Politics 28000 Layoffs coming to Disney's domestic theme parks - statement from Josh D'Amaro

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The photographers seem to always have non-stop business in the parks.

Well Disneyland is different because of the inclusion in maxpass...

But how many people are BUYING those pictures in wdw??

I’m sure it’s not “no one”...but I’m also sure it also has dropped in $$$ precipitously...and you know what that means.

 

[SirWillow]

Photopass has basically been rendered obsolete by cells...

You might think that, but you'd be wrong.

I don't think that's true -- mainly because if you're relying on a personal cell phone, you're always going to be missing someone from the photo unless you ask random strangers to take them for you constantly.

Most families want to get a photo of everyone together instead of dad/mom being left out. Same thing if couples are there together.

That's one reason. A major one.

The on ride photos are also ones that can't be done on a cell.

But the biggest thing that makes Photopass a winner- besides getting everyone in the photo so no one is left out, and besides on ride photos that no one else can get... the photographers know how to take a photo that looks good, how to pose people, and how to get the candids that everyone else misses on their own.

I literally had 1000's of people that would take a photo on their cell phone, then let me take a photo for Photopass for them, look at theirs and mine, then buy mine because it was so much better. Simply because I knew how to take a photo and capture a moment that they didn't.

That's a huge, major part of what built Photo Pass, and it's a huge major part of why it's been so successful. Joe Blow on his cell phone might have equipment, but he doesn't have the know how. Or the zoom. Or the right flash. Or the ability to put it together with him in the photo.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You might think that, but you'd be wrong.

Now that would be a good thing...

I’d love to hear details/perspective on sales. Costs, and trajectories over the last 10 years or so since the dominance of smart phones took hold. To say nothing of Disney requiring constant deployment of phones to navigate their parks?

 

[oceanbreeze77]

Now that would be a good thing...

I’d love to hear details/perspective on sales. Costs, and trajectories over the last 10 years or so since the dominance of smart phones took hold. To say nothing of Disney requiring constant deployment of phones to navigate their parks?

I will say I NEVER used photo pass until it came with my signature pass.

 

[Riverrafter21]

We use Photopass on every trip and find the advantages to be worth the price. However, the arguments against aren't without merit

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

But how many people are BUYING those pictures in wdw??

More people than will be buying them if they are not taken?

You do know about photopass right?

 

[Lilofan]

The other thing is, as I posted either here earlier or elsewhere (I don't remember) -- these layoffs are something that Disney management almost certainly wanted to do. The current situation has given them an incredibly good excuse, but it's not as if Iger wasn't very clear in the past that he thought Disney needed to cut down on the number of employees.

I would be surprised if most of these jobs ever come back (at least under current management) regardless of how busy the parks get; they want to spend less on labor costs.

Spend less on labor? - college program

 

[Disstevefan1]

Knotts is only open for special food events with no rides operating. Food and shopping only, with very limited times and guest counts. Its not fair to portray the park as fully operating.

I saw Knots Halloween event on YouTube, it looks great and a lot of Fun. The folks in CA remember what fun is, right?

It’s sad DLR was not allowed to open in a similar capacity. This is the governor’s fault.

 

[FigmentFan82]

I’d love to hear details/perspective on sales. Costs, and trajectories over the last 10 years or so since the dominance of smart phones took hold. To say nothing of Disney requiring constant deployment of phones to navigate their parks?

I think you're argument points towards the business side of it, as in "does it make money?" SirWillow arguess the guest satisfaction side of it. I guess then it all boils down to if management cares about guest satisfaction more than an ROI

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

More people than will be buying them if they are not taken?

You do know about photopass right?

...I’m familiar.

My point is that everything...everything is now red lined. “Some money” used to be Enough.

Used to be

 

[el_super]

It’s sad DLR was not allowed to open in a similar capacity. This is the governor’s fault.

DLR and Knott's Berry Farm are in the same state. The same county even. What exactly did the governor implement that allows Knott's Berry Farm to open, but DLR (literally 5 miles away as the crow flies) can't in a similar capacity?

 

[-em]

I just think for the current environment of no characters, low attendance, the current demographic plus not everyone wants a bazillion pictures in masks means they need a lot less photographers to cover the park ‘needs’

 

[Lilofan]

That's a sign of a compassionate exec. Not many around.

 

[marni1971]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned that none of the international parks are effected. They are considered untouchable but domestic park CMs are cannon fodder.

Paris probably would’ve been the one to see any impact if they were included. Disney doesn’t have the same control/investment in all of the other international parks as they do the US parks.

It has been mentioned and answered.

The French furlough scheme has the government paying around 80% of wages (as the UK did) although the French scheme has been extended well into next year now. So no need to lay off. Maybe the US could look into how to do it like this. The Far Eastern resorts have more local control than the other 3.

So you don't think the extended CA lockdown/closure of DL played a role? In at least the number of layoffs.

Certainly not the lions share. Cuts have been coming for a long long time. There is so much bloat that Burbank has had a desire to severely streamline. They may not have been as severe without Covid but they were coming. A cynic could say this is the excuse needed to implement them to the worst possible extent.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

DLR and Knott's Berry Farm are in the same state. The same county even. What exactly did the governor implement that allows Knott's Berry Farm to open, but DLR (literally 5 miles away as the crow flies) can't in a similar capacity?

Disneyland had no interest in opening...frankly neither did Disney world.

It would take ALOT to convince me otherwise. There are other factors at play in Florida

 

[Slpy3270]

That's a sign of a compassionate exec. Not many around.

It would be quite a scandal to Disney management if he resigned.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

y

That's a sign of a compassionate exec. Not many around.

That is a classy move.

 

[Lilofan]

It would be quite a scandal to Disney management if he resigned.

If he leaves and a "reason" is given he will not leave emptyhanded.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It would be quite a scandal to Disney management if he resigned.

...yeah right

 

[Bob Harlem]

Disneyland had no interest in opening...frankly neither did Disney world.

It would take ALOT to convince me otherwise. There are other factors at play in Florida

Explain why every other Disney park in the world is open now besides Disneyland?