The Walt Disney Company reported its third-quarter earnings on Wednesday, with CEO Josh D’Amaro outlining the company’s performance and highlighting continued investment in its global attractions business during his first five months in the role

“During my first five months as CEO, I’ve been focused on ensuring that we execute as one company around a unified strategy,” D’Amaro said during the earnings call. “And what we’re seeing this quarter is proof that coordinating our franchises, sharing data and technology, and building seamless fan experiences works.”

He added that Disney’s “fundamental advantage is the depth of our fan relationships, and that translates directly to durable financial returns.”

D’Amaro also noted that “we find ourselves in an environment where consumers have more options than ever for their time,” but said the company’s results demonstrate that “they keep choosing to spend their time with Disney.”

He continued: “This success reflects our continued execution across three strategic priorities: First, investing in creative excellence and world-class IP. Second, leveraging technology to accelerate growth and drive returns. And third, deepening our direct relationships with fans by creating a more connected Disney experience.”

Among the quarter’s highlights, Disney reported a 4% year-on-year increase in global guests, driven by strong attendance at Walt Disney World and additional capacity across Disney Cruise Line.

Focusing on Disney Experiences, D’Amaro said the company is continuing to invest in its parks and resorts to support future growth.

“The pipeline includes major attractions at every site, including Villains Land in Orlando and the Avengers Campus expansion in Anaheim, amongst others in the U.S., and our previously announced cruise ship expansion,” he said.

D’Amaro also pointed to the role Disney’s franchises play in supporting its attractions business, using the Toy Story franchise as an example. The films, he said, have generated more than $4 billion at the global box office and continue to connect with guests across Disney destinations through themed lands, attractions and hotels.

“Now, that’s the Disney flywheel in action,” he said. “One powerful and enduring story, told across theaters, streaming, retail, and physical experiences. That integration creates a structure no one else has been able to replicate.”

He added that Disney’s franchises continue to drive demand beyond the box office. While discussing The Mandalorian and Grogu, D’Amaro said the film helped attract guests to the updated Millennium Falcon attraction at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, demonstrating how investment in Disney’s intellectual property benefits its parks and resorts alongside other areas of the business.

The CEO also highlighted the role of technology in shaping the future guest experience across Disney’s destinations.

“Our company was founded on the convergence of creativity and breakthrough technology – and continuing that tradition is a priority for me and this leadership team,” he said. “That’s why we’re leveraging AI to bring the most innovative tools to our storytellers. As I’ve said before, AI isn’t simply about efficiency – it’s about enhancing a creative process that will always be human-centered, artist-driven, and creator-led.”

He continued: “AI lets us work faster and smarter, particularly in areas of pre- and post-production. Our teams can personalize content and experiences for fans around the world at scale. And we are doing all of this while keeping human creativity at the center. AI amplifies what our storytellers can do – it doesn’t replace them.”

“This efficiency, it matters financially, too,” he added. “When our teams work smarter, we can serve more people across our parks and digital platforms and do it more cost-effectively. That frees up capital to reinvest aggressively in what drives long-term value: new content and next-generation guest experiences, as well as technology infrastructure that keeps Disney at the forefront of entertainment.”

Concluding his remarks, D’Amaro said there is “clarity of purpose” across the company, with Disney continuing to focus on creating connected experiences that strengthen guest engagement across its parks, resorts and wider entertainment portfolio.

For more information, visit https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/disney-q3-earnings-2026/

For more stories from Park World, visit https://parkworld-online.com/