It’s been a rough day if not week for Disney Parks Cast Members and performers across Walt Disney World, as heartbreaking news of mass layoffs and entertainment cutbacks continues to surface.
Earlier today, Disney Parks announced a mass layoff of approximately 28,000 Cast Members. The announcement came on the heels of the news that The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra would no longer play after October 3. An hour ago, it was revealed that Yehaa Bob of Disney’s Port Orleans Resort was also no longer performing. Now, reports from Tikiman’s Unofficial Polynesian Resort Pages on Facebook indicates that dancers, musicians, and entertainers at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort were also affected by the layoffs and cutbacks.
It’s unknown exactly how many performers were affected, but at this time, it’s unlikely that the “Spirit of Aloha” show will return. Nightly entertainment at ‘Ohana and throughout the resort grounds remains suspended, and now it seems those performers have not had their contracts renewed.
Details on Cast Member layoffs are forthcoming. Our hearts go out to all those affected.
To all the cast members Who have given us years of entertainment and joy, A heart felt thank you to all of you . I hope that this is not the end and that just like they said at the Mickey Mouse club we will see you soon. Until next time, Prayers for you and all of you are in my heart.
Once again, Disney foolishly and short sightedly is eviscerating the most essential elements of their experiences that differentiate them in the industry and provide gratification to their guests. The marginal costs savings will never surpass that of the marginal utility guests derive from the work of these cast members, which in turn generates the revenues for the company. Your business is nothing without its people. My heartfelt sympathies to all effected cast members.
If feel for these cast members but it doesn’t surprise me as Disney really doesn’t care about the cast members. It’s more about the money and guests that spend it at the parks and stay at the hotels. They don’t Ben care about the Passholders. Bc they don’t generate enough money. It’s sad I can bet old Walt is turning in his grave know what has happened to his dream
for years Disney abused these cast members by paying them no more than $10.50 /Hr. And now theyre just let go without any severance pay or benefits. Disgusting !
Here’s an idea: fire Chapek and use his salary to keep the Cast Members and Performers employed instead.
This breaks my heart! I certainly do look forward to seeing those who can return in the future.
We annual pass holders kept your pass even we don’t get to park much often anymore. Only to avoid these lay offs. We tried to shop dine in as much at Disney… hope you open up more park pass and call these talented people back.
Sad so sad, ye ha bob was a must do every Christmas. Thought Off Kilter was heartbreaking but Bob 😢
They just might be screwing things up for themselves. Scaled back menus, no fireworks, parades. Shorter hours. But same stiff prices. Not sure what the solution is but we came for the “ experience” and that meant old favorites, tradition, to forget this crazy place for awhile. It’s just sad 😞
This is a difficult time in so many ways. I caution you about using the term fired as that would indicate the employees had done something wrong to be terminated and have little to no chance of being reinstated to the positions. These actions are layoffs which fall on the employer. In time, reinstatement can happen. Firing is an end. Layoffs are a postponement. As difficult as they are, there is hope that the situation will improve. It is abundantly clear these beloved cast members have not done anything wrong. I pray and hope the situation will improve and we will be able to enjoy their gifts, talents and presence again at Disney.
They keep it up it won’t be worth returning.. it’s heartbreaking. We went 18 yrs …Staying every year at the Polynesian Resort (up to 1O days) while our kids were growing up . I am hoping to take my grandsons & great grandsons next spring BUT NOT if they keep this up.