Disney employees laid off amid restructuring at parks and resorts

More than 145 Disney employees were notified today they are being laid off amid restructuring at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, the company said.

Disney said the restructuring involved more than 0.1 percent of the division, meaning more than 145 people are losing their jobs. The cuts were made to the human resources, finance, marketing and sales and operations departments for the global division of more than 145,000 employees at 12 theme parks and 52 resorts in North America, Europe and Asia. Notices were not seen on a state website where large-scale layoffs must be posted in Florida.

The employees let go did not have primary duties dealing directly with customers, so Disney said it did not expect visitors to experience any changes visiting the theme parks or hotels. The company said it’s preparing for future growth and priorities but declined to offer more details.

Disney is helping employees who lost their jobs find other work internally or find work outside the company.

The layoffs come after Disney released its fourth quarter earnings last week that showed the theme park division’s revenue grew while the rest of the company saw declining revenue and operating income in media networks, consumer products and studio entertainment divisions.

The L.A. Times reported last week Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN, under financial pressure, plans to lay off 100 more employees this year.

The company’s leaders had praised the popularity of new rides at Walt Disney World and Disneyland as well as strong performances at the Shanghai and Paris theme parks for spurring growth despite Disney World Resort shutting down for two days in September because of Hurricane Irma.

The division’s revenues rose by 6 percent, to $4.7 billion, at Disney Parks and Resorts, while operating income jumped 7 percent to $746 million.

Last month, SeaWorld announced it was also laying off employees.

The company eliminated 350 positions at its corporate headquarters and the parks in Orlando and San Diego to free up more money to reinvest in new attractions and for a new advertising campaign.

SOURCE

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