Kaleo was let go!

[Traveliz]

Well, if it's not any of my business, why is it anyone else's business on this therad? What an odd thing to say.

We often find out fairly quickly why people are let go. If they are fired, that story usually breaks quickly. If a contract isn't renewed, the performer him/herself will usually let fans know.

So, even though you think it's known of my business, if anyone does know what went down, some of us would like to know.

I am just saying that even though you are curious it is unlikely you will get the whole story - certainly not from Disney and if from the performer it will be his story - which is fine - and would be interesting but I don't think there will be much information forth coming on this.

Kaleo's website has no information on it at this time -- just an email contact address.

Liz

 

[MiaSRN62]

As far as I'm concerned, Kaleo was one of those unique experiences at WDW that keeps us coming back. If everything starts becoming cookie-cutter, I can't see buying AP's and visiting 2-3 times a year. Who is next to be cut ? The sax player at POFQ ? He also provides a unique flare and experience to a wdw vacation & that resort in particular. I agree...there had to be many other areas they could cut ? We'll miss ya Kaleo. You provided something special to the Poly.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I am just saying that even though you are curious it is unlikely you will get the whole story - certainly not from Disney and if from the performer it will be his story - which is fine - and would be interesting but I don't think there will be much information forth coming on this.

Kaleo's website has no information on it at this time -- just an email contact address.

Liz

Well, if people don't know the full story, is it really fair to start a letter-writing campaign to Disney? Wouldn't it be better to at least try to be better informed before throwing words around? (I'm not saying that all letters will be negative but there are certainly those on these boards intending to write negative letters.)

 

[Traveliz]

Well, if people don't know the full story, is it really fair to start a letter-writing campaign to Disney? Wouldn't it be better to at least try to be better informed before throwing words around? (I'm not saying that all letters will be negative but there are certainly those on these boards intending to write negative letters.)

I would say it would certainly be fair to write to Disney (if this is a matter that interests you) and say that you understand Kaleo is no longer performing the ceremonty and that it has always brought you great joy and whatever whatever, relate any personal stories you have and let them know you wish they would reconsider the decision for the show to no longer continue...etc and so forth.

Most likely they will email or even call back with the response that they are always glad to hear guest feedback and will forward your concerns to the appropriate departments.

I did read on another board that the ceremony was resuming BUT possibly with another performer. There was no confirmation on that however.

Liz

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

My family will certainly miss him. We enjoyed listening to his music as we waited for our dinner and enjoyed our drinks!!

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I would say it would certainly be fair to write to Disney (if this is a matter that interests you) and say that you understand Kaleo is no longer performing the ceremonty and that it has always brought you great joy and whatever whatever, relate any personal stories you have and let them know you wish they would reconsider the decision for the show to no longer continue...etc and so forth.

Most likely they will email or even call back with the response that they are always glad to hear guest feedback and will forward your concerns to the appropriate departments.

Liz, I think this may be a good suggestion for some. It is certainly better than some of the angry suggestions I have read about. However, I won't be writing that letter because I had no idea who Kaleo was until the last few days and I have no idea if Disney did let him go or if it was he who decided not to renew his contract.

 

[safetymom]

No debating please. If you care to send a note to WDW please do so.

 

[Uncleromulus]

planecrazyfordis:
I'm still reeling over the fact that they replaced Papeete Bay Verandah with O'hana! For me, that took all of the pleasure out of the Poly.
So I can easily understand why folks aren't happy with Kaleo not being there anymore.

 

[Traveliz]

planecrazyfordis:
I'm still reeling over the fact that they replaced Papeete Bay Verandah with O'hana! For me, that took all of the pleasure out of the Poly.
So I can easily understand why folks aren't happy with Kaleo not being there anymore.

LOL and for me its the absence of Goofy Bars which were sometimes called other names to fit the theme or new movie out. I still longingly look at carts thinking they will show back up.

Liz

 

[Planecrazy4dis]

planecrazyfordis:
I'm still reeling over the fact that they replaced Papeete Bay Verandah with O'hana! For me, that took all of the pleasure out of the Poly.
So I can easily understand why folks aren't happy with Kaleo not being there anymore.

Yeah Uncleromulus…I miss Papeete Bay Veranda too along with Minnie's Menehune Breakfast down in that free standing building. If my memory serves me correctly, I think I had my first taste of Tonga Toast at the Minnie's Menehune Breakfast.

 

[MiaSRN62]

And we're still missing Mickey's Tropical Luau at the Poly ! The downsizing just continues on and on............

 

[fbb]

Before everyone starts writing their angry letters, did anyone actually bother to check the facts on this? Was he actually let go or was his contract simply not renewed or did he, in fact, retire?

If the person in the Mickey Mouse suit retired, would Disney find a replacement immediately?

Whatever the reason, the show at the Polynesian suffers. Someone should be there.

 

[anthony2k7]

And you might not be spending your $20 at the Poly any more but that's just 20 extra dollars for you to spend on something else at Disney.

what makes you so certain people will spend that extra $20 at Disney? I gather a lot of people believe the merchandise is going downhill as well, likewise the food in the restaurants, and the selection of drinks in the bars. Seems everything that people might have considered spending that $20 on has had cutbacks as well. Maybe most people will choose to take their $20 home, or shock horror.... spend it at universal!

 

[anthony2k7]

Very easily. You measure it in dollars and cents. You take your givens: Disney pays Kaleo x number of dollars to perform on any given night and x number of people are benefiting from this expenditure. You plug those numbers into a carefully crafted formula. If the resulting product is a positive number than it's worth keeping him. If it's a negative product, you let him go.

really? is it really that simple? I think not. As someone mentioned, they'll be spending $20 less from now on.

Bean counters very very rarely consider all the variables involved. For Disney on something like this they should consider the mood of everyone who has listened to Kaleo. Undoubtedly the majority who did would have gone away just a little happier than if they hadnt heard him. Happier people spend more money. That alone is difficult to model in a spreadsheet. But then you have to take into consideration the people who'll say "I've really enjoyed my evening here... lets hang around a little longer". From there you have other variables such as what other attractions are there to keep people there? What is the general attmosphere like - which is controlled by mood of the cast members and other guests?

Ultimately they need to make peoples visits to the resorts to be special, and something they want to take souvenirs away from. Take away those special things, and sooner or later more and more people stop having those extra special times.

Without them doing extensive surveys I can be pretty certain they have no idea whether people who ate at kona and then watched Kaleo were more likely to then buy a drink and some merchandise over those who just ate at kona without seeing Kaleo.

I can say with good certainty the bean counters will not have considered that. Generally only direct costs/benefits are considered, not indirect.

 

[safetymom]

This thread is being moved since it doesn't have anything to do with resort planning any longer. If you care to keep this thread open do not debate the issue any more.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

If the person in the Mickey Mouse suit retired, would Disney find a replacement immediately?

Whatever the reason, the show at the Polynesian suffers. Someone should be there.

I hardly think you can compare Kaleo, who barely anyone has actually heard of, to Mickey Mouse, perhaps the best known character in the world.

The fact is that there were a small number of people who turned up to see him. Whether or not you trust Disney's "bean counting", it was obvious that this act wasn't a huge money maker. They obviously felt that they could cut it without losing too many guests.

 

[fbb]

I hardly think you can compare Kaleo, who barely anyone has actually heard of, to Mickey Mouse, perhaps the best known character in the world.

The fact is that there were a small number of people who turned up to see him. Whether or not you trust Disney's "bean counting", it was obvious that this act wasn't a huge money maker. They obviously felt that they could cut it without losing too many guests.

While I admit that I did not know who Kaleo was, everyone who set foot in the GCH at the Polynesian was aware that someone was playing music. Someone should still be playing.

 

[MiaSRN62]

While I admit that I did not know who Kaleo was, everyone who set foot in the GCH at the Polynesian was aware that someone was playing music. Someone should still be playing.

Agree 100% fbb. It added ambience and authenticity to the Poly.

 

[tsal]

So would you like them to cut service staff such as front desk or housekeeping? Then you would complain about longer check in times, or dirty rooms. This is a business folks, and when cuts are made the least important jobs will go, I know he added ambiance etc., but the people that run the property are far more important. I'm not saying it isn't sad, it's business.

 

[polineedyan]

I thought this wasnt a debate?