Layoffs @ DFWs

[KStarfish82]

It is true!!! Celeste is no longer there! I just called....they will be giving new planners next week...

 

[Malefi_Stitch]

Celeste was my planner also. I just received a call from DFTW no more than 30 minutes ago that Michelle Gilhooly is my new planner. It was completely freaky because I saw this thread about 20 minutes before I got the call and thought to myself, "I hope it's not me." Michelle sounds really nice and I'm sure everything will be great. We have less than 90 days til our wedding and I won't meet Michelle until that day also. But, for any of you who have Michelle, she's still around!

Best wishes to anyone who has been let go...

 

[KStarfish82]

Honestly, I think all brides need to get some sort of discount for this....

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

I can't believe they got rid of her!! She was wonderful. I just called her cell and it was disconnected so it must have been a Disney cell. So sad.

 

[Malefi_Stitch]

I can't believe they got rid of her!! She was wonderful. I just called her cell and it was disconnected so it must have been a Disney cell. So sad.

That's so sad! We were wondering if she'd have access to anything to at least thank her for what she had worked on for us to wish her the best, but I guess not...

 

[spacerangerqueen]

Honestly, I think all brides need to get some sort of discount for this....

Really?

Apparently layoffs @ WDW have hit DFWs as well.

I'm thinking Disney will be contacting couples who are affected and letting them know who their new planners are. Personally, I'd rather find out directly from the source than by reading a message board.

There are many things I'd like to say on this thread, but I feel as a CM I shouldn't. (Not that they are mean things or bad things, just a conflict of interest to even be discussing the lay offs)

So I will just say that I am saddened that the DFTW department was affected by the lay offs and I wish the best for those that were let go, I know they will do well where ever life takes them

 

[MegKate]

Wow. Celeste?! I've always heard good things about her - esp from Toni's TR!

I'm so sorry for the brides affected.

 

[Swmhc]

Honestly, I think all brides need to get some sort of discount for this....

That sounds a bit selfish to me. I mean, come on...changes happen every day in life. People move on, sometimes of their own doing and sometimes not. That hardly qualifies as a "discountable item" to me. If they screw up your floral, cake, pictures, etc...then yes.

That being said, my heart goes out to all those affected in this mess of an economy.

 

[MegKate]

That sounds a bit selfish to me. I mean, come on...changes happen every day in life. People move on, sometimes of their own doing and sometimes not. That hardly qualifies as a "discountable item" to me. If they screw up your floral, cake, pictures, etc...then yes.

That being said, my heart goes out to all those affected in this mess of an economy.

I actually agree on the discount, but for the brides who are really close like a month out. Not like a huge one, but maybe add a free extra or something... it just doesn't seem fair to those who have been dealing with one person all along to switch so soon. JMHO...

But if my planner was one of the ones affected, I won't look for a discount - I haven't talked to her more than once really!

 

[caryndisneydiva]

this is sad...the dftw staff is fabulous. i was wondering if they were affected by the layoff's since they took away the interns last year...

i don't think this would warrant a discount. that just doesn't make sense.

 

[OceanGdss]

im kind of put off by the 'discount' comment. People are losing their jobs, its not really a time to be asking for freebies. Yes it sucks, but I mean really...do brides think DFTW is going to just dump some random planner on a bride who won't be just as spectacular as the previous one??? Its DFTW...your wedding will still be just as magical, no, MORE magical than you could ever expect! Asking for a discount seems selfish. Sorry if this offends anyone, im really not meaning to. I think everyone just needs to be appreciative that Disney is who they are, and know they will NOT let a bride's dream go down the drain because of layoffs. Now, if Disney filed for bankruptcy......well...then ask away for money!

 

[Keira1387]

im kind of put off by the 'discount' comment. People are losing their jobs, its not really a time to be asking for freebies. Yes it sucks, but I mean really...do brides think DFTW is going to just dump some random planner on a bride who won't be just as spectacular as the previous one??? Its DFTW...your wedding will still be just as magical, no, MORE magical than you could ever expect! Asking for a discount seems selfish. Sorry if this offends anyone, im really not meaning to. I think everyone just needs to be appreciative that Disney is who they are, and know they will NOT let a bride's dream go down the drain because of layoffs. Now, if Disney filed for bankruptcy......well...then ask away for money!

Well said.

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

im kind of put off by the 'discount' comment. People are losing their jobs, its not really a time to be asking for freebies. Yes it sucks, but I mean really...do brides think DFTW is going to just dump some random planner on a bride who won't be just as spectacular as the previous one??? Its DFTW...your wedding will still be just as magical, no, MORE magical than you could ever expect! Asking for a discount seems selfish. Sorry if this offends anyone, im really not meaning to. I think everyone just needs to be appreciative that Disney is who they are, and know they will NOT let a bride's dream go down the drain because of layoffs. Now, if Disney filed for bankruptcy......well...then ask away for money!

ahh I couldn't imagine them going bankrupt! I would cry!

 

[KStarfish82]

The discount was not meant to "offend" anyone, but if it did, so be it.

My planner was one of the ones to go and I feel nothing but sympathy....but please keep in mind that the employees of Disney are not the only ones who are being laid off, it is happening EVERYWHERE...and even to brides who are struggling to pay for their "dream" wedding themselves.

So honestly, a little help from from Disney is very much appreciated, considering they are offering discounts NOW as opposed to those who planned earlier.

 

[adisneygal]

Celeste was my planner also. I just received a call from DFTW no more than 30 minutes ago that Michelle Gilhooly is my new planner. It was completely freaky because I saw this thread about 20 minutes before I got the call and thought to myself, "I hope it's not me." Michelle sounds really nice and I'm sure everything will be great. We have less than 90 days til our wedding and I won't meet Michelle until that day also. But, for any of you who have Michelle, she's still around!

Best wishes to anyone who has been let go...

See this is what I don't get. You are 90 days out and the previous poster who had Celeste was 2 months out. You were both called by DFTW. I am 26 days away, well 25 cause it is almost midnight here. I was emailing back and forth with Celeste last week. I called to talk to her on Monday and was told that her and her asst were out sick. I had to call today once I read this thread and was told she was gone and I would get a new planner next week. I HAD TO CALL!!!!

 

[KStarfish82]

I called too as soon as my sister found out. I was told that I would be given a new planner next week....I would think that they would have called you considering that you are so close!

In all honesty, the person who I spoke to sounded so stressed out and even upset at this (can't blame her). Best of luck and let us know what happens!

 

[PrincessShea]

I had to call today once I read this thread and was told she was gone and I would get a new planner next week. I HAD TO CALL!!!!

I agree. Today should have been nothing but everyone at DFTW contacting the brides affected. Finding out via the Internet is ridiculous.

 

[Lynn5700]

The discount was not meant to "offend" anyone, but if it did, so be it.

My planner was one of the ones to go and I feel nothing but sympathy....but please keep in mind that the employees of Disney are not the only ones who are being laid off, it is happening EVERYWHERE...and even to brides who are struggling to pay for their "dream" wedding themselves.

So honestly, a little help from from Disney is very much appreciated, considering they are offering discounts NOW as opposed to those who planned earlier.

Ugh Katie I'm so sorry.

Don't worry about your "discount" comment. Your just frustrated, it wasn't meant to offend.

I'm sure you will have a great planner and everything will run smoothly. It will be gorgeous girl.

It's a shame. This economy blows right now.

I'm surprised to hear Celeste was laid off.

 

[orangetiggs]

I'm so glad Meri didnt go, she was fantastic for our wedding and I'm hoping I get her for our vow renewal in 2013

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

I'm so sorry for you girls who are so close to your weddings. I can totally understand how horrible it is to work with someone for so long who knows all about the details of your wedding and then have them gone right before the wedding. I am sure as Meg said above that Disney will still make sure your weddings are beautiful. I am sure there are notes and the new planners will have consultations with you to get things caught up.