; the next, another closure, another planning adjustment, or another “updated experience” that somehow makes the parks feel more complicated than they used to.

And that’s precisely 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 thinks the chaos is going to settle down the moment Bob Iger steps away… they’re probably going to be disappointed.

Disney isn’t heading into a calm era. It’s heading 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 faces in modern Disney history, and his influence has been impossible to ignore.

Now, Disney is officially moving into its next era.

Josh D’Amaro is set to take over as CEO on March 18, 2026, and the pressure on him will hit immediately. This won’t be a slow transition where fans patiently wait to see what happens. People will judge his leadership from day one.

And while Disney may want to frame this as an exciting shift, it’s hard to ignore that Iger’s tenure has come with controversy. Between rising prices, divisive creative choices, and growing guest frustration, Disney has built up tension that won’t disappear just because the name on the CEO’s office door changes.

The biggest challenge for D’Amaro is simple: he isn’t walking into a clean slate.

He’s inheriting a company already under a microscope.

The Turmoil Won’t Stop Just Because a New CEO Arrives

Many Disney fans are already treating Josh D’Amaro like the “fresh start” option. The parks guy. The executive who understands what guests want.

But hope can turn into frustration fast.

Because the moment D’Amaro takes over, every unresolved issue Disney has been carrying is still going to be there. And it’s not just one part of the company that needs help. It’s multiple divisions all demanding attention at the same time.

One of the most significant pressure points starts with Disney’s movies.

Disney’s Movie Struggles Have Become Impossible to Ignore

Disney used to feel untouchable at the box office. Even when a movie wasn’t perfect, families still showed up because the brand felt trustworthy.

Lately, that automatic trust has been fading.

And that’s not just a creative problem. It’s a business problem. When Disney movies stop creating excitement, Disney loses the momentum that fuels everything else, from merchandise to theme park tie-ins.

Why Fans Are Losing Interest in Disney Films

Here are some of the biggest reasons Disney’s movie division keeps struggling:

1. Original films don’t feel as memorable anymore
   Newer projects often lack the humor and charm that made Disney’s classics timeless.

2. Sequels are draining the brand
   Disney keeps returning to familiar franchises, and many fans feel exhausted instead of excited.

3. Some releases come with built-in controversy
   The live-action Snow White (2025) became a major example of backlash taking over the conversation before the movie even had a chance to succeed.

4. Disney doesn’t seem to know who it’s trying to please
   Instead of uniting audiences, Disney keeps landing in debates that split its fanbase.

And when movies struggle, it affects everything else Disney is trying to sell.

Disney Is Losing Families, and the Parks Are Starting to Feel the Impact

Disney World still makes massive money, but something has shifted.

The Disney trip used to be a “once in a lifetime” dream.

Now it’s becoming a financial decision that more families are walking away from.

And that’s the kind of slow trend that can become a serious long-term problem, especially if middle-class families start deciding Disney isn’t worth the cost anymore.

Why Families Are Pulling Back From Disney Trips

The complaints have been stacking up for years, and they aren’t small.

1. Classic rides keep disappearing
   Parents want their kids to experience what they grew up with, and losing those attractions weakens the emotional pull.

2. Planning a Disney trip feels overwhelming
   Lightning Lane strategies, mobile ordering, dining reservations, and constant app-checking can make vacations feel stressful instead of relaxing.

3. Prices are reaching a breaking point
   Tickets, hotels, food, Lightning Lane costs, and souvenirs add up so quickly that families feel priced out.

4. International travel is dropping
   Even if Disney is making substantial profits today, a decline in international visitors could significantly hurt long-term growth.

Disney may be thriving in the present, but it’s hard to ignore the bigger question: how long can this model last before families stop coming?

Disney Has Too Many Major Problems Happening at Once

Even if Josh D’Amaro wants to focus on the theme parks, Disney has too many other massive challenges happening at the same time.

Disney Cruise Line expansion brings major financial risk. Disney+ continues facing subscriber frustration as prices rise. Disney is also investing heavily in video games, which could pay off, but it also feels like another gamble in an already unstable moment.

Disney isn’t dealing with one issue.

It’s dealing with several at once, and fans can feel the strain.

Walking Into Disney’s Most Complicated Era Yet

Josh D’Amaro taking over as CEO on March 18, 2026, will be a massive moment for Disney.

But it’s also a moment loaded with pressure.

Fans want magic back. Families want affordability. Investors want growth. And Disney is trying to juggle movies, streaming, cruises, gaming, and theme parks at the same time.

That’s a dangerous balancing act.

Disney can’t keep pushing higher prices, more planning stress, and more controversial creative decisions forever without something eventually snapping.

So yes, Disney is entering a new era.

But it’s not a calm one.