Earlier this year, Disney announced massive layoffs coming to the Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products division. Recently, we were all devastated by the news that many performers from some of our very favorite Disney World shows had been affected by these layoffs.
Festival of the Lion King theater
In fact, Actors’ Equity Association indicated that 720 of their members working at Disney had lost their jobs there. Now, Disney has issued a statement regarding these entertainment layoffs.
Today, Disney posted a statement acknowledging that “part of the magic of visiting any Disney park is seeing favorite Disney friends and discovering one-of-a-kind shows and performances.”
Finding Nemo The Musical
They noted, however, that the parks recently “had to make some difficult decisions to reduce [their] workforce as the business impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic have become more long-lasting than anyone could have predicted.” As a result, Disney said, “we’ve had to pause many live shows and entertainment experiences at our resort for longer than originally anticipated.”
Citizens of Main Street
When will these beloved shows return to Disney World? Disney has said that “Determining which shows can return and when is a complex process.” In today’s statement, Disney specifically noted that they will “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.”
Jedi Training Academy
While they’re unable to fully replace the entertainment that existed prior to the pandemic, Disney noted that some entertainment options will be available when possible including the character cavalcades, pop-up character appearances, the For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Main Street Philharmonic in Magic Kingdom, and the Discovery Island Drummers at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Cavalcade
Disney also noted that the Voices of Liberty are set to return to EPCOT during the holiday season, joining the JAMMitors and Mariachi Cobre at the American Gardens Theatre.
American Garden Theater
Disney ended their statement by recognizing that the “beloved entertainment cast are an incredibly special and essential part of the Disney experience,” and indicated that Disney looks “forward to the day when we can welcome back more live entertainment to our parks,” and will share more news about that when they’re able to do so.
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
We certainly miss seeing some of our very favorite shows and performers around Disney World, and we will be on the lookout for more updates on the situation regarding live entertainment in the parks.
Click here to see more information about the Disney layoffs, look at resources for Cast Members, and see how YOU can help.
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Shareholders over everything else. American capitalism at its best.
Withost of the entertainment being laid off, is it even worth the money to even go to Disney?
With no shows, the lines are longer for attractions thus longer wait times.
I just don’t understand how upper management ( CEO & others) can sleep in their comfy bed at night knowing devoted CM’s are out of work, which means no income to pay for a roof over their families heads, food on the table & other pertinent expenses needed to live a modest life.
It’s sad and frustrating!
I hope Disney realizes the sr adults come to Disney for the dining and shows. Will these ever return. Some of these we watch EVERY time we come. They are tradition😢😢😢
As a “mature” Disney World fans the shows and dining are the main reason my husband and I come to WDW. Without these, will Disney lower the price of admission? There’s not much else to do except carnival rides for the younger fans. So disappointed!
I have heard from cast members that Equity actors have to audition every 6 months, even for their current role. So no matter what they all will have to reapply. Likely they would get it if it was their current role.
Maybe this is a way to weed out some who might have lost their magic?
Don’t blame Disney or the CEOs. They did not ask for this. If they disregarded taking all of the precautions and had everything open. and people got sick, they would never hear the end of it. Every true Disney fan is upset over not having our beloved parks open as we knew them, but perhaps instead of being frustrated with Disney, you should consider the source of the reason why Disney has to make such drastic cuts in the first place and direct your anger at the origin of this virus.
Disney shame on you turn your backs on your employees ! The executives do not need the money ” Fat Cats” ! If people never go back to any Disney I do not blame them at all Disney himself would never do something like this ever !
I agree with Pat. We have reservations for the week of Nov 8 but tomorrow we will be cancelling. The risk of contracting Covid when we are 1000 miles from home is part of it. But I told my wife that two of my favorite parts of going to WDW are the dining and the shows. Indoor restaurants don’t feel safe and no shows mean a lot less of the Magic. Hopefully the shows will return.
Disney is not Disney with out all the shows and character meet and greets. It is just your run of the mill them park. The Entertainers is what makes Disney magical. Disney is boring with out the Entertainers.
WDW will soon be on-par with other amusement parks such as Six Flags. They expect the same price to be paid for closed hotels, restaurants, and now entertainment, which is an integral part of the WDW experience. Why in Gods name would I spend thousands to bring my family 5 at this point? I would not.