Entertainment Acts Returning to Epcot!
There’s good news for fans of Walt Disney World entertainment! Three musical groups and performers have confirmed they’ll be returning to World Showcase at Epcot starting on October 1, 2021.
These groups will join the Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre, and the JAMMitors (or JAMMin’ Chefs, as they’re called right now). Those musical acts currently perform in the America Gardens Theatre and Canada pavilion during the 2021 Epcot Food & Wine Festival.
Since the park reopened last July, those are the only normal Epcot entertainment acts that have performed with any degree of regularity. There have been other musical groups appearing at various festivals, but none of the other pre-closure World Showcase entertainers. That’ll change with the start of the World’s Most Magical Celebration…
You might’ve missed it in the chaotic news cycle, but right before Walt Disney World closed last March, the company terminated its relationship with numerous contract entertainment acts. World Showcase was hit particularly hard at that time, with the following all being cut:
- Matsuriza, the drummers in the Japan pavilion
- British Revolution, the band in the United Kingdom pavilion
- Serveur Amusant, the stacking-chair acrobats in the France pavilion,
- Master Juggler Sergio, the juggling clown act in the Italy pavilion.
These are just the entertainment acts that were notified in advance that they would not be brought back–and that posted about it on social media. Countless other performers simply have their statuses in limbo (literally too many to list here), and have not returned to Walt Disney World. Again, World Showcase has been disproportionately hit there.
Not to rehash the past or fixate on the negative. Simply the backdrop against which this news is set. In any case, let’s turn to the positive news, which is that World Showcase will soon become much more likely…
We’ll start with one of our favorite World Showcase groups: the Matsuriza Taiko Drummers announced on their Facebook page: “🚨WE ARE BACK AT EPCOT STARTING THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1ST!!!!🚨”
“We are so excited and grateful to come back for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration! All your continuous love and support during our time away has been sincerely appreciated and has kept our spirits high. Looking forward to seeing all your beautiful faces again. PLEASE COME SAY HI!!! We cannot wait to see you and perform for you at our Pagoda home once again. 🥰 This will truly be the world’s most magical celebration! Korekaramo yoroshiku onegaishimasu!!” (I wanted to include their full, excitement-filled post.)
Matsuriza Taiko Drummers will be performing in the Japan pavilion Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays. (Off Tuesdays and Wednesdays.)
Showtimes are as follows: 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:30 pm, and 5:30 pm.
Continuing around World Showcase to Italy, where Sergio the Italian Juggler will also return beginning October 1, 2021.
Per DisneyWorld.com, his performances will be at 12:30 pm, 1:35 pm, and 2:35 pm on 10/1, and then 11:50 am, 12:35 pm, and 1:20 pm thereafter. No showtimes are scheduled for Sunday or Monday.
Finally, Alberta Bound will be returning to the Mill Stage in the Canada Pavilion, beginning October 1, 2021. Showtimes will be 2:00 pm, 3:15 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:15 pm, and 7:30 pm.
(Apologies for the lack of illustrative performer photos. I’m working remotely and don’t have a single one saved in the cloud. I will rectify that this weekend!)
While this by no means fully restores the missing World Showcase entertainment, it’s a huge step in the right direction. For much of the last year, Epcot has felt dead in terms of atmosphere. There have been shows in the America Gardens Theatre and performances on the Canada Mill Stage, but that’s about it.
No live entertainment anywhere else, plus many merchandise locations and other offerings closed. We enjoy the serene atmosphere of World Showcase at night after the crowds have cleared out, but not during the middle of the day. Without the live performers that previously inhabited the pavilions, World Showcase has lacked its normal sense of conviviality.
This should help restore that sense of energy, making several pavilions feel much more alive than previously. Along with the other performers, the next big improvement will occur when the Cultural Representative program returns. That was suspended last year along with Disney’s other internship and professional programs, and the vast majority of those Cast Members returned to their home countries.
These Cultural Representatives staff their respective World Showcase pavilions, offering an added layer of authenticity to the experience. We absolutely love chatting with the Cast Members in World Showcase—everyone we’ve encountered has eagerly educated us about their home cities or countries, and offered opinions on working in the United States–they’re great informal ambassadors.
With that said, it is worth noting that there’s a difference between entertainment and the lack of Cultural Representative program–Walt Disney World’s hands are largely tied until broader border reopenings occur.
In any case, it’s great to hear that three World Showcase entertainment acts are returning in time for the start of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary. Here’s hoping we have more positive news like this in the near future, perhaps with confirmation of the Holiday Storytellers returning for the 2021 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays?
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
What do you think of the news that Matsuriza Taiko Drummers, Alberta Bound, and Sergio the Italian Juggler will return to World Showcase beginning October 1, 2021? Hope this is just the start of more entertainment making a comeback at Walt Disney World? Optimistic about this restoration, or still disappointed by the lack of atmospheric acts in the parks? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Its great to see entertainment return to Epcot! I would love to see the British Invasion back and it would be wonderful if they would bring Off Kilter back for return performances.
Tom, do you have any idea when/if dining packages for the Candlelight Processional will be released. It would be great to see a listing of the narrators as well.
Thank you for all that you and Sarah do for Disney fans!
As usual I am 100% positive that Disney management does not give a hoot about what I or any other visitor to the park thinks. They have eroded virtually everything about DisneyWorld that made it incredibly “special”. No number of E Ticket rides can change the lack of special entertainment in the parks. Human entertainment – street performers – are a big part of what used to make Disney something truly magical. They were something you remembered long after your visit. People who never experienced them in the past will never know what they meant to the “experience” that was DisneyWorld. Just think about what is gone: World Showcase Players at EPCOT, so many live street performers at Hollywood Studios – like the Sanitation Department at around 4:30 every day with Frederick, Hollywood Cavalcade performers all over Hollywood Studios during the day, the show at Diamond Horseshoe with Bill the emcee and the Can Can Dancers and the entertaining magician and a good sandwich for lunch. The street act at Hollywood Studios with audience participation and the Policeman with the rubber chicken was priceless. How about Woody and the Dancing Horse outside Country Bear in the afternoon at Magic Kingdom. My nephews still laugh every year at Christmas when we show the video of Frederick with the Sanitation Department and his gigantic eyes. I could go on and on and on and on. Lifelong memories are not made by the biggest, fastest roller coaster. Memories are made by people interacting with people. People are a big part of what bring back people. Did all the street performers cost Disney a lot of money? They obviously were not free. I have no doubt the salaries of 50-100 people were of consequence. But compared to 100,000 – 200,000 people paying $100 a day to attend the park, it was a pittance. Charge parking fees for a few more cars. Gouge us all in some other way. For heaven’s sake – stop the quest to be just another roller coaster park. We can go to Cedar Point or Six Flags anytime. They are fun – BUT ABSOLUTELY NO MAGIC.
I am surprised the Main Street Orchestra and the Dapper Dans haven’t been dumped. Who cares if a child grows up and never knows what a Barbershop Quartet is? Or gets fascinated by the musicians in the Orchestra who are as good as any musicians you will ever hear. Disney has really lost it’s way in the quest for the almighty dollar. Probably gone forever. Sad – sad – sad.
British Revolution and Voices of Liberty were the only entertainment we stopped and watched (along with hundreds of others). Can’t understand the decision to scrap British Revolution – they created a party atmosphere.
While this is encouraging, the three acts coming back were certainly not the best in World Showcase. Here’s hoping that Off Kilter and British Revolution will be returning soon.
I missed the drummers! I’m very glad they’re bringing some of the live performances back. That is what makes the world showcase the world showcase.
This is great news! Disney, if you’re reading this, please bring back more entertainment. This is what makes your parks special — the human interactions.
Preaching to the choir, here here!
I literally hopped up and down when I saw this news! I can take almost everything that Disney has done, but I can’t take the dead atmosphere in Epcot. Now just need the Cultural Representatives back – that’s my deal breaker. It’s my favorite thing at Disney, to pretend I’m in a different country for a few minutes and learn from the Representatives. If they bring back Cultural Representatives (given borders are finally opening up), I’ll keep my December trip plans. If not, canceling and rescheduling to next year. They relaunched the college program very fast. Here’s hoping for a repeat!
Me too, Kathy! In case you have seen me at the U.K. pavillion, i am that crazy 60-something who just cannot resist dancing by herself. And i can watch the chair acrobat endlessly without getting tired.
I am very happy to hear this good news. But Serveur Amusant and British Revolution are integral parts of the Epcot experience for me. I very badly want them back! What about the Jewel acrobats at China? When border restrictions ease and we get the Cultural Representatives back, thst will be my happy day!
Great news! Our favorite entertainment in World Showcase is the acrobats but these are great additions. We spend the most time in Epcot so we always have time to chill and enjoy the entertainment so I’m excited a few more have been added back.
I am so incredibly excited about these! Finally World Showcase will start to feel like World Showcase again!
Any rumors circulating on when the Hoop De Doo Review will return ?
I know this sounds ridiculous, but live entertainment coming back to EPCOT is probably the item I am now most excited about that’s been announced for the 50th. We had decided to let our AP expire but may rethink if they bring back more live entertainment.
Yes, please bring them ALL back!!!
When younger, I was all about rides. But now there’s nothing better than a lazy circuit around the World Showcase with a beverage while taking in all the great entertainment. I went in February and the place felt like a shell of itself without these acts.
MORE MORE MORE! Bring them all back. (By January at least. That’s my next visit.)
Great to hear that Sergio is coming back. Our favourite stop is coffee and cannoli whilst watching him. Now just need confirmation of the date that borders are reopening for UK visitors as we have flights booked for November 4. Fingers crossed!
The world showcase has felt SO empty (and pretty boring) to wander without the entertainment. We love the food and drink booths but got bored a few times last trip doing just that. This is so needed and unexpected (thought they were never coming back). I have renewed hope the acrobats in China return as well as the rest of the performers!!
I absolutely love the sound Taiko. Two of my cousins belong to taiko groups. One heads our local one and the other belongs to a group in Illinois. I wonder if they all might know of each other since they hold taiko festivals around the country each year and get to know each other sometimes. May have to switch my park plans to be able to watch the Matsuriza Taiko Drummers.
next up is bringing back the chinese acrobats and the band that plays near Morocco. gotta keep the momentum going!
Please, please, please bring back British Revolution!!! I live the chair guys in France too!