Kaleo was let go!

[Planecrazy4dis]

Last week was Kaleo’s last day at the Polynesian Resort along with the last Torch Lighting Ceremony. For those who did not have the privilege of experiencing Kaleo's beautiful Hawaiian music, he was the musician from the Tambu Lounge. He was one of the true authentic things about the Poly that I absolutely loved. He brought Hawaii to central Florida. After 18 years, WDW let Kaleo go due to cutbacks. That is NOT the ohana spirit. DW and I are going to write a letter to WDW, to bring him back. This was a big mistake on Disney’s part. Kaleo, you will be missed.

MAHALO BRA!


This is Kaleo’s official website.
http://www.bighawaiianguy.com/


Tikiman is making a Kaleo tribute.
http://[url]http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/_Aloha.html[/URL]


Jeff Lang made a great video of the last Torch Lighting Ceremony featuring Kaleo on December 13, 2008.
http://[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxW7-Y5wGTU[/URL]

 

[alldiz]

Thats really sad.....it's all those little touches that made the magic
Kerri

 

[Scrooge McDuck fan]

 

[WDWorld2003]

This is really sad - he's one of the reasons we always go to Ohana. I will be writing, also.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

didn't he sing at o'hana also? so there won't be singing there anymore? not worth going, then...geesh, i feel bad for him!

 

[Tissa]

That is very sad. While I understand the need for some cutback, I keep going to WDW for the little touches. Once they are gone it's just another place.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

What a shame These extra touches are one of the things that make the deluxes special and worth the crazy prices they charge.

 

[BreezysMom]

We unknowingly saw his last show. I am grateful to have been there. I loved sitting in the lounge sipping on a drink and chilling to the music.

I hope he moves on to great things.

 

[jackemail]

Very upset about Kaleo--will be writing as well. He and his music were integral parts of what makes Poly so special.

 

[disneygal2007]

 

[nbodyhome]

I was there for the final day, I put photos up and a friend put a full video up of the final ceremony (you can find the video on YouTube). It was really sad - the loss of a great entertainer from the resort.

 

[mmmears]

I agree. The little touches are what makes WDW special, and what makes it worth it to stay at these overly expensive resorts. It's really Polynesia, but the music, people and atmosphere they create make it "feel" like it -- and that's what makes me want to stay there. I feel so sorry for people who lose their jobs in this tough economy, too. It's not easy to find another one...

 

[nbodyhome]

I wonder if touches like that being missing will keep guests away. Because of the economy, Disney has cut entertainment - but I wonder if some guests will stay away because of that. It seems like a bad cycle.

Kaleo was really important to some guests. He ended his last day with class, and I do hope he is brought back someday.

 

[notsogoofy]

What irks me is that he's not the only one they let go. I think there were 3 of them they let go. I dont know how they think that cutting out 3 salaries will save the resort..It really is low down and dirty. They couldve cut back so many other areas than something so personal..Id be PO'd major if Id been there for 18 years and they cited budget cuts as their reasoning. Thas BS. Too bad. Truly..maybe we should start a petition..If he'd even come back. Dont know how he feels about it all, but I can only assume..DIRTY RATS!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Ok I am now devasted, DH and I loved having a drink and listening to him!

We are headed to the Poly next month and I was really looking forward to ending our nights with him!

 

[unicorn1]

You know, if you think about the vastness of the operating costs of an enterprise as large as WDW, there have GOT to be plenty of behind-the-scenes things that can be cut without having to cut the special treats that deliver the magic like Kaleo. Not only is it unfortunate for those of us that will greatly miss him at Poly, it doesn't seem like good business sense either.

Was looking forward to seeing him in February - I hope this is very temporary.

 

[MMCFan]

There are photos of Kaleo over at Mousesteps, from the final day.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I am absolutely devastated to hear this. I loved listening to Kaleo either in 'Ohana or in Tambu Lounge. Last Christmas my DD9 had the best time singing along with him as he sang "Mele Kalikimaka" on Christmas Day. It is people like him who bring the Aloha spirit to the Polynesian and with him gone...it really makes our upcoming stay bittersweet.

The more cultural touches Disney cuts from the Poly, the less inclined I am to stay there. Time to start saving in overdrive for a visit to an actual polynesian island....

 

[CarolA]

What a shame These extra touches are one of the things that make the deluxes special and worth the crazy prices they charge.

No, they still aren't worth the prices with the "extra touchs" IMHO. So now you are getting an even more "basic" hotel for those crazy prices.

While there's an "outcry" on here, the truth is that Disney probably looked at the numbers who routinely watched this ceremony and went "not worth it" I expect that in the current economy you will see a lot more of this.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I am so devasted to hear that, and I know my DH will be as well. When we were at the World in 2007 we happened to hear him sing at the Tambu Lounge (first time, during our "Date Night") and we thought he was amazing. We loved sipping on our fruity tropical drinks and listen to his music, it was so relaxing that I never wanted to leave. They even had a group of hula dancers come in and hula for us while he sang. It made the night so romantic and magical....that is also when my DH said that he would love to stay there someday (he never really had the urge to until he actually saw the resort and the beauty behind it). We had planned on going back there in March to again sip on some fruity drinks and listen to him perform, I guess that won't be happening now will it.