I am an entertainment cast member at WDW. I never met Austin. I am completely affected by this. I understand what it is to have extended family at work. I feel just as if I have lost a member of my own Disney family. :(
This was what I was thinking too after seeing the photo. The bank of the curve would "feel" different than what the pilot was expecting to feel if nothing else.
Dubai
I am going to perform in Dubai at the end of October for this and I, for one, can't wait! Several of the production companies in Orlando have already sent shows over to give a preview possible entertainment.
There are actually quite a few equity performers as well as parades performers who took contracts with this outside company. Disney doesn't have this rule. I myself work for Disney and several different outside companies that provide entertainment to WDW. Many entertainers who work for Disney...
Because the outsourced performers are from a professional tumbling production company from the area. That company pays well and provides worker's comp as well as insurance for their performers. Regular parade performers are paid less and therefore are restricted on what they are allowed to do.
Because Equity's rules won't allow their performers to do what is needed on the street and if they used the regular parade performers, (non equity) Equity would eventually step in and regulate. There are rules on what non equity performers can and can't do and the tumbling and jumping crosses...
Not true. They outsourced the powerskips and trampoline act to an outside company for Block Party, so they would probably just use that company for this parade. So, no worries on that one!