Disney's Epcot won't feature cultural representatives in its World Showcase when it reopens: report
Under normal, non-coronavirus circumstances, part of the fun of Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is that the area themed for each country features workers who are actually from those places.
However, that reportedly won’t be the case when the Disney park reopens its gates in July. Blog Mickey and WDW News Today report that, because these non-union cultural representatives were sent home in April as Disney furloughed many of its workers, the entertainment giant has reached an agreement with cast member union Unite Here Local 362 to open without them.
“The Parties recognize and agree for the purposes of a reopening and until such time that the Company is able to resume normal staffing, employees who do not meet the culturally authentic theming at EPCOT may be temporarily assigned to work in positions that are otherwise reserved for Cultural Representatives,” it read, per Blog Mickey.
Neither Disney Parks nor Unite Here Local 362 responded to Yahoo Entertainment’s request for comment.
Disney fans debated the decision on the Twitter post of Blog Mickey’s story, some arguing that anything to get the parks open is good and pointing to current travel restrictions around the world. There was disappointment, too.
It won't be the same but that's OK.
— Thrills & Magic (@thrillsandmagic) May 31, 2020
This isn’t unexpected, but I hope Disney will commit to rehiring and staffing the showcase with cultural representatives as soon as possible.
— #BLACKLIVESMATTER (@merelyaladdin) May 31, 2020
That is unfortunate. Staffing World Showcase with Americans is an understandable solution but would greatly take away from the authenticity of World Showcase.
— Impact Vacations (@impactvacations) May 31, 2020
While I would absolutely prefer World Showcase to open with international staffing, this does represent a desire for Disney to get as many cast members working again as quickly as possible. Because of limited admission and staffing, those “extra” CMs need to work again too.
— Ken Decore (@kdecore) May 31, 2020
That's sad but to be expected. I just hope Disney won't decide to cut the program permanently
— James (@TDRTweets) May 31, 2020
The staffing change would be one of the many the family vacation staple would see upon reopening. Epcot is scheduled to welcome guests again on July 15, the same day as Disney’s Hollywood Studios, four days after Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom.
Guests will be required to make reservations online beforehand — capacity will be limited to at least 50 percent, as required by Florida — and wear a mask during their visit. They’ll be subject to temperature screenings and social distancing requirements.
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