This morning, a story in the Los Angeles Times finds puppeteers from Disney Junior — Live on Stage in Disney California Adventure alleging that Disney is cutting them from the show in retaliation of the workers unionizing. The current version of the show is set to close on April 9th and an updated version will no longer feature puppet. One of the show’s puppeteers, Art Vega, told the Times “It’s really disappointing and heartbreaking that a company would take people who have worked extremely hard over the years and treat us this way.” He and other performers believe the move is intended to spite the workers for not only unionizing in 2015 but also for later complaining to the union about Disney cutting hours for workers. The latter action resulted in the company paying out $167,000 in December 2015 to settle the matter without admitting wrongdoing.
Art Vega, one of the puppeteers in Disney Junior — Live on Stage (photo via LA Times)
However, spokesperson Suzi Brown says the show’s switch to other technologies is intended to make it easier to refresh the show with new content in the future. She added, “We constantly evaluate our entertainment offerings and make changes to provide compelling reasons for our guests to visit time and time again.” Additionally, the current puppeteers are welcome to audition for the new show or could transfer to other roles at the resort. Still, speaking to the timing of the closure, puppeteer Ryne Strom said, “To me it has to be retaliation. It is too coincidental for it not to be.”
The current version of Disney Junior — Live on Stage will close in Disney California Adventure on April 9th. No plans to replace or update the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Paris incarnations have been announced at this time.