Cultural Representatives Returning to EPCOT This Summer

[castlecake2.0]

More details to come shortly, participants who were laid off in 2020 are starting to receive offers to return.

 

[Rteetz]

 

[DCBaker]

"We are doing this in a thoughtful and responsible way with the safety of our participants and working cast top of mind. With this phased re-introduction, initial recruitment will start in Germany, Norway, Italy, France, UK, and Canada for World Showcase at EPCOT. We look forward to bringing additional countries on board and sharing applications with them once they clear travel restrictions and / or have CDC-authorized vaccine availability."

 

[Notes from Neverland]

Great to see this return. Epcot doesn't really feel like Epcot without the cultural representatives.

 

[granfiesta]

I agree. It's great to see this come back. Epcot doesn't feel the same when you've got someone from Jersey serving you in Le Cellier.

 

[Mizzourah]

Yesssssssss! Genuinely, this made the environment and experience of World Showcase lacking. Now if only they'd bring back the staff and original concept/menu of Spice Road Table.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I agree. It's great to see this come back. Epcot doesn't feel the same when you've got someone from Jersey serving you in Le Cellier.

But what if they wear Canada Mickey ears?

 

[Touchdown]

"We are doing this in a thoughtful and responsible way with the safety of our participants and working cast top of mind. With this phased re-introduction, initial recruitment will start in Germany, Norway, Italy, France, UK, and Canada for World Showcase at EPCOT. We look forward to bringing additional countries on board and sharing applications with them once they clear travel restrictions and / or have CDC-authorized vaccine availability."

Why isn’t Mexico on this list? The Asian countries being on hold makes sense, but Mexico has low Covid numbers currently.

 

[ToTBellHop]

This is wonderful news!

 

[Naplesgolfer]

Great news. I hope the remaining closed resturants in Epcot can open soon. This will also free up staff for use elsewhere in the parks. Very positive for service levels.

 

[danlb_2000]

"We are doing this in a thoughtful and responsible way with the safety of our participants and working cast top of mind. With this phased re-introduction, initial recruitment will start in Germany, Norway, Italy, France, UK, and Canada for World Showcase at EPCOT. We look forward to bringing additional countries on board and sharing applications with them once they clear travel restrictions and / or have CDC-authorized vaccine availability."

"We can't find enough people in the US who want to work, so we are going to have to start brining them in from other countries"

 

[Nottamus]

This is great news!

Makes Epcot, more Epcotty

 

[Horizons '83]

This is great news!

Makes Epcot, more Epcotty

This was admittedly the most lacking/glaring thing missing from our last visit in February, particularly in France and Canada.

We ate at Le Cellier and the native servers wore red and the non-Canadians wore white, it was so strange to see that.

 

[SplashJacket]

Why isn’t Mexico on this list? The Asian countries being on hold makes sense, but Mexico has low Covid numbers currently.

Probably more to do with vaccination rates

 

[CastAStone]

It’s very noticeable that, whatever the reason, the 6 mostly white countries are on the list and the 4 mostly not white countries are not.

 

[WorldExplorer]

Yay! It always enhances trips to World Showcase when you could ask the people things about their country.

Also, good for the cast members who don't have to explain they aren't Mexican/Italian/French/whateverish to the people who didn't get the memo anymore.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

It’s very noticeable that, whatever the reason, the 6 mostly white countries are on the list and the 4 mostly not white countries are not.

Don't forget the Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia programs that staff large chunks of Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge.

(For my money, the Sub-Saharan Africa cast are miles-away the best cast at WDW.)

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

So the IP is coming back?

Can we officially retire the staffing excuse then?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It’s very noticeable that, whatever the reason, the 6 mostly white countries are on the list and the 4 mostly not white countries are not.

Don't forget the Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia programs that staff large chunks of Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge.

(For my money, the Sub-Saharan Africa cast are miles-away the best cast at WDW.)

Yeah…it just IS what it is…

 

[Stupido]

This is so exciting!! I can't wait to see them in October! I'm going with a first timer, and I'm so happy they'll be able to experience the World Showcase how it was intended.