The Swan and Dolphin hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort has announced that it will lay off over 1,100 of its employees later this year.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, after ending its business with Major League Soccer as the host resort for its “MLS is Back” tournament, the Marriott-owned Swan and Dolphin resort reopened to Walt Disney World Guests only to face extremely low occupancy rates.
The 1,136 total employees who will be laid off include 256 banquet servers, 41 cooks, 67 housekeepers, and 88 loss prevention officers. While the layoffs are, unfortunately, permanent, they will not go into effect until Nov. 13 — Two months away.
This news follows the announcement from Universal Hotels that they would lay off almost 1,300 employees as well due to low occupancy.
It should be noted that while Walt Disney World has been slow at recalling its employees since reopening, even extending the furloughs, they have not laid off or furloughed any employees. Those being let go from the Swan and Dolphin are employees of Marriott.
The beautiful EPCOT resort area hotel did recently reach a construction milestone on its additional tower, the Swan Reserve, earlier this month.
“As we advanced with the project on construction, marketing and operations, we decided The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve was a better fit,” said the newly appointed area general manager for the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, Sean Verney. “We feel this name represents the boutique, sophisticated and relaxing ambiance the hotel will provide guests.”
The Swan and Dolphin is still set to host a modified food and wine event called “Sip and Savour Saturdays.”
Read More: A Food & Wine Festival at Disney World – No Park Ticket Needed!
Have you stayed at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort? Where does it rank among your favorite Disney Resort Hotels? Let us know in the comments!