CBS MarketWatch: Attacks force cuts at Disney World

[Mop]

It seems that even an appeal from President Bush couldn't keep Walt Disney World from suffering losses in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Thank you,
Mop

 

[Planogirl]

I just get an error message when I go to the webpage. Is it one of those sites you have to register at to see anything?

 

[Janet2k]

Go to that link, search for news on "DIS" and then you should be shown a list of articles. The one mentioned is dated 12:19 PM on 10/19/01 and is entitled, "Attacks force cuts at Disney World."

 

[dmslush]

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (CBS.MW) - It seems that even an appeal from President Bush couldn't keep Walt Disney World from suffering losses in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Despite the President's plea to keep traveling and visit such places as Disney World - which the president cited by name - the theme park mecca in central Florida is cutting 100 positions at the facility, blaming a slowdown following the attacks.

But Disney won't be laying off any of the workers affected, and is trying and find them jobs elsewhere in the four theme parks, spokeswoman Marilyn Waters said.

"We've been redeploying and reallocating some of our people" to accommodate the displaced workers, Waters said.

Disney cut more than 4,000 jobs corporate-wide this summer due to slowing business, and about a fourth of those were at Disney World. It was felt after the attacks that Disney World would feel the brunt of a slowdown since it depended heavily on travelers for business.

Waters said Disney World was hurt, but declined to give out attendance numbers. She said, however, that attendance has grown since the attacks and matched last year's figures on some days.

"That is encouraging," she said.

The jobs cut were mostly those of performers in live shows. Those shows - including "Beauty And The Beast" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" will see the number of performances cut, but will not be eliminated altogether.

Disney World has roughly 54,000 workers at the four theme parks, 18 hotels, three water parks and various shopping venues.

Other cost-cutting measures have been taken at other Disney parks. Parks division spokeswoman Leslie Goodman said that hours have been cut based on demand, salaries have been frozen and there is a hiring freeze.

"All this was done with an eye toward preserving jobs," she said.