Entertainment Cuts & Returns at Disney World
There’s good and bad news on the Walt Disney World entertainment front, as one stage show returns to Hollywood Studios while another is cut, and with it a 32-year run by a beloved orchestra comes to an end. In this post, we’ll cover what’s ending, what’s returning, timelines, the likely motivation for the changes, plus extensive commentary.
Let’s start with the good news. “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration,” is returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on October 5, 2020. The Royal Historians of Arendelle will once again deliver their comedic retelling of their kingdom, including a sing-along from Disney’s “Frozen” and special appearances by Anna, Elsa and Kristoff. It’ll be the same show as pre-closure, albeit with adjustments to staging and audience seating to allow for appropriate physical distancing.
Given the recent high attendance levels at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, something is definitely needed to help soak up crowds. In all likelihood, several stage shows need to return to DHS to round out the day, but this is at least a start. Unfortunately, it’s one step forward, one step backwards with this announcement…
Along with this announcement from Disney, the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra revealed on their Facebook fan page that their relationship with Walt Disney World will end on October 3, 2020 when they play the last performances of “The Disney Society Orchestra” at the Theater of the Stars in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
From their announcement: “It’s hard to find the words but, sadly, our days at the Grand Floridian are over. In fact, as of Oct 3, 2020, our days at WDW will come to an end as well…So after 32 years of playing together and playing music we love… we’re done. We are so thankful for the opportunity to play in a beautiful setting for the hotel guests and friends we have met & made over the years. We’ll never forget you and how wonderful you’ve made us feel. We will miss you! Thank you-thank you- thank you!”
You might’ve missed it in the chaotic news cycle, but right before Walt Disney World closed in March, the company terminated its relationship with numerous other contract entertainment acts. EPCOT 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.
Keep in mind, these are just the entertainment acts that were notified in advance that they would not be brought back. Countless other performers simply have their statuses in limbo (literally too many to list here), and have not returned to Walt Disney World.
It’s likely the only reason we know the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra’s time with Walt Disney World is coming to an end is because the company brought them back for the interim show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If not, they’d be among the many other entertainment acts that are indefinitely on ‘temporary hiatus’, unaware they’ve already performed for the last time at Walt Disney World.
While we’re disappointed about the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra news, we’re not surprised. It’s easy to point to the exorbitant rack rate at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa or the almost laughable drink prices at Enchanted Rose Lounge and say, “X of these per day could easily cover the cost of the orchestra.” X wouldn’t even be a high number in either case.
The problem is that Walt Disney World is increasingly less concerned with delivering commensurate value for money, and more preoccupied with increasing profit margins. So much has been removed from the post-reopening park and resort experiences with minimal attempts at replacements, but still largely comparable price points. With a guest-first mentality, continuing cuts don’t occur at a time when prices are mostly static.
With a profits-first perspective, the company looks at reduced hotel occupancy and park attendance levels, and justifies further cuts on those bases. The focus is a quantitative one of costs versus revenue, rather than a qualitative examination of the individual experience of those guests who do show up–and pay full price or close to it for the Walt Disney World experience.
This is nothing new, and Walt Disney World leadership is not suddenly going to have an epiphany and change its approach. We saw largely the same scenario play out while Disney’s Hollywood Studios was a veritable construction zone a few years ago, yet Disney further cut entertainment and held or increased ticket prices. (Heck, we’re now seeing exactly that again at EPCOT!)
We’ve written largely this same editorial several times, including last year when Muppets Present Great Moments in American History and more were cut from Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Our commentary commonly fixates on the dangers of Disney cutting too much fat from budgets to the point where they “hit bone.”
When it comes to cuts and their justifications or lack thereof, our thesis statement of sorts is that Walt Disney World is more than the sum of its parts. It’s the little moments, the ambiance, the live musicians, the way everything just feels alive that, cumulatively, defines a trip even if you don’t actively notice at the time.
In past years, we’ve expressed significant concern that Walt Disney World would make such aggressive cuts at times of record attendance growth and profits. If that is how Disney reacted to unprecedented prosperity, how bad would things get when the country entered a recession and Disney felt an actual “need” to further reduce costs to meet profit targets?
In my wildest dreams, I never imagined the recession taking its current form and travel being hit particularly hard, but here we are. So I’m not exactly surprised that Disney is acting in a manner completely consistent with its moves of the last decade.
This may sound overly bleak or fatalist, but there’s good news here. Consumers can vote with their wallets and cancel their trips–the overwhelming majority have done exactly that when it comes to the post-reopening “product” that Walt Disney World is selling. Even though attendance has increased in the last month or so, it’s still well less than half of normal levels. Current visitors are also disproportionately locals, which is not Walt Disney World’s “preferred” demographic.
Now, there are myriad reasons for tourists to cancel their trips right now. We won’t pretend that reduced entertainment is the sole or even main cause of cancellation–it’s just one of countless reasons. However, judging from the chorus of comments, if you could theoretically return everything else to normal except the entertainment cuts, Walt Disney World attendance would still be down 15-25%.
That may seem insignificant, but every single percentage point matters to Disney’s bottom line. Even a 5% drop would be utterly unacceptable in normal times–heads would roll. Moreover, the cost of restoring that entertainment pales in comparison to the revenue to be earned from it. On top of those who would return directly due to the entertainment, its presence would increase guest satisfaction and other important metrics among all guests.
While I can offer a ballpark range of guests who cancelled specifically due to the missing entertainment, Walt Disney World has a much more precise number thanks to their cancellation questioning and guest surveys. And unlike in normal times when Disney can frame queries or obfuscate to get the feedback results they’re seeking (to support preordained decisions), there’s no concealing the actual impact of the current cuts. There are too many of them and they’re glaringly obvious in totality.
Unfortunately, there’s also no ability to theoretically return everything else to normal at Walt Disney World right now in order to see entertainment restored. Capacity is going to remain reduced. Tourists will remain reticent to travel and visit theme parks. The hampered economy and ongoing recession will prevent others from visiting. Health safety protocol–no matter what that is or is not–will alienate and keep some guests away.
As such, there’s no end in sight to the scaled-back slate of entertainment at Walt Disney World. In the near-term, we’re going to see more of this–or at least not have all acts brought back anytime soon. That’s disappointing, and I truly wish Walt Disney World had more foresight and were willing to endure a few lackluster quarters for the sake of the guest experience, and to ensure a swifter recovery and engender fan loyalty.
The silver lining is that it’s abundantly clear Disney will have to bring back all of this entertainment (and likely do more) if the company wants a full recovery. Locals turning out at EPCOT in full force on the weekends to buy booze might be a short-term life raft, but it’s not a viable long-term strategy with (literally) tens of thousands of hotel rooms sitting empty. For the next several years, the travel industry is going to be increasingly competitive and less of a seller’s market. If Walt Disney World wants its slice of the pie, it’ll need to do more, not less.
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 these Walt Disney World entertainment cuts and additions? Are you optimistic or pessimistic about WDW restoring more stage shows and other acts that are currently on hiatus? Are you worried that it might be a while before Walt Disney World is back to normal in terms of its offerings? 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!
Just catching up on my blog readings, so I’m late to the party with this comment. But, to my family one of the best perks of staying at the Grand Floridian was the orchestra. We LOVED it. Until 2019, we were doing multi-night resort stays every 6 weeks, on average. We live in FL, so spending a Thur-Fri-Sat at WDW was easy. Most of those stays were at the Grand Floridian or Polynesian, mainly because of the wonderful, engaging atmosphere. If we only cared about convenience to the MK, we could have stayed at the Contemporary or Wilderness Lodge and saved a few bucks. But for us, it’s ALL about the *experience*.
Now, the GF no longer has an orchestra. And the Poly is being re-imagined more toward a Moana theme. This worries me, too. If we wanted a cartoon theme, we’d go to Art of Animation or one of the All-Star resorts– but we don’t. We want a rich, deeply engaging, authentic experience, whether it’s vintage elegant (GF) or Pacific islands (Poly).
As healthcare industry professionals, we’ve been COVID vaccinated now, so we are not at-risk to return. But… our *desire* to return has dropped to near zero. I renewed my annual pass just for the ability to book discounted reservations IF or when we go back, but the rest of my household let their passes expire in December.
I’ve been a lifelong FL resident, and a regular WDW visitor since the MK first opened. Sadly, for the first time in my life, I don’t really care about going back anytime soon. SHAME ON DISNEY.
We have made several trips with our family through the years. Disney was our happy place. Our children who are now in high school get it! They will tell you a trip to Disney is about everything! It isn’t just rides or the number of parks. They understand it is the ambiance, characters, hotels, entertainment, dining, parades…everything! Our last trip was scheduled for April of 2020. We rescheduled twice, but have cancelled for good. The Disney where dreams are made is gone. Until Disney leaders rethink their choices with cutting all the extras, we are done. The benefit of going and staying 7-10 days at a time on property is getting to enjoy all the extras that were offered. We talked to many cast members and enjoyed the hidden gems! Makes me sad to say that we are done! We are Disney lovers of old! We won’t return as it stands. Wish the executives could understand they are cutting the heart out of their product.
Oh this makes me so sad 🙁
We have made several trips with our family through the years. Disney was our happy place. Our children who are now in high school get it! They will tell you a trip to Disney is about everything! It isn’t just rides or the number of parks. They understand it is the ambiance, characters, hotels, entertainment, dining, parades…everything! Our last trip was scheduled for April of 2020. We rescheduled twice, but have cancelled for good. The Disney where dreams are made is gone. Until Disney leaders rethink their choices with cutting all the extras, we are done. The benefit of going and staying 7-10 days at a time on property is getting to enjoy all the extras that were offered. We talked to many cast members and enjoyed the hidden gems! Makes me sad to say that we are done! We are Disney lovers of old! We won’t return as it stands. Wish the executives could understand they are cutting the heart out of their product.
Hi Tom,
I read your column each time you post it. I rescheduled our trip to July, 2021. Do you feel, in your expertise, that the major entertainment – specifically the parades and nighttime fireworks shows in the parks, will begin again by July of next year? I also do wonder about all the employees, and how long it will take to bring them back in. So sad for them. I know all this is temporary, just trying to get a feel for the likely duration.
Thank you very much!
I think that we are all (sadly) going to have to realize that Walt Disney World and all of the acts we loved are now part of history. This saddens me, as the things that we loved are now gone. I just learned last night that Yee Hah Bob has been laid off from Disney and his show at the Port Orleans Riverside will not return. This one particularly strikes me and a stupid Disney move, as his show was for all ages and he packed them into the River Roost every night he played. We also will miss the Drummers at Epcot as well as the mimes, chair stackers and other actors that were outside acts that kept us and the children busy. I find myself not wanting to go back, and feeling sad for all of the things that future guests will miss. Is there an email where we can voice our concerns directly to Disney World???
We cancelled our January 2021 trip in April 2020 (actually, we just didn’t book it), soon after the Covid-19 closures appeared to be longer lasting than a few weeks. This would have been somewhere around our 8th trip as a family overall, and we were planning it around our son’s 21st birthday. We always said he could have his first beer in the Biergarten in Germany at Epcot. However, among the factors of airtravel/hotel stays in a pandemic and the lack of dining plan and park hopper options, the reduced entertainment figured highly in this decision. While we love rides, it’s the fireworks, parades, theater productions and street performances that are the highlight of all our past Disney trips. Sadly, I believe we’ll be waiting until things get back to a more normal state of entertainment offerings before we book again.
Can’t figure out how to send a direct message, Tom, but this could be either a quirk or evidence of an upcoming change: just fiddling around with some dates on Disney.com for Jan/Feb 2021 and after I selected park tickets for my cart, a “Select Dining Plan” screen came up for about 2 seconds before disappearing. It looked like a new style of screen from what I remember as well. I can’t replicate it or I’d send a screenshot. Not sure if you’re hearing anything about when the DDP is returning, but thought I’d let you know.
today’s announcement of thousands of layoffs should help explain the Disney problem. the article i read said they had a two billion dollar loss in the second quarter in the parks division. further, attendance was lower than anticipated, and there were lots of cancellations. i think Disney is doing a reasonable job of surviving this storm. the next choice is to close down altogether – i don’t think we want that.
We’ve gone a few times since they’ve reopened. It still is a better day than at work. It’s definitely getting more crowded so obviously not everybody is canceling. We love not having the extra people. They have brought the characters out, similar to DL and that’s awesome. Know it’s a money game but we will definitely continue to enjoy the mostly locals. The magic is what you make, not what’s made for you.
…and now Yehaa Bob will not be returning to the Port Orleans Resort!!! They’re cutting reasons to pay top dollar for a Disney vacation. The entertainment is half of the experience, and price tag. What are they thinking!?!? Hey Disney, how about cutting some corporate positions that are paid excessive salaries to sit behind a desk and leave our entertainment alone! This is beyond ridiculous already.
Dodi: Port Orleans Riverside isn’t even open and won’t open for months if not longer.
As much as I love Disney, I am saddened by the company’s actions. We all understand that it’s a business and that with this pandemic everyone is tightening their belts, but some of it really comes down to corporate greed. Instead of looking at the bigger picture and saying, “we’ll be happy with a smaller profit margin now in order to help keep our fan-base,” they’re managing to anger a large group of prospective travelers. As they silently make these cuts in the name of the pandemic they are strategically calculating what not to bring back to increase that profit margin. This in turn changes what fans have come to love about Disney. All if those small touches that mean something may never come back and will make Disney just another amusement park. I truly hope Disney watches and reads blogs and social media the way they should so they change their course of action before they change too many fans opinions.
This is absolutely beautifully written, thank you.
Agree. Let’s hope upper management realizes it before it’s too late. What about the other parks? I don’t hear much about them. Is it possible Disney is cutting in Florida and doing more overseas? I’ve read about a few new projects being built, and it kinda makes me mad.
All of these performance eliminations are lessening the difference between Disney and Universal. Universal has a BIG window of opportunity now. Our last trip to WDW, my 12 year-old son’s greatest memories were the little things: haircut at MK, listening to the party line, the Sword in the Stone act, and Great Moments in History with the Muppets. Disney is not all about the thrill rides; it is also about the emotional experiences and connections.
Being from Ohio and talking to many people who have canceled their trips to Disney, all say a big reason (outside of Covid) is the lack of the full experience – particularly live entertainment, parades, and MK fireworks. Bottom line is Disney is losing money but I don’t see how they can come out of this without offering guests the magic that only Disney Parks offer.
It’s definitely the entertainment that is keeping me at home. Secondarily is COVID. They never, however asked why I canceled. I rebooked for May, but I will not hesitate to cancel if there’s no entertainment or fireworks. Several people from work were supposed to go this year and everyone canceled. I held out until the last minute. But I know no one wants to go a unless Disney returns to Disney as we know it. No one wants to pay full price and not get the luxury of the entertainment that is expected from Disney. I agree they need to do more to bring people back who are not local. If not, they may be shooting themselves in the foot and feel the effects with time. There are so many other options for less that are great vacations.
I can go on rides at parks closer to home. It’s the shows and performers that Disney unique and Epcot special. Planning a family trip for 9 in June and the 8 adults agree will cancel if there aren’t shows.
The memory of an elderly couple waltzing to the Grand Floridian Orchestra while their children and grandchildren looked on still brings tears to my eyes. Remembering how on another night a bartender gave young and old napkins to wave and led us dancing around the lobby of the Grand Floridian to the band’s last song of the night, “When the Saints Go Marching In” still makes me smile. I wish everyone memories like that.
I am truly sad that the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra will not be playing at the Grand Floridian. The orchestra set the tone for the Grand Floridian. I am so happy I still have videos on my phone from our last trip in 2019. I hope Disney will re-think this terrible decsion.
I’m so sad to see the news about Serveur Amusant. I had missed that when it broke. My family loves them so much and that show is always one of the things we look forward to seeing on the EPCOT day of our annual trips. It is always something I recommend to my friends who are going for the first time ever or in a few years. I interpreted what you said as “they will never be back even when the pandemic is over”. And if that is correct, I am quite heartbroken. I wish I could tell them how much we loved and looked forward to their show each year.
I wouldn’t necessarily call any of the cuts right now permanent.
My expectation is that Walt Disney World slowly restores entertainment between now and the 50th Anniversary. I could see some of these acts being brought back, or variations on the same idea. Many are or will be permanently retired, replaced by nothing or something different entirely.
It is disappointing news about the orchestra and entertainment, but my toddler will be thrilled about the Frozen Sing-a-long returning! Is this music from just the first movie, or both?
Just the original, to my knowledge.
We just returned from two week trip at USO and Disney. Yes, we had fun, and no, we did not regret making the trip. But it was vastly different and just … weird.
USO is doing MUCH better than Disney. For one, the “magical” extras are not really their stock in trade. They still have their shows and entertainment. Even though HHN was cancelled, they still put together the tribute store and sprinkled Halloween throughout the parks. Now they have the two houses, trick or treating, and guests can come in costume. They are also going all out to make passholders feel valued and welcome.
Disney’s efforts to make up for the missing magic are commendable – the mini parades and character appearances are really nice. But there is still SO much missing. And too much of the Real Worldâ„¢ injected with the constant mask reminders and cast members policing people to stay distant. Yes, I know it’s necessary, but it is still intrusive.
The lack of food options in resorts and limited transportation really put a downer on the trip. We stayed at Pop Century, and the food situation was absolute chaos. We quickly learned that waiting until you were at the food court to push “I’m here, prepare my order” resulted in standing around the lobby or outside for up to an hour. The drink stations were awful – the servers were surly and rude. Sorry, but I like to pass pleasantries and extend gratitude for service, I don’t like it to be met with glares and silence. It was not possible to go to another resort or a park for dinner either, as transportation ends an hour after the parks close at 6 or 7:00. Disney Springs is the only other option, and when we tried that, we waited 45 minutes for a bus to take us there. And then it was slammed packed, on a Wednesday! We grabbed sandwiches from the Earl (took almost 30 minutes) and a margarita from Dockside, looked through the windows of World of Disney, not wanting to wait in line another 30 minutes to get in, and left, waiting another 30 minutes for a bus back to Pop.
Our next trip is with our newly acquired RV to Fort Wilderness. This may be the only way we go from now on, as we can control our own food options, and the Fort has plenty of things to do other than the parks. The frequency of our visits will likely be much less as well. The saddest thing about that is I don’t think Disney cares.
Of course Disney doesn’t care–until it hits their bottom line. But as long as gullible people still show up, they will continue and worsen this behavior.
Thanks for the thorough report on your experience, both good and bad.
The food courts have definitely been an issue at some resorts–Pop Century is probably the most notable of those from what I’ve heard. Even when we’ve stayed elsewhere, I’ve just hit the “I’m here” button while still sitting in the room. That seems to be the best course of action, so long as you aren’t a long walk from the food court.
The RV trip sounds fun and like a good way to sidestep these issues!
Customer service has deteriorated. We have been devoted Disney fans for over 30 years, visiting generally every year, flying from out of state. It’s been our “happy place” for the family, and we hoped to carry on the tradition with our young 3rd generation. We became DVC members, 3 branches of the family, and planned spring break 2020. Cancelled. When we tried to reschedule for 2021, the agent was curt and asked if we wanted to sell our time shares. After rescheduling in 2020 and more cancellations, we ran out of options for the use year (high risk limitations for flying) which took us to the concierge collection. Ha. More long, multiple phone calls, cancellations, poor communications, and form emails. No indication of a welcome “home.” No advice. No sense that long-time Disney believers matter to the corporations. It’s very disappointing and sad. We truly hope Disney regains at least some of its magic.
We just got back from a 7 night stay. I agree food options are limited and fristrating…thank goodness for the skyliner for epcot and Hollywood studoos tranportation..we stayed at the carribean beach resort..bus services were slow especially for animal kingdom due to limited capacity with social distancing..Agree the entertainment was definitely missing and a parade of one float or boat (animal kingdom) was not a great replacement..also fall/halloween decorations were disappointing and less than we remember from 2 years ago…
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were expiring did they offer the option
of switching to RCI timeshare which gives
you I believe 2 years to use those points
I’m thinking about doing that
my points expire this November