Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin laying off 1,100 employees

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is laying off about 1,100 employees due to low occupancy and mounting event cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notice sent to the state of Florida.

The layoffs were announced after the Major League Soccer housed its players at the resort over the summer.

The employment terminations will be permanent and go into effect on Nov. 13, 2020, according to the notice.

“Since the coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis began, the hospitality industry has faced unprecedented challenges that could not have been foreseen,” the company stated.

Business forecasts show the historically low occupancy and mounting event cancellations will extend into 2021. “Based on these forecasts, it has been determined that job eliminations are required,” according to the company.

Employees impacted range all positions throughout the resort, from backroom accountants to laundry to housekeeping to dining to events.

The hotel is owned by Marriott, which has been implementing mass layoffs and furloughs due to the coronavirus.

The Swan and Dolphin received a boost over the summer when the Swan became the home to MLS teams as they played at ESPN WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS.

he entire Swan portion of the hotel had been home to MLS teams who were staying there in the “bubble” in July and August as they played in a tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports.

The NBA players resided at other hotels on the Disney property while finishing their season at ESPN Wide World of Sports as well.