The Cut-Backs: How could it affect the College Program

News has been circulating around the Blogosphere and in the Orlando and Orange County news about the cut-backs in the Disney backstage operations. They have cut hundreds of jobs in an effort to remain financially stable during this time. Park attendance is obviously going to be lower but because of the wonderful Disney discounts being offered almost monthly they have managed to keep park attendance relatively level. I think that these discounts while amazing for the consumer have had an affect on the Bottom line and the feasibility of keeping the managing staff that does such a great job. It is in these tough economic times that the people who could do a somewhat minimal job are separated from those doing the excellent job Disney expects from all employees. These cut backs in the backstage operations are meant to save those front line cast members integral in providing a great experience for the guests. While this reasoning is logical it could put added pressure on the cast members interacting with guests in a negative way.
How does this affect the College Program? I honestly won't know until I get there but I can speculate. Disney prides themselves on Take-5's and Magic Moments. While I am not necessarily sure how these are authorized or happen I feel that there is backstage personnel that sign off on it. I am sincerely hoping that this support or the help that these backstage representatives provide is not missed and does not affect front line cast members who directly effect the Disney experience. Also as a college program member I know that we will all need support in some way or another. The recruitment team works as a college admissions board as well as a housing committee and all of the other necessary positions required to run any university. I hope that these positions being eliminated do not affect the experience I signed up for. I am working at Disney to get a feel for he Travel and Tourism industry, my desired field, and part of the attraction of the opportunity is the housing and support they provide college program members. It will be a great lesson in recession operations in the industry. I am worried though that the cut backs could affect the support I need as a cast member and if these lay-offs put that in jeopardy it could hurt the attendance and enrollment in the program, something I hope that doesn't happen.
In the end Disney needs to survive the recession and I have no doubt that they will. Their operating and profit margins are usually high enough that there is room to work and offer discounts. The discount programs will continue and no doubt be better than ever. I just hope that the lay offs and cut backs end soon so that no guest experience is compromised.
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