Walt Disney World diehards have sky-high expectations for the adjustments Josh D’Amaro will make now that he’s CEO. This covers our want record for adjustments he might make to depart his personal mark, scoring wins with followers and persevering with the honeymoon. It covers all the pieces from fast and simple wins the brand new CEO might rating in a single day, and others he might announce on the 2026 D23 Expo.

New leaders shifting rapidly to show themselves and begin establishing their very own legacy and management model is widespread and anticipated. Bob Iger famously did so post-Eisner, happening an acquisition spree after working to restore relationships that had been strained. He later went on to repair a budget new parks constructed within the late stage of the Eisner regime. And Eisner, for his half, was famously transformative 20 years earlier when he took the helm, fairly actually saving Disney from company raiders.

When Bob Chapek took over as CEO, he endeavored to show “I’m low-cost!” as rapidly as doable, speedrunning a slew of terrible initiatives seemingly geared toward alienating followers in document time. He then reallocated that cash in direction of streaming, greenlighting a bunch of content material that was mainly the equal of lighting cash on fireplace. In Chapek’s protection (?), COVID was a loopy time. We’re not anticipating a repeat of his antics with D’Amaro.

What we might see is a mix of two comparatively latest management adjustments. The primary is when Tom Staggs took over as Parks & Resorts Chair from the notoriously stingy Jay Rasulo. Throughout his time as Parks Chair, Staggs oversaw the event Pandora – World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom, Shanghai Disney Resort, the NextGen initiative and MagicBands, and extra.

Staggs’ observe document was hit and miss, however he took huge swings. The boldest of those is including Seven Dwarfs Mine Practice to the brand new Fantasyland challenge shortly after taking the helm. For many who are newer followers, that area was initially going to have a slew of princess meet & greets in separate little cottages (a la Enchanted Tales with Belle). Staggs instructed Imagineers to assume greater, and greenlit the progressive Seven Dwarfs Mine Practice.

The opposite template for D’Amaro making a right away affect is Bob Iger’s return, when he changed Bob Chapek. Iger was reportedly “alarmed” by worth will increase at Walt Disney World and anxious that Chapek was “killing the soul” of Disney.

He acted accordingly, making a number of adjustments one month later to enhance the visitor expertise, like bringing again free in a single day self-parking at on-site resort inns, including on-ride photographs to the Lightning Lane service, enjoyable reservations guidelines, and extra. An extra spherical of guest-friendly adjustments have been introduced a number of months later that undid extra of the harm.

With that mentioned, the second Iger regime didn’t magically make all the pieces higher in a single day. Loads has modified since 2019, and far of it for the more severe. There have been cost-cuts paired with worth will increase, on the similar time that the Parks & Resorts income has reached document highs. D’Amaro has been the chair of that division for the final a number of years, and its monetary success is undoubtedly an enormous cause why we was chosen as the subsequent CEO.

There’s no placing the genie again within the bottle on loads of the adjustments that Walt Disney World diehards dislike most. That’s simply the disagreeable actuality, and we’re not going to fake in any other case. So in case you’re hoping that the restoration of free FastPass makes this record, I’ve bought dangerous information for you.

On a constructive be aware, the earlier adjustments made upon Iger’s return and the continued enlargement plans, plus the surge in additional aggressive reductions and different measures geared toward wooing again disenchanted followers, counsel that it is doable to string the needle. To take care of document income, whereas additionally addressing widespread complaints amongst followers and make Walt Disney World extra accessible.

D’Amaro can prolong an olive department to followers by course-correcting some unpopular selections made by his predecessors whereas conserving Wall Avenue comfortable. There are methods to have his cake and eat it too, making a win-win for the corporate and Disney diehards.

Listed here are some pretty consequential adjustments on the desk that D’Amaro might fast-track as simple wins…

Calm down or Retire Reservations

Many Walt Disney World followers have the notion that theme park reservations are getting used to cap capability, scale back staffing ranges, or as an essential supply of knowledge for useful resource allocation. None of these issues are notably true. You is perhaps shocked at how little Walt Disney World makes use of knowledge it collects, and in any case, this knowledge can also be obtainable through different channels.

One of many adjustments we lauded when Iger returned was the tip of park reservations for normal ticket holders and rest of the principles for everybody else, together with the introduction of Good to Go Days. This was a terrific thought when it initially launched, however factor circumstances have modified significantly. The default for 45+ weeks per 12 months must be no reservations required. There’s zero hazard of any park hitting capability on over 320 days of the 12 months.

Park reservations have been considered one of Josh D’Amaro’s initiatives when he was at Disneyland, which is a part of what makes this inconceivable even when it’s extremely logical. Reservations nonetheless make sense for Annual Passholders at Disneyland. However Walt Disney World is completely different. Flip the script and make it so reservations are required on APs for the few weeks per 12 months when crowds pose an issue, and let all the pieces else be open entry.

Requiring reservations for WDW Annual Passholders is doing extra hurt than good. They’ve principally develop into a formality, and but, there are former APs and potential purchasers who’re holding out because of the reservation rule. Both on precept or as a result of they don’t understand reservations at the moment are a non-factor at Walt Disney World.

Pulling that lever would generate constructive goodwill and will give AP gross sales a pleasant little increase, with little to no precise draw back. In the course of the busiest weeks of the 12 months, blockouts do the heavy lifting, anyway. They labored for many years by means of 2019, and would once more in 2026. This one can be a win-win for Disney and company, whereas additionally signaling that all the pieces is on the desk, even his personal pet initiatives, with D’Amaro as CEO.

Restore Free MagicBands

Loads of this record goes to contain signaling to followers that the outdated Walt Disney World method of doing issues is again. And for all intents and functions, 2019 is mainly the benchmark for lots of followers.

Amidst all the destructive adjustments within the post-reopening interval, Disney made a number of strikes that slowly killed off the OG MagicBands. First they went from being free to discounted, then costs stored creeping up, then MagicBands have been changed outright by the costlier however no more helpful MagicBand+ wearable. We documented the gadget’s downfall within the Finish of an Period for MagicBands at Walt Disney World.

Restoring free MagicBands for resort company can be a comparatively low-cost perk that may generate goodwill and enhance the visitor expertise. It will additionally differentiate Disney’s resort providing from Common and different opponents.

Turbocharge the Turbocharge

Earlier this week, we coated a rumor that Walt Disney World’s preliminary plans for the upcoming Villains Land at Magic Kingdom have been “scrapped,” and Imagineering has gone again to the drafting board to give you greater and bolder concepts. That was really one of many motivations for this put up, though I believe that “scrapped” is the incorrect phrase to explain what’s taking place.

Mainly, my guess is that Disney is pulling a “Reverse Toy Story Land” with Villains Land. That they’re going to go full John Hammond on Villains Land, albeit throughout the authentic plan’s parameters. Which means that the Imagineers can be unburdened by finances, and have the clean verify to create a Tokyo DisneySea caliber land.

Anybody who has skilled the variations of Toy Story Mania or Soarin(g) in these parks is aware of what I imply by that. In case you haven’t, they’re the definitive variations of these sights, with the presentation and thematic packaging far surpassing the U.S. variations of these sights. They go above and past, delivering an “unnecessarily” stage of element that just about exemplifies DisneySea and places it in a category all its personal.

Clearly, D’Amaro isn’t going to come back out and say, “as a substitute of constructing these new rides by the standard decrease requirements of Walt Disney World, we’re doin’ it up, Tokyo model!” However he might say one thing like, “I’ve instructed the Imagineers to dream huge and surpass visitor expectations with these new additions. No element is simply too small and no show-stopping scene is simply too huge, so we’re investing an additional $X billion within the previously-announced Walt Disney World enlargement, all going instantly in direction of blowing you away with these groundbreaking new sights.”

Remake Muppets Courtyard with MuppetVision 3D

So as to pave the way in which the aforementioned turbocharged additions, a couple of fan-favorite sights have closed. The 2 most notable are the Rivers of America and MuppetVision 3D, the previous of which isn’t coming again.

It’s doubtlessly a really completely different story with MuppetVision 3D. Each Disney and the Jim Henson Firm have supplied statements suggesting that MuppetVision will, the truth is, stay on in some capability. This has led us to marvel The place Will MuppetVision Be Relocated at Walt Disney World?

Probably the most intriguing and logical situation entails creating a brand new Muppet Courtyard miniland to associate with the upcoming Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets. There’s a believable situation the place MuppetVision 3D is revived and replaces Villains Unfairly Ever After as soon as Villains Land opens in Magic Kingdom.

Josh D’Amaro would earn loads of goodwill with followers if he greenlit extra of The Muppet Present following its smash success, added MuppetVision 3D to Disney+ ASAP, and teased that there’s extra to come back, as plans are already in movement to revive MuppetVision to its rightful place within the parks down the street.

Embrace Center Class Households

One 12 months in the past, Walt Disney World Being Fearful About Its Excessive Costs stole the highlight and was an extremely sizzling matter for weeks. Disney’s speedy response was…not nice, Bob!

However two months later, they really did ship with the announcement of Cool Youngsters’ Summer season plus a slew of ticket and resort reductions that lowered costs to 2019 ranges. We totally anticipate these particular affords to return for 2026, particularly with the summer season slowdown of the final a number of years.

Walt Disney World has carried out extra since to embrace center class households. Issues like Animation Courtyard and Bluey at Animal Kingdom are good begins. However they’re simply that–begins. And these efforts can really feel pretty minimal when contrasted with the brand new bars or bulletins of expensive, adult-oriented upcharges.

Josh has a golden alternative with the upcoming Disney Celebrates America 250th Anniversary occasion for the US Semiquincentennial celebration. Lean into Americana and Walt Disney’s distinctly patriotic legacy. Make an enormous deal out of it, with huge offers geared toward center class American households.

That is such a simple and apparent win that I’m actually shocked we haven’t heard extra about Disney Celebrates America at Walt Disney World in Summer season 2026. What’s been introduced to date is an efficient begin, however once more, it’s only a begin.

Restore Disney’s Magical Specific

Because the choice to finish Disney’s Magical Specific was made, we’ve been saying it is senseless even from a enterprise perspective–that there have to be extra to the story. It’s because, in contrast to different on-site visitor perks, the “free” service was extremely priceless to Walt Disney World. It made vacationers a captive viewers who have been much less prone to go and spend cash elsewhere.

In recent times, Common has expanded its lodge footprint and is now providing a compelling product with nice perks at aggressive costs. Disney ought to already be anxious about that. Common has already stolen market share, and it’s solely going to worsen as Epic Universe finds its footing and phrase of mouth turns constructive.

This has been my place for years, however I’ve however been skeptical that Walt Disney World would really reverse course and admit they bought it incorrect with Disney’s Magical Specific. I nonetheless wouldn’t put the possibilities of its return above 50/50, however I do assume they’re significantly greater than earlier than.

That is largely as a result of Larger Orlando Aviation Authority, which runs Orlando Worldwide Airport (MCO), desires DME to return and is prepared to assist pay for it. For those who don’t imagine me, try Will Disney’s Magical Specific Airport Shuttle Ever Return? That latest put up covers the very actual chance of DME returning, as a part of an initiative by MCO.

This additionally explains why we’ve seen free baggage dealing with return as a pilot program. Talking of which, let’s broaden that past Southwest Airways and the Worth Resorts to all airways and inns. And on the subject of luggage dealing with, convey again resort bundle supply!

Deliver Again Cinderella Citadel Dream Lights

The Cinderella Citadel Dream Lights have been considered one of our favourite issues about Christmas at Walt Disney World for over a decade. We spent many a late night time on Essential Avenue, merely gazing down at these resplendent icicle lights, savoring the scene.

For many who have by no means had an opportunity to see the Cinderella Citadel Dream Lights, they have been nothing in need of spectacular. The simplicity of bodily mild show gave them a sure allure and tactile high quality, they usually have been the vacation spotlight for tons of WDW followers. It’s unimaginable to articulate what made them so particular; phrases and photographs don’t do them justice. No matter reward you’ve heard concerning the Dream Lights, it’s true. All of it.

That is one other win-win for company and Disney. Bringing again the Cinderella Citadel Dream Lights alerts a sea change, making followers comfortable. It additionally prompts them to guide journeys, and at a extremely profitable time of 12 months for Walt Disney World…that largely was not as busy as anticipated final 12 months.

Return of Night Additional Magic Hours

I’m an enormous fan of Prolonged Night Hours. I really like the perk and assume it’s far superior to night Additional Magic Hours, which had develop into unbearably uncrowded. Nevertheless, Walt Disney World had additionally opened the floodgates on it, rising the eligibility pool to not simply Walt Disney World company, however these of Good Neighbor Resorts.

The issue with Prolonged Night Hours is optics. Followers know this can be a good perk, however are downright disillusioned and disenchanted that it’s reserved solely “for the wealthy.” If Disney desires to recalibrate and emphasize the center class, a part of that’s firming down cases of the extra overt “classism.”

Undo that harm, convey again Night Additional Magic Hours, and win again followers who really feel ignored. The proper alternative to make this alteration is that this summer season. Add a ton of Night Additional Magic Hours dates to the calendar throughout the hottest time of the 12 months when later nights are wanted, additional incentivizing bookings throughout a slower time of 12 months. Once more, win-win.

Greenlight Journey into Creativeness 4.0

Josh, it’s time to play the Figment Card. Bringing again Figment and Dreamfinder is a surefire method of undoing loads of the harm from controversial adjustments of the previous couple of years, quieting complaints and criticism. There isn’t a different constructive announcement that may outweigh so many prior negatives ones.

It’s the surest option to distance your self out of your predecessors, unloading the destructive baggage onto them. “Absolutely Josh wasn’t really liable for [bad thing from last 6 years], he’s the one who restored Figment to correct glory!” Rivers of America, MuppetVision, DINOSAUR, visitor expertise cutbacks–all of it–can be forgiven by followers within the blink of an eye fixed. Or blamed on another person.

You’ll be a hero, Josh. A long time from now when your legacy is being debated, Disney diehards would nonetheless level to this as proof, very like we overlook so much with late stage Eisner. It’s a no brainer!

On the deserves, Figment is extra common than ever. He sells popcorn buckets, sweaters, and all the pieces else. It simply is smart to reimagine Journey into Creativeness. It will generate goodwill amongst WDW diehards and forge new followers within the course of. Figment would develop into the face and mascot of the new-look EPCOT, elevating the in any other case underwhelming central backbone within the course of. It’d be a license to print cash on extra new merchandise, too.

So c’mon, Josh. Break the glass and make the legacy-cementing announcement. If you’d like huge and daring, nothing says it like greenlighting a full reimagining of the Creativeness Pavilion, bringing again parts of the unique attraction whereas updating it with fashionable expertise and storytelling. Hold Figment entrance and middle, however make him the star of one thing worthy of his legacy.

Recapturing that misplaced magic and spirit of creativeness would have the identical affect right this moment because it did a long time in the past, which is why so many people are nonetheless Figment followers. It will show that rides don’t want film IP to be huge successes. That the theme parks, themselves, are a type of mental property. It will show D’Amaro’s dedication to honoring Disney’s historical past whereas additionally investing within the parks’ future. That he’s prepared to deal with long-standing fan complaints and repair previous errors.

Spend money on Solid Members

One of many greatest methods to sign a return to the ‘outdated Disney’ method of doing issues is by prioritizing a pre-closure initiative to speculate tens of millions of {dollars} in Solid Member morale. This must be low hanging fruit for D’Amaro, as he was the one who initially championed this.

This could have immensely constructive cascading results. One more and more widespread grievance from readers we’ve heard in the previous couple of years is that Solid Members aren’t as “magical” as they was once. There are a number of causes for this, from taking abuse by disgruntled company to turnover to low morale.

Fixing low morale alone will assist treatment this. Improved morale additionally reduces turnover. Much less turnover means much less strain on different Solid Members, which additional improves morale. All of this not directly ends in a greater visitor expertise, which improves attitudes of holiday makers. It’s a not-so-vicious cycle of bettering morale for everybody.

BONUS: Restore the Disney Magic

Every part we’ve seen and all the pieces we’ve heard strongly means that Josh D’Amaro is the actual deal. That he lives and breathes Disney, and will get what makes it particular and in contrast to different firms.

To make sure, he will make enterprise selections which are unpopular with followers. The primary time that occurs, some will declare it’s extra of the identical. In actuality, it’s the character of the beast. Not each choice will make everybody comfortable, particularly as long as demand stays excessive and company proceed to pay extra and settle for much less.

On the finish of the day, D’Amaro has a ardour for all issues Disney. He cares about his legacy and the historical past of the corporate that Walt Disney based. This counts for lots. D’Amaro will convey with him his personal management model, empowering executives, division leaders, managers, and so forth to do issues in another way. The leaders who we’ve heard from who’ve vouched for D’Amaro and mentioned they’d comply with him wherever will achieve this, feeling reinvigorated.

How it will present itself from a guest-facing perspective is much less sure. It would imply much less of a deal with squeezing each final greenback out of holiday makers, it might create extra emphasis on bettering visitor satisfaction scores, providing extra worth for cash, enhancing the in-park expertise, bringing again stay leisure, bettering upkeep, or being fixated much less on yield administration. Perhaps it means creating the Figment Park Universe, and including the unique character to ever park on the planet. Who’s to say?!

“Magic” is a nebulous time period which means various things to completely different followers, however the final consequence of implementing even a couple of of those adjustments can be undoing the at the least a few of the erosion of Disney’s goodwill we’ve seen within the final a number of years. It will sign that there’s a brand new sheriff on the town, and that the D’Amaro period goes to be completely different. That there’s a terrific huge lovely (going to spare you the cringey pun) tomorrow.

Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about inns on our Walt Disney World Resorts Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a singular have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces you’ll want to know!

YOUR THOUGHTS

Do you anticipate Josh D’Amaro being named CEO to end in enhancements at Walt Disney World? Have excessive, low, or no expectations? Assume Josh will convey again Disney’s Magical Specific, free FastPass, or reservation-free visits? What about restoring Journey into Creativeness to its former glory? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!