Disneyland Layoffs Eliminate 100 Cast Members as Fans Question Corporate Priorities

A wave of layoffs hit Disneyland this mont, eliminating around 100 employees.

The “happiest place on earth” may be a little less happy for about 100 Disneyland Cast members. A range of departments have laid off employees, including a limited number of salaried positions according to a new report out of Deadline. In the article by Tom Tapp, Deadline shared that a spokesperson from Disneyland gave the following statement:

“With our business in a period of steady, sustained operation, we are recalibrating our organization to ensure we continue to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests, while positioning Disneyland Resort for the future. As part of this, we’ve made the difficult decision to eliminate a limited number of salaried positions. We are deeply grateful for the contributions of these cast members and are committed to supporting them with care, respect, and resources during this transition.”

Layoffs Come On The Heels Of A Major Payout

Disney just recently settled a class-action lawsuit filed by Disneyland workers.

On September 16, 2025 a judge granted final approval to the $233 million settlement. Cast Members claimed they were  being underpaid according to Anaheim’s Measure L — the “living wage” ordinance.

Paint the Night Parade at Disneyland – YouTube, WDW News Today

Now comes the apparent fallout. Disneyland recently cut back on operating hours during the upcoming holiday season with Disneyland closing at 11 p.m. and Disney’s California Adventure closing at 9 p.m.

In previous years, the West Coast parks were opening notably later during the holiday season, with Disneyland staying open until midnight or later. Effectively, reduced park hours means lower labor costs.

The new Ghost Bride in the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland – YouTube, Los Angeles Times

While we cannot confirm the layoffs and reduction in park hours are tied directly to the $233 million payout by Disney, the timing definitely calls into question Disney’s motivation for these moves.

Still, Disneyland is proceeding with a $1.9 billion dollar expansion over the next two decades.

Widespread Layoffs Throughout The Entertainment Industry

Disney’s recent announcement of these 100 layoffs is only a small part of an industry wide trend in the entertainment sector. Over the last few years cuts have come from Amazon Studios, CNN, LionsGate Television, Warner Music Group, TikTok, and with it’s recent acquisition by Skydance: Paramount Global.

Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison being interviewed – YouTube, CNBC Television

In a restructuring led by CEO David Ellison, approximately 1,000 employees across television, film, and corporate will be losing their jobs in what is expected to be just the first round of layoffs. In this changing entertainment landscape, while Disney may not be alone, they have committed their fair share of layoffs.

Multiple Rounds of Disney Layoffs Since 2023

The latest layoffs at Disneyland are just the tip of the iceberg. Over the past two years, there have been several layoffs, with significant cuts in 2023 and more targeted rounds in 2024 and 2025.

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

Key layoffs include major cuts of over 8,000 positions in 2023, as well as multiple smaller rounds in 2024 and 2025, affecting different divisions such as ABC News, Pixar, and corporate operations. All of this comes after the lockdown era, which saw tens of thousands of jobs cut during the closures, with the majority of those returning as the parks reopened.

If Disney was once a company where employees could rely on longevity, that expectation is no more.

How do you feel about these Disneyland layoffs? Sound off in the comments and let us know!

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