Disney is considered a front-runner when it comes to cutting-edge technology.
©Disney
We have seen some of Disney’s most advanced technology in the parks including at Rise of the Resistance and in Avengers Campus where there is a flying Spider-Man animatronic. But Disney has been talking about things beyond theme parks including NFTs and the metaverse, and now we’ve got a major update on the future of the metaverse at Disney.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Disney has eliminated its plans for a metaverse amid the company layoffs. Shortly after Bob Iger returned as Disney CEO, he announced that the hiring freeze announced by former Disney CEO Bob Chapek would still be happening. Then in February 2023, Iger announced that job cuts would impact about 7,000 jobs across The Walt Disney Company.
©D23
Part of these layoffs includes the team of about 50 members on the next-generation storytelling and consumer-experiences unit. This is a small part of the company where employees were working on developing a metaverse at Disney.
Former Disney consumer products executive Mike White was the head of this division, however, he will remain with Disney in a new position. This new role is still unclear.
©Reuters | Disney CEO Bob Iger
If you’re wondering what the metaverse is, USA Today describes it as “a combination of multiple elements of technology, including virtual reality, augmented reality and video where users ‘live’ within a digital universe.” Disney had shared plans about a Disney Theme Park metaverse that would mix visually enhanced physical reality with a virtual space.
©Disney || Metaverse Windows to the Wild Experience
Although Chapek had described the metaverse as “the next great storytelling frontier”, Iger did have some concerns about the project. He warned that toxic behavior could be an issue due to the amount online already and pointed out that monitoring these things is something that Disney will have to take into consideration.
Bob Iger ©Bloomberg
For more information on the metaverse and the recent Disney layoffs, check out our posts below.
- Disney Is Creating Its Own Metaverse. Here’s How.
- “There Will No Doubt Be Challenges Ahead” — Disney CEO Bob Iger Gives Huge UPDATE on Job Cuts
- How Job Cuts Will Impact Disney (And Who Won’t Be Affected)
Stay tuned to DFB for more updates.
What is a Disney theme park “metaverse” and why should you care? Click here to find out!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!
Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!
With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!
You’ll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.
Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today!
Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. 
What do you think about this major change? Let us know in the comments.
The post NEWS: Disney Cuts Metaverse Plans as Part of Company Layoffs first appeared on the disney food blog.