Disney 2026: New CEO, Wild AI Plans for Disney+ and Ticket Price Adjustments at the Parks
It was a packed house at this year's shareholder meeting for The Walt Disney Company, and for once, it wasn't just about the numbers. It was a power shift. For the first time, Josh D'Amaro took the stage as the company's new Chief Executive Officer, and he made no secret of where the future lies. If you thought Disney was just about streaming wars and superhero flicks, think again. The empire is now firmly ruled from the theme parks – and they're set to call the shots on the digital front too.
Goodbye to the Iger Era? The Parks Guy Takes the Helm
It's official: After months of speculation, Bob Iger has handed the keys to 58-year-old D'Amaro, who until recently was at the helm of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. It's a massive vote of confidence for the business division that in 2025 turned over more than $50 billion AUD and accounted for more than half of the company's total operating income. In my books, it's a crystal-clear signal: Real-world experiences are set to lead the charge going forward. D'Amaro himself has stated that "the parks drive the empire," and now he gets the chance to prove it on the biggest stage.
Disney+ Gets a Major Overhaul: Now with AI Video and User-Generated Content
But don't be fooled. Even though D'Amaro comes from the parks, he's got his eyes firmly fixed on the digital future. During the meeting, they unveiled some of the most ambitious plans for the Disney+ streaming service in a long time. Alongside top boss Bob Iger (now "just" a board member and advisor), they revealed a strategy that's sure to make the competition sweat.
Get ready for a whole new kind of Disney+. The platform will soon host AI-generated videos made by users themselves. Yep, you read that right. Disney wants to let the rest of us play with their iconic characters. Imagine being able to create your own short film where Darth Vader busts a move with Olaf from Frozen, and share it directly on the service. It's a massive step for a company that's otherwise world champion at protecting its copyright. In partnership with AI companies and backed by their major investment in Epic Games (yep, the folks behind Fortnite), it's clear they're gunning for the next generation of users. It's no longer just about watching content, but about creating it.
The Parks in California and Florida: What's the Damage for a Ticket in 2026?
While streaming gets new toys, there's just as much happening on the ground. If you're planning a trip to Disneyland Park in California or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, there are some concrete things you need to know. Prices have, as usual, crept up a bit, especially during peak periods. But it's not all bad news. In fact, they've tweaked their strategy to make travelling during school holidays actually worthwhile.
- Disneyland (California): A single-day ticket during the absolute busiest periods will now set you back US$224. But you can snag one for as low as US$104 if you hit an off-peak day. Keep an eye on that calendar!
- Walt Disney World (Florida): Here, the top price hits US$209 for Magic Kingdom in peak season, but you can still experience the park for around US$119 on the right days.
- New Experiences: It's not just the prices that are changing. Over at Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland, you'll be able to meet Luke Skywalker, Leia and Darth Vader from April – something new is on the horizon. And in Florida, the wild Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is being relaunched with a Muppets theme this summer.
It's classic Disney dynamics: They hike prices on busy days to spread the crowds out, and they invest heavily in new attractions to keep the magic alive. With the new boss coming from the parks, you can bet your bottom dollar that the physical product will stay front and centre.
What Does It All Mean?
We're at a crossroads. The old guard under Iger turned Disney into a streaming giant. The new guard under D'Amaro is set to turn it into an experiences giant. Whether it's heading to Walt Disney World Resort and staying in a new, futuristic hotel, or sitting at home in Australia creating your own AI-generated short film with Disney characters, the way we interact with the House of Mouse is about to change radically. It'll be fascinating to see if the "parks guy" can find his feet in the Silicon Valley playground. My bet? He'll do just fine – because he knows better than anyone what guests really want.