Disneyland cast members are about to see a major reduction in their working hours as Disneyland guests are about to see a major increase in their ticket prices.
It’s another tough week for Disneyland Cast Members — and an increasingly awkward one for Disney’s public image.
According to a post shared with That Park Place by a source close to the situation, union representative Dennis Sotelo of UFCW 324 & BCTGM 83 informed cast members that Disneyland Resort and Disney California Adventure will begin reducing labor hours starting the week of October 25th.
A statement from a representative of UFCW 324 & BCTGM 83 union representing Disneyland cast members on their hours being reduced
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The decision, which Sotelo says was communicated to union leaders this week, will affect “the amount of hours on the weekly workload,” potentially impacting workers through “reduction of hours, removal of shifts and/or positions, [and] change in store’s operating hours.”
The timing of this move couldn’t be worse for Disney’s optics. It comes just days after the company announced yet another price hike across its Southern California parks — from ticket tiers and parking fees to Lightning Lane upgrades. In effect, guests are being asked to pay more while the company scales back on the very workforce that keeps the park experience running smoothly.
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This development also comes on the heels of a landmark legal setback for Disney. In September 2025, a California judge approved what is now considered the largest wage-theft class action settlement in state history, compelling Disney to pay $233 million to roughly 50,000 current and former Disneyland employees over violations of Anaheim’s living wage ordinance, overtime, and related claims.
That verdict underscores a broader tension between Disney’s labor practices and its public image — cutting cast hours just weeks after being held legally accountable for underpaying those same workers adds a sharp edge to the narrative.
A Season of Reductions
Sotelo’s union post, shared within a Disneyland Cast Member Union group, lays out what these employees can expect in terms of their working hours going forward.
“We were advised this week by the company that as early as the schedule week ending 10/25, the resort will begin reducing the amount of hours on the weekly workload,” Sotelo wrote. “This can potentially impact you in different forms: reduction of hours, removal of shifts and/or positions, [and] change in store’s operating hours.”
Walt Animatronic from Disneyland
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The company, according to Sotelo, cited “changes in guest patterns and purchasing behavior” as its justification for the cuts. No further data or breakdown was provided.
The union does not agree with that reasoning but notes that Disney is permitted to make operational changes within the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. Full-time Cast Members will continue to be guaranteed a minimum of 30 hours per week — but part-time workers, or CRs, have no such guarantee, leaving many in uncertain territory as schedules shrink heading into the holiday season.
The union rep did not return our call seeking comment as of press time.
“Changes in Guest Patterns” or Declining Attendance?
Disney’s vague phrasing about guest behavior raises familiar questions. For months, That Park Place and other outlets have reported on visible declines in crowd levels at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Despite efforts to maintain strong per-guest spending, reports from analysts and influencers alike have suggested that attendance has softened considerably since early summer.
Empty Main Street USA and Cinderella Castle hub on Labor Day 2025 Magic Kingdom Disney World – Photo Credit: That Park Place
Even Fox News recently highlighted the company’s broader attendance challenges. And with both domestic resorts now entering what should be the start of the busy Halloween-to-holiday stretch, any reductions in staffing suggest Disney may be bracing for a weaker-than-expected fall turnout.
Guests Paying More, Getting Less
While Cast Members prepare for fewer hours, guests are being greeted with higher prices.
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Just this week, Disneyland rolled out a new round of price increases across nearly every category, including:
- Tier 6 single-day ticket: $224 (up from $206, +8.3%)
- Lightning Lane Multi-Pass: $40 (up from $36, +10.5%)
- Standard parking: $40 (up from $35, +13.3%)
- Preferred parking: $60 (up from $55, +8.7%)
- Inspire Magic Key: $1,899 (up from $1,749, +8.2%)
Disney’s justification for these hikes was limited to a brief statement:
“Disney Parks offer a full day of experiences each day, with ticket, hotel and dining options designed to suit a wide range of needs and budgets for all who visit. Our commitment to creating magical experiences for everyone remains at the heart of what we do — and that will never change.”
For families already struggling to afford a Disneyland visit, the optics are difficult to ignore: the park is charging record prices while cutting back on staffing — a recipe for longer lines, reduced retail hours, and a diminished guest experience.
The Union Response
UFCW 324 & BCTGM 83, which represents food, merchandise, and custodial workers across the resort, pledged to monitor the situation closely. Sotelo told members that the union “does not agree with this reason for cutbacks” but will continue to watch for any contractual violations.
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He encouraged Cast Members to update their availability through the Workforce Management system to help maintain as many hours as possible and advised patience as the union “monitors this season of reduction.”
A Costly Balancing Act
Disney’s current strategy — raising prices while tightening operations — may boost short-term margins, but it risks alienating both workers and guests. Reduced staffing often translates into slower service, closed registers, and fewer smiling faces on Main Street, U.S.A. For many visitors, that human connection is what sets Disneyland apart from other parks.
And for the DIsneyland Cast Members who bring the magic to life, these cutbacks on working hours are a reminder that even in “The Happiest Place on Earth,” corporate priorities can change overnight.
Sleeping Beauty Castle in 2019 after refurbishment. Photo Credit: CrispyCream27, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
That Park Place will continue to follow updates from the union and Cast Member community as Disney navigates this season of reductions — and as guests pay more for an experience that may soon feel a little less magical.
Are you surprised Disneyland is cutting cast member hours while raising prices on guests? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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