Disney World Warns Guests of a Potential Strike

This could be the first time restaurant workers have ever gone on strike at Walt Disney World. Find out how this may affect your next Disney trip..

Disney Cast Members

Characters Arrive at Disney World for Earth Day — Photo Credit: Disney

Cast members are the heart of Disney. Without their attention to guest experiences, Disney Parks would be just another amusement park. Great rides at the parks are made even better by the Cast Members.

At most theme parks, the employees do not become part of the story or enhance the storytelling. At Disney Parks, they do!

At times, Cast Members have fought to earn better wages and working conditions even at "The Most Magical Place on Earth." This was the case in 2023, when local unions and Disney World reached an agreement after months of negotiating. Read all the details HERE on these union negotiations.

Disney Dining Locations Affected by a Strike

At the Walt Disney World Resort, most dining locations are served by Disney Cast Members. Select locations at Walt Disney World are subcontracted by the Patina Group.

This includes Tutto Italia and Via Napoli, located at EPCOT's Italy Pavilion, and also Space 220. At Disney Springs, this includes Enzo's Hideaway, Pizza Ponte, The Edison, Maria and Enzo's, and Morimoto.

For several weeks, there have been many contract negotiations between the employees and the Patina Group. Yesterday, August 26, 2025, Unite Here Local 737 (proud union of workers in Walt Disney World Food & Beverage and Housekeeping) shared that Walt Disney World restaurants subcontracted by Patina Group are officially scheduled for a strike vote.

How to Check for a Possible Strike

The Space 220 Changes We Have Been Waiting For — Credit: Space 220

Unite Here Local 737 shares, "The results of the strike authorization vote will be announced on September 10th. The vote authorizes the bargaining committee to call a strike at any time once the contract expires."

If negotiations are not met on September 10th, a potential strike could affect several Walt Disney World dining locations.

In preparation for a potential strike, Unite Here Local 737 launched a website sharing if a Walt Disney World dining location is at risk of a current labor dispute. All of the above-listed Patina dining locations are marked orange as "Risk of Dispute: Check for updates."

Guests dining at the Italy Pavilion at EPCOT have observed workers wearing Local 737 Union buttons on their uniforms to show support. We hope that negotiations proceed smoothly and that a strike will not occur on Walt Disney World property.

What do you think of this potential strike? Share your thoughts with us and share this news with your Disney pals.