The Walt Disney Company has grown from a small animation studio into a global entertainment empire, but that success didn’t happen overnight. It took the leadership of several key people to navigate the company through innovation, expansion, and even near-collapse. In this 2-part series, we’re breaking down the history of Disney’s leadership —exploring how each leader shaped the company, from Walt Disney’s groundbreaking vision to Bob Iger’s game-changing acquisitions.

We’ll discuss how Roy O. Disney fulfilled his brother’s dream of Walt Disney World, how Michael Eisner revived Disney animation and theme parks, and how Bob Iger secured Disney’s dominance in film and streaming. We’ll also look at often-overlooked CEOs like Donn Tatum, Card Walker, and Ron Miller—who kept the company afloat in challenging times.

Join us as we explore the major decisions, successes, and controversies that defined each Disney leader and shaped the magic we know today.

Part 2 - Highlights

Michael Eisner (1984–2005)

• Revived Disney animation with the Disney Renaissance (The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast)
• Expanded Disney’s parks globally (Disney-MGM Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disneyland Paris)
• Launched Disney Cruise Line and Disney Vacation Club, diversifying Disney’s offerings
• Faced backlash in later years over his leadership style and creative disputes, leading to a shareholder revolt

Bob Iger (2005–2020, 2022–Present)

• Transformed Disney’s content library by acquiring Pixar (2006), Marvel (2009), Lucasfilm (2012), and 21st Century Fox (2019)
• Led Disney into the streaming era with the launch of Disney+ in 2019
• Oversaw major park expansions, including Shanghai Disneyland and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• Returned as CEO in 2022 to address financial challenges and steady the company

Bob Chapek (2020–2022)

• Took the helm during the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating park closures and operational challenges
• Shifted focus toward streaming and digital-first strategies, prioritizing Disney+
• Faced intense fan and employee backlash over decisions like park price increases and handling of political controversies
• His tenure ended abruptly, leading to Bob Iger’s return as CEO in 2022

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