Port Orleans Jazz Musician Elliot Dyson Laid Off
According to an online report, popular jazz musician Elliot Dyson, who regularly performs at the Port Orleans Scat Cats Club, has been laid off by Disney.
Some have speculated that Dyson's leaving may be due to a temporary closing of the Scat Cats Club during the refurbishment of the Port Orleans lobby. However, when we contacted the resort they informed us that the Scat Cats Club will remain open during the construction and only certain areas of the lobby will be "off limits" to guests.
One site has reported the Dyson told guests that his contract with Disney had been terminated, but also reported that resort management told them all entertainment was being suspended in the area due to the lobby refurbishment.
So, while the question of whether or not the Scat Cats Club is going to remain open during construction is somewhat unanswered, it does seem that Elliot Dyson will not be playing for the time being.
If you've been to the POFQ lately, please leave us a comment letting us know what you have seen or heard regarding the Scat Cats Club.
Story by Traci C., Source
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Gina Clapp wrote on Tue, 05/14/2013 - 20:00:
So Sad. Have sat back and enjoyed Mr. Dyson's performances - very talented man.
Kristen K. wrote on Wed, 05/15/2013 - 01:12:
I'm really rather sad about this. I do hope that he's just on hiatus until the lobby construction is over.
Sarah wrote on Fri, 05/17/2013 - 16:18:
We stayed at POFQ last weekend (May 10 & 12) and went to the club to see him as we never had before. The bartender told us he wasn't performing due to construction, and that he hadn't heard any plans if Dyson would return or if there would be any entertainment once the lobby is complete. :(
Kristen K. wrote on Mon, 05/20/2013 - 17:17:
Thanks so much for the update Sarah, this is one of those things I plan on keeping my eye on.
Marie wrote on Sun, 06/16/2013 - 01:13:
A great performer who will be truly missed. We made sure we fit him in our schedule whenever we visited Disney , it was a must to see him. Our entire family enjoyed his performances. We told everyone you must see Elliot! Is he returning & when?
Marie & Paul ofNaples
Karen H. wrote on Sun, 06/30/2013 - 21:45:
We got an email from Elliot regarding this. We did make it to Disney for Elliot's last performance. As far as he knows, he will not be returning - his contract which was until Oct. 2013 was terminated.
Kristen K. wrote on Mon, 07/01/2013 - 11:48:
Hi Karen - Thanks for updating us all, even though it's not with the best news. I do hope that they continue to have some sort of live jazz there after the renovation. I can't even begin to think of something themed to New Orleans without the music.
Susan carter wrote on Sun, 10/27/2013 - 00:51:
I just came back from Disney and everytime we go there we make it a point to go to Scat cat lounge to see Elliot. When we arrived and found out he was gone, it was a shock and very sad. Elliot always made my family feel welcomed and it was as if we knew him our whole life. We did not stay to see the new person playing there. Port Orleans will never be the same without Elliot.
daryl wrote on Wed, 11/06/2013 - 01:15:
We were there the day Elliott learned of Disney terminating his contract due to refurbishment of the lobby area. However, it may have more to do with complaints by the cast members in the check-in areas who did not like volume of his music. If this is true, it is a crying shame such a great person and entertainer was railroaded by Disney. The second to last week before termination, his shows were incredible exemplifying all the talents and charisma of Mr. Dyson! Anyone who attended his shows would have only positive comments of Elliott Dyson as a person as well as an entertainer. He is the "magic" of the resort and we will not return there because the magic is gone. You can catch Elliott in the Blues Bros. shows at Universal.
Roz from Lousiana wrote on Fri, 11/15/2013 - 20:17:
I am so shocked that our friend Elliot is no longer at POFQ.
We have taken several "just girl trip's" to WDW and he was as much a part of Disney as the parks!! He always remembered all our names and called us his "Sisters from another Mr." We even started a second line throughout Scat Cats and got everyone to join in waving their napkins ( just like being in New Orleans for Mardi Gras) He really enjoyed that and told us that we always liven things up when we come to see him. Just pure Louisiana hospitality!!
We should all contact Disney and let them know how much we want him back.
We love ya Mr.Dyson and will always cherish the fun we had visiting you at Scat Cats.
Dee wrote on Tue, 12/31/2013 - 20:29:
A great talent will be truly missed. We were there every week to see Elliot.
Bill Gubanich wrote on Wed, 01/29/2014 - 04:15:
This was a HUGE mistake to terminate Elliot"s contract. I was extreamly upset when we arrived at Port Orleans last July 4th week 2013 to find out that our favorate entertainer was not able to perform. We have come to POFQ 5 times, one we love the resort and two for the enjoyment of Elliot's talent. There had to be a way to keep him. Why could you not renegotiate a new contract with him?
There is thosands of people that love the Club and loved Elliot. He remembered our names and called us his brother and sisters. He loved and made friends with everyones. I wanted one of his CD's and he did not have any left and he went out of his way to make one for me before we left the resort. You should make an extreame effort to get him back. Everythig I read is you made a big mistake on letting him go. We will not be visiting the Club.
Kristen K. wrote on Wed, 01/29/2014 - 13:55:
Hi Bill! I completely agree that this is a great loss to the resort. Just to be clear though, this is a fan website, there's nothing that I can really do about his contract. :-)
Tom & Jeannine wrote on Sun, 02/02/2014 - 15:46:
We always enjoyed seeing Elliot at the French Quarter since the first time in 2007 and have been back 4 times since, and looked forward to seeing him each time. He is an extremely talented and personable entertainer and we always thought the French Quarter was so lucky to have him. On our last trip in 2012, he happily posed for a picture for us the end of his show, which we have displayed on our wall. We just learned yesterday from a gentleman standing in line in front of us at Costco wearing a Disney shirt, that Elliot's contract had not been renewed. He said that the French Quarter was his favorite resort and he had always looked forward to seeing Elliot. It is hard to imagine Elliot not being there on our Spring trip this year; and it is also hard to understand Disney's reasoning in lettiing someone go who has so many fans and had become part of the French Quarter experince. Hopefully they will reconsider.
Dave N wrote on Sun, 02/02/2014 - 17:41:
Just made our Spring reservations and for the 1st time in YEARS we will not be staying @ POFQ because Elliot is not there. So enjoyed coming back from busy day and sitting in the lobby and enjoying Elliot and a few cold ones! Elliot, if you see this, tell us where your are performing! My son (your friend!) Liam says Yo from Jersey!
Katy wrote on Fri, 03/13/2015 - 08:18:
I know I'm almost 2 years late to find out this news but this makes me very sad. I actually worked at POFQ during my Disney College Program Fall 2008. One thing I really enjoyed was working in the bakery at night when Elliot was playing so I could hear him. I would always try and catch his show when I was visiting. I was looking forward to seeing it again when I visited in May so this really stinks. Anytime know what he's doing now?
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