Imagining a job
By Robert Johnson and Todd Pack | Sentinel Staff Writers
Posted November 11, 2002
Although Walt Disney Co.'s Imagineering segment celebrates its 50th anniversary in December, the ranks of this creative design and development group are thinner than in years past.
There are about 1,500 "imagineers" working on various Disney projects around the world right now. That's down about 25 percent from the late 1990s due to layoffs, retirements and Disney's decision to not renew the contracts of some imagineers who had worked on a temporary basis as needed.
With the travel slump at Walt Disney World delaying some new infrastructure there -- such as the 5,700-room Pop Century resort, scheduled to open last year but now on hold -- even fewer imagineers could be needed in coming months, theme park consultants say. Disney officials say the number of imagineers companywide has varied sharply for many years.
Robert Johnson can be reached at rwjohnson@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5664. Todd Pack can be reached at 407-420-5407 or tpack@orlandosentinel.com.
Copyright © 2002, Orlando Sentinel
By Robert Johnson and Todd Pack | Sentinel Staff Writers
Posted November 11, 2002
Although Walt Disney Co.'s Imagineering segment celebrates its 50th anniversary in December, the ranks of this creative design and development group are thinner than in years past.
There are about 1,500 "imagineers" working on various Disney projects around the world right now. That's down about 25 percent from the late 1990s due to layoffs, retirements and Disney's decision to not renew the contracts of some imagineers who had worked on a temporary basis as needed.
With the travel slump at Walt Disney World delaying some new infrastructure there -- such as the 5,700-room Pop Century resort, scheduled to open last year but now on hold -- even fewer imagineers could be needed in coming months, theme park consultants say. Disney officials say the number of imagineers companywide has varied sharply for many years.
Robert Johnson can be reached at rwjohnson@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5664. Todd Pack can be reached at 407-420-5407 or tpack@orlandosentinel.com.
Copyright © 2002, Orlando Sentinel