Disneyland Laysoff Eliminate 100 Cast Members — Fans Question Corporate Priorities

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A wave of layoffs hit Disneyland this mont, eliminating around 100 employees.

Around 100 employees at Disneyland have been laid off, impacting various departments and including some salaried positions, according to a new report from Deadline. Tom Tapp at Deadline reported that a Disneyland spokesperson confirmed the cuts.

Now that our business is stable and running smoothly, we’re making some changes to the way we’re organized. This will help us continue providing great experiences for our guests and prepare Disneyland Resort for the future. As part of these changes, we’ve unfortunately had to eliminate a small number of salaried positions. We truly appreciate everything these cast members have done and are committed to supporting them through this transition with care, respect, and assistance.

Layoffs Come On The Heels Of A Major Payout

Disney just recently settled a class-action lawsuit filed by Disneyland workers.

A judge finalized a $233 million settlement on September 16, 2025, resolving claims that Disney Cast Members weren’t paid enough under Anaheim’s local “living wage” law, Measure L.

Disneyland is scaling back its hours for the holidays. The park will now close at 11 p.m., and Disney California Adventure will close at 9 p.m.

Historically, West Coast theme parks, like Disneyland, used to stay open very late during the holidays, sometimes past midnight. Shorter park hours now help reduce operating costs, particularly those related to staffing.

Although we can’t say for sure that Disney’s recent layoffs and reduced park hours are a direct result of the $233 million payment they made, the timing of these changes is certainly suspicious and makes us wonder why Disney is making them now.

Still, Disneyland is proceeding with a $1.9 billion dollar expansion over the next two decades.

Widespread Layoffs Throughout The Entertainment Industry

Disney’s recent decision to lay off 100 employees is part of a larger pattern of cutbacks happening across the entertainment industry. Companies like Amazon Studios, CNN, LionsGate Television, Warner Music Group, TikTok, and recently, Paramount Global (after its acquisition by Skydance), have all reduced their workforces in the last few years.

CEO David Ellison is leading a restructuring at the company that will result in around 1,000 job losses across its television, film, and corporate divisions. These layoffs are likely just the beginning of further cuts. While many entertainment companies are making similar moves, Disney has announced a significant number of reductions to its workforce.

Multiple Rounds of Disney Layoffs Since 2023

The recent layoffs at Disneyland are only the beginning of a larger trend. The company has been reducing its workforce steadily over the last two years, with major cuts happening in 2023 and smaller, more focused layoffs continuing into 2024 and 2025.

The company has undergone significant layoffs, starting with over 8,000 positions cut in 2023, followed by additional rounds in 2024 and 2025 across divisions like ABC News, Pixar, and general corporate operations. These cuts follow a period during the pandemic where many jobs were initially eliminated due to closures, but most were later reinstated when operations resumed.

If Disney was once a company where employees could rely on longevity, that expectation is no more.

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2025-11-01 00:56