Josh Damaro Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

About four years after it was announced by then chairman of Walt Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Bob Chapek and about a year after it officially opened, Disney revealed today that it would be closing the pricey (for guests, anyway) Star Wars themed Galactic Starcruiser experience in September. The news came on the same morning that Parks and Resorts boss Josh D’Amaro sent a note to Disney Parks, Experiences & Products employees confirming that Disney is abandoning its plan to move around 2,000 staffers and their families to central Florida from California.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor A day after Disney declared victory over activist investor Nelson Peltz, CEO Bob Iger said the board is proceeding with “urgency” in trying to identify the next chief executive with the “distraction” of the proxy fight over. “This was decisive in terms of how shareholders voted,” Iger said in an appearance Thursday morning on CNBC from Disney’s Burbank, Calif., headquarters, about the results of the April 3 meeting. Succession “is the board’s No.

Disney is raising select prices at its theme parks as it prepares to embark on a long-term expansion of its parks and resorts portfolio.

Disney has huge plans to expand their theme parks, according to a report from The Hollywood Reporter.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Disney is planning to super-size its theme parks and cruise lines business. The Walt Disney Co.

Disney shares pulled back 2% in early trading after the media giant unveiled a comprehensive plan to double its investment in theme parks to $60 billion over the next 10 years.

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro provided a little more clarity on long-gestating expansions of Walt Disney World and the resort’s Animal Kingdom experience at the company’s annual D23 fan event this morning.

Sun Valley, a sleepy ski resort nestled between Idaho’s mountain peaks, is about to see an invasion of Gulfstreams ferrying an embattled species of mogul. These media and tech CEOs are facing threats on several fronts — from labor strikes to plunging share prices to a possible recession. So they’re likely in need of some R&R when they hit Allen & Co.’s annual conference this week. The cloistered event is an off-the-record affair, with reporters cordoned off from the captains of industry. But it remains closely watched, having been the setting for major mergers and acquisitions over the years, from Comcast’s purchase of NBCUniversal to Disney’s deal for ABC. Here’s what’s on the minds of the C-suite set as they embark on their high-altitude retreat.  

If the feud between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was going to be escalated yet again, parks chief Josh D’Amaro didn’t seem like he would be the one to do it.

In the same week that Disney Parks & Resorts boss Josh D’Amaro announced the company was abandoning a new $1 billion employee campus in Orlando, the president of Disneyland Resort Ken Potrock hosted an OCForum meeting with local business and political leaders in Anaheim to discuss DisneylandForward, the company’s 30-year plan for expansion and innovation in the area.

A spokesman for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis downplayed the company’s announcement that it was canceling a planned project that would have moved thousands of employees from California to the Sunshine State.

Just over a week ago, Bob Iger rhetorically asked the adversarial  Gov. Ron DeSantis if Florida really wanted Disney’s considerable business and tax revenue, or not. Now, without mentioning the would-be presidential contender nor his attacks on the company, the Mouse House has pulled some of that business and taxes revenues from the Sunshine State.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer The Walt Disney Co. has scrapped plans to build a $1 billion office complex in Orlando, as the company continues to wage a political and legal battle with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. In an email to employees on Thursday, Disney executive Josh D’Amaro said that “considerable changes,” including “new leadership” and “changing business conditions,” had led to the decision to cancel the project. Disney had planned to move 2,000 employees to the Lake Nona complex once it was complete, mostly from the Imagineering division. The company announced the project in 2021, and reports indicated it could have benefited from as much as $500 million in state tax incentives.

Disney Parks and Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro gave a presentation at SXSW this weekend that promised a focus on “The Art & Science of Disney Parks Storytelling,” and boy did he deliver.

Bruce Vaughn is returning as chief creative officer to co-lead Walt Disney Imagineering with Barbara Bouza, president of the storied division.  

Walt Disney Imagineering, the secretive unit responsible for Disney theme parks, cruise ships and shopping experiences, has reclaimed one of its own: Bruce Vaughn, who left the company in 2016, will return to Disney. Vaughn will be installed as chief creative officer, working alongside Barbara Bouza, president of Walt Disney Imagineering.

Disney, newly under Bob Iger’s wing, is taking steps to mollify theme park-goers, some of whom have been at a low boil.

Today at the D23 Expo, Josh D’Amaro, the handsome chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, led guests on a tour of the future of the Disney Parks. During the lengthy presentation, several new “Frozen” lands being built at the international parks were detailed, an announcement was made about a forthcoming Disney Cruise Line ship and potential expansions of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom were fuzzily alluded to.

Today at the D23 Expo, Josh D’Amaro, the handsome chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, led guests on a tour of the future of the Disney Parks. During the lengthy presentation, several new “Frozen” lands being built at the international parks were detailed, an announcement was made about a forthcoming Disney Cruise Line ship and potential expansions of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom were fuzzily alluded to.

Wilson Chapman editor Starting soon, Marvel fans will be able to take a ride through the Multiverse. A new Avengers Campus attraction is heading to Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., allowing parkgoers to journey through the MCU’s many, many universes. The news was announced on Sunday at the D23 Expo’s Parks panel, which featured parks chairman Josh D’Amaro and Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige. According to D’Amaro, the ride — which does not have an official opening date — will see parkgoers team up with the Avengers from multiple universes to defeat “King Thanos,” a version of the character that won at the end of the 2019 film “Avengers: Endgame.” D’Amaro also unveiled new concept art of the ride showcasing the King Thanos design and several of the heroes that will be featured in the ride, which can be viewed below.

Mark Bozon, who spent 12 years at Apple in creative and gaming executive roles, has been hired by Disney in a senior post to help oversee the company’s push into the metaverse.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorDisney hired Mark Bozon, a top gaming executive from Apple, as a senior creative leader for its cross-divisional Next Generation Storytelling initiative — which encompasses Disney’s “metaverse” ambitions.In a May 20 tweet, Bozon announced he was leaving Apple after 12 years, saying “I’m headed to an absolute dream job” (without revealing he was heading to Disney). Most recently, he served as games creative director for Apple Arcade, the tech giant’s game-subscription service.Bozon was hired by Mike White, Disney’s SVP of Next Generation Storytelling & Consumer Experiences, a 10-year company veteran who earlier this year was appointed to lead development and coordination of Disney’s metaverse strategy.

Disney will be building new master-planned communities called ‘Storyliving’ with the first to be developed in Rancho Mirage in California’s Coachella Valley. Other sites are under exploration “as more and more fans look for new ways to make Disney a bigger part of their lives,” the company said.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorDisney CEO Bob Chapek installed veteran exec Mike White into a new role coordinating the Mouse House’s “metaverse” efforts going forward.White, who has worked at Disney for a decade, is assuming the new role of senior VP of next generation storytelling and consumer experiences at the Walt Disney Co., responsible for connecting the dots among the company’s initiatives that blend “physical and digital worlds,” Chapek wrote in a memo to staff, obtained by Variety. White adds the metaverse role that to his existing duties leading consumer experiences and platforms in the Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution (DMED) division, overseeing the technology strategy, engineering and product teams charged developing digital experiences across brands including ABC, ABC News, Disney, ESPN, FX, Marvel, National Geographic and Star Wars.

The Walt Disney Co. plans to move about 2,000 jobs in Southern California to a new regional facility in central Florida, it announced on Thursday.

Florida to house at least 2,000 professional employees who will be relocating from Southern California to work in digital technology, finance and product development.In a letter to employees, Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, said the move would allow creative and business teams to be better integrated.

In a bid to make sure all employees feel included at their parks, Disney has dropped its traditional phrase “ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.” The iconic phrase typically played before all performances, but they’ve now made the decision to change this to “good evening, dreamers of all ages.” Disney’s new language is rolling out in parks around the world and it’ll be added to all pre-recorded announcements.The chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, Josh D’Amaro, wrote on the

In the months since Disneyland announced it is sunsetting its annual pass program, frequent park guests have fretted about the loss. Now we know what’s next: a membership program.

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced on Tuesday that Disney properties were making changes and “creating a place where everyone is welcome.”

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterFrom the newly built Avengers Campus at California Adventure Park, Disney Parks head Josh D’Amaro revealed at a press conference that the new land will be open to the public on Friday, June 4 — two days after Marvel chief Kevin Feige’s birthday, he noted.The immersive land will be made up of “several heroic locations, each hosted by a different Avenger to share their unique powers, technology and knowledge with recruits,” according to the Disney Parks blog.

Erik Pedersen Managing EditorTwo days after Disney announced some 28,000 layoffs in its U.S. parks business, chairman Bob Iger has resigned from California Gov.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterDisney Parks is laying off 28,000 U.S. employees, two-thirds of which are part-time, due to the pandemic’s impact on Disneyland and Walt Disney World, according to Disney Parks chairman Josh D’Amaro.Calling the decision “heartbreaking” in a letter to employees, he said that this was “the only feasible option we have” due to the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the parks to limit capacity and the ongoing closure of Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif.

Jill Goldsmith Co-Business EditorWalt Disney’s parks chief Josh D’Amaro said Tuesday the company will be laying off staff at its theme parks, the segment of the company hardest hit by the pandemic.In a memo to employees, D’Amaro said the decision is painful. He said approximately 28,000 domestic employees will be affected, of which about 67% are part-time.

The Walt Disney Co.'s parks chief on Tuesday made it clear to Gov. Gavin Newsom that the company wants clearance to reopen the Disneyland Resort.

Dave McNary Film ReporterDisney’s top theme parks executive is pleading with California officials to allow a reopening of Disneyland, which has been closed since March 14 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney parks, experiences and products, made the request in a Tuesday investor presentation, contending that state officials should allow its signature theme park to begin operations again.

Jill Goldsmith Co-Business EditorJosh D’Amaro, the new chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Tuesday begged California officials to let Disneyland reopen and to “treat theme parks the way you treat other sectors.”California Governor Gavin Newsom promised last week that news about Disneyland’s reopening would be coming “very soon.”But ‘soon’ is subjective and with nothing forthcoming, executives ramped up the heat during a webcast today for key stakeholders to provide an update on