Disney Parks Layoffs: A Complete Breakdown

Disney’s recent round of 28,000 layoffs impacted their U.S. theme park workforce at both Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the still-closed Disneyland Resort in California. This number, particularly at first glance, is shocking to Cast Members and Disney Parks fans alike.

News regarding the mass layoffs is, arguably, the biggest Walt Disney Company story since all six theme parks around the world closed at in early 2020 due to the pandemic. As a result, stories are rolling-in almost faster than fans can keep up!

Here, we break down the layoffs, including which unions are still in “deep negotiations” with Disney and which Cast Member departments were most affected by this unfortunate situation. Note that this is all of the information that has been made public so far, but we will continue to update Inside the Magic as more details are uncovered.

Unite Here! Local 362

The first Cast Member union to respond to the Disney layoff announcement was Unite Here! Orlando Local 362. Local 362 is Disney World’s largest union — according to their official website, they represent “Auto Plaza, Attractions, Custodial, Park Greeters, Slide Ops, and Vacation Planning Cast Members at Walt Disney World.”

Therefore, we know that WDW Cast Members from these departments were undoubtedly impacted by the layoffs.

Related: Orlando Mayor Says Disney Layoffs ‘Wasn’t Unexpected’

Carpenters Local 1820

Another Orlando-area union, Carpenters Local 1820, announced that 149 of their Disney World construction and mechanical workers will be laid-off, while over 300 more remain furloughed.

This news is not entirely surprising. Walt Disney World Resort construction was suspended at the start of the temporary closure and many projects, including the Spaceship Earth refurbishment and the Mary Poppins attraction in EPCOT’s World Showcase, were delayed indefinitely.

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 606

IBEW Union 606 announced that it will be laying off an undisclosed number of workers beginning November 1. The union is still negotiating terms with Disney, as per their last update.

On Twitter, Orlando reporter Ashley Carter shared details about the IBEW positions that Disney is letting go.

Disney World has notified the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 606 that it will lay off workers in the following positions, starting November 1: pic.twitter.com/s1qqTgNZ1m

— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) October 4, 2020

Related: Amid Mass Layoffs, WDW Cast Member Continues to Make Magic

Unite Here! Local 11

On the West Coast, California union Local 11 announced that 950 of its Disneyland workers were impacted by the massive Walt Disney Company layoffs.

Per a recent update, the union has said they will “engage in bargaining with the company over issues including job security and healthcare coverage.”

Workers United Local 50

Another Anaheim-area union, Workers United Local 50, shared these details regarding the layoffs:

Here is what we know now: Who will actually be subject to layoff is still to be determined. The contract and bargaining will determine this. Notice of layoff to Local 50 members is set to occur November 1. Non-union, salaried, and executive cast are starting to receive notice now. Actual termination dates will be set in the notice. At this time over 2500 Local 50 members are expected to be laid off.

Teamster Local 495

California Teamster Local 495 shared that over 1,400 CT and CR Cast Members who are part of their union would be included in the upcoming layoffs. These Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park Cast Members are primarily involved in character acting, attraction operations, and security.

Non-Union Cast Members

Many non-union Disney Parks Cast Members are also being impacted by the October 2020 layoff announcement.

At this time, we know that approximately 7,000 non-unionized Walt Disney World workers, over 400 Disney Imagineers, and numerous Disney Springs workers, including those at the NBA Experience, have been let go as a result of this news.

Furthermore, the Service Trade Council issued a notice that Disney will lay off 8,800 part-time Disney World theme park Cast Members.

Related: Disney Fans Support Cast Members Amid Layoffs

We hope this Disney layoff breakdown will help you better understand who has been impacted and what to expect next time you visit Disneyland or Disney World.

This is a continually evolving story and additional information will be shared here as Inside the Magic receives it.