According to the Actors’ Equity Association, more than 700 performers at Walt Disney World are included in the latest round of layoffs.
Many special entertainment experiences are temporarily cut at Disney. For instance, performers who chatted with guests on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom and performed as the Citizens of Hollywood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The entire cast and crew of such attractions as Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Beauty and the Beast — Live on Stage, and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular have been laid off.
You’ve probably seen some of the posts about @WaltDisneyWorld performers getting laid off. @ActorsEquity just confirmed more than 90% of the cast members it represents were laid off. @WFTV #DisTwitter #Disney #Orlando pic.twitter.com/eG10j6gMVL
— Cierra Putman WFTV (@CPutman_WFTV) October 28, 2020
Our hearts go out to all the cast members at Walt Disney World. Disney has made it clear that our members would face work reductions since they announced layoffs of nearly 28,000 employees. That does not make this news any less painful.
Kate Shindle, president of Actors’ Equity Association
However, there’s a glimmer of hope for entertainers who wish to return to work at Disney World. According to an agreement with Disney, the union said their laid-off members can maintain recall rights until the end of 2021.
