As Disney continues to tighten their financial belts, sources have confirmed that layoffs are underway and various construction projects have been defunded around Walt Disney World property.
As Disney executives were taking pay cuts, layoffs were underway as contractors were let go that were part of construction projects set to debut for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary.
While we don’t have a comprehensive list of projects that have been defunded and those that haven’t, we’re told that projects that are substantively far along will be finished, while those that aren’t have been defunded. As Disney looks towards the future, projects like the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel have been defunded to finish projects like Tron Lightcycle Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Other projects that are further along like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will also be funded and finished with money previously set aside for upcoming construction projects such as the massive EPCOT central spine project. Disney is really trying to stretch their dollar as the uncertainty and indefinite theme park closures continue to make the future difficult to predict.
Our sources noted that the decision to begin layoffs at the contractor level is an effort to keep as many full time Cast Members on the payroll for as long as possible. They say that Disney is a wonderful company to work for and immediate management did what they could to keep workers on projects as long as possible, but that the edict came from on high.
In addition to layoffs taking place in some office settings, WFTV reports that workers from the Buena Vista Construction Company have been laid off as well. Buena Vista Construction Company is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company and the workers are use to being laid off as projects come and go. What was a surprise was the short notice given to the workers, with Disney reportedly laying off workers the day that the parks closed.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com for the latest Disney Parks news and photos. We’ll continue to bring you news and photos, where possible, through the Disney Parks closure due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and will resume our normal coverage once the parks reopen to guests on July 11th!
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I think that Disney needs to recover first and then think about the future. I know they were trying to get ready for the 50th anniversary but with the virus going around they should now take and worry about getting the parks back up and running. Why can’t Disney decide to advance the anniversary and make it 50+ one.I’ll guess we’ll understand and support the actual promotion good luck to Disney and Disney’s workers