As the company was preparing for the launch of its own streaming service called Disney+, Iger and The Walt Disney Company purchased 21st Century Fox and its assets. This deal gave The Walt Disney Company control over both Fox and ABC, two of the largest television networks. Not to mention, Disney also acquired other fox owned assets like National Geographic, FX, and Hulu.

Since the purchase, Disney has launched Disney+ with several Fox Ips like The Simpsons. Disney has also used Hulu to release content that it seems too adult for the Disney+ platform. Under Iger’s leadership, The Walt Disney Company has solidified itself as the largest entertainment company in the world.

Finally, one of Bob Iger’s largest achievements was the conception, construction, and opening of Shanghai Disneyland. Iger was involved with the creation of the theme park from its earliest development including choosing where the park would be located to the grand opening in 2016.

The park became the first Disneyland in mainland China and cost nearly 6 billion dollars. The park is 963 acres, which as Bob Iger says in his book, is eleven times the size of Disneyland. Shanghai Disneyland Resort includes the theme park, two themed hotels, and the downtown district, Disneytown. The creation of the park was a massive undertaking and took eighteen years to complete.

Bob Iger’s time as CEO of The Walt Disney company ended in 2020 and he became executive chairman. Following his retirement, Bob Chapek was named as CEO. Iger admits to leading with a focus on creating great content, fostering innovation including embracing new technology, and goals of expanding into new markets.

The ambition and strategy that Iger demonstrated during his time leading The Walt Disney Company is arguably remarkable. We can only hope that he will help get Disney back to the magic and set up a successor that will continue to create great positive changes for The Walt Disney Company and the theme parks well into the future.