The British Invasion leaving Epcot after 15 years

[HauntedGabe]

They will be missed. Disney has confirmed their last day is April 30th.

From Attractions Magazine:

The British Invasion leaving Epcot after 15 years - Orlando Attractions Magazine

[missbounce]

Awwww - what a shame! I wonder who/what will come in to replace them? I feel like some of my favourite acts are all dropping out of the WS at the moment, what time Dragon Legend Acrobats going as well!

[Mike Fink]

Disney is systematically removing live entertainment from World Showcase. Some MBA must have done a cost / benefit analysis and determined there was no financial benefit to continuing live programs.

Keep in mind this and many other cuts have come at a time when ticket prices have soared. We've been in a period of negative inflation for some time. The only reason to cut costs and raises ticket prices is to increase profits. Profits are good and necessary, but if Disney gets too greedy they will push away loyal customers and revenues will drop. I sense revenues are already dropping for this very reason. Further drops in revenue will lead to further cuts in quality and then even further drops in revenue. It's a dangerous downward spiral.

Disney is run by television executives, CPAs and MBAs now. Don't expect much respect to go to what Walt championed: the effect intangibles have on enhancing the guest experience. Intangibles give guests a sense of value, and they cultivate brand loyalty. They differentiate Disney from other amusement parks. Current management doesn't get it.

I suggest reading Lee Cockerell's book, Creating the Magic. Nearly every 'improvement' he made throughout his career at Disney was the commodification of the product, especially in food and merchandizing. Sorry Lee, I'm one who notices when the lemons in my tea are cut in eighths instead of quarters. A lot of Disney fans are like me.

Disney loyalists have limited tolerance for the cheapening of the experience and the company is starting to push us to the tipping point. I'm just about there myself.

[zippitydoodah]

Disney is systematically removing live entertainment from World Showcase. Some MBA must have done a cost / benefit analysis and determined there was no financial benefit to continuing live programs.

Keep in mind this and many other cuts have come at a time when ticket prices have soared. We've been in a period of negative inflation for some time. The only reason to cut costs and raises ticket prices is to increase profits. Profits are good and necessary, but if Disney gets too greedy they will push away loyal customers and revenues will drop. I sense revenues are already dropping for this very reason. Further drops in revenue will lead to further cuts in quality and then even further drops in revenue. It's a dangerous downward spiral.

Disney is run by television executives, CPAs and MBAs now. Don't expect much respect to go to what Walt championed: the effect intangibles have on enhancing the guest experience. Intangibles give guests a sense of value, and they cultivate brand loyalty. They differentiate Disney from other amusement parks. Current management doesn't get it.

I suggest reading Lee Cockerell's book, Creating the Magic. Nearly every 'improvement' he made throughout his career at Disney was the commodification of the product, especially in food and merchandizing. Sorry Lee, I'm one who notices when the lemons in my tea are cut in eighths instead of quarters. A lot of Disney fans are like me.

Disney loyalists have limited tolerance for the cheapening of the experience and the company is starting to push us to the tipping point. I'm just about there myself.

The British Invasion website had an announcement saying that they gave their last day notice to Disney.. which implied to me that they quit rather than Disney removing them. What you say may still be true either way, but I got the impression that it was the British Invasion who chose to leave.

[HauntedGabe]

The British Invasion website had an announcement saying that they gave their last day notice to Disney.. which implied to me that they quit rather than Disney removing them. What you say may still be true either way, but I got the impression that it was the British Invasion who chose to leave.

I'm thinking you are probably missing a step in between....I saw what Disney put on the table for there Union CM's this year....likely a trend. Thinking BI isn't leaving just 'cause....

Yes, I do believe you are correct Mike, there is a tipping point. It is going to also be a long stretch before many tourists can recover from our economy. The World will be different for many Disney loyalists, even when our economy recovers, new couples will have to have 20% down for homes, home equity loans for college have dried up. The ticket prices, food and hotel prices are escalating at a much higher rate than the CPI.

Thinking either vacations will be much shorter, people stretching their dollars and staying off site or going to a longer period between their WDW vacations and going elsewhere in between. Plus, so many guests are already giving a day or two to Universal properties because of HP.

[NC_WDW_Daddy]

Well I'll be sure to check them out later this week during a farewell performance. The parks are much less crowded this week than the crowd calendar indicated. Maybe we are just hitting the right park at the right time to avoid crowds. We have had FPs or no more than 10 minute waits so far.

[Kellie19891992]

We always enjoyed listening to them. Whats next axing Mo-rockin or Off kilter

[missbounce]

We always enjoyed listening to them. Whats next axing Mo-rockin or Off kilter

Eeeek!!!! Don't even joke!!!

[HauntedGabe]

My brain went there also, don't know when Off-Kilter's contract is up or YeeHaw Bob at POR, but ya just don't know. Just look at how long the Adventurers Club has sat empty. Look at all that lost income. Makes you wonder how Disney feels about entertainers.

[supernova]

Never a Beatles fan. And they can scrap Mo'Rockin for all I care. I'll take Off Kilter any day of the week.

[WDW1014]

just watched them 2 nights ago my mom loved it so much bc shes a huge beatles fan

[DHI]

That is really too bad! But I'm sure Disney chose a good act to succeed