Living statues at Epcot

[bicker]

They always find great attractions to take their place, though, and that's really important. Our family doesn't return to WDW year after year to enjoy the same attractions, but rather to enjoy an ever-changing array of attractions, including a significant number of new attractions each year. Otherwise, we'd return to WDW much less often, and that wouldn't serve Disney's interests as well.

In the case of the Living Statues, my understanding is that Disney offered them a contract to stay, and they refused, because they didn't want to commit to exclusivity for Disney. They wanted to ply their trade on the open market. I don't think either side made a bad move. I bet the Living Statues earn more profit doing these private parties than they would as Disney employees (and they don't have to deal with heat-and-humidity for five months out of the year ).

 

[taximomfor4]

They always find great attractions to take their place, though, and that's really important. Our family doesn't return to WDW year after year to enjoy the same attractions, but rather to enjoy an ever-changing array of attractions, including a significant number of new attractions each year. Otherwise, we'd return to WDW much less often, and that wouldn't serve Disney's interests as well.

In the case of the Living Statues, my understanding is that Disney offered them a contract to stay, and they refused, because they didn't want to commit to exclusivity for Disney. They wanted to ply their trade on the open market. I don't think either side made a bad move. I bet the Living Statues earn more profit doing these private parties than they would as Disney employees (and they don't have to deal with heat-and-humidity for five months out of the year ).

Darn you, Bicker, going and being all logical on us again!

 

[bicker]

Yeah, damn that logic.... gets us every time.

 

[DisMN]

They always find great attractions to take their place, though, and that's really important. Our family doesn't return to WDW year after year to enjoy the same attractions, but rather to enjoy an ever-changing array of attractions, including a significant number of new attractions each year. Otherwise, we'd return to WDW much less often, and that wouldn't serve Disney's interests as well.

You're wrong.


Anyone remember Rondo Veneziano/Nova Era in Italy?

How about the mime who walked around in a giant people sized bubble?

And how about those tall stilt walking guys over in Italy? Masquerade I think?

And how about the tall stilt walking BIRDS??

And what about Roland, the balloon mime?

And how about the Living Statues?

And what about the entire parade that is no more?

And this is just stuff I can come up with off the top of my head.

What has taken the place of any of these? Nothing. Oh wait, one thing.....there is some sort of juggler over in France. One thing to replace 7 or 8??


And then Bicker, you say you and your family go so you can see an ever changing array of attractions.......well me and my family enjoy bringing guests with us and showing them the delightful things we've seen prior years. Not only that but my husband and I tend to enjoy repeat performances of excellent, creative, fun, funny, interesting entertainment. I could watch the living statues every single year.
I could have listened to Rondo Veneziano, sitting in the sun with a glass of wine.....every single year.

Don't sit here and tell me Disney has just switched out one act for another, that nothing is missing from EPCOT's promenade. I've compared my old entertainment guides with newer ones. Disney has discontinued many marvelous one-of-a-kind entertainment and has NOT replaced them with anything.

Back on topic, isn't it strange that a current travel show would be hyping entertainment that isn't even there anymore? I mean the Living Statues being gone isn't exactly new info.....who's responsible for research on shows like that? LOL sheesh......

 

[Baloo]

I noticed the LS on Samatha Brown too and was hoping they were back.

From what I remember the reason the show ended was Disney wanted to make the LS show exclusive to Epcot which wouldn't allow them to do the show anywhere else. They chose not to renew the contract with Disney so they can do the show where ever they want.Then Unity had a clause in their original contract with Disney that prevents Disney from replicating any of their acts so Disney can't just hire their own people to play statues..



DisMn I agree with you!

 

[DisMN]

I noticed the LS on Samatha Brown too and was hoping they were back.

From what I remember the reason the show ended was Disney wanted to make the LS show exclusive to Epcot which wouldn't allow them to do the show anywhere else. They chose not to renew the contract with Disney so they can do the show where ever they want.Then Unity had a clause in their original contract with Disney that prevents Disney from replicating any of their acts so Disney can't just hire their own people to play statues..



DisMn I agree with you!

That is interesting info about the contract clause.....I had never heard that! I always wondered why Disney didn't just find someone else to perform a similar show. Thanks!

 

[bicker]

You're wrong.

No, sorry, I'm not. I'm sorry you don't enjoy the progress that Disney has made, but the things I said are absolutely correct from my perspective. Disney isn't for everyone, and it sounds like is surely isn't for you (anymore). That's unfortunate for you, but fortunate for those of us whom see Disney's advances as positive things.

Expedition Everest
Mickey's Philharmagic
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor and Turtle Talk with Crush
SOARIN'
Mission: Space
Test Track
Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt Show
Finding Nemo - The Musical

Don't sit here and tell me Disney has just switched out one act for another

With respect, tough luck. Again, I'm sorry that you don't like the way things have gone, but allow the rest of us to enjoy that Disney is serving our needs quite well.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You're wrong.


Anyone remember Rondo Veneziano/Nova Era in Italy?

How about the mime who walked around in a giant people sized bubble?

And how about those tall stilt walking guys over in Italy? Masquerade I think?

And how about the tall stilt walking BIRDS??

And what about Roland, the balloon mime?

And how about the Living Statues?

And what about the entire parade that is no more?

And this is just stuff I can come up with off the top of my head.

What has taken the place of any of these? Nothing. Oh wait, one thing.....there is some sort of juggler over in France. One thing to replace 7 or 8??


And then Bicker, you say you and your family go so you can see an ever changing array of attractions.......well me and my family enjoy bringing guests with us and showing them the delightful things we've seen prior years. Not only that but my husband and I tend to enjoy repeat performances of excellent, creative, fun, funny, interesting entertainment. I could watch the living statues every single year.
I could have listened to Rondo Veneziano, sitting in the sun with a glass of wine.....every single year.

Don't sit here and tell me Disney has just switched out one act for another, that nothing is missing from EPCOT's promenade. I've compared my old entertainment guides with newer ones. Disney has discontinued many marvelous one-of-a-kind entertainment and has NOT replaced them with anything.

Back on topic, isn't it strange that a current travel show would be hyping entertainment that isn't even there anymore? I mean the Living Statues being gone isn't exactly new info.....who's responsible for research on shows like that? LOL sheesh......

Yes, and no more "Cast in Bronze" at Epcot either or those acrobats who used to do the slow motion stuff in front of the foutain. I have to agree, Epcot has lost nearly all it's really good shows, and there is nothing replacing them. It used to be fun to go around World Showcase and stop to see the acts, but there is nothing to do now but shop, and I don't do that at WS anymore, so now I spend less time there. Heck last month even Off Kilter was missing.

 

[bicker]

Off Kilter still appears at Epcot. Give the guys a break. They deserve a vacation sometimes, don't they? The British Invasion is still there, and I enjoy them even more than Off Kilter. Serveur Amusant is as entertaining as The Living Statues IMHO. MoRockin is up-there among the best Epcot ever had to offer, as well, as is Miyuki. And so on...

 

[FoundNemoLostDori]

Bicker, I think you missed DisMN's point.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Off Kilter still appears at Epcot. Give the guys a break. They deserve a vacation sometimes, don't they? The British Invasion is still there, and I enjoy them even more than Off Kilter. Serveur Amusant is as entertaining as The Living Statues IMHO. MoRockin is up-there among the best Epcot ever had to offer, as well, as is Miyuki. And so on...

If Mo ROckin is the best, I'd hate to see and hear the worst! Thank heavens they haven't taken away the Voices of Liberty yet!

 

[DisMN]

No, sorry, I'm not. I'm sorry you don't enjoy the progress that Disney has made, but the things I said are absolutely correct from my perspective. Disney isn't for everyone, and it sounds like is surely isn't for you (anymore). That's unfortunate for you, but fortunate for those of us whom see Disney's advances as positive things.

Expedition Everest
Mickey's Philharmagic
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor and Turtle Talk with Crush
SOARIN'
Mission: Space
Test Track
Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt Show
Finding Nemo - The Musical


With respect, tough luck. Again, I'm sorry that you don't like the way things have gone, but allow the rest of us to enjoy that Disney is serving our needs quite well.

In some areas Disney hasn't made any progress, and in fact is close to regressing into just-another-theme-park.
I notice that regression and speak out about it because I care about Disney and it's overall image. In fact I LOVE Disney!

You're right though, that there have been some great new rides built like Test Track, Soarin' and Everest and I'm grateful for that because those are just a few more things that make Disney stand out from the rest.

My appreciation of those additions to the parks though, doesn't preclude me from feeling, believing or wondering out loud the question of WHY they would eliminate popular street entertainment and not bring in shows to replace them. I don't know how you come to the conclusion that Disney isn't for me anymore...what..because I care and NOTICE when things are missing?


Tough luck if I don't like the changes? Tough luck because I worry Disney sometimes seems to be well on it's way to becoming just-another-theme-park? What a comment to make to a guest from a business standpoint. Wow.

 

[bicker]

Bicker, I think you missed DisMN's point.

Nope, definitely not. I simply disagree with it.

 

[bicker]

In some areas Disney hasn't made any progress, and in fact is close to regressing into just-another-theme-park.

Uh, no. You obviously haven't been to Six Flags recently.

What a comment to make to a guest from a business standpoint. Wow.

Uh, I don't work for Disney, and never have.

 

[DisMN]

Uh, no. You obviously haven't been to Six Flags recently.


Uh, I don't work for Disney, and never have.

Bicker, my statement of "what a comment to make to a guest from a business standpoint." wasn't insinuating that you work for Disney. LOL It was a comment aimed at your "tough luck" attitude. I only hope Disney doesn't feel the way towards their guests.


Heck, if I were to shrug indifferently and tell my customers "tough luck" that's just bad business sense IMHO. Sure I don't have a business degree or anything but I know from experience that my best sales were from repeat business.........if I were to tell them "tough luck" on their first visit to my store do you think they'd come back?

Uhhhhhhh what was this thread about again?

Oh yeah those cool Living Statues that are no longer at WDW.

I do miss 'em.

 

[bicker]

I only hope Disney doesn't feel the way towards their guests.

I think you're confused. The statement you're referring to was in reference to your demand, "Don't sit here and tell me..." about this reality. You directed that comment at me, not Disney.

It's a colloquialism. That's why I added the smiley to it. Again, the point was that I was sorry you don't enjoy the progress that Disney has made, and that I acknowledge the fact that you are disappointed and how that is unfortunate for you, but the way things are is fortunate for those of us whom see Disney's advances as positive things.

Uhhhhhhh what was this thread about again?
Oh yeah those cool Living Statues that are no longer at WDW.

That's where we differ. I believe this thread ends up being about how Disney has replaced all these attractions with newer attractions to keep the parks fresh and exciting. Let's let both perspectives have their say, okay?

 

[teacup317]

Well, darn!!
They were so fun to watch, and honestly, Davine is creepy to me.
Maybe they will return before our December 2008 trip.

Davine is creepy to me, like a creeping vine!! LOL (all in good fun)

 

[Baloo]

Geez bicker I guess you sure picked the right screen name!! OY!



I also feel Disney has not been replacing alot of things they have taken away in WS...it isnt what it use to be as far as entertainment goes.