Disney to Layoff Even More Cast Members

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Via DisDining.com

Disney has announced its decision to lay off many cast members, some of whom you may have even spoken to.

This unfortunate news has sent shockwaves to many who work in the magical world of Disney, leaving many to wonder about the future of their employment with the mega-company.

Disney, being a conglomerate business, has many arms. Movies, television, Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and more make up the multi-faceted nature of the larger-than-life entertainment giant.

A big part of that business is cast members. Unlike typical employees you’ll find at other companies, Disney considers all of their staff to be a part of the story, hence the preferred name for their workers.

Cast members, the ones that we interact with at least, are responsible for the day-to-day operations of theme parks, customer service, and much more. One capacity in which cast members offer a magical experience is via shopDisney.

Bruce the Shark behind Cast Members in new costumes

shopDisney is another arm of The Walt Disney Company that allows Disney fans to shop their favorite Disney characters and park merchandise online via a website or app.

Guests can find all the latest trends, fashions, and must-haves in the online Disney shop, highlighting favorite characters and franchises like Mickey Mouse, Avatar, Star Wars, Marvel, and much more.

Sadly, the news of new layoffs will impact this specific arm of employment for The Walt Disney Company, with Scott Gustin reporting that 115 employees in this branch will be out of work effective March 24.

Scott went on to explain that many of the workers impacted by this round of layoffs will be those who work remotely in a guest service role, mostly part-time employees.

This is considerable news as many find it challenging to afford groceries these days as inflation continues to impact the US dollar. Even more alarming, Scott also went on to explain that Disney will outsource their current job function to a third party with “employees across the globe and time zones.”

With the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney has faced unprecedented challenges in operating at total capacity. Despite its best efforts to rebound from the economic downturn, the company has been forced to make difficult decisions to ensure long-term sustainability. As a result, additional cast members have been affected by recent waves of layoffs.

As mentioned, the cast members facing termination from their current positions are that of the shopDisney customer service arm. Although these employees are expected to work part-time, 115 people being removed from an already busy customer service system is significant, especially considering that they are losing their jobs for potentially cheaper labor overseas.

For many cast members, working at Disney is not just a job but a lifelong dream. The announcement of the layoffs will most likely leave these dreamers devastated and uncertain about their future and what lies ahead. It is essential to recognize this decision’s emotional toll on individuals who have poured their hearts and souls into creating magical experiences for park guests.

Disney has always emphasized the importance of its cast members and their well-being. In the wake of these layoffs, the company is surely committed to providing support and resources to help impacted employees navigate this challenging time.

Efforts such as career counseling, access to professional development programs, and assistance in finding new job opportunities could be extended to the affected cast members. However, there is no official word regarding how Disney will navigate this mass exit of customer service representatives.

Like many other major companies, Disney strives to navigate these uncertain times. The layoffs are part of a larger strategy aimed at ensuring the long-term viability of the Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland, shopDisney, Disney+, and many other arms that belong to The Walt Disney Company.

As the company continues to adapt and evolve, there is optimism for a brighter future where Disney’s magic can thrive again, bringing back the beloved cast members who make it all possible.

The decision to lay off more cast members at Disney is undoubtedly a painful and unfortunate one. It marks a challenging chapter in the history of those impacted and casts a shadow over a world that we rarely see outside of a bubble.

However, in times of adversity, Disney has always persevered, and we hope the company will emerge stronger while providing essential support for those impacted by these layoffs. Let us rally behind the cast members who bring joy and magic to our lives and keep the Disney spirit alive.

Woman Found Trapped in Disney Hours After Park Closure

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Walt Disney World Resort is known as “The Most Magical Place on Earth.” Sadly, for this former Cast Member, his last experience was one he would not forget.

Disney World is a popular tourist location, seeing thousands of Guests walking through their Parks daily. With this amount of traffic at the Parks, Disney Cast Members play a crucial role in creating the magical and memorable experiences that Disney World Guests cherish at Disney theme parks and resorts around the world. They are the heart and soul of the Disney experience, bringing to life the enchanting stories, characters, and worlds that have captivated audiences for generations.

Disney World Cast Members are responsible for interacting with Guests in various capacities, such as welcoming them upon arrival, answering questions, providing directions, and ensuring that Guests have a positive and enjoyable experience. Guests will see hundreds of Cast Members throughout the different Parks.

Some Cast Members step into the roles of beloved Disney characters, donning costumes and embodying the personas of characters like Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, Moana, Donald Duck or Buzz Lightyear. They create magical meet-and-greet moments, delighting Guests, young and old. Cast Members also operate and manage the various attractions and rides within the parks. They ensure that Guests are safely seated, provide instructions, and maintain the overall efficiency of the attractions.

walt disney world disneyland theme park disney character costume head inside hot visibility mickey mouse stitch pluto donald duck mr. smee mrs. incredible

Disney World also includes Cast Members that are behind the scenes. These Cast Members work tirelessly to maintain the cleanliness and safety of the Parks, ensuring that every area is in pristine condition for Guests to enjoy. Another overlooked Cast Member’s job is the ones who work in shops, boutiques, and dining establishments within the Parks. Cast Members at these locations assist Guests with purchases, taking food orders, and helping to create a seamless shopping and dining experience.

Working as a Disney Cast Member often involves irregular hours and varied shifts due to the nature of the theme park industry. The Disney Parks are open year-round and operate during weekends, holidays, and extended hours, requiring Cast Members to work flexible schedules. This can be both rewarding and challenging, as it allows for diverse experiences but also demands adaptability.

In a viral TikTok, A former Cast Member talks about putting his two-week notice in. This Cast Member talks about how he was about to graduate college and had finals coming up, so he was hoping to change his schedule around.

@mobassiii

Never back down never give up #fyp #fypシ

♬ original sound – chrisabbasi4

This Cast Member decided, with his options being limited, to put in his two-week notice. On his last week, he was working the 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. shift, which is the shift nobody wants to work. This shift reportedly includes deep-cleaning machines and much more.

Finally, this Cast Member was finished and clocked out for the night when he heard a loud bang coming from where he just finished. He and another Cast Member went walking back to see what happened when an older Cast Member, around 50 or 60 years old, was lying on the floor with the credit card machine on top of her. While this woman was on the floor, the only thing she had to say was not to tell anyone this happened.

From his report, it seems she was okay and did not want to report the incident to Disney. While incidents can happen from time to time at Walt Disney World Resort, it is considered very safe and Disney Cast Members are trained to take care of Guests when incidents do arise, which are very rare.

Disney Cast Members work hard each and every day and Guests should remember to be kind to them.

Guest Arrested After Fight Sends Cast Member to the Hospital

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Walt Disney World Resort is supposed to be a magical and wholesome place for Guests of all ages. Unfortunately, all it takes is one lousy Guest to ruin the experience for everyone.

An unfortunate incident took place at EPCOT when a Guest assaulted a Cast Member on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is a popular attraction based on the hit Disney-Pixar film. It allows Guests to shrink down to the size of a rat and embark on a thrilling adventure through the sights, sounds, and smells of Gusteau’s restaurant in Paris. On this day, a ride breakdown on Remy’s ride ended up resulting in a massive fight between a Guest and a ride worker.

On May 30, 2021, Seth Griffin Davis was spending a day at EPCOT. According to witnesses, Davis was waiting in line to ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure when the line stopped moving. Davis was then seen approaching a Cast Member to ask what had happened to the ride. The Cast Member informed him that the ride was experiencing technical issues and that Davis would not be able to go back in line for the attraction at this time.

This news made Davis irate, and he began having a heated argument with the Cast Member. At this time, the Cast Member went to go get his supervisor to help with the situation.

epcot monorail

After the supervisor arrived, Davis began fighting with her as well. The supervisor attempted to aid the situation by adding Davis and his family to the lightning lane for the ride when it reopened, but the iPad could not scan their tickets. This escalated to Davis slapping the iPad out of the supervisor’s hand, causing an injury to her left wrist and ribcage. The supervisor was sent to the hospital for her injuries.

spaceship earth epcot

The police responded to the scene at the Disney Park, where they arrested Davis and transported him to the Orange County Jail.

This situation is very disturbing to hear. At this time, Davis has pleaded not guilty to this crime.

Protesters Swarm the Castle During Heated Cast Member Strike

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

A shocking scene took place at a Disney Park

This past year has been turbulent for the Walt Disney Company. Of the many issues that have crossed Disney CEO Bob Iger’s desk this past year, the ongoing Cast Member strikes have been one of the most significant. At numerous Disney Parks worldwide, employees of the Disney Parks have been fighting for higher wages at their jobs.

Earlier this year, those protests gained major news traction and became a huge story. Protests at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort eventually came to a close when Disney agreed to raise the wages for their theme Park Cast Members.

While it might be a happily ever after for Cast Members in the United States, the battle abroad is far from over.

disneyland paris cast member strike blocks main street

Disneyland Paris is a magical place where millions of visitors come every year to see their favorite Disney characters, ride thrilling attractions, and experience unparalleled entertainment. However, behind the scenes, Disney magic is not always as enchanting for the Park’s employees. Recently, the Disneyland Paris Cast Member strike, which started in February of this year, has been making headlines across the world.

The Disneyland Paris Cast Member Strike was ignited when Disney workers in Paris raised their voices to protest the low salaries they earn for such strenuous work. Protesting Cast Members hope to see better working conditions, more pay, and more job security. They claim that Disney management has been unresponsive to their demands, forcing them to go on strike.

Disneyland Paris D-Light

Guests entering Disneyland Paris today were in for quite a sight when they witnessed a massive crowd of protesters swarm Sleeping Beauty Castle. @DLPReport on Twitter explained;

“Striking Disneyland Paris Cast Members are back in Disneyland Park this afternoon. The protest is expected to continue for the rest of the day.”

Hopefully, an agreement between Disneyland Paris and its Cast Members can come soon. As of now, Disney is offering rescheduling for families whose trips have been affected by the protests.

Disneyland Paris Cast Members Go on Strike, Parks May Be Unable to Open

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Cast Members associated with a local union are set to strike this summer, publicly demonstrating their desire for better pay.

The Disneyland Paris Resort has seen its fair share of controversies recently. Earlier this year, an entire parade was canceled due to Cast Members going on strike at the Resort. Now, Cast Members are once again set to go on strike.

This was recently confirmed by DLP Report on Twitter:

The strike will take place from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and will involve all Cast Members associated with UNSA. The strike could affect the Resort’s opening operations, though only time will tell what this means for the Resort.

Both Walt Disney World and Disneyland have faced similar issues regarding Cast Members wanting higher pay and better working conditions. Cast Members at Walt Disney World recently reached an agreement for higher wages, much like the Universal Orlando Resort did earlier this year.

The Disneyland Paris is located in Chessy, France, and is comprised of two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. At Disneyland Park, Guests will find classic theme park rides and attractions. At Walt Disney Studios, Guests will find more intense and intellectual property (IP)-based adventures.

The most recent addition to the European Resort can be found at this Park in the form of Avengers Campus. This Marvel-focused area allows Guests to get up close and personal with their favorite Marvel characters like Iron Man, Black Widow, Spider-Man, and Thor.

Avengers Campus can also be found at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and has proven to be popular among fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).