We know, we know, it’s pretty exciting seeing Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, make the move to becoming the next CEO of the company and taking over after Bob Iger steps down on March 18th. D’Amaro is a parks guy, after all, and we all LOVE Disney Parks.
Magic Kingdom
Well, we know a new CEO could mean BIG changes for the company, including the direction the company takes moving forward with all of its business ventures, including Disney Parks, but y’all, we hate to say this, but we think some Disney fans have some unrealistic expectations of what D’Amaro as Disney’s new CEO can and will do.
When we posted the news to Instagram about Disney’s new CEO, we got a lot of comments from Disney fans who have a lot of big requests for perks to return to the parks. Many of these perks went away in 2020 and have not come back to Disney World since. So many fans mentioned FastPasses, Magical Express, and even DinoLand, U.S.A. There was even a mention of that Ben Solo movie that many Star Wars fans are obsessed with.
No more DinoLand!
But these requests just aren’t realistic. Let’s take a look at free FastPasses. When Disney introduced the paid Genie+ service, which morphed into Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass, it started raking in the $$$ as guests started paying to skip the standby lines in Disney World and Disneyland. Why would a company get rid of something that’s obviously bringing in the dough?
Kilimanjaro Safaris Lightning Lane
Then there’s Magical Express. Don’t get me wrong…I would LOVE to see the return of Magical Express, but Disney fans have been doing fine without it since 2020. The Mears Connect shuttle service is basically the same thing, except now you have to pay Mears for the service. It’s one less headache Disney has to deal with.
Mears Connect at Orlando International Airport
The DinoLand U.S.A. mention, well, Disney has already started on the new land replacing it, Pueblo Esperanza, and there is no way the company would halt construction and rebuild everything it’s already destroyed. So sorry about that, DinoLand fans. We know, we know, Disney fans hate change, although it’s literally what Walt Disney said he wanted for the parks.
DINOSAUR is gone, y’all
However, it’s even more important to point out that D’Amaro was in charge of the parks when all of these changes were made. He approved of getting rid of free FastPasses and charging for the various Lightning Lane services. He also approved of the removal of Magical Express for Disney World hotel guests. He would certainly have approved of the destruction of DinoLand U.S.A. So, all these decisions Disney fans want reversed? Well, it’s likely the guy who approved them isn’t going to change his mind.
Josh D’Amaro at SXSW 2023 ©Disney
But let’s take a look at other things he approved. First, Magic Kingdom is getting a massive expansion AND a new land for the first time in, well, FOREVER. Cars fans on the East Coast will finally get their very own Cars-themed rides, while Villains fans are getting the land they’ve been demanding for YEARS. Three Magic Kingdom rides will even be getting big upgrades.
©Disney
But there’s more: Animation Courtyard is getting an update that takes it back to its Studios roots, while a new Monsters, Inc. land is on the way, featuring a ride that Monsters, Inc. fans have been demanding since the first film came out. Disney’s Animal Kingdom finally got an update to the old “It’s Tough To Be a Bug” show (and yes, it needed it), while the new land replacing DinoLand U.S.A. will be bringing an Encanto ride and an Indiana Jones ride. That’s A LOT.
Pueblo Esperanza model
Even Disneyland is getting some new things, including an expansion to Avengers Campus, an Avatar-themed land, and the first-ever Coco ride. The U.S. parks haven’t seen this kind of attention in a LONG time, and all of this was also done under D’Amaro’s eye while he ruled over just the parks. That means we might see the parks getting even MORE love and attention with the new CEO being so focused on them.
©Disney
And, well, as to The Hunt for Ben Solo movie, I’m not the kind of person who “never says never,” but that film was scrapped, and we rarely see scrapped films brought back from the proverbial dead. Ben Solo is one with the Force now, y’all, and that’s okay. But who knows? Maybe the two new Co-heads of Lucasfilm will bring the Ben Solo movie back from the dead, and D’Amaro will okay it.
We’ll keep an eye out for more Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB for more.
“Of course, I feel the weight on my shoulders.” Josh D’Amaro Comments On Becoming Disney’s Next CEO
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
i hope iam wrong if he is a leader he will fix it if he follows the last two greed monsters u will have the save nickel n dime stuff
There are a few things he could bring back though. Package delivery from the parks for all Disney hotel guests, 1 hour early entry at the parks for same ( a rolling arrangement if they don’t want to do it every day) and and 2-3 hr after hours stay for ALL Disney Hotel guests maybe once a month. I know after hours parties are lucrative and you have to pay cast members for extra hours, but think the goodwill it would generate would be worth it.
I’m sorry, but I have to disagree with your comments regarding Magical Express. Mears connect is nothing like Magical Express. The only real similarity is they provide transportation to and from the resorts
via Orlando International airport. Not having to retrieve your luggage from baggage claim and leaving your checked bags at the resort was a huge plus! I think that’s something they could and should bring back!
FastPass is never going to come back as long as guest keep buying Lightning Lane passes. I would at least like to see a one price any time any ride pass like they have at Universal (Express Pass).
Two corrections… first, the title should have been; “He certainly can, but he won’t”. It takes guts to make the changes we’ve all been asking for (Remind him to look at the 1990s and see how magical it really was).
Second, Walt Disney did talk about change in the parks, but he NEVER said to remove nostalgic rides, lands or experiences. Ive studied his life & work and can say that he would be incredibly disappointed in how the parks have been altered and run today.
As a u k dvc member who due to family being teachers we have to travel in school holidays so already get overcharged for flights ! June cost £650 Aug £1200 each for same flight !
I’d love to see the 21 day pass returned for u k residents as to make travel economically worth it we also do universal now as we can only get a 14 days pass ! It would allow us to use our dvc better and more $ for the mouse as we would stay at wdw for the full holiday !
Other returns the magical express and fast pass ( even if as universal do it’s for de luxe resorts ) would be lovely and an indication that Disney cares about its customers not just the $ .