Disney Cuts 1,000 Jobs Under New CEO Josh D'Amaro

Layoffs hit theme parks and entertainment divisions as Disney streamlines operations

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:05am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium, polished corporate objects arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the abstract concepts of corporate strategy, finance, and market shifts that are driving Disney's restructuring.As Disney navigates the evolving media landscape, a strategic restructuring aims to streamline operations and unlock new sources of value.Anaheim Today

Disney is reportedly planning to cut up to 1,000 jobs, or less than 1% of its 231,000-person workforce, as new CEO Josh D'Amaro implements a strategic restructuring. The majority of the reductions are expected in the company's theme parks, cruise lines, and entertainment divisions, which have faced challenges from travel disruptions and the shift to streaming. Disney is also signaling plans to consolidate its Disney+ and Hulu streaming platforms, a move aimed at reducing redundancy and extracting more operating leverage.

Why it matters

The Disney layoffs underscore the broader challenges facing legacy media companies as they navigate cord-cutting, streaming competition, and the lingering impacts of the pandemic. The cuts highlight Disney's efforts to streamline operations, prioritize its most valuable IP and revenue streams, and transition towards a more direct-to-consumer, streaming-centric business model. However, there are concerns that the layoffs could erode the 'magic' and guest experience that are core to Disney's brand identity.

The details

The planned layoffs represent less than 1% of Disney's 231,000-person workforce, but the symbolism feels larger given Disney's iconic status. The majority of the reductions are expected in the company's theme parks, cruise lines, and entertainment divisions, which have faced headwinds from travel disruptions and the shift to streaming. Disney is also signaling plans to consolidate its Disney+ and Hulu streaming platforms, a move aimed at reducing redundancy and extracting more operating leverage. Analysts see this as part of a broader effort by Disney to redefine its content and distribution strategies, prioritizing its most valuable IP and recurring revenue streams over episodic novelty.

  • Disney employed about 231,000 people at the end of fiscal 2025.
  • The layoffs are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The players

Josh D'Amaro

The new CEO of The Walt Disney Company, who is leading the strategic restructuring and cost-cutting efforts.

Bob Iger

The former CEO of Disney who has returned to the helm and overseen a series of reorganizations intended to unlock value and simplify governance.

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What’s next

Disney is expected to provide more details on the layoffs and restructuring plans when it reports its quarterly earnings in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Disney's layoffs underscore the broader challenges facing legacy media companies as they navigate the shift to streaming, cord-cutting, and the lingering impacts of the pandemic. The company is attempting to balance cost discipline with preserving the iconic experiences and brand strength that have made it a global entertainment powerhouse, but there are concerns that the cuts could erode the 'magic' that is core to Disney's identity.