Disney Layoffs Massive, Employees Say

[Pale Blue Dot]

Source: WFTV

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Sources close to Eyewitness News inside Disney World say there are massive layoffs going on at Central Florida's number one employer.

Employees at the theme park tell us the number of people let go in recent weeks is in the hundreds. However, Disney would not confirm the layoff numbers, saying only that those figures are speculative.

One man told us his friend was among those recently laid off from managerial positions.

"Disney is pretty much what brings tourism here and if people are laid off, that means there are not a lot of people coming into town right now," said John Carol, friend of Disney employee.

In February, Disney said a major reorganization of the company would lead to some job cuts.

Disney will not say how many Central Florida employees will be affected.

Read more: http://www.wftv.com/news/18896011/detail.html

---

This is anecdotal, so take it with a grain of salt. It's still not a good sign.

[burythehatchet]

1. IDEA: Trash NBC edutainment and start a news division.

[TommyO]

6. I think you mean ABC

[burythehatchet]

9. Oh yeah. In that case, just junk the whole thing.

[acmavm]

2. It's hard to feed the Disney theme park machines when we have

no money.

Disney was a big supporter for bush* so I don't care if they live or die. It's the poor people who had to dress up in animal costumes or deal with people puking on rides that I feel for.

[twitomy]

5. So I guess we can extend that attitude to the Automakers

After all, many of the CEO's were no doubt Bush supporters; so what the hell, let them fail..But
I feel so sad for the the autoworkers who lose their jobs....

[acmavm]

7. ??? What the fuck did anything I say have to do with the automakers?

D-I-S-N-E-Y.

That is all I was talking about.

<snip>

Disney Is Blocking Distribution of Film That Criticizes Bush
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B01E2DB1E3DF936A35756C0A9629C8B63

<snip>

D-I-S-N-E-Y.

Now do you know what I was talking about?

[twitomy]

15. Yes I know, but that standard can be applied to other companies

Disney isnt the only company that has fouhgt the progressive agenda.

So do we say, "Screw 'em let them fail" without regard to what happens to the joe-sixpack
employees?

I think not.

[acmavm]

16. Oh for cripes sake. Run with it big boy. If you want to apply it

elsewhere, go for it.

That's on you.

Not me. I was talking about Disney. One specific corporation.

[Grinchie]

22. You mean the Same Disney that owns Clear Channel Radio?

The one that spews Limpbaugh and his Ilk across the airwaves? Yep, I know who you are talkign about, and those that are still drinking the Cool-Aid of Disney that has long since departed from the ways of a utopian dream have a rude awakening coming.

I grew up with Disney, but the regression into a Monsanto like Corporation while marketing ideas and imagination that were developed prior to the McDonaldization of America, made me review the Corporation and discard it utterly.

I love the art and the Imagination, but lately, they've got nothing.

Walt Disney was an amazing person, but his dream has been subverted, the customer experience diminished, and instead of inspiring people to dream, direct them to follow like sheep on the People-mover to the Rat race.

Did you know that the Animal Kingdom on opening day had on three drinking fountains in the entire park? The bottled water was going for $5.00 a pint. Touche' Eisner, get em where it counts, Water in the Florida oppressive heat and humidity.

[litlady]

29. Disney contributes more to Dems actually.

And has an overall liberal philosophy being one of the very first corporations to allow same sex partner benefits and even making some movies that Repubs feel espouse liberal rhetoric. :-) Worked there for years btw and it was definitely an underpaid job (though fun sometimes)!

[SpiralHawk]

3. "Oh noes. Why do Republicons want America to fail?" - Mickey

[Sequoia]

21. Get your hands offa me you sick-o rat!

City girls just seem to find out early....
How to kick a mouse with so much style

[Not Me]

4. Disney pulled a big reorganization in their parks business a month

or two ago. This is the newly placed execs showing they have the balls to make cuts and look good in their jobs.
So far, directors have been offered a buyout (with threat of cuts if not enough people take it) and park and hotel supervisors are looking at layoffs now.
I don't believe there have been significant cuts in the categories that actually deal directly with guests...though there has been no new hiring in months.

(edit typo)

[AmyCamus]

8. We are in a recession. Expensive vacations just aren't affordable anymore.

There will be no bailouts for the resort industry.

[apnu]

11. No kidding... But....

We were thinking about taking a week in Disney World this late summer / fall. Thanks to the recession, high air fares, and the general expense of a week in Disney World we're skipping it. Oddly, we know 3 other families that are going or have gone to Disney World this year, but all of them are either driving and camping there or staying in a "value resort" for less than $200/night for the whole family.

But for my family, we're taking our vacation time and splitting it up into a few long weekends in the Wisconsin Dells.

My point is, people will probably still take vacations, they just won't spend as much $$ on over the top vacations (Disney World) but will spend on smaller, or local, vacations. The money we would have spent in Disney World is now going to go to the local economy closer to my home. I think more of that will happen, big vacation spots will take a hit, but smaller, local vacation spots will do OK.

[Grinchie]

23. Just wait till the dirty secrets of the Disney Vacation Club become public

I actually owned some DVC property for a few years.

It sounded like such a deal at the time, but after a couple of years, the true cost of ownership became readily apparent. You are liable for Annual taxes on the physical real property, and are stiffed every moneth for membership fee's, which add up to quite a bit, especially when Enron just bankrupted California and your job has been eliminated.

Fortunately, I was able to sell my interest to some other sucker and ended up losing the amount of Taxes and Fee's for the two years I held it. I broke even on the sales price.

As far as the grand benefits DVC Membership brings, they were on par with what you would pay on a regular vacation package to Disney World. Except that arranging dates was much more difficult under the DVC system. Without the onerous reservation arrangement, Spur of the moment trips more than pay for themseleves in terms of pleasure.

Overall, it is just another Real Estate scam run by Disney.

[liberal N proud]

10. Sucked into the swirling drain we once knew as the economy

[SpiralHawk]

12. "Fail, America, Fail. Smirk." - Republicon leader Rush DraftDodger Limbaugh & Followers

[CatholicEdHead]

13. It's a Small World after all and Disney cannot get beyond it

I just hope the Pixar division can keep their quality with Steve Jobs down for health problems.

[sofa king]

14. "Workin' for the Mouse"

According to my pals in Orlando, that's the local parlance for being a Disney employee.

[Grinchie]

24. Eisner's Pay Comes Off the Top (EPCOT)

[Javaman]

17. I didn't say Minnie was crazy!!! nt

[mikeytherat]

19. I love that joke.

mikey_the_rat

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

18. There have been layoffs in California too

Lots of office positions are being cut in Anaheim, most departments are under a hiring freeze.

[damntexdem]

20. Well, if they were let go in Anaheim, at least ...

they could take the fantasy train to Vegas.

Just ask the GOP.

[maxsolomon]

25. In the end, not consuming Disney's faux religion will be good for Murkins

perhaps Murkins will rediscover inexpensive vacations like CAMPING.

oh wait:
1. campfires create more GHGs.
2. state parks are being mothballed to address budget deficits.

[GoesTo11]

26. Sorry folks. Park's closed.

Moose out front shoulda told ya.

[rug]

27. They'll survive. They'll just refurbish Tomorrowland as Hooverville.

[Imagevision]

28. shhh... don't let the M$M get hold of this...