NEWS: Walt Disney World’s entertainment layoffs cut deep

Walt Disney World fans have been left in shock this week after it was revealed that the resort’s live entertainment offerings are being decimated in a new round of job cuts.

News trickled out on Tuesday evening,Oct. 27, of live show after live show seemingly being permanently axed from the theme parks, and, while Disney offered no confirmation or explanation, it seems at least 12 entertainment acts will be gone for the foreseeable future.

The shows include headline acts and fan-favorites alike, among them “Festival of the Lion King” and “Finding Nemo – The Musical” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and the “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular” and “Beauty and the Beast – Live On Stage” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well as the long-running “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue” at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.

Much of the live entertainment has remained shuttered since the parks re-opened following the pandemic shut-down in July, but it seems they will now go on full-time hiatus, with the various cast members part of the recently announced 28,000 redundancies across Disney’s theme parks division. More than 15,500 of those layoffs have been at Walt Disney World alone, accounting for roughly 20% of Orlando’s entertainment industry.

Word of the shocking array of show casualties first leaked out on social media on Tuesday, with the likes of the Citizens of Hollywood, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and Jedi Training Academy cast all announcing they had been laid off.

The full list of live entertainment cuts is as follows, pending an official announcement:

Fort Wilderness

Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Festival of the Lion King
Finding Nemo – The Musical

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Beauty and the Beast – Live On Stage
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Green Army Men (Toy Story Land)
Citizens of Hollywood
Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
Disney Junior Dance Party

Epcot

Turtle Talk with Crush

Magic Kingdom

Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
Citizens of Main Street U.S.A.

Epcot had already lost much of its live entertainment around World Showcase due to cut-backs in March, but it seems Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre and the Jammitors could be spared from the latest cut.

Disney has listed all of these shows as “Currently unavailable” since the parks’ re-opening, but it is our understanding they had hoped to resume, especially as the company had been locked in contentious negotiations with actors’ union Equity for much of the summer.

Now, with individual cast members receiving official notices of their dismissal, it seems doubtful there will be a resumption anytime soon.

About the Author: DBTN - FOUNDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF DBTN

My enthusiasm for all things Disney all started when my parents took our family to WDW for a vacation. My first trip was at age 13. Since that first time, I have made a trip to WDW almost every year from age 13. As far as I knew there was only one place to vacation! My fascination with WDW began on that first trip. I wanted to know how things at WDW operated and what made it so magical. I wanted to know details like how many people worked there and the length of the monorail track. It is that fascination that fueled my interest in WDW. Each year that my family vacationed at WDW, I learned more about WDW as they built more parks and added more attractions. I am not the average fan; I want to know all the details and I love researching the facts of WDW. I research facts through the Internet, books and DVDs. To me, the best part is to conduct research trip at WDW. After college, my father was transferred to Orlando and I moved with my parents. Seeking employment, I applied for a job at WDW. I passed the first rounds of interviews and was proud to join the Disney family as a security cast member! The job was great. It included Disney-specific training and security training before assuming four duties: driving a security vehicle, standing a post, working in a resort or walking a park or other area. Sometimes I even had special duties like working the Epcot Christmas Processional. I would escort the celebrity guests from backstage to onstage. Interestingly, every cast member is given a WDW fact book monthly to aid in answering guest questions. The pocket book contained great Disney facts that added more fuel for my thirst of Disney facts. Well, all-good things must come to end so we moved back to NJ. In the summer of 2010 I moved back to Florida I am now living in Orlando less then 15 minutes from WDW and living the dream and have fun along the way. Favorite Park – Magic Kingdom Favorite Character – Mickey Mouse Favorite restaurant – California Grill Favorite attraction – Toy Story Mania Favorite resort – Bay Lake Tower / Contempoary First time at a disney park – 1976 & have been every year since Who was on your first disney trip – My entire family Favorite disney memory – My first trip and my first trip with my kids How far do you live from disney now – 15 minutes When is your next Disney trip? – every weekend Favorite Disney Movie – Jungle Book & Toy Story

NEWS: Walt Disney World’s entertainment layoffs cut deep