Disney has just sent out emails to candidates of the Disney Cultural Representative program, revoking offers of employment and noting an indefinite suspension of the program.
The most widely recognized utilization of Cultural Representatives is to staff the World Showcase countries with Cast Members from the actual countries represented around World Showcase Lagoon.
As you can see in the tweet shared below, Disney has sent out emails to program candidates, indicating that the program will be suspended indefinitely, and that Disney is revoking offers of employment.
As we reported earlier, Disney has struck a deal with Cast Member unions that would staff the EPCOT World Showcase countries with Cast Members “who do not meet the culturally authentic theming at EPCOT”.
With today’s news, it’s unclear when, if ever, Disney will bring back Cultural Representatives to EPCOT and beyond.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to cover the Disney Parks.
Eliminating this forever would be terribly sad. Those folks add a unique aspect to the countries that makes World Showcase special and much more than locals can offer. The structures are make-believe; the cultural reps are genuine – the only truly real aspect anywhere in WDW.
I wholeheartedly agree
I think they realize there’s a significant risk of them being stuck here at the end of service agreements with employees temporarily here. Many European countries let alone Canada are blocking the entrance there. Albeit some simply require driving, others can’t acquire flights.
I expect this to be resolved in two years, but it’s currently a legal and PR nightmare if or should I say when those kids are abandoned in the US with no income, no job, and no way home.
Sadly, with all the parks closing, things here and there, prices that were increased last year, were dose Disney really stand? Guests are not getting their money worth as these things there closing has drawn crowds. We loved France and the food back in the back BLT was awesome. Keep closing things and sadly Disney will be just a memory. Walt must be rolling over and over at this point. So sad love James & Julia Harvey.
Guess I will t be dining at Epcot anymore. That was a major part of the experience. Bad bad move