World Showcase Players — Former Show · History & Timeline

Former Show · the memorial record

⚰ Permanently closed · Sep 25, 2014operated 32 years · 1982–2014

Also known as Olde Globe Players.

This show is gone, but its history stays documented — the full lifetime log is below.

Show history

the lifetime record

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2014

◆ Latest milestone

RefurbishmentSep 25, 2014#

The World Showcase Players gave their final performance at Epcot's United Kingdom pavilion after 32 years, closing with "Romeo and Edna" and "King Arthur and the Holy Grail".

The date rests on two advance reports plus a recap: Guide2WDW (August 28, 2014) and Orlando Parks News (September 23, 2014) both state the final performance was September 25, and WDWNT's September 30 farewell piece confirms September 25 and the 32-year run. Attractions Magazine gives the same September 25 date, two days ahead of Off Kilter, Mo'Rockin and the Fife & Drum Corps on September 27. LaughingPlace's September 26 farewell covers the last day and names both closing pieces but does not itself state the date. Wikipedia's United Kingdom Pavilion article lists the act as "roving comedy show (closed in 2014)" and shows no successor troupe in the pavilion's current entertainment.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
Area UpdateAug 28, 2014#

New World Showcase acts were announced for that fall, including a Celtic folk ensemble for the United Kingdom pavilion.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
Coming SoonAug 28, 2014#

Disney's fall World Showcase entertainment changes were reported, retiring the World Showcase Players after a final performance set for September 25, 2014 alongside the exits of Off Kilter, Mo'Rockin' and the Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
2010

ChangedOct 3, 2010#

The Ziti Sisters debuted at the Italy pavilion and took over the World Showcase Players' Italy residency, leaving the troupe performing only at the United Kingdom pavilion.

Italy + United Kingdom→United Kingdom only

That the troupe lost Italy and continued at the United Kingdom is well corroborated: a WDWMagic thread posted October 19, 2010 quotes the entertainment notice ("On Oct. 3, the Ziti Sisters debuted at the Italy pavilion at Epcot... The Ziti Sisters replace the existing World Showcase Players at Italy"), and WDWNT and LaughingPlace both record the cutback to the United Kingdom only. Confidence is medium because the October 3 day-level precision rests on that single quoted notice; WDWNT's photo report, published October 13 from an October 12 visit, only establishes that the Ziti Sisters were performing in Italy by then, not when they debuted.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
1982

New1982#

A local comedy troupe billed as the Olde Globe Players began performing audience-participation street comedy in EPCOT Center's World Showcase, the act that later ran as the World Showcase Players.

LaughingPlace: "In 1982 a local comedy troupe was brought into E.P.C.O.T. Center to provide a bit of entertainment in World Showcase called the Olde Globe Players." WDWNT: "The World Showcase Players (under various titles) have existed in Epcot's World Showcase since 1982," and bills the 2014 farewell as the end of a 32-year run, consistent with a 1982 debut alongside the park's October 1982 opening. Wikipedia's List of Epcot attractions describes the act as "a comedic troupe of bumbling Shakespearean actors" at the United Kingdom pavilion. Year-only: no source gives a debut day, the date the billing changed to World Showcase Players is undocumented, and which pavilions the act played in 1982 is not stated.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes

Questions & answers

When did World Showcase Players open?

Per the documented record, World Showcase Players at EPCOT opened in 1982.

When did World Showcase Players last close for refurbishment?

The most recent closure/refurbishment documented for World Showcase Players is dated Sep 25, 2014: The World Showcase Players gave their final performance at Epcot's United Kingdom pavilion after 32 years, closing with "Romeo and Edna" and "King Arthur and the Holy Grail".

What changed recently on World Showcase Players?

The latest documented change (documented Sep 25, 2014): The World Showcase Players gave their final performance at Epcot's United Kingdom pavilion after 32 years, closing with "Romeo and Edna" and "King Arthur and the Holy Grail".

How many changes are on record for World Showcase Players?

5 documented changes, dating back to 1982 — the fan-kept show changelog nobody else keeps.

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