The Walt Disney Company has eliminated between 100 and 200 positions within its theme park division, according to a person familiar with the matter. The reductions took effect on Wednesday and Thursday, following adjustments to project timelines across the division.
The layoffs primarily impacted Disney Imagineering, the creative arm responsible for designing attractions, theme park lands, and other offerings for the company’s experiences segment. Disney declined to comment on the specific number of affected employees or the details of the restructuring.
Focus on Imagineering and Project Shifts
Disney Imagineering serves as the core design and development team for the company’s global parks. The cuts come as the media giant reassesses its capital allocation and project schedules. While the company has not released a detailed breakdown of which specific projects were delayed or canceled, the timing suggests a strategic pause in certain development phases.
This move is part of a broader cost-cutting initiative led by CEO Josh D’Amaro, who assumed the role in March. D’Amaro has stated that the company is “highly focused on reducing costs across the enterprise.” In August, he noted that Disney was evaluating various levers to improve efficiency, including reductions in labor.
These layoffs follow earlier rounds of job cuts that targeted human resources, technology, and other corporate departments. The company also offered early retirement packages to select employees earlier this month, signaling a continued effort to streamline its workforce.
Experiences Division Profitability Under Scrutiny
The theme park division remains the financial engine of The Walt Disney Company. In fiscal 2025, the experiences segment contributed more than half of the company’s total operating income. Despite this strong performance, the division faces mixed results in international markets.
Operating income at Disney’s international parks, specifically in Shanghai and Hong Kong, fell in the third quarter. The company attributed this decline to “consumer softness,” indicating a slowdown in visitor spending or attendance in those regions. In contrast, U.S. park visitation and per capita spending increased during the same period.
Disney had previously announced a $60 billion investment plan in 2023 aimed at expanding its experiences portfolio. The plan included three new themed areas, four new resorts, more than 18 new attractions, and over 25 new entertainment offerings. The current layoffs may impact the timeline or scope of these planned additions.
The restructuring highlights the pressure on Disney to maintain high profitability in its parks while navigating fluctuating consumer demand globally. As the company adjusts its workforce, stakeholders are watching to see how these cuts will affect the pace of new attraction development and the overall guest experience at Disney parks worldwide.
Source: Skift
