Disney plans resorts reorganization, layoffs

Jason Garcia
Sentinel Staff Writer

5:20 PM EST, February 18, 2009

The Walt Disney Co. announced a sweeping corporate overhaul Wednesday at its domestic resorts, with plans to combine back-office operations at Walt Disney World and Disneyland and eliminate an unknown number of jobs.

In a memo to employees at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, division Chairman Jay Rasulo said the corporate streamlining -- which will include merging "operating infrastructure" at Disney World and Disneyland under the leadership of Al Weiss, president of worldwide operations for Parks and Resorts -- has been accelerated by the nation's troubled economy.

"The long-term success of Parks and Resorts depends upon our ability to continue to adapt and innovate, to respond to ever-changing guest preferences, and to implement an organization and cost structure that meet today's economic realities," Rasulo said. "We must accelerate the evolution of our business and further refine our work structure to work in a more integrated and effective manner."

Disney, which employs about 62,000 people in Central Florida, would not say how many jobs will be eliminated by the move.

"Organization changes require difficult decisions, including the elimination of some roles," Rasulo said. "These decisions were not made lightly and we know this will be a challenging transition. These people are our friends and colleagues, and they have made valuable contributions."