Beloved Rose & Crown Pianist Carol Stein Partially Retires Today
For more than 30 years, Carol Stein has entertained guests wtih her energetic piano playing and contagious smile during her performances at Walt Disney World. Today, the legendary cast member concludes a chapter in her extensive career after decades of making memories for guests and locals alike.
Dubbed “The Hat Lady” when she relocated to the Rose & Crown Pub, a mainstay in the United Kingdom pavillion at EPCOT, Stein has long shared her contagious enthusiasm, wit and musicianship with dedicated fans and first-time visitors alike. She began her role at Rose & Crown 14 years ago.
In late September, Stein announced that she would retire from full-time employment effective today after a career that first began at the hilarious Comedy Warehouse, an improv comedy location at the area-formerly-known as Pleasure Island.
Not only did Stein’s piano playing prepare the crowd for the amusing show ahead of them, but the performer also carefully crafted her artistic contributions during the show to amplify the hilarity of each act. Her interactions with the guests as well as the improv actors often highlighted the group’s nightly performance.
Image Credit: Carol Stein/Facebook
“The last two days at The Rose and Crown have been filled with friendship, hugs, laughter, songs and tears of joy. So many emotions and memories running through my heart and my mind,” Stein posted on her Facebook page yesterday.
Photo: Disney
Post-COVID, Stein first performed in the gazebo set deep within the United Kingdom pavillion and sometimes took the stage at the American Adventure Rotunda. Stein plans to retire today from full-time employment in order to travel with her spouse. She does plan to continue on as a cast member in a part-time role, according to her posts.
