Walt Disney World Resort employs approximately 80,000 cast members as of October 2025, cementing its status as Florida’s largest single-site employer and surpassing the entire workforce of cities like Aspen, Colorado. Here’s a look at how those roles break down across theme parks, resorts, administration, and how Disney’s “cast” compares to U.S. cities.
Spanning 25,000 acres near Orlando, Disney World isn’t just a vacation destination—it’s a self-sustaining economic engine powered by an army of “cast members.” From ride operators to chefs, these 80,000 workers (up from 77,000 in 2023) keep the resort running 365 days a year. Drawing from Disney’s Q3 2025 earnings, internal data, and tourism reports, here’s the latest breakdown.
Here’s the TLDR...
Total Cast Members: ~80,000 full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers in 2025, up about 4% from 2023.
Theme Parks: 45,000 employees—Magic Kingdom leads with ~20,000, followed by EPCOT (12,000), Animal Kingdom (8,000), and Hollywood Studios (5,000).
Resorts & Hospitality: ~25,000 managing 30+ hotels, dining, and transport operations.
Administration & Support: ~10,000 in corporate, engineering, and logistics.
City Comparisons: Disney’s 80k tops Aspen’s 7k residents or Miami’s 50k city workforce but is just 6% of Orlando’s 1.4M employed.
The Big Picture: 80,000 Cast Members Powering the Magic
Disney World’s workforce hit about 80,000 in 2025, per an official Walt Disney World Cast and Community update in early October. That includes roughly 78% full-time, 15% part-time, and 7% seasonal roles, according to Databahn’s 2025 organizational report. The rebound follows pandemic-era lows near 70,000 in 2021.
Globally, Disney employs 233,000 people (up 3.5% year over year, per Macrotrends), with its Parks and Experiences division accounting for around 120,000—the majority based in Florida.
Cast members at Disney World earn an average $18–$25 per hour (plus benefits and tips), generating over $20 billion in annual economic impact for Central Florida, according to Visit Orlando. Q3 FY2025 earnings cited $6.4 billion in domestic parks revenue (up 10%), with higher guest spending and workforce investments. Forbes reported that full-time cast members stay an average of 10 years, thanks to perks like tuition assistance and free park access.
Theme Parks: Where the Frontline Magic Happens (~45,000 Employees)
The four main parks—Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom—account for the majority of workers. Internal estimates and recruitment data peg this at around 45,000, or 56% of Disney World’s total staff.
Magic Kingdom: ~20,000 cast members run parades, rides, and character meetups, with staffing surges of 20% during holidays.
EPCOT: ~12,000 employees focus on cultural pavilions and festivals; about 4,000 work in World Showcase alone.
Hollywood Studios: ~8,000 workers operate Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, and live performances.
Animal Kingdom: ~5,000 employees, including 1,000 animal care experts supporting conservation and attractions like Pandora.
This segment has grown 5% since 2023, reflecting strong tourism recovery and steady new-hire training programs.
Resorts & Hospitality: The Unsung Heroes (~25,000 Employees)
With more than 30 hotels, 500+ dining options, and sprawling transportation systems, hospitality accounts for 25,000 cast members, or about 31% of the workforce.
Lodging: ~10,000 workers handle housekeeping, bell services, and guest relations at resorts like the Polynesian and Grand Floridian.
Food & Beverage: ~10,000 chefs, servers, and quick-service staff manage dining operations from Dole Whips to fine dining.
Transportation: ~5,000 operate the Skyliner, monorails, and bus networks that connect the property.
Q2 2025 earnings credited “increased occupied room nights” and 95% occupancy rates to strong hospitality staffing. Seasonal hiring rises up to 15% during holidays and spring breaks.
Administration & Support: The Backbone (~10,000 Employees)
Behind the scenes, around 10,000 employees handle corporate operations, logistics, and maintenance—roughly 12.5% of total staff.
Maintenance & Engineering: ~3,000 oversee ride systems and infrastructure upkeep.
Corporate/Admin: ~2,000 manage HR, finance, and strategy at Team Disney HQ.
Entertainment & Production: ~3,000 stage fireworks, live shows, and events.
Security & Logistics: ~2,000 ensure safety and smooth flow across the resort.
This group is smaller but essential, backed by $4.3 billion in capital expenditures for 2025 tech and training upgrades.
Disney World vs. Famous Cities: A Workforce Colossus
Disney’s 80,000-strong team rivals or exceeds the workforce of entire towns:
Aspen, CO: ~5,000 employed; Disney could staff the city 16 times over.
Key West, FL: ~15,000 workers; Disney’s count triples it.
Boulder City, NV: ~15,000 residents; Disney matches its entire labor pool.
Miami (City Workforce): ~50,000 municipal workers; Disney surpasses that total.
Orlando Metro: ~1.4 million employed; Disney represents 6% of the regional labor market.
As Forbes noted, Disney World operates like a self-contained municipality—with its own transit, power, and entertainment networks.
Why the Numbers Matter in 2025
With Q3 2025 revenue for Disney Parks up 8% to $9.1 billion, investment in cast training and wages continues to pay off. This October, Disney honored dozens of employees in its Legacy Awards, spotlighting long-term excellence. Yet challenges remain—labor costs rose 10% year over year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Looking ahead, Disney’s upcoming Treasure cruise line and new park expansions could add another 5,000 roles by 2026. The company’s workforce remains the heartbeat of its $20 billion Central Florida footprint.
Bottom line: Disney World’s 80,000 cast members don’t just make magic—they run a city. From greeters to engineers, they outnumber the populations of many American towns. The next time you visit the parks, remember: every smile you see is part of an 80,000-person operation keeping the magic alive.
Hat Tips
Facebook: Walt Disney World Cast and Community – 80,000 Cast Members
Macrotrends: Disney Number of Employees 2011–2025
Databahn: Disney Organizational Report 2025
Forbes: Inside Disney’s Strategy to Retain Employees for Decades
The Walt Disney Company: Q3 FY2025 Earnings Report
Disney Parks Blog: 2025 Legacy Award Recipients
Visit Orlando: Economic Impact of Walt Disney World
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Orlando Wage Data 2025
Statista: Disney Employee Totals 2015–2024
Wikipedia: Walt Disney World Overview
Photo Credit: Here With the Ears