Goodbye Jack Sparrow !

[disneyfan4ever54]

I just found this article on another board. Now, I wish that I had braved the long line to get a pic with him the last time I was there.


"Hit the Road, Jack
Say good-bye to Jack Sparrow. November 15 is to be the last day for the Jack Sparrow face character at Disneyland, due to cutbacks in the Entertainment Department.

Internally, management attributes the move to waning interest in the character. Reality, however, tells a different story: Captain Jack continues to attract a crowd wherever he goes."

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

Here's the full article:


"Hit the Road, Jack
Say good-bye to Jack Sparrow. November 15 is to be the last day for the Jack Sparrow face character at Disneyland, due to cutbacks in the Entertainment Department.

Internally, management attributes the move to waning interest in the character. Reality, however, tells a different story: Captain Jack continues to attract a crowd wherever he goes.

More likely, the pixie did in the pirate. Multiple fairies now man Pixie Hollow, as opposed to the single princess that had appeared at Ariel’s Grotto. In addition, said one cast member, “A lot of money was spent on the location, and some feel that scuttling Jack could be a way to keep the department within or under budget.” A co-worker speculated that “it is because Disney does not want to continue paying Jerry Bruckheimer the rights to use the character.”
"Whatever the reason, it all comes down to money."

 

[PigletGurl]

Aww man, i never did get to take a picture with him

 

[nunzia]

Ohhhh noooooo. That's a shame. However, when Pirates 4 comes out I'll bet he'll be back!

 

[Sherry E]

I don't think interest is waning at all. It is yet another trickle-down result of the struggling economy. Attendance is down a little, DLR has to to cut back in certain areas, and so they probably sit in a room and try to decide which characters are the most beloved and important to DLR and keep those out every day, maybe only bringing out the 'others' like Jack during special seasons. The thing is, the POTC trilogy is enormously popular, and probably introduced a whole new crop of kids to POTC in the first place, so removing Jack is a little questionable. I am REALLY surprised that they are kicking him out before the Christmas season. I would think they would just let him hang around that long and then in January, give him the boot. I suspect this means that we won't be seeing any other less current or more rare characters around the parks either. Like there was a time when Jafar was out all the time, but he is scarce now. Roger Rabbit never comes out anymore, and he has an attraction in ToonTown! I was shocked to see the Queen of Hearts out in October, along with other lesser seen villains, but they probably just brought her out because it was the Halloween season and she is a villain.

Question, though - Isn't Jack in permanent residence (for PhotoPass) over on Pirate's Lair? Even though we did get pictures with Jack Sparrow at the TOTP in October, we wanted to get to Pirate's Lair but it was closed due to the Miley Cyrus birthday thing. So does this mean no more PhotoPass set-up with Jack over there? We had planned on trying to make it to Pirate's Lair in December.

 

[avalon451]

Can't believe they call it "waning interest in the character." Not from what I saw! As PP said, you'd think they'd hold out through the Christmas season.

We saw him 3 times on our trip, twice in NOS, once by ROA. Not on the island, but we were only over there briefly.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I always see a flock of women/girls following Jack...

Hmm.. Weird.

 

[disney4cam]

Well, that really sucks.

We didn't get a chance to see him last time, so I was really looking forward to it during this trip. Hopefully they change their minds.

 

[hurleysweety]

oh man...this really stinks! I was looking forward to a picture on our next visit! The line to see him in WDW last May was over an hour long, so DH and I decided we'd wait til we went to DLR!

...guess we'll just have to go back to WDW sooner that expected

 

[Disney Dreams]

Budget budget budget. The effects of the economy are everywhere. I feel for the working individuals who played Jack. No doubt they could use the work in this economy.

 

[Sherry E]

Budget budget budget. The effects of the economy are everywhere. I feel for the working individuals who played Jack. No doubt they could use the work in this economy.

Even if we haven't heard of any mass layoffs at DLR yet, they seem to be trying to make subtle budget-related cutbacks here and there that aren't too noticeable. But I think the loss of Jack will be noticed. I just can't believe they would get rid of ALL the Jacks in DLR (assuming there are a few)! I am curious to know what other characters we won't be seeing around for a while. I am hoping the economy starts an upswing soon so we don't lose more characters. But, most important, as you pointed out, Disney Dreams, is the people losing work. Hopefully, anyone who has played Jack or any other disappearing characters will be able to jump into another costume and play someone else or work in another capacity at DLR. I hope they don't lose their jobs altogether!

 

[pixiewings71]

What??? WHY would they do this?? Jack is awesome!!!! There is always a HUGE line for Jack....and crowds of people trailing behind him. I have to wonder if this is more because it's hard to make a pirate "politically correct" than anything budget related. I'm so sad that he's going away and I'm extremely happy that my girls got pictures with him!

 

[Disney Dreams]

I haven't been able to find anything about Disneyland pulling Jack Sparrow, but I did find a very interesting editorial written by someone who was a "friend" of Jack at Disneyland. The article is very interesting and gives some hints as to why Jack may be no more if in fact that is the case. He also gives some insight into working for Disneyland.

Cautionary note: There is some colorful language in the article. Therefore, I am only posting a link, not the article itself.

[edit]

- Dreams

 

[BraMax]

I just told my youngest son that Captain Jack will no longer be at Disneyland. Well he was upset. He love Pirates. He asked why and I told him that the pixies are now in the park, and he said but they have the Princesses what do us boys have but the Pirates. I think Disney is making a huge mistake.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

that sucks well glad i ran when i saw him to bad my son didnt i only got pic with him but that made my day

 

[Sherry E]

I haven't been able to find anything about Disneyland pulling Jack Sparrow, but I did find a very interesting editorial written by someone who was a "friend" of Jack at Disneyland. The article is very interesting and gives some hints as to why Jack may be no more if in fact that is the case. He also gives some insight into working for Disneyland.

Cautionary note: There is some colorful language in the article. Therefore, I am only posting a link, not the article itself.

[edit]

- Dreams

I just read that article. It IS really interesting! Thanks for posting that link. Sometimes, every so often, when I hear stories about what DLR is like behind the scenes, I get sad. I feel bad that they are supposedly so rigid and dictatorial with their staff, who try so hard to make great experiences for all of us who go there. But I am conflicted, because, let's face it, they obviously know what they are doing to a large extent in terms of creating a certain overall magical experience for us, the guests. Whatever they are doing is working, for the most part, for all of us who go! We have all fallen in love with DLR and want to go back as often as we can. It is like an almost emotional attachment to DLR and all things Mickey. So many of the CM's seem like they really enjoy their jobs and that it is not just a 'show,' so I have to (want to) believe that working for DLR is not too tough for them. I would hate to greatly enjoy interacting with a character only to learn that they were miserable 'behind the fur.'

So back to Jack Sparrow...I wonder if the main reason DLR is getting rid of him is that it is too hard to keep the reins on the guys who play him? Maybe they take too many liberties while in character and it has gotten to be too difficult to control them? Perhaps the Jacks have been inciting too many lustful women to act out, and as with Esmeralda, they have to remove him to stop the problem!

...Because I know it is not due to waning interest....

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

So back to Jack Sparrow...I wonder if the main reason DLR is getting rid of him is that it is too hard to keep the reins on the guys who play him? Maybe they take too many liberties while in character and it has gotten to be too difficult to control them? Perhaps the Jacks have been inciting too many lustful women to act out, and as with Esmeralda, they have to remove him to stop the problem!

...Because I know it is not due to waning interest....

This is what I thought also. I am wondering if he was a liability that they are not willing to keep for now. I'm sure in the end it still comes down to money.

 

[Sherry E]

This is what I thought also. I am wondering if he was a liability that they are not willing to keep for now. I'm sure in the end it still comes down to money.

I think so too. It is probably a combination of rough economic times and the kind of racy Jack Sparrow character in general. If the economy were not what it is at this moment, DLR would likely be more willing to deal with the kind of responses the Jacks elicit from female guests, because he is most definitely popular with kids and adults! It was one thing to get rid of the Esmeralda character, as stated in the article Disney Dreams posted the link for, because she really wasn't that important to DLR in the grand scheme of things. But Jack Sparrow is a different story because those movies are hugely successful.

 

[Gisele]

I had seen Jack, on numerous occasions, during my past several trips. However, I being a procrastinator, put on hold, until what was suppose to be a later time, which did not happen, for one reason or another, interacting with him. I would have loved to do that! I like to pretend too. Matter of fact, sometimes, I will, just for the fun of it, do my own rendition of Jack. If anyone ever picks up on it, I cannot say. he he! But I do have fun with it. Or pretending to be a pirate otherwise. So therefore DRATS! Unless I visit by 11/11, so as to see about said interaction, I will have to wait for another time frame. Which hopefully will occur again, next year. Maybe in time for my birthday!

 

[jernysgirl]

I just told my youngest son that Captain Jack will no longer be at Disneyland. Well he was upset. He love Pirates. He asked why and I told him that the pixies are now in the park, and he said but they have the Princesses what do us boys have but the Pirates. I think Disney is making a huge mistake.

It kind of is weird that they would cut such a "boy" thing, (I know girls like him too... and instead keep MORE girly characters like the new pixies. I know they are popular too, but boys have such an unmet market at DLR.