Darkhorizons has reported the following terrible news for Disney team members.

 

"Around 28,000 staff members at Walt Disney’s theme parks have been laid off according to Disney’s parks chief Josh D’Amaro. The cuts will come at all levels although two-thirds of the hit will fall on part-time workers.

In a memo to employees, D’Amaro called the move painful and said it’s one Disney had hoped to avoid. But as the COVID crisis dragged on becoming more than a short-lived phenomenon, that became unsustainable

Disney Parks worldwide shuttered in March. Many are open again now but at reduced capacity, including Disney World in Orlando. Disneyland in Anaheim remains closed.

Disney will be scheduling appointments with affected salaried and non-union hourly employees over the next few days. They’re also discussing next steps with unions right now.

Parks have traditionally made up one third of Disney’s total revenue – most of which are from U.S. locations."

The global pandemic and its impacts are being felt by even the biggest of companies. More than ever, as things hopefully get closer to normal, we need to get out and support our local parks and industry. 

It doesn't change much in the impact of things here, but the above article claims the 28,000 cast were laid off from the theme parks. this isn't entirely accurate.

For clarity, the staff laid off are from the Disney's Parks, Experiences and Products unit - which does include the US parks (they're pointing to California predominantly as it hasn't reopened due to state restrictions), but the full makeup of the PEP division includes:

Quote

The 28,000 domestic employees would come from Disney's theme parks in Florida and California, the Disney Cruise Line, consumer products and publishing businesses, Walt Disney Imagineering, and associated management.

The Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segments employs more than 170,000 cast members around the world, according to the company.