Entertainer at Poly Fired - Lipoa's Return!! & 'Ohana's changes

[cigar95]

Who's next - Art the Greeter at the BC?

Now THAT would require going nuclear.

I hadn't made the association before, but all the kind things people have said about Lipoa (who I've only seen once, for some reason) are exactly the things I think about Admiral Art.

 

[DiznEeyore]

I'm glad to hear she's going to be taking steps to remedy the situation legally. All the guest emails in the world won't do any good if the person involved isn't willing to stand up for herself.

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

I can't believe this! Even when the service at 'Ohana is slipping and the food isn't always fantastic, we could always depend on Lipoa to make sure we had a great time!

I am going to send a letter to Disney right now!

Don't worry Lipoa, we got your back, girl!

 

[Diz_knee62]

Wow, way to back your employees, Disney!

Like so many previous posters have said, WHY WAS HE ON THE FLOOR TAKING PHOTOS? And if he did get a glimpse of something under the skirt, then he should be ashamed of himself for aiming the camera there to begin with.

 

[afcgirl]

I really think people are jumping to a lot of conclusions here about Disney. I saw Lipoa and while she was a perfectly good performer I would never assume that I knew her character or how she conducts herself on a regular basis. Disney cannot give their side for legal reasons so it is unfair to criticize their decision IMO. As others have said, we are only hearing one side of the story.

 

[MariDisney]

Wow. I hope that somehow she gets her position back. She is certainly one of the highlights for us at 'Ohana. In fact, we "do" her voice all the time while reliving our 'Ohana dinners.

 

[profdsny]

Just from what I've read, it sure sounds like the guy was in the wrong. I wonder if she didn't call him on it at the time and he complained, turning it on her.
HOWEVER, that said, she reminded me of the Rita Moreno character in "The Ritz." Not really great entertainment. When we were there, we were always glad that she was working the other side of the room.

 

[Miz Diz]

With all due respect- is it possible there is more to this story? It just doesn't sound right...

I agree - sounds fishy. There are 2 sides to every story. I don't know this lady and was just at the Poly - no disrespect to her and I am not saying her story isn't true, just wondering what someone else's version is.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I believe in keeping an open mind too, but to those thinking there "must" be more to the story...What could it be??? Worse case scenerio is she wasn't wearing undergarments and intentionally flashed this guy ... Having seen Lipoa work many times and knowing the type of CM Disney usually hires (especially in years gone by and she's a long time CM) this seems highly, highly unlikely as any penchant for this type of behavior would have surely landed here in hot water earlier than this.

Especially with this decision coming from California I think it stinks of corporate weasels looking for a scapegoat.

JMO.

 

[cdrn1]

It is nuts to be fired based on one complaint. Anyone who works with the general public can tell you that half of the people are crazy and there is no way to please them!

Amen to that!

 

[DonnaDuck]

This is crazy...

Makes me wonder if someone layed on the floor and got a pic up Minnie's skirt, would she be fired too? I can just see it now, Minnie being made to wear pants forever...

If I was Disney execs, I'd be wondering what made him snap the pic up her dress in the first place? Hope we find out more about this situation.

 

[jimmytammy]

I am on her side! This sounds like a case of someone with a gripe and taking it a bit further than time should be given. It is an outrage for one complaint to allow removal of a longtime, dedicated employee. If that were the case, we all would be removed! I will send an email and letter. We have seen her perform and entertain the kids numerous times, and NEVER has she given us reason to question her intentions.

DW also mentioned that this guy must have been really low on the floor, to the point of his head touching the floor, as her dresses are typically down to her ankles. Sounds like a case of a prude being caught doing the wrong thing, so he is trying to prove a point to save his own you-know-what!

 

[alohaguy]

To clarify - at the time the photo was taken, Lipoa was leading a limbo contest for the kids at 'Ohana's (which she does frequently), and apparently one father tried to take a photo at an 'interesting' angle of his daughter going beneath the limbo pole - this is why he was on the floor. However, everyone has a reasonable expectation of privacy, and no one would expect to be photographed from the floor (in my opinion).

 

[CathrynRose]

Honestly....sounds like a weirdo-pervert snapping shots he shouldnt be, and is now trying to cover for doing so.

I hope this works out for Lipoa, I really do.

 

[djnrook]

I know nothing of the situation other than what I have read in the thread.

However, a possible different scenario would be that a gentleman was attempting to get a picture of his child doing the limbo, and perhaps very innocently got down into a low position. It could be that he had no intention of anything malicious, yet the employee felt that he was indeed attempting to be a voyuer.

If you consider this possible scenario, and add the reports (albeit minority) that said employee had been seen losing her temper and shouting when equipment malfunctioned, perhaps she saw the gentlemen in an akward position, assumed he was infringing on her privacy, and confronted him on it?

I could see that leading to termination, especially if the guest showed that his camera had no prints even close to her hemline, but instead prints of his child? I surely would not be pleased if a cast member accused me of perversion while on vacation, presumedly in front of my family and a gaggle or strangers.

Just another way it may have gone?

 

[alohaguy]

djnrook - I understand it is everyone's right to be skeptical, and as none of us -including me- were present during any of these events, we can never say for sure what occured. I can, however, say that there definitively was a photo taken, and it was taken at such an angle as to see up Lipoa's dress. I know this not only because Lipoa told me she fought to have the picture shown to her (and it eventually was by Poly GM Dave Venerables) because she herself did not believe the picture existed, but because it will also be pursued as evidence by her attorneys during her wrongful termination suit.

Additionaly, it was the guest that complained to management (and then to california) about what he captured on his camera - not Lipoa, who in my opinion, should have been the one complaining.

Everyone has a right to doubt whether the complete story has been presented, but anyone who knows Lipoa personally at all would surely feel for her and her terrible situation. I have merely presented the scenario as it was told to me by Lipoa. I acknowledge completely that she is my only source, and as I have stated previously, I choose to believe her completely because I know her personally and have faith in her character. I'm sure many others do as well, just as I am sure that there are those that will not.

 

[Sammie]

I know nothing of the situation other than what I have read in the thread.

However, a possible different scenario would be that a gentleman was attempting to get a picture of his child doing the limbo, and perhaps very innocently got down into a low position. It could be that he had no intention of anything malicious, yet the employee felt that he was indeed attempting to be a voyuer.

If you consider this possible scenario, and add the reports (albeit minority) that said employee had been seen losing her temper and shouting when equipment malfunctioned, perhaps she saw the gentlemen in an akward position, assumed he was infringing on her privacy, and confronted him on it?

I could see that leading to termination, especially if the guest showed that his camera had no prints even close to her hemline, but instead prints of his child? I surely would not be pleased if a cast member accused me of perversion while on vacation, presumedly in front of my family and a gaggle or strangers.

Just another way it may have gone?

I would say if you took your version and the OP's version the truth lies somewhere in between.

 

[djnrook]

djnrook - I understand it is everyone's right to be skeptical, and as none of us -including me- were present during any of these events, we can never say for sure what occured. I can, however, say that there definitively was a photo taken, and it was taken at such an angle as to see up Lipoa's dress. I know this not only because Lipoa told me she fought to have the picture shown to her (and it eventually was by Poly GM Dave Venerables) because she herself did not believe the picture existed, but because it will also be pursued as evidence by her attorneys during her wrongful termination suit.

Additionaly, it was the guest that complained to management (and then to california) about what he captured on his camera - not Lipoa, who in my opinion, should have been the one complaining.

Everyone has a right to doubt whether the complete story has been presented, but anyone who knows Lipoa personally at all would surely feel for her and her terrible situation. I have merely presented the scenario as it was told to me by Lipoa. I acknowledge completely that she is my only source, and as I have stated previously, I choose to believe her completely because I know her personally and have faith in her character. I'm sure many others do as well, just as I am sure that there are those that will not.

Just to be clear, I have no reason to disbelieve the story, and did not mean to offend you. I was just offerring a scenario from the opposite point of view.

 

[alohaguy]

djnrook - no offense taken at all. My only aim in posting this thread was to inform those that know Lipoa of her termination, and of the questionable circumstances surrounding the incident. I was simply hoping that those people who believe her and trust her personally would support her with e-mails and letters to Disney. And although such an effort will most certainly be fruitless, she is aware of the efforts people have made on her behalf and that alone has lifted her spirits. Of the 10,000-plus people that have viewed this thread, I'm sure a good number of them will miss her and have hopefully expressed their opinion.

Just wanted to add that I have received many private messages regarding Lipoa's termination, and I have relayed these messages to Lipoa by phone. Also, anyone that would like to contact Lipoa personally to wish her well or to just say hello, feel free to send me a message and I will pass along her e-mail address.

Aloha

 

[joliesmom]

I sent my letter of complaint to Disney. We were just there in early December and my husband and nephew were picked by Lipoa to hold the limbo pole. For a reference for those that may have never experienced Lipoa she wears a long dress but she does kick her legs around when she dances. I have never witnessed any type of unprofessional behavior from her and we ate at Ohanas twice during this last trip. She is an employee that adds Disney magic to every trip we see her at. The story sounds totally plausible to me, I work for a large corporation that would have the same knee jerk reaction to a complaint. The sad part is that there are so many valid complaints that Disney chooses to ignore. I guess the "man on the floor" must be someone of importance for them to consider answering his complaints.