Disney World already had a big round of layoffs for cast members a few weeks ago, but unfortunately there has been another round. This time a lot of the shows at different parks have been affected.
The Orlando Sentinel reports that Disney World has laid off workers from some of the biggest and most popular shows. This leaves the question as to whether the shows will make a return, once business is back to where it used to be. Of course, no one knows for sure, but given the popularity of these shows we can hope that they will make a return at some point.
List of Shows Where the Layoffs Reportedly Happened:
- Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage (Hollywood Studios)
- Citizens of Hollywood (Hollywood Studios)
- Citizens of Main Street (Magic Kingdom)
- Festival of the Lion King (Animal Kingdom)
- Finding Nemo: The Musical (Animal Kingdom)
- Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (Fort Wilderness)
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular (Hollywood Studios)
- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor (Magic Kingdom)
Reportedly the Green Army Drum Corps and the Jedi Training Academy (both at Hollywood Studios) have also been cut. These shows are listed on Disney’s website but are marked as “Temporarily Unavailable.”
A quote from the Orlando Sentinel article gives some hope that these shows will return.
When Disney employees represented by the Service Trades Council Union were laid off a few weeks ago, the union brokered a deal that gave them priority for rehiring while preserving their seniority and pay rate for the duration of its contract, which extends through October 2022.
Disney’s contract with Actors’ Equity also runs through 2022, but on Tuesday night Equity did not speak publicly on the layoffs or any provisions it might have negotiated for its members.
There are ways to help those affected by these massive layoffs. A little while back a group was started called Cast Member Pantry. These wonderful volunteers make up food bags for cast members from donations given to the charity. You can check them out on Facebook and, if you can, donate something to help those affected by this unfortunate turn of events.
I’m so sorry for all the cast members that have been affected by the layoffs. All of you are the ones that created the magic for the guests, and we know that. You are appreciated and will be missed. Disney World definitely won’t be the same without you, that’s for sure.
Please feel free to share any special stories of cast members or seeing any of these shows that you may have. I have a special place in my heart for the Festival of the Lion King show and the Citizens of Hollywood. I always looked forward to seeing those performances. To hear the powerful and amazing voices of those in Festival of the Lion King, and to laugh with the Citizens of Hollywood and be amazed at their improv skills was always something I looked forward to.
What show was a go-to for you when you visited Disney World?
Liz
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Liz
I love all things Disney, but my main love is for Disney World and I'm always planning for the next trip. Before becoming a Disney blogger, I was a radio DJ, so I guess I'm just continuing in the communication industry, just in a different form. I love talking Disney and I could talk about Disney all day. That's why I started blogging and created the Facebook group. The Disney community is full of friendly, helpful, and happy people...and I love being a part of it! If there is any Disney subject you would like to see covered just let me know! Need help planning your Disney vacation. Feel free to contact myself or Melissa at Never Stop Dreaming Travel Co. We love helping people plan their trips! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy! Don't forget to check out our Countdown to Disney app! Feel free to email me with suggestions of things you would like to see in the app :-)
Oh, I love all the shows and Citizens from both parks!!
Festival of the Lion King is amazing every time you see it!!
Nemo and Beauty and the Beast were fantastic also. We were lucky enough to meet some of those fantastic employees of those shows and they made our days so Magical!!
The Citizens of MK were so fun to watch while eating lunch at Casey’s!
The Citizens of Hollywood always get me laughing!
The Stunt show is one of the longest running most expensive shows but is crowded always!
I sure hope most of these are able to return!
And best wishes to the employees affected!!
That’s awesome that you got to meet some of the cast members from those shows, Cassandra! They really made the days magical for guests. I hope they can return too, sooner rather than later! Thank you for sharing your experiences with these shows!