They dreamed of long careers at Disney World. Then the pandemic hit, and the theme park furloughed 43,000 employees.
One year later, these “cast members” are still mourning the careers they were building at “the most magical place on Earth.”
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Insider spoke to 13 Disney World employees who said the Florida park was more than a workplace or source of income.
It was the company they grew up with as kids, and it was where they planned to grow their careers.
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To date, Disney World has laid off nearly 18,000 people, with thousands more placed on an extended furlough.
As of December 2020, the park had reportedly begun to call back some of its employees, though many still remain on furlough or laid-off.
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For some who were let go, the emotional toll of losing a job at Disney rivaled the financial one.
Many employees grew up enchanted by the park’s magic and built family-like communities ties among co-workers.
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Alexis Craft, a former server at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, said she faced a difficult financial situation when she was let go.
But the sadness of losing a job she loved — and the ability to constantly visit the parks — was equally jarring.
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Those who got to keep their jobs at Disney World faced problems of their own.
While thankful to be called back, some told Insider they felt a sense of "survivor's guilt," given that other employees were not as lucky.
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More than 10% of Disney’s theme-park workforce is made up of Disney College Program participants.
When the pandemic hit, thousands enrolled in the program were sent home, while those who were accepted for the following season had their programs canceled.
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Some former employees looked back on their Disney experience fondly. Nine told Insider they'd work for the company again in some capacity if given the opportunity.
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