The passing of the baton at The Walt Disney Company officially took place on March 18, and new CEO Josh D’Amaro didn’t waste a single second. From the announcement of the Disney Believe cruise ship to his excitement about “planning our first new park in a decade” in Abu Dhabi, D’Amaro’s first shareholder address was a masterclass in “Experience-First” leadership.
But beyond the flashy announcements, it was his specific words that revealed the true roadmap for the next decade. Here are the seven most telling quotes from D’Amaro’s Day One that every fan and traveler needs to hear.
Related: Disney Has a New CEO—And Fans Already Know His Work
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1. On the “One Disney” Vision
“We will capitalize on our strengths by focusing on coming together as One Disney to deliver a more connected, personalized and immersive experience to our consumers—wherever they are, and whenever they would like to engage with us.”
The Glimpse: D’Amaro is moving the company away from siloed divisions. His “One Disney” strategy is about creating a unified ecosystem where the stories you love on screen feel naturally connected to the experiences you have in the physical world.
2. On Disney+ as the Digital Hub
“Disney+ will continue to evolve beyond a traditional streaming service to become the digital centerpiece of our company—a portal that connects our stories, experiences, games, films, and more in entirely new ways.”
The Glimpse: Disney+ isn’t just for movies anymore. It’s becoming the “operating system” for your entire Disney life—from booking your Disney Believe cruise to playing the latest Star Wars games.
3. On Staying in a “Category of One”
“While others in our industry are consolidating just to compete… Disney is in a category of one, poised to accelerate into our next era of innovation and growth.”
The Glimpse: This is a superfan confidence boost. D’Amaro is signaling that Disney isn’t playing catch-up; they are doubling down on high-end, exclusive experiences that competitors simply can’t replicate.
4. On the New Ship, Disney Believe
“We continue to expand our award-winning Disney Cruise Line fleet. I was just in Singapore for the launch of the Disney Adventure, which is our very first ship based in Asia. It is stunning, and I’m so excited for our guests to experience it,” he said. “We have five more ships on the way, and today I’m excited to announce the name of our ninth ship, the Disney Believe.”
The Glimpse: With Encanto and Moana at the heart of this 2027 ship, D’Amaro is prioritizing the “Dreamers” era of Disney—focusing on modern, diverse stories that resonate with today’s families.
Related: Disney Reveals Next New Cruise Ship Disney Believe Arriving 2027
5. On Technology Serving Creativity
“We’ve never shied away from the latest innovations… we know technology acts as an amplifier for our stories, our experiences, and the emotional connection audiences have with our brand…. We’ll continue to develop and embrace new technologies to empower our storytellers, but never at the expense of our characters and worlds, our creative partners, or the trust people place in us, because Disney, at its core, is a company that celebrates human creativity.”
The Glimpse: From the free-roaming robotic Olaf debuting this month in Paris to the next-gen robotics at Disneyland Abu Dhabi, D’Amaro is putting ai and tech at the forefront of the guest experience, but also affirming that the goal is “to empower human creativity, not replace it.”
6. On His Personal Connection
“Like so many of you, my connection to Disney goes back to my childhood long before I began my career here,” he said. “I grew up in a Disney family. We watched the Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights. I was 10 years old when my family visited Disneyland for the first time.”
The Glimpse: D’Amaro is a “Parks Guy” at heart. His leadership suggests a massive pivot toward physical experiences, ensuring that the “feeling” of the parks is infused into every part of the company.
7. On the Road Ahead
“As I officially step into this role with an incredible team at my side, I’m truly excited about the road ahead. And I have absolute confidence in our ability to deliver high-quality, experiential storytelling that stands head and shoulders above the rest.“
The Glimpse: The message is clear—the 13-ship fleet, the Abu Dhabi “Modern Castle,” and the “One Disney” digital integration are all coming together to make sure you never have to leave the magic behind.
Related: Disney Appoints New Parks and Cruises Chief as Josh D’Amaro Prepares for CEO Role
