In the magical kingdom of Disney, it seems like instead of “happily ever after,” they’re facing a not-so-enchanting downturn. The colossal entertainment giant, owner of a treasure trove of beloved franchises, has hit a snag—or a massive iceberg, if you want to keep it Disney-themed. A $100 million flop and layoffs that resemble a fairy tale gone wrong highlight Disney’s recent struggles.

So, why is this powerhouse stumbling when they’ve got enough Intellectual Property (IP) to make any company green with envy? Turns out, the problem isn’t a lack of content but a lack of connection with audiences. Instead of spinning tales that delight, it seems they’ve been crafting narratives that alienate. Recent releases haven’t just missed the mark; they’ve done a complete cannonball off the edge. Critics and audiences are in rare agreement: some of Disney’s latest efforts have been lacking in pixie dust.

Disney has been dishing out what could be described as “magic mix-ups.” Franchises with legions of fans have turned into platforms for creative liberties that veer away from what audiences have come to expect and love. And talk about a wardrobe malfunction—characters like Rachel Ziegler’s interpretation seem to have left fans less than starry-eyed. It’s almost as if Disney decided to toss the fairy tale rulebook, without realizing that audiences were pretty fond of that book.

Now the kingdom is laying off workers, and it sounds like it’s no enchanted sleep these employees are slipping into. With thousands reportedly getting pink slips, it’s clear that behind the castle walls, things are a bit chaotic. Given the mishmash of storytelling and a few too many “brave” creative directions, some corners of the Magic Kingdom are now faced with some raw reality.

Not to mention, Disney’s financial performance has stumbled, showing cracks in the once impenetrable armor. They’ve cut jobs, slashed initiatives, and sent out memos that have little of the Disney sparkle left. Even the latest stock performances haven’t exactly been something to pin to the bulletin board with pride.

But never fear; Uncle Bob Iger, the knight—or more precisely, the executive—at the helm, promises to steer this ship away from choppy waters. His grand vision is to press pause on agenda-driven storytelling and go back to the core mission of Disney: to entertain first and foremost. It’s unclear if this refresh is the cure-all Disney needs, or if the magic wand has lost its glow. But, we’ll keep the popcorn handy to see if the next chapter in Disney’s saga is one of redemption or another box office bomb.