Disney has always stopped and started storylines--it's in their DNA. Same goes with performers. I will say that within the petition itself, I found the closing lines about DHHIR being an "inferior product" without B'Lou and Shadow to be dispiriting, as if the only thing worthwhile about the resort were those two characters. I know it stings to lose something you hold dear--I'm not a fan of the loss of wilderness at the Wilderness Lodge when they built the Cascade Cabins, for example. Lacking that entertainment, I would urge guests to enjoy the other beautiful and endearing aspects of a visit to DHHIR--there is much to love.
Please take the dispiriting comment of inferior product as it was probably intended - to push the petition, and not as a jab against the many excellent cast that have come and gone from all the Disney venues, not just HH.
If I've seen you at the resort I don't 'know' you under your Dis name, but know that I appreciate the work you do and that I also know at our HH every cast member there has had a part in making the resort what it is.
And changes at the resort have always made us unhappy when something has been taken away, even when the event was not always well attended or received. Recently HH became the place to go during the pandemic, but other than summer and weekends, it was an empty place during some of my visits. I've been on many beach walks with just a few people or even just me. I've sat while B'Lou played his fiddle for 2 or 3 of us. And when it was just me, and no one else showed, he didn't perform but did have a nice conversation with me. I'd seen his various performances many times so told him that I would forego it.
But, Shadow - that's just another thing altogether. On one trip I left Orlando and by the time I got to HH I was feeling miserable. The front desk asked me if there was anything they could do and I said, no, just need to rest and take some tylenol and get to sleep. Later they checked on me and then I received a small token gift to make me feel better. The best part - a card signed by Shadow! I still have it and it's my 'big kid' special memory. If Shadow is no longer part of the story, I will really miss her.
And that said, there have been a number of Cast members at HH who made their mark. One that comes to mind is Chef Gordon, who used to do food and wine events, mostly after pool hours at the Beach House. I still remember the shrimp cooked with butter and cream and served with yukon gold potatoes mashed up with some sweet potatoes. So delicious! When they closed out his purpose, he eventually ended his days working in the Mercantile and I enjoyed getting a greeting from him each time I came. Then there is Mike, the pool guy. Never a visit went by that he didn't start up a conversation about whatever or give a recommendation on something to do, somewhere to go or some new place to dine. All these things have personalized the resort for many of us.
And rarely have I returned there when there wasn't some sort of staff change. People come and people go, but somehow the resort remains an inviting place.
My grandchildren call it the 'green hotel' and love the hammocks, the playground, and when they walk through they make up stories about the 'houses' and the memorabilia here and there throughout the resort. One is 5 and the other is 4. They each have 5 and 4 visits so far, respectively, and they look forward to going each time, because it's 'home' away from home for them. Made special by all the HH people.
