Disney BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.
Disney has made headlines this week with a high-profile executive shuffle, sparking industry speculation and investor anticipation worldwide. According to MickeyBlog and The Desk, as the clock ticks toward Bob Iger's departure, The Walt Disney Company is seriously exploring a co-CEO structure for his successor, a dramatic shift from its historic single-leader model. Four internal candidates remain: Alan Bergman, Dana Walden, Josh D’Amaro, and Jimmy Pitaro. Ted Sarandos of Netflix and Andrew Wilson of EA reportedly dismissed ongoing interest or were ruled out. The succession debate hit Wall Street gossip circles hard, with analysts speculating that the outcome could reshape the company's streaming, entertainment, and theme park divisions for years to come.
On October 14, Josh D’Amaro, Disney Experiences Chairman, announced that Michael Moriarty, currently President of Hong Kong Disneyland, will step up in February 2026 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Disney Experiences. Moriarty’s track record includes overseeing Hong Kong Disneyland’s pandemic recovery and the recent World of Frozen expansion, landing him as an influential figure in Disney's future strategy. Theme Park Insider, the official Walt Disney Company newsroom, and Mickey Visit all highlighted the move, with Moriarty's official transition coinciding with the retirement of Disney veteran Kevin Lansberry after nearly four decades. Comments across LinkedIn and Disney fan forums lauded Moriarty’s global perspective as vital for international growth and diversification.
Financial markets are watching closely as Disney kicked off its fiscal 2026 this week. AOL reports analysts forecasting back-to-back acceleration for both revenue and earnings, eyeing a $100 billion milestone. However, Disney’s film business faces a challenging year, with just one of the world’s top nine grossing movies so far. Hopes are now pinned on Zootopia 2 in November and Avatar: Fire and Ash this December, with Tron: Ares launching next week. The latter, coming 15 years after Tron: Legacy and nearly half a century after the original, is a true toss-up for box office fortunes and could spell profit or embarrassment given Disney’s recent investment in a Tron roller coaster at Magic Kingdom.
Disney+ is about to get pricier. AOL notes another round of subscription hikes coming October 21, pushing ad-supported plans to $11.99 and ad-free to $18.99 per month. That's a 172 percent jump since launch, and social media is ablaze with posts from frustrated customers, some threatening to cancel in protest. It’s not just Disney, as rivals like Netflix and Paramount are following suit, but this risks Disney’s hard-earned profitability in its direct-to-consumer segment.
Fresh content keeps rolling in, with the long-awaited Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation premiering on Disney+. Fan uproar continues online over the evolving villain focus, with Twitter and fan sites buzzing about Magic Kingdom’s future Villains-themed land and the latest villain-centric stage show at Hollywood Studios.
In summary, Disney’s week has been a whirlwind of leadership intrigue, movie ambitions, price controversy, and theme park strategy—all playing out in boardrooms, stock tickers, and social media feeds worldwide.
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