It’s time to say good-bye to Disney Society Orchestra and Friends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. For the last time, the ensemble consisting of Grand Floridian Society Orchestra performed their sweet melodies. The orchestra replaced Beauty and the Beast – Live On Stage after the park’s reopening, but now their show has been cancelled amid widespread layoffs at Walt Disney World. We filmed a video documenting the final performance.
The Hollywood Hills Amphitheater sign informs us that the final show is scheduled for 6:15 pm today, October 3, 2020.
Though the Beauty and the Beast – Live On Stage show hasn’t returned to production, some of its beloved characters join the orchestra during the performance. Here, we find Belle and Beast greeting the audience.
Even Chip, Cogsworth , Lumière, and Mrs. Potts join the show to meet guests who haven’t had the chance to view Beauty and the Beast – Live On Stage since the pandemic shutdown in March. Yet, even with these surprise visits, the performance remains focused on the music.
The musicians performing the Disney Society Orchestra and Friends are some of the best in the industry. They continued to draw decent crowds even with reduced capacity and social distancing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Disney’s release of the band also means the unceremonious end of The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra after 32 years.
Beast’s magical rose stands at center stage from the beginning to the end. Sadly, the last pedal is falling for this show. Unfortunately, not even true love can save it now.
The six member orchestra wave goodbye with smiles of appreciation on their faces. Knowing that their tenure at Walt Disney World comes to a close, they graciously receive applause from their audience.
For a full viewing of the final show, check out our YouTube video below:
This is so sad and so unnecessary. This orchestra put the Grand in Grand Floridian. Disney is losing “The Magic”. This move is not saving money for Disney. Executive pay cuts would go a long way.