Credit: Edited by Inside the MagicThe succession saga that has gripped Wall Street and Burbank for years has finally reached its climax. As of early February 2026, The Walt Disney Company has officially crowned a new sovereign: Josh D’Amaro is the new CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
While the news of D’Amaro’s ascension has been met with a “meh” on Wall Street, but seems to have brought a sigh of relief to fans who feared a return to the “spreadsheet-first” era of Bob Chapek, his promotion leaves a massive, $60-billion-dollar hole at the top of the company’s most profitable division. The question now echoing through the tunnels of the Utilidors and the halls of Team Disney is: Who will replace Josh D’Amaro as Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products (DPEP)?
Stepping into D’Amaro’s shoes is no small feat. Josh wasn’t just an executive; he was a “Rockstar Chairman” known for his approachable charm, his penchant for wearing “Disney Style” sneakers, and his ability to connect with Cast Members on the front lines. As Disney embarks on a decade-long, $60 billion expansion plan, the next head of DPEP must be part visionary, part operation-specialist, and part diplomat.
But D’Amaro had his detractors, especially in the Disney fan community, who saw him as part of the stripping out of beloved rides and freebies at Disney Parks, only to replace them with IP and upcharges.
Based on internal murmurs, here are the top contenders for the biggest “boots-on-the-ground” job in the world.
1. Jeff Vahle: The Steady Hand of Florida
If Disney wants a “safe” internal promotion that ensures stability during a period of massive construction, Jeff Vahle, the current President of Walt Disney World Resort, is the odds-on favorite.
Vahle is a Disney lifer with an engineering background and a reputation for being highly well-liked by Cast Members. Since taking over the reins in Florida in 2020, he has navigated the resort through its most turbulent period in history. He managed the post-pandemic reopening, the 50th Anniversary celebration, and the politically charged battle with the state over the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
Why he might win: He knows the Florida infrastructure better than anyone. Given that a majority of the $60 billion investment is slated for Walt Disney World (including the “Beyond Big Thunder” expansion), having a Chairman who understands the unique logistical challenges of Central Florida is a massive advantage.
2. Ken Potrock: The West Coast Miracle Worker
On the opposite coast, Ken Potrock, President of the Disneyland Resort, has built an incredible resume. Potrock is credited with the successful “rebirth” of Disneyland following its 412-day closure. Under his watch, Disneyland has seen the debut of Avengers Campus, the stunning reimagining of Mickey’s Toontown, and the launch of the “Disneyland Forward” initiative.
Why he might win: Potrock is known for his “guest-centric” approach. He has been instrumental in shaping the Magic Key program and has demonstrated a unique ability to weave modern IP into the “classic” fabric of Walt’s original park. If the Board wants someone who can balance nostalgia with aggressive growth, Potrock is the man.
3. Stephanie Young: The Operational Veteran
Stephanie Young has one of the most diverse resumes in the company. Currently the President of Disney Consumer Products, she previously served as the Managing Director of Hong Kong Disneyland and held senior roles in operations and finance at Walt Disney World.
Why she might win: Young understands the “Products” side of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products better than almost anyone. As Disney looks to further integrate its merchandise and licensing with its physical locations (think “Monstropolis” merch and “Encanto” experiences), Young’s cross-divisional expertise could be seen as the key to maximizing the $60 billion investment.
4. Thomas Mazloum: The Signature Experience Star
As the President of Disney Signature Experiences, Thomas Mazloum oversees the Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, and Aulani. He is currently presiding over the most significant expansion in the Cruise Line’s history, with four new ships announced to join the fleet by 2031.
Why he might win: The Cruise Line is currently Disney’s “secret weapon,” boasting some of the highest guest satisfaction scores in the entire company. Mazloum’s ability to deliver a premium, high-margin experience is precisely what investors want to see.
The $60 Billion Mandate: What the New Head Must Oversee
Whoever takes the throne won’t have time for a honeymoon period. Josh D’Amaro has left behind a roadmap of ambitious projects that must be executed with precision to fend off the threat posed by Universal’s Epic Universe and its worldwide expansion projects.
Here are the three massive projects the new DPEP Chairman will inherit on Day One:
1. The Tropical Americas Transformation (Animal Kingdom)
With DINOSAUR officially closed as of February 1, the clock is ticking on the total reimagining of DinoLand U.S.A. The new Chairman must oversee the gutting of the Dino Institute and its transformation into a brand-new Indiana Jones attraction, alongside an Encanto-themed Casita experience. This project is the “litmus test” for how Disney handles IP integration in a post-D’Amaro world.
2. “Beyond Big Thunder” (Magic Kingdom)
This is the most significant expansion in Magic Kingdom history. The “Villains Land” and the “Cars” expansion into the Rivers of America are currently in the early stages of site preparation. The new Chairman will need to navigate the environmental and logistical hurdles of building in the Florida wetlands while maintaining the “World’s Most Visited Theme Park” status.
3. Monstropolis (Hollywood Studios)
The announcement of a Monsters, Inc. Door Coaster has set expectations sky-high. The new head of Parks will need to manage the “Muppet-over” transition of Sunset Boulevard while simultaneously building out the city of Monstropolis in the back of the park.
4. Disney Parks Worldwide
Nearly every Disney Park across the world is undergoing some sort of transformation. It will be the new head of Disney Parks’ job to bring all those projects together and keep the parks moving. The new head of Disney Parks will also be in charge of Bob Iger’s final project: Disneyland Abu Dhabi.
The “Josh Factor”: Can Charisma Be Replaced?
The most difficult challenge for the new Chairman won’t be the construction or the spreadsheets—it will be the PR. Josh D’Amaro was a “Front-Facing” executive. He walked the parks, took selfies with guests, and acted as the human face of a multi-billion-dollar machine.
If Disney promotes a “numbers person” like Stephanie Young or a “quiet leader” like Jeff Vahle, there is a risk that the fans will feel a disconnect. D’Amaro’s greatest strength was making guests feel that he was “one of them.” The new Chairman will have to decide whether to adopt that public-facing persona or return to the more traditional, behind-the-scenes executive style.
Conclusion: A New Era for the Disney Parks
The promotion of Josh D’Amaro to CEO is a win for those who value the Parks’ contribution to Disney’s bottom line. However, the choice of his successor will determine the “flavor” of Disney’s next decade.
Will it be Jeff Vahle, the Florida insider who can get the “Beyond Big Thunder” project done on time? Or will it be Ken Potrock, the West Coast visionary who can bring Disneyland’s “intimacy” to a global scale?
One thing is sure: as the construction walls go up in DinoLand U.S.A. and the shovels hit the dirt in the Magic Kingdom, the next head of Disney Parks will have to work twice as hard to prove they have the “Magic” touch that Josh D’Amaro made look so easy.
Who do you think should be the next head of Disney Parks? Are you Team Vahle or Team Potrock? Share your predictions in the comments below!