The Walt Disney Company is going through some major job cuts right now, which were announced by CEO Bob Iger earlier this year during an earnings call.

©Disney

Iger recently sent a memo to Disney employees announcing that the first of those job cuts would begin this week. We’ve already seen job cuts eliminate an entire division of the company, and the proposed Amazon Prime-type membership program has been scrapped as well. Now, several people in executive positions are leaving Disney as the job cuts continue.

Deadline reported that Disney’s job cuts will involve “a consolidation of production operations across Disney TV Studios, Hulu, Freeform, and FX.” These different operations will merge, and some executive roles within each one have been eliminated.

©Disney | Walt Disney Company Headquarters

So far, Mark Levenstein (SVP Production for Hulu), Jayne Bieber (SVP Production Management & Operations for Freeform), and Elizabeth Newman (VP of Development based at 20th Television and overseer of Creative Acquisitions for Disney Television Studios) will be leaving as their positions are cut. The studio operation’s Creative Acquisitions Department is being dissolved, and “its functions will be absorbed by the studios.”

©Hulu

The Creative Acquisitions Department was started back in 2021. Its purpose was to find upcoming and bestselling media (such as books and podcasts) and secure rights so that the stories could be developed by any of Disney’s several platforms, such as Disney+, Hulu, etc. It was initially run by Newman and Jordan Moblo (Moblo left to join Netflix and later Universal Studios Group).

Disney+ Billboard

Bieber has been with Disney for fourteen years, initially as a producer at the Disney Channel before stepping into the role of VP and then SVP of Production Management and Operations for Freeform.

Carol Turner, EVP and Head of Production for ABC Signature, will be “taking on an expanded role.” Nissa Dierderich (20th Television EVP and Head of Production) and Nick Lombardo (SVP and head of production for FX) will now report to her as “Network and Platform production for scripted television across Disney Entertainment is being consolidated under [Turner].”

©Variety via The Headshot Truck LLC

This is just the first round of job cuts at Disney. The second round of notifications for the job cuts will go out in April. This is expected to result in a larger number of job cuts, “with several thousand more staff reductions.” The final round of notifications is expected to go out before the start of the summer. That’ll get Disney to its target of 7,000 job cuts.

Disney

In a memo to employees, CEO Bob Iger shared, “The difficult reality of many colleagues and friends leaving Disney is not something we take lightly. This company is home to the most talented and dedicated employees in the world, and so many of you bring a lifelong passion for Disney to your work here.” He offered his thanks to those who will be departing the Company.

Bob Iger ©New York Post

According to CNBC, the layoffs will impact various departments at Disney, including media and distribution, parks and resorts, and ESPN. Previously, however, Josh D’Amaro (Chairman of Parks, Experiences, and Products) indicated that Disney anticipated those working hourly frontline roles in operations would NOT be impacted.

Cast Members doing water art

We’ll continue to watch for more news, and we anticipate learning more about the job cuts in Disney’s annual shareholder meeting just a few days away (on April 3rd). Stay tuned to DFB for the latest updates from Disney.

Click here to read Bob Iger’s full memo to employees about these job cuts.

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The post Executive Jobs Slashed as Disney Starts Thousands of Job Cuts first appeared on the disney food blog.

If you’re headed to Disney World any time soon, tons of fun merchandise will await you when you get there.

100th anniversary merch!

From the Minnie ears of Moana lover’s DREAMS to a hat that doubles as a cuddly Simba plush — there are so many great finds in the parks. But what if your next Disney vacation feels like ages away? Don’t worry, we have just what you need to get some Disney retail therapy — and you can do it right from your couch!

Let’s take a look at some of the best Disney Amazon deals this week.

Wishing you could wear your favorite Minnie after you return from your Disney vacation? We hear you. Do your thing! But, if you’d like a more subtle way to show off your love of Disney, we found this pack of Mouse Ear Scrunchies that will keep your hair back and keep you stylish.

©Amazon

It comes in a pack of 6, so you’ll have plenty of designs to choose from.

Get a pack of Mouse Ear Scrunchies here!

You can stay in Disney Style from head to toe when you pick up a set of these Mickey and Minnie No Show Socks to match your new scrunchies.

©Amazon

This set comes in a pack of 5, so you can bring them on your next Disney vacation and have days of fun socks to wear around the parks.

Click here to get this 5 pack of Disney No Show Socks!

If you’re looking for a way to bring some of the magic home, Nine Classic Tales from a Little Golden Book Collection features nine of our favorite stories.

©Amazon

You’ll find Dumbo, Pinocchio, The Jungle Book, Lady and the Tramp, Bambi, 101 Dalmatians, Alice in Wonderland, The Lion King, and Peter Pan in this hardcover book with that classic gold spine we know and love.

Click here to add this to your Disney book collection!

Need a way to listen to those perfect Disney playlists? We got you covered! These Mickey Mouse Bluetooth Earbuds with Charging Case are a stylish way to get that Disney tune fix.

©Amazon

With convenient Audio Control at your fingertips, you’ll be able to play or pause your music, skip to the next or previous track, adjust the volume, answer or reject phone calls, and hang up, all with a simple touch.

Click here to get a pair of these headphones for yourself!

Having a convenient way to carry around all of your essentials in the park is a must, but what if you could add a touch of Disney style? This Mickey Ears Fashion Waist Fanny Pack will do the trick!

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With 4 interior card slots, a hidden zippered pocket, and durable vegan leather exterior — this bag can be used as a traditional fanny pack around your waist, or slung over your chest like a crossbody.

Get this stylish Mickey Fanny Pack here!

Who can resist this iconic duo? These Disney Treasures From the Vault Limited Edition Mickey and Minnie Mouse Plushes are Amazon Exclusive!

©Amazon

These plushes are 15″ tall and are part of a set of twelve commemorative plushes. Each plush includes a Certificate of Authenticity within the box.

Click here to get these Amazon Exclusive Mickey and Minnie Plushes

Need a way to charge your phone with a pop of color? This Disney Mickey Mouse Wireless Charging Pad can fully charge your device in 3 hours or less!

©Amazon

With temperature control, surge protection, and short circuit prevention, this is a great way to conveniently charge up your device with a little bit of Mickey fun.

Click here to get this Disney Mickey Mouse Wireless Charging Pad

Well there you have it — 7 great Disney deals on Amazon to tide you over until your next trip to the parks. To stay up to date on all the latest Disney deals, follow along to DFB for more!

Click here to see the RAT-infested Loungfly you NEED for your collection

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

Which of these deals are you adding to your cart? Let us know in the comments below!

The post DON’T MISS The 7 Best Disney Deals on Amazon Right Now first appeared on the disney food blog.

You’re surrounded by Disney, you get theme park perks, and… cheaper prices?

Art of Animation

Is staying at a Disney value resort too good to be true? Weeeeeelllllll…. Maybe. We’ve got ALL the value resort pros and cons comin’ atcha today — here on DFB Guide.

Check out our video below: ULTIMATE Guide to Disney World’s CHEAPEST Hotels — Value Resorts At Disney World

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

What’s your favorite Disney World value hotel? Let us know in the comments below. 

The post DFB Video: ULTIMATE Guide to Disney World’s CHEAPEST Hotels — Value Resorts at Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.

Disney Cruise Line has announced a new sweepstake in honor of the live-action “The Little Mermaid,” which swims into theaters on May 26. At the same time “The Little Mermaid” premieres on land, it will premiere on every ship of the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Sweepstake winners will be able to sail on the Disney Wish for the premiere week.

Fans can enter the Little Mermaid Sweepstakes now through April 7, 2023. There will be four grand prizes, which include a cruise for the winner and three guests. The sailing will leave Port Canaveral on May 22 and visit Castaway Cay. Disney Cruise Line will be rolling out a “blue carpet” for the movie’s ocean premiere on May 25.

Enter by clicking The Little Mermaid sweepstakes link and inputting your email. For an additional entry, share the original sweepstakes post on Instagram or retweet it on Twitter with #MermaidMeetstheSeaSweepstakes.

Disney Wish is home to a Broadway-style “The Little Mermaid” show. Though mostly inspired by the original animated film, it stars a Black actress just like the live-action “The Little Mermaid.”

Halle Bailey plays Princess Ariel in the movie “The Little Mermaid.” Other cast members include Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, and Javier Bardem as King Triton. Noma Dumezweni will portray the new character Queen Selina. Additionally, Daveed Diggs will voice Sebastian, Jacob Tremblay will voice Flounder, and Awkwafina will voice Scuttle, who has been reimagined as a female diving bird instead of a male seagull.

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The post Disney Cruise Line Announces Disney Wish Sweepstakes for ‘The Little Mermaid’ appeared first on WDW News Today.