Disney Lays Off Imagineers Amid Broad Cost-Cutting Program

The Walt Disney Company laid off between 100 and 200 employees within its Disney Experiences division on October 28, 2026. The reductions primarily targeted Walt Disney Imagineering, with the majority of cuts occurring at the Glendale campus. Impacted staff included those working on domestic projects in Glendale and Orlando, as well as teams focused on the Shanghai Disney Resort and a planned theme park in Abu Dhabi.

Josh D'Amaro has overseen these cuts as part of a broader restructuring and cost-reduction program since taking office last March. This latest round follows a voluntary early retirement offer for senior directors and previous layoffs in April, July, and September, including reductions in HR, technology, Pixar, and National Geographic. In April alone, the company eliminated 1,000 positions.

These staffing changes follow a reevaluation of project priorities and timelines. While some sources suggest the Abu Dhabi project may be delayed, the company has not confirmed a specific timeline shift. Despite the layoffs, the theme parks division remains financially strong, reporting a 10 percent rise in revenue and 20 percent operating income growth in its most recent earnings report, with 2025 revenue reaching $36.2 billion.