Massive Layoffs Hit WDW

[hhsrat]

Second: its not in the "hundreds" as they make it out to be... these are management and behind the scenes positions that are no longer needed. they where created so that it would make some ones else job easier.. instead of signing ten pieces of paper... they created an extra managers position so they could take five of those papers and sign them

Too bad they can't find a way to trim out some of the deadwood from the ranks of Attraction Managers and Coordinators ... I'm sure you and I can name a few that would benefit the company more by leaving than by staying around. (Probably even a few of the same people)

[hhsrat]

I spoke too soon. Operations is getting hit hard. Everyone is scared. (And yes, I did say that there were some folks I'd prefer to not see with a Blue ID, but i don't want to see them jobless) It seems like there's no rhyme or reason to it at all.

[Shorty82]

I spoke too soon. Operations is getting hit hard. Everyone is scared. (And yes, I did say that there were some folks I'd prefer to not see with a Blue ID, but i don't want to see them jobless) It seems like there's no rhyme or reason to it at all.

Any hourly CMs affected or is just management getting the axe? The managers getting cut, is it just the higher level managers or are some of the lower ones (like the ones we report to directly) affected too?

[hhsrat]

No hourly cast in STCU roles. I know of some hourly O&T folks that got the axe. Managers across the board are being hit, some higher ups, some of our direct leaders. I know of at least one area manager that got cut.

One of my managers even said "I'm scared to look at my blackberry. Every time it goes off, I'm scared."

It's brutal. Absolutely brutal.

[Shorty82]

Sounds brutal. Makes me glad to be hourly and in a STCU role.

O&T? Office and Technical, right?

[glendalais]

Sounds brutal. Makes me glad to be hourly and in a STCU role.

O&T? Office and Technical, right?

Yea, at WDW, it would be things like Ticketing, Revenue Control, Deployment, Disney's Photo Imaging (PhotoPass) and Guest Relations.

It hasn't gotten that bad here at the DLR, thankfully. We've had layoffs, but mostly because of positions that have been consolidated with Parks & Resorts HQ in Burbank or with WDW. Certainly hasn't even gotten close to Lower Management, yet. Indeed, we just accepted a lot of people into Emerging Leaders recently, I believe.

If there's been any positive effect, it's been that one actually sees TDA CMs out in the Parks. Until recently, it was apparently trendy over there to boast that one had never gone into the Parks that TDA helps manage.

Now, with Resort Leadership using terms such as "Guest Experience" very often, it's almost funny to see TDAers tripping over themselves as they walk along the Parade Route. It would be hillarious if you didn't know they were doing it in attempt to keep their jobs :( .

[Shorty82]

Yea, at WDW, it would be things like Ticketing, Revenue Control, Deployment, Disney's Photo Imaging (PhotoPass) and Guest Relations.

The artists in the different Art Of Disney Galleries that do the sketches and watches are also O&T. I hope they don't get affected, I love the three on MS and would hate to see any of them go.

It hasn't gotten that bad here at the DLR, thankfully. We've had layoffs, but mostly because of positions that have been consolidated with Parks & Resorts HQ in Burbank or with WDW. Certainly hasn't even gotten close to Lower Management, yet. Indeed, we just accepted a lot of people into Emerging Leaders recently, I believe.

That's good. Hopefully it won't get to much worse here but I'm afraid it hasn't. They say it's always darkest before the dawn and I have a feeling it's still not as dark as it is going to get. :(

If there's been any positive effect, it's been that one actually sees TDA CMs out in the Parks. Until recently, it was apparently trendy over there to boast that one had never gone into the Parks that TDA helps manage.

That's a good effect, hopefully it'll help them run the parks better.

Now, with Resort Leadership using terms such as "Guest Experience" very often, it's almost funny to see TDAers tripping over themselves as they walk along the Parade Route. It would be hillarious if you didn't know they were doing it in attempt to keep their jobs :( .

Hopefully they'll keep doing it even after the fear of layoffs and cutbacks is over.

[turkeyham]

I have a friend who is a union rep for the foods area. He said that there is a bunch of things now happening at Disneyland, TDA, DCA, and management. Disney is laying off those who have been there 30 plus years.

TDA is where my parent's friend worked. He went back as a manager into foods. He was doing future projects. They gave him a choice to be a manager in foods our be let go. He is in foods.

Disneyland I heard is getting rid of the head honchoas (sp) of the park. I also have heard that the managers might be laid off as well.

But, my friend who is the union rep said that the hourly paid employees are not effected.

The last thing I heard before I hung up the phone was that Outdoor vending will be sent to restaurants and have their employees check into the place, get their funds and report to their locations. Has any other Disney parks encountered this news? I visit the parks when I can.

[Hawkeye]

Yea, at WDW, it would be things like Ticketing, Revenue Control, Deployment, Disney's Photo Imaging (PhotoPass) and Guest Relations.

It hasn't gotten that bad here at the DLR, thankfully. We've had layoffs, but mostly because of positions that have been consolidated with Parks & Resorts HQ in Burbank or with WDW. Certainly hasn't even gotten close to Lower Management, yet. Indeed, we just accepted a lot of people into Emerging Leaders recently, I believe.

If there's been any positive effect, it's been that one actually sees TDA CMs out in the Parks. Until recently, it was apparently trendy over there to boast that one had never gone into the Parks that TDA helps manage.

Now, with Resort Leadership using terms such as "Guest Experience" very often, it's almost funny to see TDAers tripping over themselves as they walk along the Parade Route. It would be hillarious if you didn't know they were doing it in attempt to keep their jobs :( .

Ticketing isn't the same as Vacation Planners tho. Vacation Planners who sell tickets are under the STCU blanket, and best I can tell, no STCU Castmembers have been affected yet.

Personally I lost 2 really excellent managers today. From what I can hear on the scuttlebutt, one to a buy out and one was just simply cut. It was pretty somber tonight while I was banking out.

[Cheshire Figment]

I just got an e-mail today from a friend who works at the Disney Design Group. These are the people who design all the character merchandise (including pins) for all the parks and resorts. They just let go 14 of the 43 artists, as well as three of the support staff. They also design the store fixtures and are responsible, for example, for the artwork and design of the World of Disney stores.