Kaleo was let go!

[mickey2minnie1]

The response I got was similar. A thank you and needed to make some changes in entertainment.

 

[huntconn]

Just sent my 2 cents to Disney. It will probably fall on deaf ears but I still think it's important to let them know how I feel. Kaleo will be greatly missed. He will most likely be replaced by a younger and thus much lower paid entertainer. How sad that his tenure and dedication has actually become a negative to management. How sad. Our family will still make the Polynesian our resort of choice but each visit will have some bittersweetness to it without Kaleo there. Good luck Kaleo. Aloha and Mahalo with all of my heart.

 

[Planecrazy4dis]

You’re right huntconn. Guest Correspondence finally replied to me and said: “Guests may continue to enjoy the Spirit of Aloha dinner show and entertainment”. In other words, they’re telling me if I want to experience live Hawaiian music I have to fork up the money for the Spirit of Aloha show. Despite Disney’s deaf ears…I’m glad everyone is giving them their 2 cents. Keep on squeaking that wheel!

 

[DawnCt1]

I accidently stumbled across this thread and the sad news of Kaleo's departure. We included the Tambu Lounge and Kaleo in every WDW vacation, and planned to do so again in March. This has been a pattern at WDW for years. John Charles was one of the original entertainers at the Poly. He was vanquished to the Baton Rouge Lounge, to Port Orleans, and eventually "out the door".

 

[Amy&Dan]

Oh wow, that makes me so sad! Kaleo, best of luck to you, we so enjoyed sitting and listening to your music. Waiting to go into O'Hana, listening to you and sipping on a Lapu Lapu was just the best! My daughter and I sat and listened to you for about 45 minutes last spring. I hate to tell her you won't be there when we go back this June.

I emailed Disney, the more Disney touches they lose, the less magical they become. Really a shame.

 

[smatterchu]

Now before you get too excited, he was just filling in for the usual "Coconut Race' entertainer.....

but LOOK!!!

All this time, I just thought we'd managed to come on his 'days off' -- but either way, we heard his wonderful voice as we were seated last night, and I immediately started looking around for our Hawaiian friend!! For a second, I was afraid it was a recording - until he appeared from behind a big column across the room...

He was so sweet - and said that last night was his first night back since December - but that he'd gotten to meet and visit with many guests/families who had remembered him from before. I was so sad to hear that he was no longer a permanent fixture at 'Ohana -- such a shame...

For me, he was such a subtle statement and tribute to the people of Hawaii. Sure, he would do the coconut races and things like that, but the point of him was to bring the beautiful music and spirit of the Polynesian culture to the guests visiting. He didn't get in your face and make a big deal about himself -- he just was, and I always thought he'd be there...

He came over last night and as we were talking, he realized that we'd missed the last coconut race (which was unfortunate, because we'd told the boys all about it) Well, would you know that he worked a quick bit of magic and did one last race for the kids that were still there at that time?? It was several of our birthdays last night, and he came over and sang happy birthday - which I loved...

Anyway -- I just wanted to share the good news... I will be sending a note to the e-mail link at Disney Communications. Thankfully, he's still in the roladex and got called to fill in for another CM. I loved his mellow take on the whole dining atmosphere. I have been coming to 'Ohana and listening to Kaleo since 1998 -- sure isn't the same when he's not there...

Thank you, Kaleo!!

 

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

We saw Kaleo last week on 4/29/09! We were so excited to see him. He was filling in for the regular performer. We told him that we were a big supporter of him and we put in a good word for him at the front desk to bring him back. He performed the Hawaiian Wedding song me and my new wife for our honeymoon.

 

[trviolante]

We want to write to Bob Iger to protest the firing of Kaleo Carvalho at the Ohana/Poly for "economic reasons." (Ha!)

We have seen him every year since he started in 1990 and he was one of the reasons we went to WDW and Ohana. It won't be the same without him. I've been in touch with him and know the whole sordid story but I want Iger to know how displeased we are with what his company did. Any info on contacting him via email would be great.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

I just ate at Ohanas on thursday night and he was there filling in. He says he does the luau occasionally as well.

I told him how much the DIS loved him and I got a picture with him.