Disney’s new CEO aims to approach Fortnite with the same strategy as their theme parks.

There’s still a month to go before Josh D’Amaro, affectionately dubbed “Daddy Josh” by Disney parks enthusiasts, steps into the role of CEO at The Walt Disney Company. Even at this early stage, he’s starting to unveil his vision for the company and its collaboration with Fortnite. It seems D’Amaro views this partnership much like he does the theme parks: as a platform for selling Disney merchandise and experiences. Essentially, it’s a digital extension of Disney’s real-world brand ecosystem.

In a recent off-the-record chat with a group of bloggers, D’Amaro shared insights about Disney’s partnership with Epic Games regarding Fortnite. He mentioned, “It’s not just gonna be one character. It could be a new film premiering there, it could be the place that you decide to book your next cruise vacation. You could participate in the Super Bowl in some way there.”

There’s a lot to unpack in that statement. The most eye-catching part is the notion of debuting films in Fortnite. This isn’t entirely new; back in 2021, the trailer for Christopher Nolan’s Tenet premiered in Fortnite. While sitting in a virtual theater for a full-length film might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it certainly appeals to some.

What really catches the attention of both Fortnite and Disney fans is D’Amaro’s mention of booking a cruise vacation through the game. While other cruise lines have showcased ships in Fortnite, there’s a significant difference between a temporary promotional island and using Fortnite as a platform to plan a major vacation.

Disney first announced its investment in Epic Games to create an “expansive and open games and entertainment universe connected to Fortnite” back in February 2024. While that phrase might sound vague, the accompanying concept art clearly illustrated Disney’s vision for its role within the Fortnite ecosystem.

The artwork features a castle-like hub connecting to three islands, the largest of which is labeled World of Disney. For those not in the know, that name and logo are directly taken from Disney’s retail stores outside its theme parks. World of Disney isn’t the actual world of Disney; it’s a store that represents a slice of it. So, when D’Amaro talks about Fortnite being “the place that you decide to book your next cruise vacation,” it aligns with the concept art that even shows a port for Disney Cruise Lines on one of the islands. This further emphasizes that Disney’s vision for Fortnite diverges from its current state. While players see a variety of games, from Battle Royale to user-generated islands, Disney envisions a new marketing frontier: a way to sell movies, action figures, theme park tickets, and cruises.

D’Amaro also highlighted the potential for sports integration, suggesting users could “participate in the Super Bowl in some way there.” This could mean simply watching the game on a Fortnite island or streaming the halftime show within the game. However, with the rise of sports betting, there’s a possibility for that to be part of the experience too, especially since Disney owns ESPN, which partners with DraftKings for betting.

That said, the likelihood of sports gambling making its way into Fortnite anytime soon seems slim. The company recently faced criticism when a user introduced gambling mechanics involving actual V-bucks in a Creative island, prompting Epic to reaffirm its 2022 commitment to “no gambling ever.” Transitioning from that stance to allowing sports betting would be a significant shift.

Ultimately, it’s hard to imagine that Battle Royale and the other Fortnite experiences will disappear. After all, what’s a Disneyland without Pirates of the Caribbean? Change is on the horizon, though. While Fortnite fans are accustomed to the game’s evolution with each new season and chapter, an “expansive and open games and entertainment universe” suggests a major transformation is coming.

During the conversation, D’Amaro expressed, “I tend to think expansively and aggressively about where we can go,” indicating a bold future for Disney’s involvement in Fortnite. With that ambition now focused on expanding Disney’s footprint in the game, that “games and entertainment universe” can’t be too far off, right?

For now, we can only wait to see what Disney’s next move in Fortnite will be. So far, we’ve seen some villain skins, a custom island promoting the new season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and even a full season of The Simpsons content. Before long, we might find ourselves watching Avengers: Doomsday in a virtual theater aboard one of Disney’s cruise ships on Fortnite’s Disney Cruise Line island. At that point, Fortnite will have truly reached its ultimate form.