Disney has laid off between 100 and 200 employees in its Experiences division as part of ongoing restructuring efforts led by CEO Josh D’Amaro.
Disney has announced layoffs affecting between 100 and 200 employees within its Experiences division, which encompasses the company’s theme parks, resorts, and cruise lines. This decision comes as part of a broader restructuring initiative under CEO Josh D’Amaro, aimed at realigning the workforce with the evolving demands of various projects.
According to a report from Deadline, the layoffs are primarily project-based, reflecting the division’s need to continually reassess and adjust staffing levels based on current workflows. As of the end of fiscal 2025, Disney employed approximately 231,000 individuals globally, with 172,000 based in the United States and 59,000 in other countries. Notably, around 16% of the workforce was part-time, while an additional 8% were seasonal employees, reflecting the fluctuating staffing needs of its theme parks and resorts.
This round of layoffs follows Disney’s recent voluntary early retirement offer extended to employees at or above the director level who are at least 50 years old and have been with the company for a minimum of ten years. This offer is available to U.S.-based employees across Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and corporate divisions, and requires participants to achieve a minimum score of 65 based on their age and years of service to qualify. Those who accept the offer may receive up to one year of separation pay, depending on their tenure, along with health care coverage at active-employee rates throughout their severance period.
Since D’Amaro took over as CEO in March, Disney has implemented several rounds of layoffs. The first significant cut occurred in April, resulting in the elimination of 1,000 positions. Subsequent job reductions followed in July, primarily impacting Pixar and National Geographic, and in September, approximately 100 employees in the technology and human resources divisions were laid off.
The Experiences division is one of Disney’s most profitable sectors, and analysts closely monitor attendance at its theme parks, particularly among international visitors. While Disney has previously cited challenges related to international visitation at its domestic parks, executives indicated during an August earnings call that these trends had begun to stabilize.
In addition to the layoffs, Disney Entertainment Television is also expected to undergo significant restructuring under its new leader, Debra O’Connell. A similar overhaul is anticipated at the company’s motion picture studio, as Disney continues to adapt to changing market conditions.
Internal discussions regarding potential layoffs have been ongoing since a memo issued on September 18 by Chief Legal and Global Affairs Officer Horacio Gutierrez. In an email to employees in the legal and global affairs division, Gutierrez warned of “hard choices” regarding “staffing investments” and indicated that the division would be significantly downsized. He also mentioned a “transformation process” that would involve automating certain workflows by leveraging advanced technologies.
Furthermore, Disney has recently increased prices for many of its theme park offerings, with the new rates taking effect on October 6, coinciding with the start of its new fiscal year.
These developments reflect Disney’s ongoing efforts to streamline operations and adapt to the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry, according to Deadline.