Disney to ‘axe 28,000 employees’ as coronavirus decimates its theme parks

Disney is set to axe around 28,000 staff as the coronavirus pandemics stops visitors going to its theme parks, it has been reported.

In a letter to staff, Josh D'Amaro, Disney's head of parks, is said the company was forced to make 'difficult decisions', reports Mirror Online. 

Mr D'Amaro told CNBC in the USA that around two thirds of the 28,000 staff were part-timers, but it is not clear what part of the business they are from.

During the pandemic, Disney's park in Florida, Paris, Shanghai, Japan and Hong Kong have reopened though the company was forced to limit the number of visitors to allow for physical distancing.

California Adventure and Disneyland in Anaheim, California, remain closed to visitors.

Mr D'Amaro's letter read: "As you can imagine, a decision of this magnitude is not easy.

"For the last several months, our management team has worked tirelessly to avoid having to separate anyone from the company."

He added: "We simply cannot responsibly stay fully staffed while operating at such limited capacity.

"As heartbreaking as it is to take this action, this is the only feasible option we have in light of the prolonged impact of Covid-19 on our business."

He cited the parks' limited capacity and continued uncertainty about the duration of the pandemic, which he said was "exacerbated in California by the state's unwillingness to lift restrictions that would allow Disneyland to reopen".

The letter went on: "Over the past several months, we’ve been forced to make a number of necessary adjustments to our business, and as difficult as this decision is today, we believe that the steps we are taking will enable us to emerge a more effective and efficient operation when we return to normal.

"Our Cast Members have always been key to our success, playing a valued and important role in delivering a world-class experience, and we look forward to providing opportunities where we can for them to return.

"For the last several months, our management team has worked tirelessly to avoid having to separate anyone from the company.

"We've cut expenses, suspended capital projects, furloughed our cast members while still paying benefits, and modified our operations to run as efficiently as possible, however, we simply cannot responsibly stay fully staffed while operating at such limited capacity."

The "parks, experiences and consumer products" side of Disney is a hugely important part of the business.

Last year, it accounted for 37 per cent of the company's £54.13 billion in total revenue.

In 2019 1.52 million Brits visited Florida with Disney being their top attraction.

Since the pandemic people from the UK have been banned from entering the States.