Just read on another forum!

[ColoradoBelle1]

Just read on the 'regular' disboard forum that Disney did NOT resign
the living statues group to contract...and that they are no more.

This makes me terribly sad, for I felt they added so much to the world showcase experience.

I don't like this kind of cost cutting.

 

[Plus4206]

I've always understood that the WS countries were responsible for their own staffing. Disney really isn't in "cut back" mode right now. Are you sure they are the bad guy ?

 

[tjkraz]

I've always understood that the WS countries were responsible for their own staffing. Disney really isn't in "cut back" mode right now. Are you sure they are the bad guy ?

I know most of the pavilions are funded by their host countries, but I don't know if that extends to day-to-day operations and staffing decisions. Haven't the statues moved from one pavilion to another over time?

Regardless, sometimes things just run their course. If true, it still might be a little early to label this "cost cutting."

 

[DebbieB]

Perhaps they are bringing something new in for the 50th celebration.

 

[crisi]

I've known people who have had WS contracts. They are generally fairly short term gigs and Disney always has people out looking for different acts. They may be being replaced with other entertainment somewhere.

Its also possible they wouldn't resign for the same money. I know someone who thought "hey, we are popular, we can get more." They didn't.

 

[DrBond007]

Given they have recently added two attractions to Epcot, I'm not sure one can assign cost cutting as the motive. I believe Disney has something like 70 labor and trade unions, it is a complicated place.

I enjoyed the statues too, but there will always be some changes.....

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

Of course the point isn't how wonderful Disney is or isn't when it comes to employees...at least for me. The point is that they were...again, for me...the best thing about World Showcase. And, they are apparantly gone because their contract wasn't renewed. And I'll miss them.

 

[AmyBeth68]

Our family will miss them , they were one of the highlights of WS for us. My kids are totally bummed!

But I guess change happens...

 

[Luvdisney]

Oh No, I was so looking forward to showing a couple of friends the statues on our next trip.

 

[CarolA]

It appears Italy now has a juggler instead of the Living Statues....

 

[sjdisneywedding]

ughhh, jugglers? I was just going to post that maybe they will replace the statues with something better, but jugglers! i love a good juggling act as much as the next person but thats not very creative, I hope thats not the entire replacement

 

[mom2rb]

The problem with this is, after we saw the statues my kids wanted to practice being very still. After we see the jugglers I am going to have lots of broken things in my house.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We will really miss them too! Always good for mid day stop and laugh!

 

[micks]

We just got back from WDW and missed the statues very much! We never caught the jugglers, but the traveling "actors" instead.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

The problem with this is, after we saw the statues my kids wanted to practice being very still. After we see the jugglers I am going to have lots of broken things in my house.

 

[kathleena]

We saw the juggler back on March 10th. He was OK, but I feel the same way - replacing the unique statues with a juggler? Where the statues would interact with dozens of folks per set - the juggler had one or two children participate. I didn't find him to be very unique at all.

 

[DrBond007]

Of course the point isn't how wonderful Disney is or isn't when it comes to employees...at least for me. The point is that they were...again, for me...the best thing about World Showcase. And, they are apparantly gone because their contract wasn't renewed. And I'll miss them.

I'll miss them too they were great. I agree the point isn't employee relations, but you did make the statement:

I don't like this kind of cost cutting.

And we don't really know if that had anything to do with why they will no longer be there.

 

[married@wdw]

We got married December '98 at the Italy Pavilion and wanted to have a living statue at our cocktail hour on the Italy Isola. Couldn't believe when we were told the fee would be around $1000 for one hour. It was a crazy amount of money and the wedding planner said they get paid "very well." As contract employees, their fees for events are not controlled by Disney -- the performers set the fees themselves. Needless to say, no living statue for us and they never quite appealed to me the same way again.

Especially, given that John Charles -- my husband's FAVORITE musician -- came to sing at our reception and never charged us a penny because it was his day off. It was a huge gesture on his part and I'll forever be grateful to him, but it made the living statues look that much worse for price gouging on a wedding.

 

[manning]

Everything in a wedding is price gouging.

I use to do wedding pictures yeeears ago. You'd be surprised how little it cost to print a picture.

My wife is now into sewing. A few years ago she met a lady who makes wedding dresses and does alterations for a wedding dress shop. She got the shock of her life when she found out what the profit margin was for a dress.

And that 15.00 (if that) wedding cake you paid 500.00 for. (let you in on a little secret. majority of them are box cakes. Wilton pushes Duncan Hines. The butter cream frosting is Crisco and sugar. no butter at all.)

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

It appears Italy now has a juggler instead of the Living Statues....

Oh no!! Say it isn't so!!! This means Disney must have relocated the jugglers from the Boardwalk. You know the ones from the lively seaside village...the ones you see on the DVC sales video.

We always liked the statue show and thought it was one of the more creative and entertaining ones at WS. I hope it returns in the future.