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Disney's Epcot won't feature cultural representatives in its World Showcase when it reopens: report

Epcot has one more change. (Photo: Saibal Ghosh/Getty Images)
Epcot has one more change in store. (Photo: Saibal Ghosh/Getty Images)

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.

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.

For the latest coronavirus news and updates, follow along at https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus. According to experts, people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk. If you have questions, please reference the CDC’s and WHO’s resource guides.

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