Disney Experiences Division to Lay Off Between 100 and 200 Employees

The Walt Disney Co.’s theme parks division is laying off between 100 and 200 people, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly.

Scope of the Layoffs

The cuts are limited to the experiences division, which includes Disney’s theme parks, cruise line, and Aulani resort and spa in Hawaii. According to the person familiar with the matter, the layoffs stem from a "regular evaluation of the division’s priorities, investments and project timelines." All affected employees will be notified by the end of the day Wednesday, October 29, 2026.

Reports indicate the layoffs also include Walt Disney Imagineering. This move follows previous workforce reductions at Disney, including cuts to human resources and technology teams, as well as early retirement packages offered to older workers earlier this month. The Los Angeles Times reported that the latest round of layoffs is not related to those earlier job cuts.

Economic Context

The experiences division serves as a primary economic driver for the company. In fiscal 2025, the segment generated $36.2 billion in revenue and accounted for more than 56% of the company’s total operating income.

Disney Chief Executive Josh D’Amaro has stated that reducing the workforce is intended to help the company respond faster to the changing entertainment industry and sharpen its focus.

Industry and Attendance Trends

The layoffs occur amid broader industry shifts. Skydance, the entity formed by the combination of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, is reportedly looking to cut $6 billion in costs over three years.

Regarding theme park attendance, the 2025 Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) Global Experience Index reported that attendance at the world’s 25 leading theme parks was essentially unchanged from 2024, with 245.4 million visits, a decrease of approximately 0.2%.

Disney Experiences maintained the top spot for park operators with 146,825,000 visits. Other top operators included:

• Fantawild Group: 85,016,000 visits
• Universal Destinations & Experiences: 62,018,000 visits
• Merlin Entertainments: 60,500,000 visits
• Six Flags: 47,388,000 visits

In California, the three major theme parks—Disneyland, California Adventure, and Universal Studios Hollywood—had a combined attendance of 35.5 million in 2025. Disneyland’s attendance rose from 17,337,000 in 2024 to 17,406,000 in 2025, while California Adventure increased from 10,050,000 to 10,090,000. Universal Studios Hollywood saw a decrease from 8,700,000 to 8,000,000.

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Sources

• latimes.com: Disney's theme parks division lays off at least 100 employees - Los Angeles Times
• micechat.com: Disneyland Update – Layoffs Hit Imagineering, Attendance Stalls, and Packing Up Pumpkins

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.