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Thousands of Cast Members received the heartbreaking news that they would be laid off. Hundreds of performers are included in this decision, and Disney has shared an official statement regarding these performer layoffs.
Performer Layoffs
Bad news kept coming in waves over the last few days regarding the layoffs of Disney stage and entertainment performers. The following have been included:
Citizens of Hollywood and other Hollywood Studios shows
Citizens of Main Street and other Magic Kingdom shows
Two major shows at Animal Kingdom
These performers belong to the Actor’s Equity Union, which has been in a tough battle in recent months. They have negotiated with Disney about how to keep the performers safe. However, it looks like an agreement could not be reached as Disney let most of the 780 union members go.
Disney’s Statement
The Vice President of Walt Disney World Live Entertainment, Bettina Buckley, shared a statement on the Disney Parks Blog. Here is the statement in full (bolded phrases KtP emphasis):
Walt Disney World Resort offers a treasure trove of experiences for guests of all ages. We recognize that part of the magic of visiting any Disney park is seeing favorite Disney friends and discovering one-of-a-kind shows and performances. Since reopening, we’ve continued to offer modified character experiences and entertainment throughout our resort, while also taking the appropriate steps for the health and safety of our guests and cast members.
Recently, we’ve had to make some difficult decisions to reduce our workforce as the business impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic have become more long-lasting than anyone could have predicted. As a result, we’ve had to pause many live shows and entertainment experiences at our resort for longer than originally anticipated.
While it’s impossible at this time to fully replace the incredible entertainment that existed throughout our parks before the pandemic, we are offering live entertainment in new ways wherever possible, including character cavalcades in all four parks and pop-up appearances, like discovering Joy from “Inside Out” frolicking on the lawn near the Imagination! pavilion in EPCOT. Additionally, we’re featuring modified shows such as the popular “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and live musical performances like the Main Street Philharmonic in Magic Kingdom or the Discovery Island Drummers at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This extends to our seasonal offerings, with Halloween underway and the holidays right around the corner. In fact, the fan-favorite Voices of Liberty are set to make their return and join the JAMMitors and Mariachi Cobre at the American Gardens Theatre during the upcoming Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, beginning on Nov. 27.
Determining which shows can return and when is a complex process. As with the rest of our phased reopening, we will also consider the guidance of health officials and government agencies in determining when the time will be right to adjust capacity, and as soon as it is appropriate, we will start to bring additional entertainment back.
Like most of our fans, we know that our beloved entertainment cast are an incredibly special and essential part of the Disney experience. We look forward to the day when we can welcome back more live entertainment to our parks, and we will share more news about these announcements as we’re able to do so.
What do you think of Disney’s statement? Do you agree with the layoffs affecting live entertainment? Let us know on Facebook.
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Dennis Bolduc
Friday 30th of October 2020
Already canceled two trips this year and looks like 2021 is not going to be any different. It does not make sense to spend thousands of dollars for a partial experience. I understand why they are doing it but Disney has to understand that those Disney fans like my family that does not live in Florida but goes to Disney World almost every year, will just not make a trip until things get back to some what normal. I could live with masks but with out live shows to help control crowds standing in line for the rides and no fast passes and no park hopping the Disney experience would not be as enjoyable for us. So sorry Disney but will be waiting to make another trip.