The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra To Take Its Last Bow

Disney News 8
Grand Floridian Society Orchestra

Over the weekend the The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra posted on their Facebook page that “after 32 years of playing together and playing music we love… we’re done”.

The reactions from many Disney fans were unanimous which forced Disney to make an official statement/apology.

As you may know., we are always evaluating and refining our offerings and creating new ideas to build upon Disney stories. This philosophy is in keeping with Walt Disney’s vision for continuing to grow and evolve, giving Guests a mixture of familiar and new experiences with each visit. In alignment with this philosophy, we have made the decision to end the limited-time run of the Disney Society Orchestra and Friends this fall with their last performance being on Saturday October 3, 2020. We apologize for any disappointment that this may cause you and please be assured that we have shared all of your feedback with the appropriate Executive Leadership Teams.

Geoffrey Kiser, Executive Correspondence Specialist for Walt Disney World Resort

This is another catastrophe of a loss amidst COVID-19 and its affects on Disney entertainment. There are a few Change.org petitions out there. Bring Back the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra, Disney: please save the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra, and Save the Grand Floridian Orchestra!

Some comments from these petitions just goes to show you how important this band is to them.

“The orchestra is the main reason we stop by The Grand Floridian Hotel. I couldn’t imagine the hotel without them.“

“I can’t fathom why Disney would do this. We faithfully stay at the Grand Floridian each trip and the orchestra is part of the reason. Bring them back!“

“The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra adds so much to the ambience of what is supposed to be Disney’s flagship resort. The orchestra adds to the sophistication and elegance that guests of the Grand Floridian look forward to and expect. Given the high prices of staying at this resort, guests expect Disney to deliver a certain level of excellence and the orchestra adds greatly to this. It’s a real shame to see the extra things that make Disney special being slowly stripped away – especially when we know the execs still got their bonuses!“

Disney brought the group out of furlough, changed their name to “The Disney Society Orchestra,” and have them playing a show of Disney-themed show tunes at the Theater of the Stars in Hollywood Studios (where the Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage show was but is currently unavailable due to a continuing dispute with the actors union Equity).

This also spurred conversation all over social media about how Disney is getting rid of the rich entertainment it’s provided to Guests the last few decades and replacing it with IP material.

You can still catch the band playing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios until October 3rd, 2020. You can always and forever listen to the music of the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra in the Grand Floridian playlist right here on D-COT.

8 Comments

  1. Obviously I’ve never seen them play but this makes me sad. I just feel bad whenever something that has been around for such a long time is so abruptly removed I always feel that pang of sadness. :(

  2. Very disappointing to see this. The Grand Flo won’t be the same without them. They’ve been there for as long as I can remember… :( :( :( I wish them all the best and pray they can stay on their feet in these times

  3. Oh man, this makes me so sad. :( They always added so much to the ambiance and feel of the resort, and it was something special that you just couldn’t find at any other WDW resort. They’ll be missed for sure. :(

  4. This makes me so sad. Such a mainstay, such wonderful talent and one of the touches that made Disney special. It breaks my heart to see the place I once loved so much become just another run of the mill operation. :(

  5. They add so much to the Grand Floridian experience! Just to stop in, sit in the lobby and listen to them play was a most relaxing experience. Definitely took you back to a more genteel time of elegance and gave you a bit of a slowed down pace in the hustle and bustle that is a Disney vacation. It is just another one of the Disney extra touches that has slowly been stripped away over the years, making it harder and harder to justify the expense of a Disney vacay. It is the end of an era.

  6. I’m deeply sadden about the group are retiring, however the albums will to be sold until they are gone from the shelf.

  7. They were so awesome to just and listen to. They will be missed by many!!! :(

  8. “Please be assured that we have shared all of your feedback with the appropriate Executive Leadership Teams” yeah, shared it with their trash can! :angry: as if sharing guest opinions makes any difference. I’ll never forget the skewed Pleasure Island survey when Disney was trying to make their research line up with their plans instead of making plans based on their research.

    “It’s a real shame to see the extra things that make Disney special being slowly stripped away – especially when we know the execs still got their bonuses!“ PREACH IT!!!!!!!!!

    No Richard, no orchestra, is it even the Grand Floridian anymore?

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