What has happened to the Living Statues?

[Luv2Roam]

I agree with all. They will really be missed.
I guess that is more incentive for me to finally go to Busch.

 

[dtsaos]

Maybe we should start a "save the statues" post and ask everyone to email WDW about getting them back!

 

[JeffPort]

Count me in ... I just emailed WDW guest services. Our family is going to truly miss these performers. They were terrific.

 

[doodle]

BUMP!

 

[Crazy Kanga]

I have started a new thread and poll about this. Please visit it and vote if you haven't already!

 

[Laura's Dad]

I've e-mailed Disney for the second time ever. The first was to complain about Bob Jackson being let go from PO-Riverside in the post-9/11 cutbacks. That e-mail campign was fortunately successful. The next is to bring back the Living Statues. To me, they were just as much a part of Epcot as the "GOLF BALL". We are going in May and were counting on the living statues to entertain us on our Epcot trip aroung World Showcase. I've also posted the e-mail address to the Imaginum web site to e-mail them with our concerns in case they sold out to Busch Gardens. The address is: contact @UnityProductions.com

 

[CarolynU]

When you write please spare a thought for Andymation too, and all the live entertainment. Disney has been his life, and he is the most loyal employee a company could wish for. He is devastated. Disney still want him for one off corporate events, but just not for the regular park guests.

 

[Dana49]

When you write please spare a thought for Andymation too, and all the live entertainment. Disney has been his life, and he is the most loyal employee a company could wish for. He is devastated. Disney still want him for one off corporate events, but just not for the regular park guests.

I have sent an e-mail supporting both Andymation and the Living Statues. Perhaps, just perhaps.

 

[CarolynU]

Thank you all for supporting the people who I believe make Disney different to everywhere else. I actually wrote to Lee Cockerell and did receive a reply, but no action unfortunately.

 

[peter11435]

Seriously guys this is not really a cost cutting move. It is really just a change in entertainment to keep it fresh, sure the statues were great but they had been there for a very long time. While the have gotten rid of the statues they have also brought back Sergio in Italy, as well as added a new pianist in the UK, Serveur Amusant in France, and greatly expanded the presence of the world showcase players throughout WS. In recent years they have also doubled the number of members of the Oktoberfest Musikanten, added Si Xian to china and OrisiRisi ti the outpost not to mention the addition of the Disney Characters on Holiday. There is as much entertainment in Epcot has there has always been. However it is necessary for these things to be constantly changing to keep guests coming back. While many on these boards may say that these things are what keep them coming back, the vast majority of guests want a new experience and not just the same things every time they visit.

 

[Coach Rick]

Seriously guys this is not really a cost cutting move. It is really just a change in entertainment to keep it fresh, sure the statues were great but they had been there for a very long time. While the have gotten rid of the statues they have also brought back Sergio in Italy, as well as added a new pianist in the UK, Serveur Amusant in France, and greatly expanded the presence of the world showcase players throughout WS. In recent years they have also doubled the number of members of the Oktoberfest Musikanten, added Si Xian to china and OrisiRisi ti the outpost not to mention the addition of the Disney Characters on Holiday. There is as much entertainment in Epcot has there has always been. However it is necessary for these things to be constantly changing to keep guests coming back. While many on these boards may say that these things are what keep them coming back, the vast majority of guests want a new experience and not just the same things every time they visit.

The Rolling Stones can still draw HUGE crowds, and it's been a long time since they first happened on to the scene, right? I have to disagree in a sense. The entertainement is not something you get tired of. Perhaps now that I am a little past middle age I prefer the entertainment portion of our trips, but that is why Disney is Disney. Something for everyone! Anyhow, I used to love "Future Corps" in Epcot and they have been gone for some time, then I found "The Tomorrow Land Countdown" which was a brass band, and they are gone! What's next, The "Dapper Dans"? Just like the parades, there is nothing novel about them any longer. They used to have live bands in them. I know, because my first trip was with my high school band, and we got to perform in front of the castle, and march in the parade. It was a thrill I will never forget. Maybe they still do that during the school year, I don't know.

 

[andrabell]

I just sent an e-mail to guest services explaining that they need to bring back Imaginum. I also said that there will be daily, even hourly, e-mails from the 65,000 members of the Disboards. So don't make a liar out of me. Get those e-mail going.

 

[CarolynU]

Quote:
Originally Posted by peter11435
Seriously guys this is not really a cost cutting move. It is really just a change in entertainment to keep it fresh, sure the statues were great but they had been there for a very long time. While the have gotten rid of the statues they have also brought back Sergio in Italy, as well as added a new pianist in the UK, Serveur Amusant in France, and greatly expanded the presence of the world showcase players throughout WS. In recent years they have also doubled the number of members of the Oktoberfest Musikanten, added Si Xian to china and OrisiRisi ti the outpost not to mention the addition of the Disney Characters on Holiday. There is as much entertainment in Epcot has there has always been. However it is necessary for these things to be constantly changing to keep guests coming back. While many on these boards may say that these things are what keep them coming back, the vast majority of guests want a new experience and not just the same things every time they visit.


Does this reply mean that you are a cm who knows this for sure?
I still think that it is a shame, and Andymation and his family have been left feeling very sad that for whatever reason he is now no longer required.

 

[jeffn5631]

This past Thur we were at Busch Gardens Tampa and in front of the Morrocan Palace Theatre much to our surprise was a "living statue" performing....so I guess this is the new home for now.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Anyhow, I used to love "Future Corps" in Epcot and they have been gone for some time, then I found "The Tomorrow Land Countdown" which was a brass band, and they are gone!.

Oh, my gosh! "Tomorrowland Countdown" is gone? I just saw them and talked to Keith in January. Several of those guys used to be in "Future Corps" and one of them was the drum major for the "Main Street Band". Thank goodness I still have my beloved "Future Corps" CD. And yes, I too, have Emailed Disney regarding my displeasure with all these live entertainment cutbacks. "Tomorrowland Countdown"-what a shock!

 

[joshsmom]

Just sent my email in support of Andymation and Living Statues. Hope it makes a difference that we all get together in support of these wonderful artists.

 

[peter11435]

Oh, my gosh! "Tomorrowland Countdown" is gone? I just saw them and talked to Keith in January. Several of those guys used to be in "Future Corps" and one of them was the drum major for the "Main Street Band". Thank goodness I still have my beloved "Future Corps" CD. And yes, I too, have Emailed Disney regarding my displeasure with all these live entertainment cutbacks. "Tomorrowland Countdown"-what a shock!

No Coach Rick is misinformed. The Tomorrowland Countdown is still there. They can be seen Sunday, Monday, Thursday & Saturday at 11:00 & 11:50am, 12:40 & 1:30pm.

I prefer the Entertainment also, however I also understand the need to keep things new. The Rolling Stone analogy is flawed. There is a big difference between a legendary musical group and some entertainers that pretend to be statues. I think the living statues were great however they had been in Epcot a very long time, and can be seen in many other places outside of WDW.

Also Disney's Magic Music days brings live bands from schools around the country to perform at MK, Epcot, and the Studios before parades and periodically throughout the day. I have attached this week’s schedule of guest performers from around the country below. As you can see there is as much as ever, and that schedule is for MK only. There are similar schedules for Epcot as well.

Guest Performers
Astro Stage
Sunday, April 3, 2005
12:10pm Turner Middle School "7th & 8th Grade" Advanced Chorus, Lithia Springs, Georgia
2:15pm Allendale High School Choir, Allendale, Michigan
Monday, April 4, 2005
12:10pm Malvern Preparatory School Jazz Band, Malvern, Pennsylvania
2:15pm Niagara Instrumental Music "Pelham Jazz Band", Niagara, Ontario
Thursday, April 7, 2005
2:15pm Garland Christian Academy High School Choir, Garland, Texas
4:30pm David Cox Road Elementary School 5th Grade Chorus, Charlotte, North Carolina
Friday, April 8, 2005
2:15pm Leamington District Secondary School Concert Band, Leamington, Ontario
4:30pm Hirschi High School Orchestra, Wichita Falls, Texas
Saturday, April 9, 2005
12:10pm Alamo Heights High School Symphony, San Antonio, Texas
2:15pm Lawrence High School Orchestra, Cedarhurst, New York
6:00pm Connetquot High School Concert Band, Bohemia, New York
Sunday, April 10, 2005
12:10pm Scranton High School Concert Band, Scranton, Pennsylvania
2:15pm Lake Forest High School Concert Band, Felton, Delaware
4:30pm Byram Hills High School Jazz Ensemble, Armonk, New York
6:00pm Cypress Lake Middle School Chamber Orchestra, Fort Myers, Florida
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
12:10pm Rippowam Middle School "Voices", Stamford, Connecticut
Thursday, April 14, 2005
4:30pm Bolton High School Chorus, Bolton, Connecticut
6:00pm Riverside High School Concert Choir, Greer, South Carolina
Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe
Sunday, April 3, 2005
3:45pm Duxbury High School Jazz Band II, Duxbury, Massachusetts
5:00pm Lake Zurich High School Jazz Ensemble, Lake Zurich, Illinois
Monday, April 4, 2005
5:00pm Niagara Instrumental Music "No Strings Attached" Fiddle Group, Niagara, Ontario
Friday, April 8, 2005
3:45pm Badger High School Jazz Band, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Saturday, April 9, 2005
11:00am Saint Mary's Hall Jazz Band, San Antonio, Texas
Monday, April 11, 2005
11:00am Saratoga Springs High School Concert Jazz Band, Saratoga Springs, New York
5:00pm Pequannock Township High School Jazz Ensemble, Pompton Plains, New Jersey
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
11:00am Center Area High School Jazz Band, Monaca, Pennsylvania
Thursday, April 14, 2005
11:00am Columbus East High School "Jazz Inc.", Columbus, Indiana
Galaxy Palace Theater
Sunday, April 3, 2005
11:20am Allendale High School Concert Band, Allendale, Michigan
1:00pm Duxbury High School String Ensemble, Duxbury, Massachusetts
2:45pm Duxbury High School "Charisma" Show Choir & "Men's A'Cappella" Choir, Duxbury, Massachusetts
4:00pm Long Reach High School "Dance Co. & Musical Theatre", Columbia, Maryland
Monday, April 4, 2005
11:20am Destin Middle School "Dazzlers" Dance Team, Destin, Florida
1:00pm Alexander High School Show Choir, Douglasville, Georgia
2:45pm MMM Productions, Stamford, Connecticut
Thursday, April 7, 2005
11:20am West McDowell Jr. High School Wind Ensemble, Marion, North Carolina
4:00pm Delta Academy "Delta Singers", Marks, Mississippi
Friday, April 8, 2005
11:20am Houston County High School Choir, Warner Robins, Georgia
1:00pm Elkins High School Choir, Missouri City, Texas
2:45pm Stuarts Draft High School "Class Act" Show Choir, Stuarts Draft, Virginia
4:00pm Lamar Consolidated High School "Fillies" Drill Team, Rosenberg, Texas
5:15pm MGM Dance Studio, Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania
Saturday, April 9, 2005
11:20am Lawrence High School Chorus, Cedarhurst, New York
1:00pm Sam Rayburn High School "Tex-Anns and Sam Rayburn Choir", Pasadena, Texas
2:45pm Cleveland High School "Silhouettes" Choir, Cleveland, Tennessee
4:00pm Cleveland High School "Renaissance" Show Choir, Cleveland, Tennessee
5:15pm Olney Studio of Dance Elite Dance Company, Olney, Maryland
6:30pm Riverton High School "Silverline" Dance Team, Salt Lake City, Utah
Sunday, April 10, 2005
11:20am Cypress Lake Middle School "Ovations Dance Co.", Fort Myers, Florida
1:00pm Cleveland High School "Ebony and Ivory" Concert Choir, Cleveland, Tennessee
2:45pm Alamo Heights High School "Spur Dance Team", San Antonio, Texas
4:00pm Jacksonville Sister Cities Assn "First Tango Ballet of Bahia Blanca", Jacksonville, Florida
Monday, April 11, 2005
11:20am Central Dauphin East High School Wind Ensemble, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
1:00pm Mount Baker High School Swing Choir, Deming, Washington
2:45pm McMaster School of Highland Dance "Niagara Skara Brae Dancers", Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Thursday, April 14, 2005
11:20am Roseville High School Show Choir, Roseville, Michigan
1:00pm Roseville High School Symphonic Choir, Roseville, Michigan
2:45pm Jennifer's Dance Centre "Classic Danceline", Ramsey, Minnesota
4:00pm University High School Dance Team, Morgantown, West Virginia
Magic Kingdom March @ 10:00am
Sunday, April 3, 2005
Alexander High School "Cougar" Marching Band, Douglasville, Georgia
Canyon High School "Golden Warrior Regiment", Anaheim Hills, California
Cascade High School "Cascade Sound" Marching Band, Everett, Washington
Sunday, April 10, 2005
T. H. Harris Middle School "Red Raider" Marching Band, Metairie, Louisiana
Magic Kingdom March @ 6:00pm
Sunday, April 3, 2005
Covington High School "Charger" Marching Band, Covington, Tennessee
Farmington Central High School "Golden Wave" Marching Band, Farmington, Illinois
Locust Fork High School "Emrald Night" Marching Band, Locust Fork, Alabama
Wednesday, April 6, 2005
Allen County - Scottsville High School "Patriot" Marching Band, Scottsville, Kentucky
Thursday, April 7, 2005
Circleville High School "Marching Tigers", Circleville, Ohio
Liberty Center High School "Tiger" Marching Band, Liberty Center, Ohio
Pelham High School "Tower of Power" Marching Band, Pelham, Alabama
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Columbus East High School "Olympian Spirit" Marching Band, Columbus, Indiana
Methuen High School "Ranger" Marching Band, Methuen, Massachusetts
Milton High School "Mighty Black and Gold Marching Band", Milton, Florida
Williamstown High School "The Pride of Williamstown" Marching Band, Williamstown, West Virginia
Prior to Share A Dream Come True Parade @ 2:30pm
Sunday, April 3, 2005
Lake Zurich High School Marching Band, Lake Zurich, Illinois
Lakeshore Public Schools "Lancer" Marching Band, Stevensville, Michigan
Sam Houston High School "Pride & Spirit" Marching Band, Lake Charles, Louisiana
Monday, April 4, 2005
John Adams High School Marching Band, South Bend, Indiana
Lodi High School Marching Band, Lodi, Wisconsin
Valley Christian High School Marching Band & Color Guard, San Jose, California
Tuesday, April 5, 2005
Frazee-Vergas High School "Marching Hornets", Frazee, Minnesota
Wednesday, April 6, 2005
Dowagiac Union High School "Chieftain" Marching Band, Dowagiac, Michigan
Lorain Southview High School Marching Band, Lorain, Ohio
Plainwell High School Marching Band, Plainwell, Michigan
Thursday, April 7, 2005
Colonel Crawford High School "Marching Eagles", North Robinson, Ohio
Decatur High School Marching Band, Decatur, Michigan
Everglades High School "Gator" Marching Band, Miramar, Florida
Friday, April 8, 2005
Hirschi High School "Husky" Marching Band, Wichita Falls, Texas
South Stokes High School "Saura" Marching Band, Walnut Cove, North Carolina
Saturday, April 9, 2005
Alamo Heights High School Marching Band, San Antonio, Texas
Connetquot High School Marching Band, Bohemia, New York
Easley High School Marching Band, Easley, South Carolina
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Bettendorf High School Marching Band, Bettendorf, Iowa
Marist High School "Redhawk" Marching Band, Chicago, Illinois
Monday, April 11, 2005
Central Dauphin East High School "Panther" Marching Band, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Open Door Christian School "Patriot" Marching Band, Elyria, Ohio
Pequannock Township High School "Golden Panthers" Marching Band, Pompton Plains, New Jersey
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Willoughby South High School "Rebels" Marching Band, Willoughby, Ohio
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Center Area High School "Trojan" Marching Band, Monaca, Pennsylvania
Frankfort High School "Falcon" Marching Band, Ridgeley, West Virginia
Perkins High School Marching Band, Sandusky, Ohio
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Drury High School Marching Band, North Adams, Massachusetts
Indian Creek High School Marching Band, Wintersville, Ohio
Middletown High School "Marching Middies", Middletown, Ohio
Prior to SpectroMagic Parade @ 8:30pm
Monday, April 4, 2005
Pottstown High School Marching Band, Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Friday, April 8, 2005
Eagleville High School Marching Band, Eagleville, Tennessee
Lorain Admiral King High School Marching Band, Lorain, Ohio
Saturday, April 9, 2005
Lawrence High School Marching Band, Cedarhurst, New York
North Caroline High School "Band of Blue" Marching Band, Ridgely, Maryland

 

[cruiseletters]

I'm so sad to hear that, what an incredible thing to watch. The living statues had such control of their breathing you couldn't tell if they were real people or truly statues until they interacted with some one. It was one of the highlights of our trip and certainly talked about by our kids for weeks afterwards. Well I'll have to tell my family how fortunate we were to have seen them in june 2004.

 

[rwodonnell]

I prefer the Entertainment also, however I also understand the need to keep things new. The Rolling Stone analogy is flawed. There is a big difference between a legendary musical group and some entertainers that pretend to be statues. I think the living statues were great however they had been in Epcot a very long time, and can be seen in many other places outside of WDW.

How many? I have heard they are now at Busch Gardens. That would be one, if true. A juggler, magician, band - now those are common forms of entertainment. I would like to hear of these many places you can see living statues.

I don't understand "the need to keep things new" either, frankly. I believe that most people do not visit the parks very often, many go for a "once in a lifetime" sort of trip. I also doubt very much anyway that this was a conscious decision to freshen up things - the statues were probably a victim of some cost analysis. Someone didn't think the cost to renew was worth it. End of story.

 

[DisOrBust]

Is there any news with this....