Disney eliminates about 1,900 jobs at its domestic theme parks

[Pale Blue Dot]

In a sign that the recession is cutting into Walt Disney Co.'s parks and resorts business, the company said Friday that it eliminated about 1,900 jobs at its domestic theme parks.

The bulk of the cuts occurred at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., where about 1,400 jobs were eliminated. About 300 jobs will be cut from the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, with the remainder coming from corporate headquarters in Burbank.

Disney, which employs about 80,000 people in its parks and resorts unit, said 1,200 people were laid off and about 700 positions were left unfilled.

The entertainment giant set the stage for the job reductions in February, when it announced a reorganization of its parks and resorts operation. The company didn't say at the time how many positions would be eliminated.

The cuts signal that Disney is bracing for an extended downturn as consumers continue to keep their wallets closed.

"The recession, and the recent decline, has really hit the theme park industry, but it has hit the destination parks more than the regional parks," said Edward Shaw, an associate with Economics Research Associates, a consultant to the travel industry. "People are staying closer to home."

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cotown-disney4-2009apr04,0,760114.story

[glowing]

1. For far too long they have been too expensive and rather shitty little theme

park.. they relied on their name and the "American vacation" ploy for much too long.. However, Disney is still a large multi-faceted company. They are still making movies and still airing their ABC channel. There merchandise is super cheap now.. Less than Walmart for many of their toys they used to hyper-inflate.

[Lerkfish]

2. well, its good to see compassion for laid off workers.

oh wait, that's right, you have none.