News: Universal Orlando Resort to Lay Off More Than 1,000 Hotel Employees

Universal Orlando reopened in early June after being closed for several months.

Universal Orlando

Some Universal Orlando events, like Halloween Horror Nights have been canceled or postponed. Universal Orlando has also laid off some of its employees previously, but now more layoffs have been announced that greatly impact resort hotel employees.

Earlier this month, we shared the news with you that some Universal Orlando hotels would be closed for the remainder of 2020. Although Universal Orlando’s attendance levels have started to rebound more quickly than some other Florida theme parks, it appears layoffs for more of Universal Orlando’s employees are on the way.

According to WESH 2 News, Universal Orlando is set to lay off more than 1,000 of its resort hotel employees. Some of these layoffs are scheduled to last more than six months. Others could be permanent.

Universal Orlando Resort

Included in this set of layoffs are 475 employees from the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, 176 support staff, 164 employees from Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and 200 people from the Hard Rock Hotel.

©Universal Orlando

Lowes Hotels issued the following statement to WESH 2 News, “Unfortunately, the global pandemic surrounding COVID-19 has forced Loews Hotels & Co to make some difficult decisions as it relates to our workforce… . Team Members are the backbone of our company…and rest assured, these measures were not taken lightly.”