Disney Experiences, which runs Disney’s theme parks, cruise line and Aulani, is laying off 100 to 200 people, the Los Angeles Times reported. Imagineering is reportedly among the teams hit.
Disney’s latest round of layoffs has reached its theme parks, the area that D’Amaro ran before he became CEO earlier this year.
Disney Experiences, the division that runs the company’s theme parks, Disney Cruise Line and Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, is laying off between 100 and 200 people, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday, Oct. 28. The Times cited a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to speak publicly.
Disney declined to comment, according to the Times.
Why is Disney laying off theme park employees?
The cuts come from a regular review of the division’s priorities, investments and project timelines, the Times’ source said. Disney has more parks projects in the works than ever before.
All affected employees were expected to be notified by the end of the day Wednesday.
Which Disney teams are affected by the layoffs?
The Times said the layoffs are limited to the Experiences division. Walt Disney Imagineering, the team that designs Disney’s parks and attractions, is reportedly among those hit, according to Laughing Place and WDW News Today. WDWNT also named Disney Live Entertainment.
Disney hasn’t confirmed which roles or locations are affected.
Will the layoffs delay new Disney World projects?
There’s no sign of that yet. Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro toured the construction of Monstropolis, Tropical Americas and Lakeshore Lodge this month, and all three are set to open at least partly in 2027, BlogMickey reported. Nothing in the Times’ report points to changes to those timelines.
Laughing Place noted Imagineering is also busy with the DisneylandForward expansion in Anaheim, a planned park in Abu Dhabi and new cruise ships.
How important are Disney’s theme parks to the company?
Very. The Experiences division brought in $36.2 billion in revenue in fiscal 2025 and more than 56% of Disney’s total operating income, according to the Times.
Disney executives said in August that “international visitation headwinds” at its U.S. parks had since “moderated,” the Times reported.
Has Disney had other layoffs in 2026?
Yes, several. Disney’s human resources and technology teams were affected by layoffs earlier this fall, and the company offered early retirement packages to some older workers this month, the Times reported. The Times said the new cuts aren’t related to those moves.
In April, D’Amaro confirmed layoffs in a memo shortly after he took over as CEO from Bob Iger, BlogMickey reported. The moves are part of D’Amaro’s push to sharpen Disney’s focus and react faster to a changing entertainment industry, according to the Times.
Is Disney the only entertainment company cutting jobs?
No. Hollywood is going through a wave of consolidation. Skydance, the new name for the combined Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, is also preparing for layoffs as it aims to cut $6 billion in costs over three years, the Times reported.
How many people work for Disney?
About 231,000 people at the end of fiscal 2025, including about 172,000 in the U.S., WDWNT reported. That means the parks cuts affect a small share of Disney’s workforce, though each job matters to the people and teams involved.
Will Disney’s parks layoffs impact guests?
Disney hasn’t said. The reported cuts are behind-the-scenes and project roles, and nothing in the reports suggests changes to park hours, shows or attractions guests can visit now.
When does Disney report earnings next?
Disney is set to report its fiscal 2026 results on Tuesday, Nov. 17, according to BlogMickey. Investors will be watching for updates on the parks business and any more cost cuts.
Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.
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Hat Tips:
Los Angeles Times (Oct. 28, 2026), the layoff numbers, reason, notification timing, Disney’s response, financials and industry context
Laughing Place, Dirk Libbey (Oct. 28, 2026), the Imagineering report and project context
WDW News Today, Megan K (Oct. 28, 2026), the Disney Live Entertainment report and workforce figures
BlogMickey (Oct. 28, 2026), D’Amaro’s project tours, the April memo and the earnings date
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