Disney Parks laying off 28,000 cast members

[Disney Bobby]

If they are laid off isn’t there a possibility they could be called back? Yes it may be a while but people would have the choice to leave their new job (if they find one) and return. Especially those who love Disney. The more dedicated CMs. I know some or most will never return or move away to find work in areas that aren’t related to travel industry. But I hope there’s a chance some of the CMs can return.

In theory, that's what should happen, at least to some extent, unless some of this was going to happen anyway and CV is just a cover. We will eventually get back to normal, and when we do, I can't imagine Disney wouldn't need more employees. I don't believe Disney was employing 28,000 unnecessarily before. At least a percentage should return.

 

[Eric Smith]

There is no argument I'm just
asking a question to get a better understanding of the whole situation. I would never learn if I don't ask questions

A question ends with a question mark. You were making a statement.

 

[hertamaniac]

How'd that work out for "your" company?

It was effective.

 

[BrianL]

I'm talking about the last 3 movies.
When George Lucas hates it and Mark Hamill hates what they did to his character something is wrong.

I don't mind Star Wars Land although I hope they redress it to the original trilogy which can be easily done.

At the risk of going off topic, neither George Lucas no Mark Hamill have ever stated that they hated it. Mark disliked the direction for Luke at first but came around to understanding after it was all said and done. You are suffering from confirmation bias. THe OT is NOT all of Star Wars!

 

[cpep42]

This is so sad. A lot of my CM family have been laid off. Won't be the same.

 

[Eric Smith]

stuff i'm reading on twitter.... so take it with a grain of salt.

Photopass in Disneyland is gone.
Photopass at WDW reduced about 90%
Mini-Van drives all eliminated.

I'm in the camp of this being a "planned restructuring" that the virus exacerbated, so they just went ahead and decided to take the whole PR hit in one blast. If you are cutting because business is slow you take a few people from here, a few from there.... you don't just ax whole departments. Seems to me that Chapek isn't interested in anyone not loading you onto a ride, cleaning your room, or serving your food. Extra experiences, embellishments, that little sprinkle of magic that sets Disney apart........... gone.

I don't think photopass is a planned restructuring. Photopass brings in a lot of money for Disney and it's basically free advertising when people post pictures on their social media. It's probably more due to the fact that masks are here to stay for a while so people won't pay extra to have mask photos generally.

 

[kanerf]

Without the park jobs, there are few low wage jobs in the Orlando area. Many of those laid off may have to flee to other areas of Florida or elsewhere where jobs can be had. This will also happen in other areas such as California and New York where the low wage jobs have been almost eliminated.

 

[Eric Smith]

Im not just going to pat them on the back and say good job. Sorry if that kills the remaining magic for you.

The company is currently ripping off their customers and throwing many dedicated cast members down the drain, when in reality they are trimming the wrong fat. Sorry if that doesnt sit well.

Wall street is the only thing they care about right now. Long term that will make them go bankrupt regardless.

How is Disney ripping off their customers? Sorry the pandemic has affected every facet of life.

 

[Eric Smith]

This is an outright purge. I remember them saying back in March that if Disney didn't open by August that Disney Corp would go bankrupt. I think that's a real possibility now. Someone will come in and buy them (maybe Apple) and maybe that's not a bad thing.

They had over $23B in cash on hand at the end of the last quarter and turned a slight profit as a company overall in the last quarter. They're not going bankrupt.

 

[Eric Smith]

I honestly don't think that it would be a bad thing. They need to go back to Walt's values of treating the guest as king, providing a value and not nickel and diming every single thing. Eger basically squeezed every single cent they could from the Disney loyalists and now with the reduced offerings, it's just not a value to have to pay for hotel parking, reduced Annual Pass value, etc, etc, etc.

They need to shift the paradigm and vision at this point if they want to woo back a loyal fan base and customer base. (plus he destroyed Twin Peaks by his own admission in his book and now the Star Wars franchise)

I honestly don't think that it would be a bad thing. They need to go back to Walt's values of treating the guest as king, providing a value and not nickel and diming every single thing. Eger basically squeezed every single cent they could from the Disney loyalists and now with the reduced offerings, it's just not a value to have to pay for hotel parking, reduced Annual Pass value, etc, etc, etc.

They need to shift the paradigm and vision at this point if they want to woo back a loyal fan base and customer base. (plus he destroyed Twin Peaks by his own admission in his book and now the Star Wars franchise)

The prequels and the EA exclusive game deal damaged the Star Wars franchise long before Disney bought LucasFilm.

 

[tlmadden73]

Gone.

Photopass photographers totally gone? oh wow. Well I guess they are purging all their "extra" money makers. The parks will be like they were back in the day -- low crowds, fun rides, characters randomly out and about. But I will miss the photopass. It was always something I got (and I valued the AP for including).

 

[Eric Smith]

You should talk to serious Apple fans about this. I think they’d disagree with you.

IOS 14 has been a mixed bag for me at best. I think the only thing that Apple would improve with Disney is the IT support. Apple is in a serious drought of innovation in their company right now. That's why they are sitting on so much cash.

 

[BrianL]

The prequels and the EA exclusive game deal damaged the Star Wars franchise long before Disney bought LucasFilm.

Not that I want to encourage prequel bashing, but the EA Game deal came AFTER the Disney acquisition and I do agree that was a misstep. Squadrons is supposed to be really good though.

 

[AvidDisReader]

In no way do believe Disney ever had a plan to pare down their work force. Pre COVID, they were begging for new Cast Members. There are good friends of mine who relocated to Florida due to retirment and sent in resumes to Disney for PT work --- they were hired sight unseen without even a phone interview. COVID has thrown many businesses into financial chaos--think cruise lines and airlines. I just hope that in a year from now we will be hearing happy stories of people who were able to return to their jobs.

 

[yulilin3]

Photopass photographers totally gone? oh wow. Well I guess they are purging all their "extra" money makers. The parks will be like they were back in the day -- low crowds, fun rides, characters randomly out and about. But I will miss the photopass. It was always something I got (and I valued the AP for including).

NBA experience CM all gone, I believe photopass down to 90% at WDW

 

[yulilin3]

And Frozen Sing Along will reopen Monday without Ben, he wasn't fired he quit. My absolute favorite historian

 

[SmartyBacon]

Without the park jobs, there are few low wage jobs in the Orlando area. Many of those laid off may have to flee to other areas of Florida or elsewhere where jobs can be had. This will also happen in other areas such as California and New York where the low wage jobs have been almost eliminated.

FYI there are plenty of places hiring in central FL right now, including Sea World. No one I know in the area who has been effected is fleeing.

 

[rteetz]

And Frozen Sing Along will reopen Monday without Ben, he wasn't fired he quit. My absolute favorite historian

Yep, to spend more time with his family. I follow him on Instagram and he had a very nice message talking about everything.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

Without the park jobs, there are few low wage jobs in the Orlando area. Many of those laid off may have to flee to other areas of Florida or elsewhere where jobs can be had. This will also happen in other areas such as California and New York where the low wage jobs have been almost eliminated.

Low wage workers generally don't have the resources to relocate. It's an unfortunate chicken and the egg scenario: can't earn enough to relocate but need to relocate to earn enough

 

[WorldOfPooh]

I don't think photopass is a planned restructuring. Photopass brings in a lot of money for Disney and it's basically free advertising when people post pictures on their social media. It's probably more due to the fact that masks are here to stay for a while so people won't pay extra to have mask photos generally.

It devalues the AP even more. Will AP holders get a refund for it being taken away?