Disney 2026: New CEO, Wild 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 was a changing of the guard. For the first time, Josh D'Amaro took the stage as the company's new CEO, making it crystal clear where the future lies. If you thought Disney was only about streaming wars and superhero movies, think again. The empire is now firmly being run from its theme parks – and they're also getting to set the course on the digital front.

Goodbye to the Iger Guard? 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 at the helm of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. It's a massive vote of confidence for the business segment that in 2025 generated over $50 billion and accounted for more than half of the company's total operating income. In my book, it's a crystal-clear signal: Real-world experiences are going 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, his focus is firmly set on the digital future. The meeting unveiled some of the most ambitious plans for the Disney+ streaming service in a long time. Alongside top executive Bob Iger (now "just" a board member and advisor), they revealed a strategy that's sure to make competitors sweat.

Get ready for a whole new kind of Disney+. The platform will soon host AI-generated videos made by users themselves. Yes, you read that right. Disney is going to let the rest of us play with their icons. Imagine being able to create a short film where Darth Vader dances with Olaf from Frozen and share it directly on the service. It's a huge step for a company that is otherwise world champion at protecting its copyrights. In collaboration with AI companies and with their major investment in Epic Games (yes, the folks behind Fortnite) in their back pocket, 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.

Parks in California and Florida: What's the Ticket Price in 2026?

While streaming gets new toys, just as much is happening on the ground. If you're planning to visit Disneyland Park in California or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, there are some specific things you need to know. Prices have, as usual, crept up a bit, especially during peak season. But it's not all bad news. In fact, they've adjusted their strategy to make it more rewarding to travel during off-peak times.

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

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

What Does It All Mean?

We're at a turning point. The old guard under Iger turned Disney into a streaming giant. The new guard under D'Amaro needs to turn it into an experience giant. Whether it's about heading to Walt Disney World Resort and staying in a new, futuristic hotel, or sitting at home and 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 exciting to see if the "parks guy" can figure out how to play in the Silicon Valley sandbox. My bet? He absolutely can – because he knows better than anyone else what guests really want.