Disney Experiences Division Lays Off Staff Amid Shifts in Theme Park Priorities

The Walt Disney Company is reducing its workforce within its Disney Experiences division, cutting between 100 and 200 jobs primarily affecting Walt Disney Imagineering based in Glendale, California. These workforce reductions reflect a broader shift in project priorities, investments, and timelines across the company's theme park sector as development on upcoming attractions continues.

According to reports citing individuals familiar with the matter, the structural evaluations stem from changing project timelines. This wave of layoffs follows several other personnel reductions across the company over the previous seven months, including marketing centralization efforts in April, cuts at Nat Geo, Pixar, and ESPN in July, and human resources and technology reductions in September.

The theme park design cuts arrive closely following data from the Themed Entertainment Association indicating that eight of the ten most-visited amusement parks globally in 2025 were operated by Disney, with Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park maintaining the highest attendance worldwide. Despite these robust visitor numbers, the division is managing shifting strategies as ambitious projects like Villains Land at Walt Disney World and major infrastructure updates at Disneyland move forward.

Concurrently, a study published by FloridaRentals.com highlights the rising financial burden placed on families visiting Walt Disney World. Researchers evaluating Booking.com and official Disney data found that a seven-night, on-site resort stay during the Halloween holiday week averages nearly $5,000 for a family of four, exceeding average lodging costs in major European destinations like Spain, Italy, and Greece.

The study notes that autumn accommodations at premier properties such as Disney's Beach Club Resort reach nearly $9,880 for the week, while even more budget-conscious choices like Coronado Springs Resort exceed $2,100. These Halloween rates carry an estimated 21 percent markup compared to projected spring 2027 lodging averages.

In addition to resort pricing, Disney implemented quiet increases to park admission fees earlier in the month. Peak single-day Park Hopper passes have surpassed $300, top-tier single-day single-park tickets have risen to $229, and premium Lightning Lane line-skipping passes have climbed to $499.

Seasonal events continue to draw substantial crowds despite the higher costs. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom runs as the resort's longest annual seasonal event, with separately ticketed nighttime admission ranging from $119 to $229 per person depending on the date.