Disney lays off up to 200 employees in Experiences division amid broader restructuring

# Disney Cuts 100 to 200 Jobs in Experiences Division Amid Ongoing Restructuring

Disney has laid off between 100 and 200 employees in its Experiences division, which oversees the company’s theme parks, resorts and cruise operations, according to a report by Deadline.

Citing people familiar with the matter, Deadline reported that most of the job reductions were project-based. The changes reflect the division’s need to regularly reassess priorities and adjust staffing levels according to workloads and requirements across different projects.

Disney reported a global workforce of 231,000 employees at the end of fiscal 2025. Of that total, approximately 172,000 were based in the United States and 59,000 worked internationally. Around 16% of its employees were part-time, while another 8% were seasonal workers, reflecting the operational demands of its theme parks and resorts.

## Job Cuts Follow Voluntary Retirement Offer

The latest layoffs come after Disney introduced a voluntary early retirement program for certain senior employees. The offer targets U.S.-based workers aged 50 or older who have served the company for at least 10 years and hold positions at the director level or above.

The program covers employees from director through executive vice president across Disney Entertainment, ESPN and corporate divisions. According to Variety, eligibility is determined through a points-based system that considers an employee’s age and years of service, with a minimum score of 65 required.

Executives who qualify and accept the offer may receive up to one year of separation pay, depending on their length of service. They are also eligible to retain health care coverage at active-employee rates throughout their severance period.

## Multiple Rounds of Layoffs Since CEO Transition

Disney has carried out several rounds of workforce reductions since Josh D’Amaro took over as chief executive from Bob Iger in March.

The first major round came in April, when the company eliminated approximately 1,000 positions. Additional reductions followed in July, primarily affecting Pixar and National Geographic. In September, around 100 employees in Disney’s technology and human resources divisions were also laid off, according to Deadline.

The Experiences division remains one of Disney’s most profitable business segments. Its performance is closely monitored by analysts, particularly theme park attendance and the number of international visitors traveling to the United States.

Disney had previously cited challenges related to international visitation at its domestic parks. However, during an August earnings call, executives said the trend had moderated.

## Broader Corporate Restructuring Underway

The latest workforce reductions are part of wider organizational changes across Disney. Disney Entertainment Television is expected to undergo a significant restructuring under its new leader, Debra O’Connell. A similar overhaul is anticipated within the company’s motion picture studio.

Internal discussions about possible job reductions had been underway for several weeks. In a September 18 memo to employees in the legal and global affairs division, Chief Legal and Global Affairs Officer Horacio Gutierrez warned that the organization would face difficult decisions involving staffing investments.

Gutierrez described plans to transform the division into a significantly smaller organization, including the automation of certain workflows through newer technologies.

Alongside its workforce changes, Disney has also increased prices for several theme park offerings. The revised prices took effect on October 6, at the beginning of the company’s new fiscal year.

The latest layoffs highlight Disney’s continued efforts to reorganize staffing, reassess business priorities and introduce operational changes across its entertainment and Experiences operations.