MickeyBlog News for October 4, 2020
Not all MickeyBlog News updates come with happiness and joy. I’m afraid this one will have some stuff that will bum you out.
Here’s everything we learned about Disney this week. Spoiler: A lot of people got angry.
Disney Takes the Nuclear Option
The headline this week comes in two forms. Let’s focus on the part that contributes to the other side in this section. Then, we’ll talk specifics next.
The nuclear option I reference is that the entire California theme park industry turned on the state’s governor this week.
Photo Credit: KTLA.com – DAVID MCNEW/AFP via Getty Images
I’m not going to get into the politics of it, as that’s what the comments section is for.
Instead, I’ll talk about the facts. Walt Disney World theme parks reopened on July 11th. Disneyland had scheduled to do the same on July 17th.
Well, we’re in October, and the Happiest Place on Earth has yet to return. California officials chose not to publish reopening guidelines.
Without them, theme park operators cannot return to business. And this decision impacts Six Flags and Universal Studios as much as Disney.
So, these entities have directed heavy political pressure at the governor.
In fact, state senators and Orange County mayors have joined in the outcry against continued park closures. The economic impact has hurt the locals.
MyDisneyDorks.com
However, state leaders must take public safety into account, which complicates the situation.
As we’ve seen with other news this week, a single outbreak can have devastating consequences.
Disney’s furious about the governor’s decision, though.
In fact, Bob Iger quit the California Economic Recovery Task Force as a form of protest.
This news came out before an even stranger situation unfolded. Some documents leaked from the proposed theme park reopening guidelines.
Photo: ABC
Park operators viewed them so draconian that they begged the governor to delay publication and reconsider.
He’s done the former, but we don’t know about the latter.
Photo: Rich Pedroncelli/AP
So, Disney remains in purgatory until the political situation improves. And that has sadly led to…
Massive Disney Layoffs
The Walt Disney Company sits high on the list of largest American companies in the world.
Only roughly 40 America-based companies employ at least 225,000 workers. Disney’s one of those 40. Well, it was.
PhotoL Facebook/GrandFloridianSocietyOrchestra
To everyone’s frustration, the pandemic has impacted Disney more than most other businesses.
Thankfully, the company was positioned well enough to weather the storm. However, the continued closure at Disneyland has taken a toll.
Credit: latimes.com
Disney has laid off 28,000 workers, and it has blamed the governor of California for part of its woes. We first learned that changes were in the offing when The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra revealed its termination.
MickeyBlog recorded the band’s final performance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which was melancholy. They’ll be missed.
Coming to you LIVE from the last ever performance of The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra!
Posted by MickeyBlog.com on Saturday, October 3, 2020
Yehaa Bob Jackson also announced his show had ended, hinting that Disney is moving away from live performances, at least until the pandemic ends.
For this reason, the Spirit of Aloha performers at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort have also lost their jobs.
Of course, those moves were just the tip of the iceberg.
Disneyland will lay off 2,500 food service workers and 950 members of UNITE HERE Local 11 on November 1st.
Disney announced it this way to give California some wiggle room to save the day by posting reopening guidelines, which hasn’t happened yet.
In fact, the union posted the governor’s phone number and asked members to contact the office to demand action.
At Walt Disney World, the layoffs are far-reaching. Disney Vacation Club has fired 279 workers, which is much of the staff.
The Orlando Sentinel confirmed that 6,700 non-union employees are part of the bloodletting.
Image Credit: Disney
Overall, roughly two-thirds of layoffs involve hourly, part-time workers. It’s been a tough week for everyone.
You Can Help
I realize that we’re in the middle of the Coronavirus nightmare. Many people have lost their jobs, while others are stressed about the possibility.
We’re also collectively in a lousy mood after being trapped inside for six months with another half-year likely. Plus, it’s a contentious election year.
So, there’s a lot at play here. However, I think that everyone reading this agrees that Disney cast members embody the best of humanity.
As such, you likely want to help, presuming that you’re able. Well, there’s a way to do that.
You can directly impact the lives of others by donating to The Cast Member Pantry. The Orlando Sentinel wrote about this group last month.
Image: West Orange Times
Since the start of the pandemic, they’ve given away free food to furloughed cast members, making them the greatest heroes in Central Florida right now.
The Cast Member Pantry has set up an Amazon Wish List. Another way to help is by using Venmo. Their account ID is @castmemberpantry.
Image: facebook.com/castmemberpantry
You can learn further details on their Facebook Group, too.
I know that times are tough for everyone, but please consider helping furloughed cast members if you can.
Other Disney Notes
When Disney lays off 13 percent of its staff, that’s the story for the week. Everything else feels somewhat insignificant by comparison.
Keeping that in mind, we do have other stuff to discuss. So, here’s a bunch of various topics grouped together loosely.
Disney has announced the dates for the next D-23 Expo. The event will occur in September of 2022.
In recent years, Disney had held the expo during odd-numbered years. Obviously, the pandemic has triggered a change in plans.
This date makes sense, given that Disney has previously announced most of the attractions and amenities it’ll add before then.
Also, by delaying a year, Disney can set up major reveals for its 100th-anniversary celebration, which occurs in 2023.
Disney+ fans should know about the new GroupWatch feature the company recently added to the service.
Photo: Shuttershock
It’s pretty much what it sounds like, a way for people in different locations to watch a movie together.
I haven’t discussed this with the people in charge at MickeyBlog yet, but this is the type of thing that would allow us to watch a movie with our readers.
Image Credit
The other unheralded advantage of this technology will come into play over the next three months.
Family members who cannot travel due to the pandemic may watch holiday fare together via Disney+ GroupWatch.
So, you should start planning your Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Before Christmas viewings with loved ones.
If they don’t have Disney+ already, you just came up with a great gift idea, too!
Photo: Chesnot/Getty Images
Disney Park News
I’ve also got a few Disney theme park updates for you. For starters, Disney has adjusted the operating hours at some of its restaurants.
PizzeRizzo and Ronto Roasters had their hours cut, the latter by a significant amount.
The pizza joint closes at 5 p.m., while the unspecified meats place at Star Wars Land shuts down at 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, Backlot Express adds an hour and will now remain open until 5 p.m.
Of course, the most interesting news involves Savi’s Workshop. Disney has added some reservations for hours beyond the park’s closing time.
Either Savi’s Workshop will remain open after everything else closes, or Hollywood Studios is about to extend its operating hours.
Finally, the boats at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are running to and from Magic Kingdom once more.
The governor needs to get over it already! Enough is enough. The “ problem” isn’t as big as the devastation it’s causing! Wake up!