Disney 2026: New CEO, Ambitious AI Plans for Disney+, and Park Price Adjustments

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 felt like a changing of the guard. For the first time, Josh D'Amaro took the stage as the group's new Chief Executive Officer, and he made no secret of where the future lies. If you thought Disney was all about streaming wars and superhero films, think again. The empire is now firmly being steered from its theme parks – and they're being given the reins to chart the course 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 the 58-year-old D'Amaro, who until recently was head of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. It's a huge vote of confidence in the business division that, in 2025, turned over more than $50 billion and accounted for over half of the group's total operating profit. In my book, 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 of all.

Disney+ Gets a Major Facelift: Now with AI Video and User-Generated Content

But don't be fooled. Even though D'Amaro comes from the parks division, his focus is firmly fixed on the digital future. The meeting served up 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 unveiled a strategy that's sure to make the competition sweat.

Get ready for a whole new kind of Disney+. The platform is set to host AI-generated videos made by users themselves. Yes, you read that right. Disney is going to let the rest of us play with its iconic characters. Imagine being able to create your own short film where Darth Vader dances 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 firms and backed by their major investment in Epic Games (yes, the folks behind Fortnite), it's clear they're aiming to capture 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 in 2026?

While streaming gets new toys, just as much is happening on the ground. If you're planning a trip to Disneyland Park in California or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, here's the lowdown. Prices have, as usual, crept up a bit, especially during peak season. But it's not all bad news. In fact, they've tweaked the strategy to make it more worthwhile travelling outside of school holidays.

• Disneyland (California): A single-day ticket during the absolute busiest periods will now set you back $224. However, prices can dip as low as around $104 if you hit an off-peak day. Keep a close eye on that calendar!
• Walt Disney World (Florida): Here, prices top out at $209 for Magic Kingdom during peak season, but you can still experience the park for about $119 on the right days.
• New Experiences: It's not just the prices that are changing. Over at Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland, you can meet Luke Skywalker, Leia, and Darth Vader from April – something new is brewing. And in Florida, the wild Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is being relaunched with a Muppets theme this summer.

It's classic Disney dynamics: they crank up the price on busy days to spread out the crowds, and they invest heavily in new attractions to keep the magic alive. With the new boss hailing from the parks, you can bet the physical product will remain a top priority.

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 transform it into an experiences giant. Whether it's about heading to Walt Disney World Resort and staying in a new, futuristic hotel, or sitting at home in Ireland 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 hold his own on the Silicon Valley playground. My bet? He'll manage just fine – because he knows better than anyone what guests truly want.