In a Facebook post Yee Haw Bob Jackson announced that his show will not be returning to Walt Disney World.
Bob and his show at Port Orleans Resort have been very popular. He will be missed..
Month: September 2020
Disney to Layoff 28,000 Cast Members at US Parks
Today Disney has announced that it will make a drastic reduction in its workforce at its domestic parks. Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced that Disney will be laying off 28,000 cast members. He also stated that 67% of these layoffs will be part-time cast members.
In a statement, D’Amaro publicly mentions the state of California’s reluctance to allow for the re-opening of Disneyland as one of the driving factors. In a note sent to cast members. D’Amaro states that, “We will be scheduling appointments with our affected salaried and non-union hourly employees over the next few days.” It appears the action will happen soon.
Walt Disney World currently employs approximately 70,000, with Disneyland Resort employing around 30,000. It isn’t at this time clear how the layoffs will be distributed across the two coasts.
Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World closed in mid-March due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Walt Disney World re-opened in mid-July. Disneyland Resort still remaining closed.
D23 Announces Move of Next D23 Expo to 2022
In an announcement made on Twitter earlier this evening, D23 stated that the next D23 Expo will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center September 9-11, 2022.
“We are to announce the next D23 Expo will be held September 9-11, 2022 at the Anaheim Convention Center. D23 Expo 2022 will be a celebration unlike any other, as we give fans a first look at the incredible plans for the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company.”
With all that’s going on with the COVID-19 pandemic, this announcement shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. I personally suspected that this might happen when D23 announced back in June that Destination D was moving from this fall to 2021. When D23 hadn’t announced a sale date for Expo tickets, it seemed apparent to me that it was getting postponed.
No date has been announced when tickets for D23 Expo will be available. Typically D23 begins sale of tickets about a year in advance, so I wouldn’t expect an announcement until at least sometime in early 2021 with a sale date of September 2021.
Will we see you there?
Walt Disney World Ends The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra’s Run After 32 Years
In a Facebook post, The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra announced that their run at Walt Disney World and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort will end on October 3rd.
In the announcement the group stated –
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.
The company brought us out of furlough, changed our name to “The Disney Society Orchestra,” closed us out of the GF to play a show of Disney themed show tunes at the Theater of the Stars in Hollywood Studios. We’ve been playing 9 shows a day, 7 days a week since Aug 2nd. The music is a far cry from the closely knit harmonies & sounds we became known for at the GF but. the guys are real pros and they sound great!
Well… Two weeks ago we got notice that the theater is going dark and our last day of work will be Saturday, Oct 3, 2020. As we all know, these are very uncertain times and can’t say what will happen from one day to the next.
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!
Whenever we’ve ever been to the Grand Floridian listening to the orchestra has always been a great experience. They will be missed.
There haven’t been any details released as to why this is happening.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Candlelight Processional Go on Hiatus
It came as no great surprise that Walt Disney World announced yesterday that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Castle Dream Lights, Jingle Bell Jingle BAM! and Candlelight Processional at EPCOT will not be taking place this year. As expected, physical distancing requirements and limitations on mass gatherings make those events impossible to host.
Although the main holiday events will be missing in 2020, Disney did announce that beginning November 6th and running through December 30th this year, guests will still be able to enjoy festive décor, themed merchandise, seasonal food & beverage offerings and entertainment all across Walt Disney World Resort.
In the announcement Walt Disney World stated that the parks will continue the cavalcades that were introduced when the parks re-opened in July, this time with seasonal twists celebrating the holidays. The very popular Toy Soldiers will join the Main Street Philharmonic for one of the seasonal mini-parades at the Magic Kingdom.
When night falls,Disney plans of presenting special projection effects that will give a festive look to Cinderella Castle this year. The appearance of the iconic castle will be transformed with a rotating series of designs including a whimsical Christmas sweater and a regal overlay of red, green and gold ornamentation.
Minnie Mouse will also be hosting a yuletide gathering for all her friends at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios beginning November 6th. Santa Goofy will also be there..
Beginning November 27th, EPCOT will be celebrating highlights from the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. Holiday kitchens will be returning around World Showcase promenade with favorites like American Holiday Table featuring Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing and Bavaria Holiday Kitchen with dishes like Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl.
Inside the World Showplace, JOYFUL!, will present a journey through R&B, Gospel, contemporary and traditional Christmas and holiday music. Also, the Voices of Liberty will perform at the America Gardens Theatre stage for a special concert of favorite carols and songs of the season.
At the resorts, decor will be on full display, but gingerbread displays will not be present this year.
At Disney Spring snowfall will occur each night within Town Center, West Side and The Landing. In addition, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar will transform into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar with a limited-time menu of festive favorites. The Tree Trail will not be returning, but the trees will be spread throughout the property.
Finally, Santa Claus will wave to guests as he makes pop-up appearances at each park, as well as Disney Springs, but will not be available for meet and greets. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, for example, he will sail down Discovery River on a special flotilla.
Disney News Today 