Various Epcot entertainers being let go? About This Page:

[Minnie Lor]

I just read that Leon and maybe Pam at Rose and Crown are being let go. I also heard that the group in Norway are getting the same.

Has anyone heard anything? Are their other performers that are getting the ax? First it's PI, then Four 4 a Dollar, and then various Epcot entertainment. What's next? Off Kilter or BI?

[lauren-roxy]

I hope it's not a trend.

[chezp]

How sad to hear that.

[griffin]

Originally Posted by lauren-roxy

I hope it's not a trend.

Well, sadly it looks like it is a trend if this holds true...Unless they are planning on bringing new talent/acts in?

[paradox]

A little off point, but I read that Four For a Dollar will no longer be at DHS before BATB. It's very sad, but it looks like a trend across The World for thses live entertainers.

[skateycat]

i am wondering the same...are they just replacing them to update things maybe???

[GinaButtrfly]

My sister's best friend is married to a Master Chef. He's got a ton of ins in the hotel/resort world. She told me that Disney went Union and that's part of the reason we've been encountering some really rude and nasty CMs lately. They can not be fired on the spot anymore. Perhaps this clean out of entertainers has someting to do with the Union thing too??? Again, it's totally hearsay. I have no idea if any of the above is remotely true.

[LucyintheSky]

I know that Pam, Leon, and Jay (the magician) were let go... they will be gone at the end of September. Supposedly they are putting some sort of scripted show in the pub now. But I have heard, from people on the inside, that Off Kilter may not be safe, either, but that British Invasion renewed their contract... However, I'm sure Disney would be able to get out of it if they really wanted them gone... I don't think any of the Epcot entertainment is safe right now. It's really a shame. Oh, and lately, I've noticed ALOT of manager-type people hanging around watching OK, BI, and the World Showcase Players. It's so sad.

[Starla4436]

Thats really sad.

[TiggerTails]

I hope it's not a trend..........
Disney is really skimming off the cream letting, such talent go.

[Dave Marx]

First off, WDW didn't "just" go union. The same unions have been around for a very long time. What did happen is a new contract went into effect last year. The company was very aggressive about (and got) one thing that a chef might see the affects of first-hand - servers no longer get the automatic gratuity on packages (dining plans, Platinum plan, etc.). There was a lot of unhappiness about that.

It's a sad fact of Disney life that entertainers come and go. Entertainers' contracts are designed so that the company can change its entertainment with relative ease - security for the performer for the length of the contract (typically a year), with no promise after that. Entertainers are often hired for a specific show, so even if they'll be immediately offered a chance to work in a different show (sometimes just re-naming the act, making major changes in the script, or the working days), the first thing anyone hears, due to the way the company is required to give advanced notice, is that the current contract won't be renewed. Also, when a new show is cast, they're required to post the openings and hold auditions, so we may see new faces, and wonder what happened to familiar faces.

Yes, there are times when beloved performers and/or shows will not return. Disney is always treading the line between keeping things fresh, and satisfying guests who love the familiar favorites. A show may close permanently in one place, and Streetmosphere performers may increase somewhere else. The vast majority of the times we've been aware of entertainment contract changes (there are folks who watch the Actors Equity show and casting notices), something new has come along - not always at the same location, but somewhere else in the World.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by Dave Marx

First off, WDW didn't "just" go union. The same unions have been around for a very long time. What did happen is a new contract went into effect last year. .

Dave, thanks for the facts on that. I'll take my finger off the panic button now!

[Colexis Mom]

Thanks for the info Dave!! When we were there last week, we were sad to see new faces for Mulch, Sweat and Shears....I had grown attached to the previous group

[Principessa_di_Fata]

When I went in Feb 08 I was highly disappointed that the Kristos were no longer there. I was actually friends with the guys that performed in that act (2 guys and their mom) when I lived in Orlando, and I had hoped to reconnect with them during my trip, but alas, they were gone.

It's sad when you get attached to an act and they get let go.

[coffeechef]

FOur for a Dollar has put being fired into their act. I went to see the BATB show, I do like it but like seeing FFAD too. They added the line of pretending they would squeeze in the last song by sating " what are they gonna do? Fire us! I think it went over most of the crowds head. Most folks who go are not aware that this is happening.
I will miss them but I also hope there will be something new and that the new talent will be a source of enjoyment.