Some of Epcot's live entertainment groups are being retired

[TheRustyScupper]

OFFICIAL INTERNAL WDW ADVISORY:


Over the coming months, we’ll be introducing new entertainment acts at Epcot, refreshing some of our existing acts and retiring a few others.


Future groups are planned to include a traditional Berber music and dance troupe in Morocco, a corps of dynamic flag-waving performers in Italy, a thrilling lumberjack-inspired show in Canada, and a Celtic folk music ensemble at the United Kingdom. As part of this update, Off Kilter, MO’ROCKIN, the World Showcase Players and the Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps will be giving their final performances the week ending September 27. We thank them for all they’ve done to make the Epcot Guest experience enjoyable and memorable.


Frequently Asked Questions (for use on a reactive basis):


I heard some of the World Showcase atmosphere entertainment is closing. Why?
As part of ongoing efforts to provide fresh entertainment experiences for our guests, we will be introducing several new and enhanced acts that will contribute to the rich mix of entertainment at Epcot.


I heard some of the World Showcase atmosphere entertainment is going away. What is replacing it?
Our plans include the addition of a traditional Berber music and dance troupe in Morocco, a corps of dynamic flag-waving performers in Italy, a thrilling lumberjack-inspired show in Canada, and a Celtic folk music ensemble at the United Kingdom. We are grateful for all that the retiring acts have done to make the Epcot guest experience enjoyable and memorable.


When are the changes going into effect?
World Showcase Players will have their last performance September 25. Off Kilter, MO’ROCKIN and the Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps will be giving their final performances September 27. New experiences are planned to make their debut in the following months.

 

[oldtink]

I guess I'll always have my Off Kilter CDs. They were a must see for me every time I went. Watching them perform with a cold beer in my hand and the warm Florida sunshine was a highlight of every trip.

Yeup. Son has all of the CDs that were available thru our last trip. Since we are going in mid Sept, I hope to compete his collection.

 

[OK!]

For anyone who may be interested, a "Save Off Kilter" Facebook group that's been created. Go join!

 

[smscrapbooks]

So this means Voices of Liberty are staying? We absolutely love them!

 

[LarryFmScotland]

For anyone who may be interested, a "Save Off Kilter" Facebook group that's been created. Go join!

Which I am sure will be as successful as the Save Mr Toad's Wild Ride and the Save the Adventurer's Club campaigns.

I'm going to miss British Revolution if they are on the list. A celtic music group, Kill me now!!

Cheers Larry.

 

[Mrs H]

Facebook, SAVE MO' ROCKIN
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-MoRockin/107707165963337

 

[manning]

Like Ellen's Energy Adventure?

Good reason to keep it. It's bad.

Good reason to get rid of Spirit of America.. It's good.

Perfect Disney logic.

The bean counters are still at it.

 

[manning]

So this means Voices of Liberty are staying? We absolutely love them!

That's next. They're good.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Standard operating procedure

 

[nitmavis]

Lol....not so much that. I don't know too many people that would miss that.

For some reason my 9yr daughter loves this ride!! I could think of better things to do for 45 minutes but this is always a must do for her!

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I'll be interested since I'll be going to Disney for thanksgiving to see the new entertainment. I was looking forward to seeing mo'rockin and off kilter. I always found that a great way to kill some time in the afternoon when everything was crowded. Also, I'll miss not being able to see A Christmas Carol in the UK.

 

[manning]

MGM was a powerhouse

Warner Bros was a powerhouse

Columbia Picture was a powerhouse

The key word here?

WAS

Disney's days are coming.

Nothing is forever. Excuse the pun, there always is a better mousetrap in the wings waiting.

 

[mvk]

MGM was a powerhouse

Warner Bros was a powerhouse

Columbia Picture was a powerhouse

The key word here?

WAS

Disney's days are coming.

Nothing is forever. Excuse the pun, there always is a better mousetrap in the wings waiting.

There is nothing to indicate Disney (studios or parks) is slowing down. Quite the opposite in fact. Just about everything those two divisions have done lately has resulted in massive revenues and profits.

But I understand, the News & Rumors board is where everything Disney does or perhaps plans to do is wrong, will fail, and cause them to be taken over by Universal.

 

[wdwfan1]

Love Off Kilter. Can't believe they are going.

 

[manning]

There is nothing to indicate Disney (studios or parks) is slowing down. Quite the opposite in fact. Just about everything those two divisions have done lately has resulted in massive revenues and profits.

But I understand, the News & Rumors board is where everything Disney does or perhaps plans to do is wrong, will fail, and cause them to be taken over by Universal.

The trend is there. Some of us have been around awhile and we see the difference. We saw it when it began. And there is a big difference. Little by little it is eroding.

As a stockholder I am happy with the massive revenues and profits. As a customer not so much.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

There is nothing to indicate Disney (studios or parks) is slowing down. Quite the opposite in fact. Just about everything those two divisions have done lately has resulted in massive revenues and profits.

But I understand, the News & Rumors board is where everything Disney does or perhaps plans to do is wrong, will fail, and cause them to be taken over by Universal.

I don't see the angle to attack what you seem to indicate is "gross exaggeration" in your opinion with a not too interesting "fake hurt" gross exaggeration of your own.

But I don't see the usefulness of blinders outside of horse racing either.
Your reap what you sow. Laws of nature... Even with Disney.

 

[OK!]

Link to the Save Off Kilter group, for those who may be interested.

 

[Stefecatzz]

....and they just cut jamitors and push, the talking trash can several months ago!

I was just there 2 weeks ago & saw the Jamitors.

 

[Bete]

I'm in the middle on this one.

I'm happy Disney is replacing acts and not just having nothing in WS.

The acts leaving do perform at other venues. If you really like Off Kilter see them perform wherever.

I've been going to Disney World for over 30 years and believe me I've see the acts change. Also, there were less acts in all the parks years ago.

If you feel strong about an act leaving then get involved and tell Disney. The new acts coming in may or may not be good and they may or may not last.

It's not like Disney came to ask us about it in the first place. It's their business. I will say if they drop the Voices of Liberty I may drop Disney. The best voice is your pocketbook.

What none of us really know is what the acts leaving expected in salaries. If there are acts waiting in line to perform at Disney at half the price and seemingly may be as good or better then Disney is going to change the act. That's life!

 

[mzadell]

Am I incorrect in my understanding that most operations in the pavilions are done by the host countries themselves? I thought they were pretty much autonomous, and assumed that these changes were coming from the host-nations, not WDW. Then again, if that were true, it's odd that they would all be happening at once.

So where's the line drawn? The pavilions are, at least in part, funded by their countries, but how much say do they get in the entertainment provided?