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Disney Parks and Resorts Division Restructures for Cost Savings

The change that we all knew was coming has been announced. Once Disney announced that they would be offering severance packages to hundreds of Parks and Resorts Division Executives, I knew the next shoe to drop would be a further consolidation of the east and west coast management structures.

Frankly, Disney has been trending this way a long time. Disneyland lifers have been holding out against the move fearing they would lose some of what makes Walt Disney’s original park special, but the economic crisis has given Jay Rasulo the ammunition to install the changes.

This new action will result in some job loss even below the executive level that was offered severance packages. Unfortunately the details were not announced so we don’t know how deep job loss will go.

Two areas we know are going to get hit hard are: Imagineering and Theme Park Operations. At Walt Disney Imagineering everyone will be consolidated into a single group that handles design for all parks.

The operating infrastructure at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort will also be merged to create a single domestic organization and “back-of-house” operation.

Disney execs were putting the final touches on these changes last week while in town for the American Idol Experience launch.

The changes announced today are effective immediately.

Disney’s Press Release on the reorganization is below the cut and don’t miss Jason Garcia’s coverage at the Orlando Sentinel.:

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American Idol Experience Premiere – Slideshow

Here’s a great slide show of photos from the Gala Premiere of Disney’s The American Idol Experience including many shots I’ve not seen anywhere else. Also included are a few videos you may have seen before. The gala premiere was attended by all seven previous… Read More »American Idol Experience Premiere – Slideshow

Orlando Theme Parks Offer Great Deals for Family Travel

Update: With their 1Q results Disney announced that their discount packages will be extended until August of 08. With the economy in near shambles, Central Florida tourist destinations know they have to offer some pretty good deals to get you in the door. The Walt… Read More »Orlando Theme Parks Offer Great Deals for Family Travel

Star Wars Weekends 2009 Dates Announced

The dates for Star Wars Weekends have been announced for 2009. In a move that should make fans of the event happy, the dates for the first weekends have been moved back into May. It’s often less hot and less crowded (school is still in… Read More »Star Wars Weekends 2009 Dates Announced

American Idol Experience, Disney Magic at its best

aie-set
The set of The American Idol Experience.

I knew The American Idol Experience is in previews and I heard via a twitter from someone who had auditioned and made it into the 2pm show that there would be shows on Saturday, so I drove out to the Disney’s Hollywood Studios to sit in on three Saturday afternoon shows. I’m glad I did.

There is much to be happy with about the attraction, and, as always, a few rough edges that need to be cleaned up. But, hey, that’s what Soft Openings are for. Right?

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Disney’s Hollywood Studios update

We went to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Saturday. If you hadn’t heard things are changing a bit around there. Until recently DHS was Disney World’s unloved stepchild. Always looked over when new projects came its way. What else explains all the Pixar based rides going… Read More »Disney’s Hollywood Studios update