Disney could pay more and staff fully. They choose not to because of the profit margins. Right now most upper level management in America have cover due to the "staffing shortage".
The shortage exists but the corporations such as Disney, Walmart, Costco, etc. All have the ability to solve it and remain profitable.
Disney in particular was going through a staffing revolution of sorts for about 10 to 15 years before the pandemic where a focus was on turning full time labor into pt, seasonal and cp labor. They were having staffing struggles across the board at that time, they just weren't as apparent as now.
It's currently a cost benefit analysis where they have determined the revenue they would bring in are not worth the costs it would take to bring in that revenue.
Disney works with a minimum profit margin goal per staff, per food item, per merch item, etc. If they can't hit those percentages, it's better not to offer the product.
It used to be that they overlooked it for things that enhanced the guest experience, but they don't anymore. Look at the cutback in resort activities to see that on a smaller level.
Yes, I've heard this as well from "insiders." This trend generally exists in American businesses, today, but some are trying to be "better" at it than others.
Their focus on managing capacity is an aspect of that. Which ties into the original point of this thread.
Of course, labor shortages exist and that explains part of the staffing problems that Disney is having, and the delays in returning rides and attractions to "normal." But it doesn't explain everything. Disney is not a powerless victim of circumstances.
As to Disney being an aspirational job: that may be true, but just because you aspire to something doesn't mean you are qualified to do it, nor does it mean you are local or can afford to self-relocate for the salary and benefits that Disney offers entry level front line CMs.
And I'd guess that a lot of talented, experienced former CMs moved on after the layoffs and might not be coming back. After an experience like that, where a company that you loved and thought loved you back, showed you how little they truly cared...well, maybe it's not quite as aspirational anymore? Maybe some of that magic is gone for potential job seekers, too.
If, as is suggested, Disney relies on public perception to increase it's potential labor pool and recruit good people while keeping costs relatively low, then it's unfortunate for them that circumstances, and Disney's reaction to them, caused that perception to become tarnished in the eyes of many. Disney's most valuable asset (and driver of future profits) is our perception of Disney, in my opinion.
