Disney Layoffs: Several Live Entertainers Cut As Ticket Prices Continue To Increase

Disney (DIS) has made cuts within its magic kingdom that has affected its live entertainment staff. The layoffs included a number of entertainers spreading from new attractions to veteran performers.

Included in the layoffs are the Animal Kingdom’s Burudika band in Africa, the Muppets show in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom’s Royal Majesty Makers, and the Coco puppet and Folklórico dancers in Epcot, Orlando Weekly reported. The Burudika band had reportedly been with Disney for over a decade.

Beyond the cuts, was a reduction in hours for Epcot’s JAMMitors and Taiko Drummers that will now perform five days a week from the standard seven days a week schedule, the news outlet said.

Other changes at the park include the elimination of photographers and a shift to AI-operated cameras as well as AI-enhanced vacation planning tools, which are being used to reportedly replace the company’s current Guest Services.

The news of the layoffs come as Disney’s ticket prices continue to increase while traffic at the parks dwindles even with its new billion-dollar Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge attraction at Disneyland. Through the summer Disney reduced hotel prices by up to 40 percent, offering free meals for many guests as well, Orlando Weekly said.

The Burudika’s band will perform for the last time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Oct. 13 while The Muppets’ and the Royal Majesty Makers’ last performance will be on Oct. 5.

Shares of Disney stock were down 0.35 percent as of 3:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday.