A report from the New York Times provides some insight into how the California fires have impacted Disney employees. In terms of theme park operations, everything is essentially business as usual. Disneyland is far enough away from the fires that theme park operations haven’t been disrupted. However, that’s not to say that Disney hasn’t been disrupted. More specifically, hundreds of employees have evacuated and 60+ have lost their homes completely.
California Fires Impact Disney Employees, Including CEO Bob Iger
At least 64 Disney employees have lost their homes, including executives such as the presidents of Disney Branded Television and Walt Disney Music.
Hundreds of employees remain evacuated from their homes, including Disney CEO Bob Iger who lives in the Brentwood area.
How Disney Is Helping the Community
The Walt Disney Company has previously announced that they will provide $15 million for initial and immediate response and rebuilding efforts for the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area.
Beyond the monetary help, Iger said “We want to help rebuild”. Iger talked about potentially helping to set up temporary schools for immediate assistance, and even thinking about how Imagineers could help design new town centers, noting that Disney’s help isn’t just going to stop at a dollar amount.
How Disney Is Helping Cast Members
About 100 Cast Members have been staying in hotels at the Disneyland Resort after being displaced from their own homes. Disney’s standard employee relief fund provides up to $1,500 for basic household necessities, but Disney said that some employees will receive an extra $2,500 lump sum for incidental expenses.
For employees who will not be able to return to their homes, Disney will provide two months of free furnished housing. Beyond housing, Disney is offering clothes and shoes from its studio wardrobe warehouse to employees in need.
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