Two Disney parks to reorganize operations

Walt Disney Co. announced this past weeks plans to reorganize some of its behind-the-scenes operations as well as cut an undisclosed number of jobs at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World in an attempt to counteract the potential damage that could be caused by the global economic downturn.

The cost-cutting measures will see that hundreds of jobs are cut in the non-consumer facing services such as Disney's media networks and executive ranks. Though Disney would not specify exactly how many jobs would be cut, the measure is effective immediately.

Disney Parks Chairman Jay Rasulo said the company is now required to streamline many of its operations in a way that "eliminates redundancies" due to the "economic realities" Disney now has to face.

This streamlined operation calls for the creation of a single domestic group to handle all of Disney's behind-the-scenes services such as security and maintenance for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney's design and engineering teams, will also be consolidated into a single group and will handle the attractions at all Disney parks.