“We are making operational changes to help us elevate the guest experience in 2025 and beyond.” Yes, I’m sure reducing entertainment for children will elevate the guest experience! They drank their own Kool Aid. Perhaps it’s their product offering that is not competitive–and adding an aquarium? That’s a total waste of capital when Sea World is up the road. They should double down on their uniqueness, not become an ‘also ran’ with an off-the-shelf aquarium.
I totally agree. Parks need to reach out to their guests and get their opinions on what aspects are important to them. Live entertainment is especially important, especially for groups of guests that incorporate different age groups. Mant middle to older age people cannot or do not like to ride attractions, bit are highly entertained by luve showss. Children also need to be exposed to lve performance so broaden their outlook. Not everything in on a screen or can be ridden. There are many forms of entertainment in the world, and theme parks used to be one of the best places to experience them all in one place. Too many are trying to copy others instead of developing their own identity. I thing
Legoland is biting it’s nose off to spite it’s face. I m highly disappointed in this decision am rethinking taking my grandchildren to a park that has so drastically cut important more cultural offerings for no other reason than to cut costs. Merlin should b ashamed of themselves and how they have treated their entertainment cast, as well as the disregard they have given their guests. Seems as they re following the bad model Disney set forth after the pandemic. Shameful!!!
I could see Legoland perhaps not being able to continue affording the live entertainment, as skilled labor is very expensive and the park is not always busy. I’ve been there at times it feels completely dead. Not to mention…it wasnt great live entertainment. I honestly didn’t recall they had any. Disney, however, is just greedy. They have somehow managed to become the worst of both worlds – woke like the extreme left and yet also soul crushing capitalists who only seek to squeeze out as much profit as possible. I used to love Disney World but become more disappointed every time I visit. The magic is gone and I just feel like I’m being squeezed for every last cent they can pry from my wallet.
Well said. At Disney Hollywood Studios (Disney MGM Studios = old name) the last relec of how you make a movie live production is Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – I love it. I expect Disney to cancel this like they did Lights, Motors, Action!: Extreme Stunt Show – I really enjoyed this show as well. Hollywood Studios did a good job celebrating movies and what it takes to make them. I miss that celebration. This is just one of many changes I do not appriciate.
Gotta wonder how much of this might stem from FL’s changes to minimum wage. I’m not finding news of layoffs like these at the other LEGOLAND/Merlin parks.
Nope. It’s happening elsewhere too. As a performer and entertainments manager at merlin for over 10 years they have really done the hard working performers, entertainers and stunt specialists a real disservice. News about the cuts came after audition process and hiring… they are also letting the people who are close to getting redundancy pay go first as priority so that they don’t need to pay them. Merlin is disgusting.
What a disappointment we were looking forward to visiting with our whole family. Not really a reason to visit as entertainment is a big part and the best part of our amusement park experience. So sad.
WDW also no longer have the Jeweled Chinese Acrobats in Epcot and the Village Acrobats in the Animal Kingdom. Plus a few other live entertainment shows that have quietly disappeared.
I agree with those who wrote about greedy Disney. Young and old enjoyed the shows and certain rides at Disney. Now I find it not the happiest place on earth, too woke and expensive. I feel bad for the entertainers at Legoland, a park I never visited. These 2 parks should realize we all love watching shows as much as rides! They are burying themselves no entertainment but price increases for what? The same rides year after year! I love Universal, have a season pass, great new rides, great entertainment for young and old. And they reach out to the passholders about certain ride changes or closures. They like pass holders opinions!
Sounds like they are cutting off their arm than “aiming to be competitive!” Who’s running the shots there? Disney? 😆 What a Mickey Mouse operation they got going on there!
Comments for Major Florida Theme Park Terminates 75% of Staff, Operations Set to Permanently End
KevinB
“We are making operational changes to help us elevate the guest experience in 2025 and beyond.” Yes, I’m sure reducing entertainment for children will elevate the guest experience! They drank their own Kool Aid. Perhaps it’s their product offering that is not competitive–and adding an aquarium? That’s a total waste of capital when Sea World is up the road. They should double down on their uniqueness, not become an ‘also ran’ with an off-the-shelf aquarium.
Em
I totally agree. Parks need to reach out to their guests and get their opinions on what aspects are important to them. Live entertainment is especially important, especially for groups of guests that incorporate different age groups. Mant middle to older age people cannot or do not like to ride attractions, bit are highly entertained by luve showss. Children also need to be exposed to lve performance so broaden their outlook. Not everything in on a screen or can be ridden. There are many forms of entertainment in the world, and theme parks used to be one of the best places to experience them all in one place. Too many are trying to copy others instead of developing their own identity. I thing
Legoland is biting it’s nose off to spite it’s face. I m highly disappointed in this decision am rethinking taking my grandchildren to a park that has so drastically cut important more cultural offerings for no other reason than to cut costs. Merlin should b ashamed of themselves and how they have treated their entertainment cast, as well as the disregard they have given their guests. Seems as they re following the bad model Disney set forth after the pandemic. Shameful!!!
Stephen
I could see Legoland perhaps not being able to continue affording the live entertainment, as skilled labor is very expensive and the park is not always busy. I’ve been there at times it feels completely dead. Not to mention…it wasnt great live entertainment. I honestly didn’t recall they had any. Disney, however, is just greedy. They have somehow managed to become the worst of both worlds – woke like the extreme left and yet also soul crushing capitalists who only seek to squeeze out as much profit as possible. I used to love Disney World but become more disappointed every time I visit. The magic is gone and I just feel like I’m being squeezed for every last cent they can pry from my wallet.
David
Well said. At Disney Hollywood Studios (Disney MGM Studios = old name) the last relec of how you make a movie live production is Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – I love it. I expect Disney to cancel this like they did Lights, Motors, Action!: Extreme Stunt Show – I really enjoyed this show as well. Hollywood Studios did a good job celebrating movies and what it takes to make them. I miss that celebration. This is just one of many changes I do not appriciate.
David
I also miss The Great Movie Ride. It fit perfect in the movie ‘Castle’/The Chinese Theater.
Guest
Gotta wonder how much of this might stem from FL’s changes to minimum wage. I’m not finding news of layoffs like these at the other LEGOLAND/Merlin parks.
Dan
Nope. It’s happening elsewhere too. As a performer and entertainments manager at merlin for over 10 years they have really done the hard working performers, entertainers and stunt specialists a real disservice. News about the cuts came after audition process and hiring… they are also letting the people who are close to getting redundancy pay go first as priority so that they don’t need to pay them. Merlin is disgusting.
Sandra B. Neilson
My daughter just got laid off from Legoland NY on Thursday. She was the Creative Production Manager in the Entertainment Department.
Cherie
Can’t say I’m surprised. We were there in December and it was so disappointing. That’s terrible for the employees though.
Ronda S
What a disappointment we were looking forward to visiting with our whole family. Not really a reason to visit as entertainment is a big part and the best part of our amusement park experience. So sad.
Hc labrock
WDW also no longer have the Jeweled Chinese Acrobats in Epcot and the Village Acrobats in the Animal Kingdom. Plus a few other live entertainment shows that have quietly disappeared.
Tanya De La Morena
They were already under staffed, this is going to make the experience even worse
Andrea
I agree with those who wrote about greedy Disney. Young and old enjoyed the shows and certain rides at Disney. Now I find it not the happiest place on earth, too woke and expensive. I feel bad for the entertainers at Legoland, a park I never visited. These 2 parks should realize we all love watching shows as much as rides! They are burying themselves no entertainment but price increases for what? The same rides year after year! I love Universal, have a season pass, great new rides, great entertainment for young and old. And they reach out to the passholders about certain ride changes or closures. They like pass holders opinions!
Michael Streuly
F$$K LEGOLAND BOARING THEAM PARK
Walt
I love the new speak. What they really should have said is…..
“We are offering less entertainment for a higher price – so we can continue to pay over priced execs and increase profit margins.”
This goes for all – but ESPECIALLY Disney
David
Long ago I really enjoyed the Sea World ski show in Orlando. Even further back WDW had one.
Anthony
Sounds like they are cutting off their arm than “aiming to be competitive!” Who’s running the shots there? Disney? 😆 What a Mickey Mouse operation they got going on there!
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