Menu

Disney Continues Layoffs

bob-iger ceo disney
Credit: Disney

After several layoffs, The Walt Disney Company will again say goodbye to hundreds more of its Cast Members.

RELATED: Disney’s $300 Million Tax Write-Off

The Three Waves

cast-member-disney-world

Credit: Disney

The initial wave of layoffs began on March 27 when Iger announced that there would be multiple rounds as the Walt Disney Company looked to let go about 7,000 employees. This was due to part of the company’s plan for restructuring, according to Disney CEO Bob Iger.

RELATED: Disney Dealt Another Massive Blow

The second round of layoffs came on April 24, bringing the eliminated positions to 4,000.

Starting today, May 22, 2023, the third wave will involve laying off approximately 2,500 positions. These layoffs come on the heels of the ongoing writer’s strike, which has halted much of the company’s (and Hollywood’s) production. The 2,500 roles affected in this latest round have yet to be specified. However, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro stated earlier that it should not affect hourly theme Park workers.

bob iger

Credit: Disney

Disney’s Year So Far

It has not been a good year for The Walt Disney Company, as their latest earnings calls made it known that they had lost 4 million Disney Plus subscribers. This was followed by a 9% drop in the company’s stock the same week. In addition, there is Disney’s now-defunct Galactic Starcruiser and the cancellation of their $1 billion Lake Nona campus.

Disney CEO Bob Iger began outlining plans for downsizing soon after his return last November. One area targeted for cuts has been the centralized distribution organization created by former CEO Bob Chapek.

iger-chapek-bob-disney-ceo

Credit: Disney

RELATED: Disney Shocks By Announcing Move OUT of Florida

In addition, the company is starting to remove dozens of titles from its streaming platforms as a cost-cutting measure.

Disney’s Future?

Although it remains to be seen what the newly structured company will look like, hopefully, Disney can work to regain their market share in their theme parks, box office, and streaming services. But that is a tall order, especially in today’s economy.

PhotoPass

Credit: Disney

About Steven Wilk

Steven has a complicated relationship with Disney. As a child, he visited Walt Disney World every few years with his family. But he never understood why kids his age (and older) were so scared of Snow White or Alien Encounter. He is a former participant of the Disney College Program (left early…long story), and he also previously worked in Children’s publishing, where he adapted multiple Disney movies and TV shows. He has many controversial opinions about Disney…like having a positive view of Michael Eisner, believing Return of the Jedi is superior to The Empire Strikes Back, and that Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge should have never been built (at least not at Hollywood Studios). Every year for the past two decades, Steven has visited either Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Aulani or went on a Disney Cruise. He’s happy to share any and all knowledge of the Disney destinations (and he likes using parenthesis a lot…as well as ellipses…)