Credit: Inside the MagicFor years, Disney fans have had a complicated relationship with the corporate leadership in Burbank. Between the “budget-cutting” era of Bob Chapek and the “stream-everything” focus of the early 2020s, many feared that the soul of the Disney Parks—the physical, tactile magic of Imagineering—was being sacrificed at the altar of quarterly earnings.
But as we move through February 2026, a new narrative is emerging, with one name at its center: Josh D’Amaro.
According to a viral report, the Chairman of Disney Experiences has officially taken the “hands-on” approach to a new level. The report indicates that D’Amaro has personally intervened in the construction of Monsters, Inc. Land at Hollywood Studios and the massive Villains Land expansion at Magic Kingdom, mandating “sweeping changes” that prioritize high-end technology and physical effects over cost-saving measures.
For the first time in a decade, the “D’Amaro Imprint” is becoming visible on the construction sites of Central Florida—and it’s precisely what the fans have been waiting for.
Monsters, Inc. Land: The Return of the A-1000 Animatronic
The announcement of a Monsters, Inc. land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios was met with excitement, but also a lingering fear. Many fans worried that the centerpiece of the land—the long-rumored “Door Coaster”—would rely too heavily on screens and digital projections, a trend that has occasionally frustrated purists who miss the tactile nature of classic Disney dark rides.
However, the latest intelligence from the construction site suggests D’Amaro has steered the project in a much more ambitious direction. According to @ThemeParkLore, D’Amaro has pushed for a significant increase in the animatronic budget for the land.
According to the rumor, Disney originally planned to reuse the animatronics from Disneyland’s Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sully to the Rescue, but will instead use all-new animatronics for the attractions in the new land.
By mandating that state-of-the-art physical figures represent Sulley, Mike, and Roz, D’Amaro is ensuring that Monsters, Inc. Land isn’t just a “screen ride” land, but a masterpiece of physical storytelling. This shift indicates a leader who understands that in the age of 4K television at home, the “Magic” of a theme park must be something you can reach out and touch.
Villains Land: Bigger, Darker, and More “Sweeping”
While the Monsters Inc. updates are exciting, the real earthquake is happening at the Magic Kingdom. The “Beyond Big Thunder” project—officially known as Villains Land, for now—is the most anticipated expansion in the history of the park.
Initial concepts for the land were rumored to be more “family-friendly,” focusing on a whimsical, slightly toned-down version of the Disney Villains. But D’Amaro, sensing the shift in guest demand for more intense, immersive experiences, has reportedly demanded “sweeping changes” to the land’s master plan.
The “D’Amaro Imprint” in Villains Land focuses on two key pillars: Intensity and Scale.
- A True E-Ticket Thrill: Rumors suggest D’Amaro pushed back on a standard “omnimover” dark ride in favor of a high-capacity, high-thrill ride system that matches the “menace” of the characters.
- Immersive “Grit”: The land’s aesthetic has reportedly shifted from “cartoonish” to “cinematic,” with a focus on massive, scale-accurate icons like Maleficent’s Castle and the Bald Mountain from Fantasia.
By opting for a darker, more sophisticated tone, D’Amaro is leaning into the “Villains” brand in a way that respects the source material and the adult fans who have been clamoring for a “darker” Disney experience for years.
Why Fans Should Be Very Happy
So, why is this “hands-on” leadership such a win for the Disney community? It comes down to Accountability and Quality.
For years, Imagineers have had to fight tooth and nail for every dollar of the budget. When a project underperformed, the blame was often lost in a sea of nameless executives. But Josh D’Amaro has made himself the face of this expansion. By walking the construction sites in his signature blue shirt and personally signing off on these upgrades, he is putting his reputation on the line.
Fans should be happy because D’Amaro is clearly playing the “Long Game.” He realizes that with Universal’s Epic Universe, Disney cannot afford to “cheap out” on its new lands. He is choosing to spend more now—adding more animatronics, more detailed stonework, and more complex ride systems—to ensure these lands remain “timeless” rather than “dated” within five years.
The “D’Amaro Imprint” vs. The Competition
The timing of these changes isn’t a coincidence. Disney is currently navigating a complex period with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) and is preparing to execute a $17 billion “Turbocharge” investment.
D’Amaro’s intervention in the Monsters Inc. and Villains projects suggests that he is positioning Disney to win the “Experience War.” While Universal is focusing on “Portals” and new IP, D’Amaro is doubling down on the one thing Disney does better than anyone else: Character Integrity and Detail.
By adding more animatronics to Hollywood Studios and upping the stakes at Magic Kingdom, he is signaling to the industry that Disney is not just maintaining its parks; it is reinventing what a “Disney Standard” looks like in the 2030s.
Conclusion: A New Golden Age?
The report from @ThemeParkLore is more than just a construction update; it signals that the “Golden Age” of Imagineering might be back. When the division’s leader demands more animatronics and bigger thrills, the result is almost always a win for the guest.
Josh D’Amaro has officially put his imprint on the future of the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. He is listening to the feedback, watching the competition, and choosing to lead with quality first. If you were worried that the “Beyond Big Thunder” expansion or the Monsters Inc. coaster would be “just another ride,” you can breathe a sigh of relief. With Josh D’Amaro at the helm, the “Magic” is getting a massive, high-tech upgrade.
Are you excited about the “D’Amaro Upgrades”? Do you think more animatronics are the key to beating the competition? Let us know in the comments below!