food IS a theme park
We’ve seen plenty of internal changes impacting Disney workers recently.
Walt and Mickey
Not only is Disney moving forward with the Lake Nona project that will transplant thousands of employees from California to Florida, but the company is also undergoing a massive restructuring as Bob Iger refocuses the company’s priorities.
Many have wondered about the future of Disney since several major changes have taken place in the last few months.
Disney World
One of those changes is the upcoming hiring freeze that former CEO Bob Chapek announced in early November. We found out later that month that Bob Iger planned to continue with the freeze, but we hadn’t heard anything since. Now, Iger has commented on the upcoming freeze and what it means for the company and its employees.
Cast Members are often the reason your Disney vacation can be so magical!
Cast Members at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
They are vital to making the Disney Parks and Resorts operate smoothly and successfully. Around the time of the pandemic, many Cast Members were hit hard by the closures around the world and the massive furloughs and layoffs Disney made in 2020. Now that many parks are back up and operating, Cast Members deserve our appreciation more than ever!
We’ve been hard at work scoping out all the news for you this week. Today we have the details on the latest in the Disney theme parks and MORE!
Minnie Peppermint Cookie
See all of our coverage on Disney park reopenings HERE. We still have a LOT to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in… .
As Disney continues to contend with the fiscal consequences of the global health crisis, the mitigation efforts are being felt throughout the company.
Cinderella Castle
A few months ago, Disney announced that 28,000 employees would be laid off as a result of the pandemic. Now, that figure has been updated to reflect an additional 4,000 employees included in the layoffs.
While the reopening guidelines have been announced for Disneyland and other California theme parks, we still do not have an opening date for Disneyland.
Disneyland Main Entrance
Some health experts say the parks may not be able to open until the summer of 2021, leaving Disney and California mayors asking for a change of the guidelines.
Earlier this week, we discovered the heartbreaking news that hundreds of Disney World’s union actors received layoff notices. These Cast Members, all of which belong to the professional actors’ union known as Actors’ Equity Association, represent the on-stage talent seen in shows like Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo the Musical, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and Beauty and the Beast — Live on Stage.
Festival of the Lion King
But what do these layoffs mean exactly for the future of these beloved shows? Let’s take a look at what we know so far.
A few months ago, Disney announced layoffs in the Parks, Experiences and Products division of the company that would be affecting approximately 28,000 Cast Members.
©Disney
We recently learned that many performers at some of Disney World’s biggest shows and attractions have been laid off. Now, Actors’ Equity Association, which represents many of these incredible actors and singers, has issued a statement regarding these layoffs.
The Citizens of Hollywood have added incredible streetmosphere to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for years.
Citizens of Hollywood Christmas
This group of entertainers interacts with guests and is known as one of the most unique entertainment options around the Disney theme parks. We just received news that some of the actors from Citizens of Hollywood have been laid off.
Although many Disney theme parks and resorts around the world have reopened, other aspects of the Walt Disney Company are not back up and running yet.
Cinderella Castle
With Disneyland Resort still closed, reduced capacity at Disney’s theme parks, and the suspension of all Disney cruise departures until mid-December, Disney has announced that it will be laying off 28,000 employees.
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