D23 Surprise: Disney CEO Walks Convention Center Floor
The Walt Disney Company's CEO, Josh D'Amaro, surprised attendees on opening day of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event by walking through the Anaheim Convention Center and shaking hands with fans. This is a departure from previous CEOs who typically only appeared during formal, scheduled moments.
D'Amaro has a history of informal appearances at fan events, theme parks, and major presentations, which is consistent with his behavior as CEO. He previously led Disney Experiences and regularly interacted with guests in this role.
This event marks D'Amaro's first D23 since becoming CEO earlier this year, and it fits a pattern of prioritizing execution over disruption. His approach has focused on driving core profitability, stabilizing average revenue per user across Disney+ and Hulu, and moving forward with the company's $60 billion capital expenditure plan.