Josh D'Amaro's Replacement Has Been Confirmed as Disney CEO Exits Company

As March 18 looms, the new House of Mouse is being formed, and the next era for Disney is about to begin.

A major leadership shake-up is continuing at The Walt Disney Company, and now the future of the company’s massive theme park division has become clearer. With longtime CEO Bob Iger preparing to step aside and parks chief Josh D’Amaro stepping into the top role, Disney has officially confirmed who will take over one of the company’s most influential positions—Chairman of Disney Experiences.

Disney Experiences oversees the company’s global theme parks, cruise ships, resort hotels, consumer products, and Walt Disney Imagineering—essentially the physical side of the Disney empire that millions of guests interact with each year. As leadership transitions ripple through the company, Disney has now named a successor to D’Amaro, signaling how the division will move forward during the next era of Disney leadership.

Disney has confirmed that Thomas Mazloum will become the next Chairman of Disney Experiences. The move comes as D’Amaro prepares to take over as CEO on March 18, replacing Iger and marking the end of a major chapter in Disney’s modern history.

“Thomas Mazloum is an exceptional leader with a genuine appreciation for our cast members and a proven track record of delivering growth,” said Josh D’Amaro in a statement, via The Hollywood Reporter. “His focus on service excellence, broad international leadership, and strong connection to the creativity that brings our stories to life make him the right leader to guide Disney Experiences into its next chapter.”

Mazloum is currently serving as President of the Disneyland Resort in California, where he oversees operations for roughly 36,000 cast members and manages the entire destination—including Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, three onsite hotels, and the Downtown Disney District.

Disney insiders and analysts had already speculated that Mazloum was the frontrunner for the role before the announcement was made. His extensive experience within the company—particularly across resort operations, cruise line leadership, and international business—made him a natural candidate to guide Disney’s Experiences segment as it continues expanding worldwide.

In fact, the leadership transition comes at a time when Disney’s parks and experiences division is seeing major growth. The business unit includes not only theme parks but also Disney Cruise Line, global vacation experiences, and consumer products tied to Disney’s entertainment brands. Under D’Amaro’s leadership, the segment has delivered significant growth and remains one of the company’s most profitable areas.

Mazloum’s promotion is just one piece of a broader leadership reshuffle happening across Disney’s experiences division. With him moving up, Jill Estorino will step in as the new President of the Disneyland Resort. Estorino previously served as President and Managing Director of Disney Parks International and has spent more than three decades with the company.

Meanwhile, Tasia Filippatos will take over leadership of Disney Parks International, overseeing Disney’s parks and resorts outside the United States, while Lisa Baldzicki has been promoted to President of Disney Consumer Products.

All of these leadership changes will take effect on March 18—the same day D’Amaro officially becomes Disney’s new CEO. The date marks the culmination of a succession process closely watched by investors and fans alike as Disney prepares for its next era following Iger’s influential tenure.

The transition also follows months of speculation surrounding who would ultimately take the reins from Iger. Earlier reporting suggested the company had been evaluating several internal candidates before ultimately choosing D’Amaro (over Dana Walden, who will now step into a President role at the Mouse House), whose experience running Disney’s parks and experiences business helped make him a favorite among many employees and industry observers.

For Disney fans, the changes could have major implications for the future of the company’s parks and resorts. The Experiences division is responsible for many of the company’s biggest guest-facing initiatives—from theme park expansions and cruise ships to global resort developments and merchandise. With Mazloum now stepping into the chairman role, he will help shape the direction of those projects in the years ahead.

As Disney enters this new leadership era, all eyes will be on how the company balances creative storytelling with the ever-expanding world of theme park experiences. With D’Amaro moving to the CEO office and Mazloum taking charge of the parks division, the next phase of Disney’s growth may be driven more than ever by the immersive worlds and attractions that have long defined the brand.

How do you feel this new era of Disney will play out? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!