Disney Experiences Division Lays Off Staff Amid Strategic Shift

The Walt Disney Company is cutting between 100 and 200 jobs within its Disney Experiences division, primarily affecting Walt Disney Imagineering, the in-house creative design group based in Glendale, California. The workforce reduction, which went into effect on October 28, 2026, follows several prior rounds of corporate layoffs implemented over the past seven months under Chief Executive Officer Josh D'Amaro.

According to reports citing individuals familiar with the matter, the cuts stem from a regular evaluation of the division's priorities, investments, and project timelines. Despite the downsizing, the company is managing a historically large slate of theme park development and construction projects, including the planned Villains Land at Walt Disney World in Florida and massive infrastructure upgrades at Disneyland in California.

The recent Imagineering layoffs follow earlier corporate restructuring, which included up to 1,000 marketing job cuts in April, reductions at Nat Geo, Pixar, and ESPN in July, and tech and HR staff cuts in September. The theme park reductions also arrived shortly after the Themed Entertainment Association reported that eight of the top ten most-visited theme parks globally in 2025 were operated by Disney.

Beyond corporate adjustments, updates continue across Disney resort properties. At Walt Disney World, Disney's BoardWalk is progressing with a multi-year overhaul. A new upcoming shop called Basin on the BoardWalk has been listed on the official website, featuring 1920s-era apothecary inspiration with DIY bath and body experiences. Basin on the BoardWalk will occupy the space left by the Promenade Fine Art Gallery, which closed in October 2025.

The BoardWalk transformation has also introduced other venues over the past two years, including The Cake Bake Shop, Blue Ribbon Corn Dog, and Hurly-Burly, a coastal-themed lounge replacing the former Jellyrolls piano bar. Meanwhile, adjacent areas like the Atlantic Dance Hall have transitioned to private-booking-only status.

In entertainment programming, ABC announced the holiday television return of the 1983 animated classic Mickey's Christmas Carol. The half-hour special, featuring Scrooge McDuck as Ebenezer Scrooge and Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit, is scheduled to broadcast on November 25 as part of The Wonderful World of Disney, marking its first network airing since 2003.

Concurrently, ABC's Dancing with the Stars is airing a special Disney Night episode featuring dances set exclusively to music from Disney's Broadway catalog. The program relocated temporarily to Monday night to accommodate network election coverage, with guest judge Cynthia Erivo joining the panel alongside regular judges.