The Walt Disney Co.'s theme parks continue to be in a period of "gradual recovery," the company's attractions chief said Friday.
Jay Rasulo, president of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, was in Central Florida for the Orlando celebration of Disneyland's 50th anniversary.
Looking to the summer, Disney World President Al Weiss said bookings are "significantly" ahead of last year's.
He attributed some of the growth to the company's 18-month "Happiest Celebration on Earth" promotion, which kicked off this week in honor of Disneyland's July 1955 debut.
To handle the summer influx, Disney World officials said they'll host a job fair May 12-15 to fill 2,000 seasonal full-time and part-time positions, ranging from lifeguards to custodians to food-service workers and ride operators.
The 2,000 open seasonal positions are about on par with last year, said Jacquee Polak, a company spokeswoman.
Disney executives also noted Friday that they are seeing the first signs since 2001 that vacationers are booking their trips months ahead, rather than weeks.
"It's creeping back up there," said Linda Warren, executive vice president of marketing and brand management at Disney World.
Jay Rasulo, president of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, was in Central Florida for the Orlando celebration of Disneyland's 50th anniversary.
Looking to the summer, Disney World President Al Weiss said bookings are "significantly" ahead of last year's.
He attributed some of the growth to the company's 18-month "Happiest Celebration on Earth" promotion, which kicked off this week in honor of Disneyland's July 1955 debut.
To handle the summer influx, Disney World officials said they'll host a job fair May 12-15 to fill 2,000 seasonal full-time and part-time positions, ranging from lifeguards to custodians to food-service workers and ride operators.
The 2,000 open seasonal positions are about on par with last year, said Jacquee Polak, a company spokeswoman.
Disney executives also noted Friday that they are seeing the first signs since 2001 that vacationers are booking their trips months ahead, rather than weeks.
"It's creeping back up there," said Linda Warren, executive vice president of marketing and brand management at Disney World.
