Disney is laying off between 100 and 200 people in its theme parks division, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday. Those cuts apply to Disney Experiences, the division responsible for the theme parks, Disney Cruise Line, and Aulani Resort & Spa in Hawaii. A person familiar with the matter is the report’s source, and Disney declined to comment. The report doesn’t say which roles or locations Disney is cutting, including whether any are at Walt Disney World.
Disney Experiences Layoffs: More Than 100 Affected
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- How many roles are affected and which parts of Disney the cuts cover.
- What the report says is behind the cuts.
- Where Disney Experiences stands financially ahead of the November 17th earnings report.
Layoffs have now reached the division that runs Disney’s theme parks, according to the Los Angeles Times. The paper’s source says Disney will notify all affected employees by the end of the day Wednesday. That source was not authorized to comment publicly, so the figure of 100 to 200 employees is unconfirmed.
Earlier layoffs this year left the Parks division out. In April, we covered a report that listed no layoffs for Experiences, and CEO Josh D’Amaro later confirmed layoffs without naming a division.
What the Report Says Drove the Cuts
According to the Times’ source, the cuts stem from a regular evaluation of the division’s priorities, investments, and project timelines. Antithetically, Disney also has more parks-related projects in progress than ever before.
D’Amaro toured Monstropolis, Tropical Americas, and Lakeshore Lodge with Imagineering teams in October. All three are scheduled to open, at least in part, in 2027, though nothing in the report says whether any of those projects or their timelines are affected. It’s unlikely that they would be impacted.
Layoffs have also hit other parts of Disney, including human resources and technology teams, per the Times. The paper says Disney offered early retirement packages to older workers earlier this month, and that this latest round is separate from those moves. All of it is part of D’Amaro’s effort to sharpen the company’s focus and respond faster to a changing entertainment industry, according to the report.
Where Disney Experiences Stands Heading Into Earnings
Disney Experiences carries much of the company’s profit. In fiscal 2025, the division brought in $36.2 billion in revenue and generated more than 56% of Disney’s total operating income, the Times reports. Our coverage of that report put the segment’s record operating income for the year at $10 billion.
The most recent quarter was strong. Fiscal Q3 brought just under $10 billion in revenue, and segment operating income rose 20% to $3 billion, as we reported in August. Disney says Walt Disney World had a standout quarter. Executives also told analysts that international visitation headwinds at domestic parks have eased, the Times notes.
Full-year results come next. Disney will report fiscal 2026 earnings on November 17th, with a webcast at 8:30am ET. Guidance for Experiences operating income growth sits at the high end of its high-single-digit range for the year.
Story So Far
- In April, a report said Disney planned to cut up to 1,000 positions, mostly in its newly consolidated marketing department, and listed no layoffs for Experiences.
- D’Amaro confirmed the layoffs in a memo to employees on April 14th without naming the divisions affected.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!