Disney Plans Thousands of Layoffs to Cut Costs by 20 Percent

Walt Disney Co. is preparing thousands of additional job reductions as part of a broader cost-cutting initiative targeting 20% savings, according to Bloomberg on November 3, 2026. The proposed measures could combine workforce reductions with lower operating expenses as the entertainment company reassesses its spending.

People familiar with the private discussions told Bloomberg that eliminating positions and reducing other expenses are both under consideration. They requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the plans publicly.

The broader restructuring follows a separate round of layoffs affecting approximately 100 to 200 employees in Disney's Experiences division, according to a report published by Yahoo Finance on October 28, 2026.

Those reductions affected operations spanning theme parks, cruise ships and the Aulani resort in Hawaii. Walt Disney Imagineering, the company's creative and design division responsible for developing attractions and themed environments, was also affected, according to MiceChat's November 2 report.

Disney attributed the Experiences division reductions to an assessment of its investment priorities and development schedules. A person familiar with the matter described the company's reasoning using the phrase:

"priorities, investments and project timelines" according to the person familiar with the matter.

The affected division remains central to Disney's financial performance. During fiscal 2025, Experiences generated $36.2 billion in revenue and contributed more than 56% of the company's total operating income, according to Yahoo Finance.

Disney's restructuring is taking place under Chief Executive Josh D'Amaro, who has emphasized making the organization more responsive to changes in the entertainment industry. Earlier measures included reductions in human resources and technology teams, alongside early retirement packages offered to older employees.

International tourism has also been an important consideration for the parks business. Disney previously described weaker overseas visitor numbers at its domestic destinations as:

"international visitation headwinds," according to the company's earlier assessment.

During its August earnings call, Disney executives indicated that the situation had improved, describing the trend as:

"moderated," executives said during the company's most recent earnings call.

Despite the workforce reductions, Disney continues to manage an extensive development pipeline. Projects include an Avengers Campus expansion, a Coco-themed attraction and a Tomorrowland reimagining at Disneyland in California.

Additional developments include Monstropolis, the Cars-themed Piston Peak National Park, Villains Land and the Tropical Americas expansion at Walt Disney World in Florida. Disneyland Paris is also developing its first Lion King-themed land, while a new Disney theme park is planned for Abu Dhabi.

The company's cruise business is expanding as well. Disney Believe is scheduled to begin its maiden voyage in 2027, while Disney Imagination is expected to debut in 2029. Three additional ships have also been announced for delivery by 2031.

Meanwhile, global theme park attendance showed limited growth in 2025. The Themed Entertainment Association's Global Experience Index recorded 245.4 million visits across the world's 25 leading theme parks, representing a decline of approximately 0.2% from 2024.

Disney Experiences maintained its position as the leading theme park operator, recording 146,825,000 visits. Fantawild Group followed with 85,016,000, while Universal Destinations & Experiences ranked third with 62,018,000 visits, an increase of 5.4%.

At Disneyland, attendance increased 0.4% to 17,406,000 visitors in 2025, compared with 17,337,000 the previous year. Disney California Adventure also recorded 10,090,000 visits, up from 10,050,000 in 2024.

The attendance figures provide additional financial context as Disney reviews staffing levels and operating expenses across its entertainment businesses. The company's broader cost-reduction plan now targets savings of 20%.