A New Era Under Josh D’Amaro
Disney really said more, more, more during the latest earnings call. On May 6, 2026, the company held its second-quarter earnings call, and it was a historic one. This was the first time we’ve heard a quarterly report under the leadership of the new CEO, Josh D’Amaro. While we’ve seen him at the helm of the parks for years, his first call as the leader of the entire company made one thing very clear: Disney is not slowing down. The main takeaway from the hour-long session is that the company is leaning into expansion across every single part of the business.
Massive Growth on the High Seas
Disney Cruise Line continues to be a major focus for the company. During the call, they reiterated a plan to grow the current fleet of 8 ships to 13 by the year 2031. We’ve already seen a lot of movement here with the recent launch of the Disney Adventure. Looking ahead, the next ship in the lineup has been officially named the Disney Believe, and it is scheduled to debut in late 2027. This rapid expansion shows that Disney is betting big on the cruise industry as a primary driver for their travel segment.
The Expansion of Global Theme Parks
In the world of theme parks, the list of active projects is staggering. Disney is currently developing several major lands and resorts that will change the guest experience forever. Key projects mentioned include:
- Villains Land and Piston Peak at Magic Kingdom.
- Monsters Inc. Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
- Pueblo Esperanza at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
- The Disneyland Forward project in California.
- The expansion of Disney Adventure World in Paris.
Perhaps the most discussed update was the progress on Disneyland Abu Dhabi. This will be an entirely new theme park resort built using a capital-light model. Disney confirmed they are working with local operators to bring this seventh resort to life, ensuring the brand reaches new international markets.
Attendance Trends and Financial Health
The earnings report gave us a look at how people are traveling right now. Global guest numbers grew 2% compared to this time last year. However, attendance at the domestic parks in Florida and California actually declined by 1%. Disney attributed this small dip to a softness in international visitors coming to the states. While a decline is never ideal, the company believes that the massive list of new attractions and lands will turn those numbers around in the coming years. On the digital side, streaming is finally a massive win. Disney reported an operating income of $1.3 billion for their streaming services, which include Disney+ and Hulu.
A Packed 2026 Movie Slate
Content is still king at Disney, and 2026 is shaping up to be one of their biggest years at the box office. If you’re a movie fan, mark your calendars for these upcoming releases:
- The Mandalorian & Grogu – May 22, 2026
- Toy Story 5 – June 19, 2026
- Moana (Live Action) – July 10, 2026
- Hexed – November 25, 2026
- Avengers: Doomsday – December 18, 2026
Efficiency Through Technology
Finally, the call touched on how Disney plans to use technology to be more efficient. They are going all in on AI to help with the production process. The goal isn’t to replace the human creativity that Disney is known for, but rather to give their artists and creators better tools to work faster. This is part of a long-term strategy to increase the amount of content they can produce for Disney+ and theaters without sacrificing quality. Whether it’s through new ships, massive park expansions, or high-tech production, Disney is clearly focused on doing more than ever before.
Disclaimer: This information is gathered from various online sources and news outlets. While we strive for accuracy, Disney plans and policies can change rapidly. We recommend double-checking official Disney sources for the most up-to-date information before making final travel plans.