Disney to Slash 14 Jobs from its Global Development Group

Walt Disney Co., the world’s largest media and entertainment company, announced a plan to slash about 14 jobs from its theme-park division as part of the companywide major restructuring scheme. Almost a quarter of the jobs from the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts are slated for cuts beginning in January 2011. The company said that about 14 jobs, including 11 in Orlando, will be eliminated from the estimated 65 staff of the global development group, the unit responsible for looking at the future growth of the company’s theme parks by evaluating whether capital projects would turn into profit.

Disney World spokeswoman Andrea Finger explained that the recent job cuts are being made to remove redundant positions in the company that started when Disney decided to combine its business development with its real-estate development departments in 2008. “This will enable us to better align our approach to business development across the segment, eliminate duplication of efforts, and streamline our decision-making.”

Finger revealed that the affected employees were notified accordingly. She also confirmed that Paul Noland, the present senior vice president in charge of business development for Disney parks and the representative on the board of directors of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, is included in the cut and will permanently depart the company. “All of the impacted cast members have been notified and have been offered the opportunity to work through Jan. 28. We will work with them to identify other opportunities within the company prior to that time.”