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Yehaa Bob
- Thread starter noodles
- Start date
MarvelCharacterNerd
Well-Known Member
DAMN. DAMN. DAMN! I was SO WORRIED this would happen! Especially given the tight quarters of his performing space. 
#heartbroken He's an institution! Even if I wasn't staying at POR I'd take as many buses as I had to in order to get over there to see him! SO SO SAD!
#heartbroken He's an institution! Even if I wasn't staying at POR I'd take as many buses as I had to in order to get over there to see him! SO SO SAD! 
peter11435
Well-Known Member
It’s unlikely port orleans will be open any time soon. Definitely not this year. Might barely open in time for the 50th and even that is questionable.
Jon81uk
Well-Known Member
But when the resort is closed for the foreseeable future then its not even open to attempt to make money. Its possible that resorts won't open up until 2022. I would love to see him return but I don't think things are going back to normal for years.
Jon81uk
Well-Known Member
Although I agree in principle that he should be performing in another resort, I don't think the style of show is particularly feasible with Covid. Singing has been shown to project aerosols further so the crowds shouldn't be joining in with songs, also they will need to remain seated and distanced which isn't really in the spirit of the show.
He is probably capable of doing a "quieter" show where everyone remains quieter and seated at their socially distanced tables, but it wouldn't be the same.
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
So the frozen sing along is fine but not a piano player?
Also... he’s been with Disney 23 years and used to play at the Saloon in Magic Kingdom.
Jon81uk
Well-Known Member
I've already posted in the DHS thread about the fact that the Frozen show should not be presented as a sing-a-long in the current circumstances.
No show should be encouraging audience singing whether it is at Disney, a church or any other venue.
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
I agree. But that’s not why Disney let him go. With a lack of full theatre shows, there are plenty of places for performers to work.
Jon81uk
Well-Known Member
Yes, I was just discussing why a show in the style he traditionally offered at POR wouldn't be feasible. In general they aren't moving him to save money as they aren't/can't get enough guests at the moment.
Whatever year Port Orleans opens, there is going to be a lot of mold and mildew to clean before guests check in.
And generates revenue. I mean it’s not like his show couldn’t be adapted and put somewhere else. Doesn’t even have to be at a lounge.
John park hopper
Well-Known Member
Sad he is getting the pink slip --really how much does this guy make an hour, if they sell 20 Mickey ice creams a day they cover is salary.
dmw
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
So sad to hear. We enjoyed seeing Bob for the first (and only) time last year. But, with the resort closed and really no way for (un)social distancing in that lounge, the decision makes sense. Maybe when POR re-opens and this mess is behind us his show will return.
orlandogal22
Well-Known Member
I would not be surprised if VoL go away. I never thought the Fife & Drum Corps would go away. In an American park, representing an American pavilion. Nothing surprises me anymore about the decisions of my former employer - sad to say.
muddyrivers
Well-Known Member
That's my reaction. He could easily split the sets with the current pianist on Main Street. He could play in HS where the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra is playing. He could play in EPCOT where Carol plays. It would be guaranteed that wherever Bob is playing, he would attract an audience. Not only that, many parts of his act can be done socially distanced. You don't have to run around the venue, but you can still do Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes. He can still have the kids bellowing Spongebob Squarepants or the Oscar Meyer Weiner song, there's a lot of options here.
Not only that, Bob does have a serious streak to him. He plays (played?) for a local church and many of his recordings are not those that are part of an act. So Disney could even leverage that if they wanted to. However, as other have said, I've been going to Dixie Landings (now POR) for a long time. When Bob started in the late 90s, the River Roost Lounge became THE place to be when he was playing and continued until the shutdown. I can't imagine what Disney was paying him was more than what they were making off of all the alcohol sales, especially as the night continued on.
Hoping to see Bob at the Lounge sooner rather than the later. In the meantime, if anyone finds a petition being circulated, please share it here.
It would absurdly irresponsible of Disney to not run the AC. Hard to imagine that’s what they’re doing.
I assume this is why they let him go. I assume they’ll at least ask him to come back whenever it makes sense to do so. Whether he agrees is another question
THEMEPARKPIONEER
Well-Known Member
This people are going to come anyway mentality won’t fly forever. It’s had me cutting my Disney time more than half for a while now.
EPCOT-O.G.
Well-Known Member
that, and there may be a legitimate concern over the use of wind instruments and singers. If many can’t perform while wearing a mask, and there’s a famous study of that inside choir that social distanced where everyone still got sick.