Layoffs

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Jan Mon 12, 2009 7:18 pm

I was told by a close friend who is a CM, that WDW is starting to layoff everything from maintenance to food CMs. It seems Disney believe they need executives more then they need people on the front lines. Lately they aren't even replacing people from the college program.

Has anybody noticed the difference?

agingerbugg · Post by **agingerbugg** » Jan Tue 13, 2009 9:02 am

This is not new for Disney, they have been doing this anytime there is a hiccup in the economy. And as far as keeping the execs and cutting the entry-level, that is happening everywhere. The school district next to the one in which I live has announced that they are laying off all new teachers hired during the 2008-2009 school year due to budget cuts. To me, it seems better to keep the cheaper, new teachers who may have new ideas and methods and sack the older less-flexible teachers, IMO.

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » Jan Tue 13, 2009 1:02 pm

agingerbugg wrote:This is not new for Disney, they have been doing this anytime there is a hiccup in the economy. And as far as keeping the execs and cutting the entry-level, that is happening everywhere. The school district next to the one in which I live has announced that they are laying off all new teachers hired during the 2008-2009 school year due to budget cuts. To me, it seems better to keep the cheaper, new teachers who may have new ideas and methods and sack the older less-flexible teachers, IMO.

I would have to disagree with that last statement. I can say from almost personal experience (my father's personal experience) when you layoff someone that has been around for a long time in any job it is very bad for that person and their family. Think of it, this person spent a large portion of their life working for a place and they are let go before retirement, how are they going to get a new job with a market that is rapidly shrinking. How are they going to get back even half of the benefits they had, what company would want to pick up someone that is basically going to retire sooner rather than later? I can see how a company would want to do that for financial gains but that is really just wrong.

But the statement was more to the point of Higher pay vs. lower pay rather than Years of service. From what I have heard WDW could use a little less in the marketing department and they can always cut back on the entertainment division like DL is doing. Slowing down the fireworks displays to Friday Saturday and Sunday, Fantasmic on the days when the Fireworks aren't going on, Halt's to the parade twice a day, etc.

This isn't a great solution but it is one that will keep the parks closer to being in the Black.

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Jan Tue 13, 2009 3:07 pm

Dr. Ravenscroft wrote:and they can always cut back on the entertainment division like DL is doing. Slowing down the fireworks displays to Friday Saturday and Sunday, Fantasmic on the days when the Fireworks aren't going on, Halt's to the parade twice a day, etc.

They have been doing that, actually. That old Pocahontas show at AKL is going (has gone?) the way of the dodo, and Fantasmic's already back to a few days a week. I'm sure there were a few others but those are the two that I remember offhand. Oh, and that executives were being asked to travel 'one level below their usual'... poor babies, flying coach.

It doesn't surprise me at all that they're laying people off, in any case. Every other company seems to be.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Jan Tue 13, 2009 3:12 pm

agingerbugg wrote:This is not new for Disney, they have been doing this anytime there is a hiccup in the economy. And as far as keeping the execs and cutting the entry-level, that is happening everywhere. The school district next to the one in which I live has announced that they are laying off all new teachers hired during the 2008-2009 school year due to budget cuts. To me, it seems better to keep the cheaper, new teachers who may have new ideas and methods and sack the older less-flexible teachers, IMO.

We're not talking entry level, They're looking at long term CMs.

agingerbugg · Post by **agingerbugg** » Jan Tue 13, 2009 4:57 pm

DisBeamer wrote: Oh, and that executives were being asked to travel 'one level below their usual'... poor babies, flying coach.

No, they will probably have to fly commercial first class instead of on the chartered jet.

Croaker · Post by **Croaker** » Jan Tue 13, 2009 7:56 pm

Perhaps they could just rotate closing a park every day. ie: Monday: Magic Kingdom closed, Tues: Epcot, Wed: Animal Kingdom etc..... but here's where the Magic comes in! Don't tell anyone! make it seem like some conspiracy or catastrophe had struck, toss a couple of red and blues out front maybe an ambulance or get some cast members to dress in camo! peice of cake! If your an Obama supporter you can say it was Bush's fault for lack of Security. If your a Bush fan blame Obama that Disney is concerned over future safety. Imagine how busy people will be if only 3 parks were open. it would be like July all year round! perhaps i should get a job at Disney, suggest this idea and collect millions in bonus pay for my brilliant idea! You know when a Wetland/Forest/River/Orange Julius is in danger they restrict access to it...makes sense that we do the same with Disney.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Jan Tue 13, 2009 9:03 pm

Croaker wrote:Perhaps they could just rotate closing a park every day. ie: Monday: Magic Kingdom closed, Tues: Epcot, Wed: Animal Kingdom etc..... but here's where the Magic comes in! Don't tell anyone! make it seem like some conspiracy or catastrophe had struck, toss a couple of red and blues out front maybe an ambulance or get some cast members to dress in camo! peice of cake! If your an Obama supporter you can say it was Bush's fault for lack of Security. If your a Bush fan blame Obama that Disney is concerned over future safety. Imagine how busy people will be if only 3 parks were open. it would be like July all year round! perhaps i should get a job at Disney, suggest this idea and collect millions in bonus pay for my brilliant idea! You know when a Wetland/Forest/River/Orange Julius is in danger they restrict access to it...makes sense that we do the same with Disney.

Time to layoff the New Castle! (That is the MU logo?)

figmentaholic · Post by **figmentaholic** » Jan Tue 13, 2009 10:44 pm

Croaker wrote:Perhaps they could just rotate closing a park every day. ie: Monday: Magic Kingdom closed, Tues: Epcot, Wed: Animal Kingdom etc..... but here's where the Magic comes in! Don't tell anyone! make it seem like some conspiracy or catastrophe had struck, toss a couple of red and blues out front maybe an ambulance or get some cast members to dress in camo! peice of cake! If your an Obama supporter you can say it was Bush's fault for lack of Security. If your a Bush fan blame Obama that Disney is concerned over future safety. Imagine how busy people will be if only 3 parks were open. it would be like July all year round! perhaps i should get a job at Disney, suggest this idea and collect millions in bonus pay for my brilliant idea! You know when a Wetland/Forest/River/Orange Julius is in danger they restrict access to it...makes sense that we do the same with Disney.

.... Wow. That is... a bit crazy.

I know you were joking, but I think that even though having a park shut down would save alot of money in power and man power, it is terribly impractical. If you have a family who is only coming in for a weekend, and they have to shuffle around according to which park is open, and perhaps they even miss a park because of it, there is a decent chance that they will be very upset about it, maybe even never come back. Plus can you imagine how much more crowded the other parks would be if on was closed- especially in the summer? I shudder to think.

Post by **Len90** » Jan Wed 14, 2009 12:37 am

Easy solution... expand the audio-animatronics to overtake CM positions... OR get self-checkout machines like they have in the supermarkets. Think of how much money Disney could save if you didn't need thousands of CM's to man registers at stores like Emporium, World of Disney, Mickey's of Hollywood and many more.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Jan Wed 14, 2009 2:33 am

Len90 wrote:Easy solution... expand the audio-animatronics to overtake CM positions... OR get self-checkout machines like they have in the supermarkets. Think of how much money Disney could save if you didn't need thousands of CM's to man registers at stores like Emporium, World of Disney, Mickey's of Hollywood and many more.

I think the whole point was about how Disney could save jobs. Not eliminate them. One of the things that make Disney parks magic are the CM's . I feel this whole tread is pointing out Disney's corporate greed. I mean they could layoff a couple of big wigs and save a hundred jobs.

Don't give them any ideas! Has anybody notice that Living with the Land is automated?

Croaker · Post by **Croaker** » Jan Wed 14, 2009 2:34 am

yes i am kidding of course (in regards to closing a park)

yes Manchester United Logo! Go Reds! Sorry Chelsea fans 3-0!!!! last Sunday!

back on topic....I think they need to get back to the sponsorships. perhaps make more deals for exclusivity in the parks, ie: allow some name brand company's into Disney for retail, change things up a bit. as long as they sponsor a main attraction.

agingerbugg · Post by **agingerbugg** » Jan Wed 14, 2009 8:33 am

Croaker wrote:back on topic....I think they need to get back to the sponsorships. perhaps make more deals for exclusivity in the parks, ie: allow some name brand company's into Disney for retail, change things up a bit. as long as they sponsor a main attraction.

They have done that to some extent already, and I really don't think that it helped "improve" anything.

Walt did want the parks to be a place where you wouldn't be exposed to the outside world. What is more "real world" than McDonald's logos everywhere? Could you imagine Nike swooshes coming at you from all angles in the stores? Or waiting in line for It's a Small World and having Britney Spears' Womanizer blaring at you, because Jive Records sponsors it? No, I don't think allowing retailers in is the solution. Reducing their marketing would save millions of dollars. Imagine how much they could save by just cutting their marketing budget in half. I don't think I have watched a primetime show without at least one Disney commercial in the last six months.

Croaker · Post by **Croaker** » Jan Wed 14, 2009 3:31 pm

"Petrifries" by McDonalds....laugh. I never thought they would serve the fries after 5 minutes of coming out of the fryer...but looks like Disney labeled it correctly. Perhaps they can open a McDonalds burger stand "Dung-Beatle Burgers!" Animal Kingdom so rules!

Post by **Len90** » Jan Wed 14, 2009 8:17 pm

You never know, there is a Rainforest Cafe right when you enter AK so it could happen. I personally dislike that because I pay to get in for Disney and not for something that I can just go out to the mall and get without paying admission.

Unfortunately, in this slacking economy people are going to get cut. Maybe they should cut upper management salaries and holiday bonuses.