Hate that the Union performers were let go but man, the show was a dog. And yet the theater sits there…

However, there was one regular cast member who was let go around the same time the show closed, but this wasn’t because of the show’s closing. One of the hosts (who apparently was not Equity, which is rare) was fired for an “unconventional” show ending. Every Disney entertainment offering has a contingency plan for just about anything. If a float breaks, a character fails to appear, there’s inclement weather, etc. – there is a contingency plan in place and everyone associated with the performance is expected to know and execute it. Except apparently, Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration, despite being an outdoor performance in Orlando, did not have a contingency plan for inclement weather that started during the performance. A storm started during the show while this particular cast member was hosting, and his manager signaled to him to end the show. There was no preset plan for this and the cast member had to improvise. Unfortunately, the first words that came to his mind (and out of his mouth) while he was under pressure and trying to wrap things up were, “Well folks, that was one hell of a show, wasn’t it?” Needless to say, that was his last performance at WDW.

An interesting anecdote, I thought.

I don’t at all doubt Lasseter’s sincerity, nor have I ever, but as you say I wish he seemed to care about the parks outside of Disneyland. I don’t blame him for playing favorites; we all have our biases, after all, and I would be the same way if I were in charge. But it’s for this reason that I think there really needs to be, for lack of a better term, a Disney World ‘Czar’ to keep an eye on the property. This individual would be someone from the creative side who had a special connection to and interest in the Florida property and who could make sure that things don’t get too far adrift in Orlando. Current management, none of whom come from the creative side, aren’t getting it done.

Interesting about the performers; I had assumed that it would, in fact, be a temporary closure to add some shade. While I’m glad the show’s gone, I hate it for the performers. I always feel terrible for the CMs in cases like this. If you watch the videos of the show, the CMs are always giving it 100%, even if the show is awful and there are like five people in the audience. The people that approved the show get to keep their jobs, while the entertainers pay the price.

Having met Lasseter personally (and ridden around DLP on the train there with him, believe it or not), he definitely seems like the real deal and I too continue to hold out hope for a revival. I just wish he cared about parks beyond Disneyland.

Also, interesting news from a friend of mine who works in WDW entertainment. Apparently the Stitch performers were given their two-weeks notice, so this closure may be a little more permanent than has been widely speculated.

I have a feeling that the power that be at the Magic Kingdom were wanting to have a perm structure in place instead of that “temporary” stage that seemed to stick around for several years.

I don’t care for this stage either. I also don’t care for the arcade building.

I find it hard to believe that someone didn’t look at the plans for this and think about shade. But at the same time, I found it hard to believe that someone thought that a High School Musical show belonged in Tomorrowland too.

Yeah, it’s…. interesting.