EPCOT Entertainment cuts

[crispy]

Oh, and I received a response back to one of the very polite emails I sent yesterday, and it was a cut and paste of the yesterday's announcement on the Disney park blogs. Feels so good to be listed to!

 

[Matt_Black]

If they were closing down Haunted Mansion, would your advice be to go buy up all the HM pins and bric-a-brac? Because it seems like you're missing the larger points here.

Uh... The Haunted Mansion isn't a person and won't have to support itself after no longer appearing at Disney World? Or did you think Off Kilter was going to be packed up and put into storage offsite?

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Letsee.... I can think of one or two in that photo that will still have a job in October.

Ten years of job cuts. Ugh.

Of the 6 visible faces in that photo, only 2 are full time cast members these days.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Of the 6 visible faces in that photo, only 2 are full tine cast members these days.

Yeah. Very disappointing

 

[aladdin2007]

While I agree about some of the previously cut acts, I just don't yet get, based on the one sentence we got, how this is "Walmarting" at all. 2 of the shows were Americanized bands (look Celtic Rock and Morrocan Rock!). They are being replaced with what on appearance looks like entertainment more traditional to the host country. That's anti-Walmarting in my opinion.
I'm also willing to give the flags a chance after surfing the interwebz yesterday to find out if this was traditional to Italy, which I've seen reference to it going back to the Middle Ages. I'll wait and see if it's something like this:

Or more like this:

Def hope something along the lines of the first picture, and not the second lol.

 

[John]

They do not consider it because it does not exist. I feel very confident in saying that the number of folks who will stop going to Epcot because of the acts departing is equal or less than the number of folks who will visit to see the new acts and mostly amounts to friends, family, and die-hard friends of the acts themselves and NOT the random/average park goer. Honestly, the folks in this thread are likely the most angered over this change (who aren't directly affected) and how many people here are planning to cancel a trip because of it? Not just willing to say they are in a forum thread, but actually going to cancel?

Ahhhh contrary my friend.....but you too don't know if the regular guest notice. I bet they do. Even those who don't frequent forums such as this. I am sure there are many are going to say..."wonder what happened to?" Its the cumulative effect. They might not notice one thing....but may notice many changes such as food quality, entertainment, etc. They may realize there is something different about the place. Surely not first timers but even those who go once every few years cant help but notice the changes. It doesn't happen over night. The Disney difference no longer exist. A large number of people will notice.....it takes time.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Man, this thread took off! Its rivaling one of @WDW1974's threads.

Anyway, after scanning through and seeing what @wdwmagic posted, its not quite all doom and gloom. I'm certainly willing to give the new groups a chance. Just because they may be third party doesn't mean they can't/won't be quality, but it would be annoying to see Disney continue to outsource so many things if thats the case.

Will I miss the groups that are leaving? Absolutely. Is this whole fiasco another cut in offerings or a lessening in the quality of offerings? I don't know if we can say that yet (in addition to the type of performance, it will be interesting to see how many daily shows the new groups have). But again, I'm willing to ratchet back my initial "sky is falling" mentality until we see these new groups debut.

 

[Club34]

I'm certainly willing to give the new groups a chance.

i heard about this trio called Rush. they're from canada. fingers crossed. i heard they have chops and are up and coming.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

i heard about this trio called Rush. they're from canada. fingers crossed. i heard they have chops and are up and coming.

May get Rash instead. I already have the Tshirt

 

[SoccerMickey]

Slater is the PR mouthpiece for entertainment, similar to the way Miller is for Merchandise. I could argue with the inflow of merchandise, Miller serves a function and generates revenue. He is also actually a nice guy who "gets it".

Slater promotes the slight changes and deck chair rotations related to entertainment. His position is not needed.

Interesting. Thank you. Some might argue that not only is his position not needed but it could also be quite detrimental to the 2014 Walt Disney World image. Being a face and voice of the company with social media as your microphone you should be able to put yourself out there and create an open dialogue with your most passionate fans that's intelligent, fair, and addresses all points of view. There are ways to do this that does not compromises the message the company wants you to say, but hopefully can empathize with followers who might not agree with said message. Mr. Slater's blogs, and the way he conveys himself in the parks, is like it's still 1996 and he's a writer for the now defunct Disney Magazine. Your followers don't want to read a prepared press statement and don't want to get a verbal response from you as it's a prepared statement either. And when you come across as a corporate mouthpiece instead of a die hard geek that loves everything as much as your reader you're not helping your brand's image and have the potential of turning your customers away.

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

Ever travel in Alaska? It's a lot like Alberta and BC (other than Vancouver and Victoria) and the Yukon Territory. Indeed, virtually indistinguishable except for the time zone, the money, and the Mounties.

I have actually. I've got family in Tuktoyuktuk, NWT and we explore throughout the northern territories and Alaska. I just found it funny that they could (and likely will) present the exact same show and just keep the name hoping no one remembers that Alaska isn't part of Canada.

 

[BrerJon]

Def hope something along the lines of the first picture, and not the second lol.

Maybe that genie picture will give them ideas. Stick a couple of bored CPs in cheerleader outfits and have them sneer "have a magical day" at guests while waving a flag.

Speaking of flags, I hear the new flag act in Italy is going to be waving giant white flags, in the direction of Universal Orlando.

 

[bethymouse]

WOW! Just wow!
But, hopefully the new acts will be just as good and memorable.
I wish they could somehow find another place to put Off Kilter, Mo Rockin, etc... We always stopped and danced, especially when the kids were little.
Here's to making new memories...

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

Just to be clear: Having a band perform allows people to learn about Scottish/Canadian heritage in Canada, but having a lumberjack show allows for no opportunity for guests at Epcot to learn anything about Canadian culture. Is that right?

I just want to make sure, because it seems like a pretty convoluted premise.

Nope, not my premise at all. Just saying that the lumberjack is a marketable stereotype that Disney wants to use to represent Canada as a whole and no one will question it. The band caused people to ask questions because they thought they were representing Scotland, so why are they entertainment for Canada?

I also never indicated anywhere that a lumberjack show offers no opportunity for learning about Canadian culture. People that want to learn will learn and the other 99.9% will watch the show - enjoy it or not and keep walking by. With Off Kilter I think only about 99.7% watched the show and walked on by - the rest asked why there was a bunch of guys in kilts in the Canadian Pavilion. They won't ask that about the lumberjacks because they have been pre-conditioned for years by costuming to expect lumberjacks in the pavilion.

I hope that clears up any confusion you may have had about my post.

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

I have a question. What happens now to these performers? Are they fired? I think that's the part the annoys me. It saddens me to see acts go because they become a tradition. Is like saying the Dapper Dans are going to get cut. I understand they want to keep things fresh but they can still do that without letting people go. So anyone know are these people now jobless?

I don't know about all of them but yes, some are jobless. Not sure if anyone was offered a different entertainment position.

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

A band who had a steady gig for 17 years? I mean, maybe its because I do theater and know lots of folks who are musicians, but this is part of the business. This isn't like a normal 9-5 job where working somewhere for 17 years earns you seniority or security, this is an industry where you expect to move from job to job and take long-running gigs as a blessing. If this band is as great as people think, then this might be a blessing and should allow them to go on tour and further their careers.

The difference is that some of these performers have actually worked for Disney for 20 years or more. They have worked in different roles (remember the bagpiper who wandered the gardens of Canada or the band that played at the Rock-n-Roll Beach Club at PI?). Previously they were told that their act was being shut down but they never lost their job. They were given opportunities elsewhere within the company.

This time they were told the band is done, you're done, not even a thank you for 20+ years of service. I'm sure there are compensation packages but it's still not what they expected to happen. Going on tour isn't necessarily what they want but may be something they have to do to survive. They have families and their salaries and benefits are gone.

They may look at it as a blessing a while from now if they find a new gig but right now I think it's more of a shock and fear at how they will manage to pay their bills. It's no fun being unemployed - especially when it wasn't your choice and when your profession is famous for low paying temporary jobs.

 

[Fractal514]

The difference is that some of these performers have actually worked for Disney for 20 years or more. They have worked in different roles (remember the bagpiper who wandered the gardens of Canada or the band that played at the Rock-n-Roll Beach Club at PI?). Previously they were told that their act was being shut down but they never lost their job. They were given opportunities elsewhere within the company.

This time they were told the band is done, you're done, not even a thank you for 20+ years of service. I'm sure there are compensation packages but it's still not what they expected to happen. Going on tour isn't necessarily what they want but may be something they have to do to survive. They have families and their salaries and benefits are gone.

They may look at it as a blessing a while from now if they find a new gig but right now I think it's more of a shock and fear at how they will manage to pay their bills. It's no fun being unemployed - especially when it wasn't your choice and when your profession is famous for low paying temporary jobs.

I think this is a fair point. I do think that part of working in this type of industry is recognizing that this is always a possibility, but it doesn't make it easier when it happens. I guess my main point is that, from a visitor perspective, this isn't necessarily bad news. I acknowledge that it is most certainly bad news, at least short term, for the cast members involved.

 

[sshindel]

The difference is that some of these performers have actually worked for Disney for 20 years or more. They have worked in different roles (remember the bagpiper who wandered the gardens of Canada or the band that played at the Rock-n-Roll Beach Club at PI?). Previously they were told that their act was being shut down but they never lost their job. They were given opportunities elsewhere within the company.

This time they were told the band is done, you're done, not even a thank you for 20+ years of service. I'm sure there are compensation packages but it's still not what they expected to happen. Going on tour isn't necessarily what they want but may be something they have to do to survive. They have families and their salaries and benefits are gone.

They may look at it as a blessing a while from now if they find a new gig but right now I think it's more of a shock and fear at how they will manage to pay their bills. It's no fun being unemployed - especially when it wasn't your choice and when your profession is famous for low paying temporary jobs.

I do understand the pain that it can cause. I've lost a job with no warning before, the week I put a down payment on my wife's engagement ring too.
But it is how all business is done.

Business everywhere cut employees in every way. A friend of mine worked at one of the big three auto makers and about 8-10 years ago, his entire building was told "tomorrow, everyone is not to come in at the normal time, but at the time we've given each of you. You will go through front desk security and to the conference room we've assigned to you." They showed up there and they laid off entire rooms at a time. This room is safe and still has a job. That room is terminated immediately.

It hurts, I know that. But Disney is doing nothing different than most all American employers.

 

[mm52200]

The difference is that some of these performers have actually worked for Disney for 20 years or more. They have worked in different roles (remember the bagpiper who wandered the gardens of Canada or the band that played at the Rock-n-Roll Beach Club at PI?). Previously they were told that their act was being shut down but they never lost their job. They were given opportunities elsewhere within the company.

This time they were told the band is done, you're done, not even a thank you for 20+ years of service. I'm sure there are compensation packages but it's still not what they expected to happen. Going on tour isn't necessarily what they want but may be something they have to do to survive. They have families and their salaries and benefits are gone.

They may look at it as a blessing a while from now if they find a new gig but right now I think it's more of a shock and fear at how they will manage to pay their bills. It's no fun being unemployed - especially when it wasn't your choice and when your profession is famous for low paying temporary jobs.

This is exactly what I hate the most. People who have been loyal to the company for many years and have developed a steady career with them, just cut loose without as much as a thanks. Yes jobs in the entertainment industry are uncertain but yet for a long time WDW had become a place where it was possible to have a more steady secure job as an entertainer.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I do understand the pain that it can cause. I've lost a job with no warning before, the week I put a down payment on my wife's engagement ring too.
But it is how all business is done.

Business everywhere cut employees in every way. A friend of mine worked at one of the big three auto makers and about 8-10 years ago, his entire building was told "tomorrow, everyone is not to come in at the normal time, but at the time we've given each of you. You will go through front desk security and to the conference room we've assigned to you." They showed up there and it they laid off entire rooms at a time. This room is safe and still has a job. That room is terminated immediately.

It hurts, I know that. But Disney is doing nothing different than most all American employers.

Just because it's no different, doesn't make it right.