Legendary Walt Disney World musician and EPCOT pianist Carol Stein to retire

Sep 23, 2022 in "The American Adventure (Pavilion)"

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Carol Stein, the EPCOT Pianist at the American Adventure pavilion

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Posted: Friday September 23, 2022 1:47pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Carol Stein, the EPCOT Pianist, has announced that she will retire from her full-time position as a musician at Walt Disney World on Saturday, November 5 2022.

Carol Stein, the EPCOT Pianist at the American Adventure pavilion

Her final performances at the American Adventure Rotunda are on September 26, 28, 29 2022.

Carol Stein, the EPCOT Pianist at the American Adventure pavilion

Carol will return to the Rose & Crown Pub on October 3, 4, and 6. Her final performances at EPCOT will be on November 1, 2, and 3.

Announcing her retirement, Carol said on Facebook:

I want to thank so many people who have given me the opportunity to perform with the Disney company for so many decades. I am forever grateful to Chris Oyen who first brought me home from traveling around the world to perform full-time at the Comedy Warehouse at Pleasure Island. You helped me grow so much as a person and a performer. Thank you for believing in me. To all my fellow cast members who are more like family... you will always be in my heart. To all the guests who I have had the pleasure of performing for and getting to know over three decades..
YOU ARE TRULY THE MAGIC!
You are the reason I had the opportunity to share my passion and music at Walt Disney World. I have been so fortunate to perform for so many years at Pleasure Island, The Grand Floridian, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Studios, Animal Kingdom, and of course my beloved EPCOT along with countless other venues, conventions and special events! I so appreciate all the creative energy and talents of the show directors, actors, dancers, Musician's, Costumer's, technicians, custodial, ops cast members, and the many managers who I've had the opportunity to work with
You have all enriched my life.
I am still going to remain as a CT Cast Member at Walt Disney World - and look forward to performing as a musician for special events and many other venues for years to come.
Thank you ! Thank You! Thank you!
My heart is filled with pixie-dust and joyous tears.

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CompedSep 25, 2022

I'd argue it's more than one pavillion, and is closer to all atmospheric entertainment aceross the parks, especially since the giant cuts that saw us lose a ton of it. Walt essentially invented atmospheric entertainment, intending for it to add to the overall guest experience... And we all know what happened to it over the past 20 years or so. More cuts and more cuts as it doesn't directly make money.

Basil of Baker StreetSep 25, 2022

Carol Stein confirms we are the magic.

nickysSep 25, 2022

I’m glad to hear that. Just sorry I’ll miss her playing when we go at Christmas.

mm52200Sep 24, 2022

She is quite genuinely retiring on her own. Venue has nothing to do with it considering she happily played wherever they made her throughout the whole pandemic. She has had a long career with Disney and is just looking forward to working on her own terms and when she feels like it. That’s all.

Surfin' TunaSep 24, 2022

I remember the first time someone said something to me about CT. This is exactly how my conversation went. He told me, "it's seasonal." I said, "but there is no C in seasonal." Then he thought and told me "casual temporary," as if I should have known. I still don't fully get it what they do what they do, but it's a funny story in my memory. "Oh yeah, CT must mean seasonal." But about this news: it really does suck. AA wasn't the right place for her, and I wonder if it was a way to encourage her to leave. Like DisneyDebRob said, it's great she is leaving where she gained her fame and where she really shined. I never saw her in AA, but I am sure it would have just felt awkward and wrong. They are really losing or getting rid of everything great at this point.

Figments FriendSep 24, 2022

'Casual Temporary' -

AresSep 23, 2022

While I'm happy for her, AA always seems to get the short end of the stick when it comes to entertainment.

DisneyDebRobSep 23, 2022

I’m just glad she’s ending her run back in the pub where she has delighted probably millions of people. To end in the American Asventure would have been sad. Definitely was a bad fit. I think she realized that and possibly couldn’t go back to the pub because of decisions made somewhere along the line. Thank you very much for years of enjoyment. Sad I won’t be down until thanksgiving and won’t catch her one last time.

JoeCamelSep 23, 2022

Sounds like she is using accrued vacation time, hope they have a ball in Europe

Epcot82GuySep 23, 2022

I really hope this was her decision, as I couldn't think of someone who deserves it more. She's truly lovely. I wish her the absolute best on some well deserved RnR. (And if it wasn't, Disney management really should reconsider it's priorities!)

WDWBigEdSep 23, 2022

Seasonal

nickysSep 23, 2022

What is a “CT Cast Member”?

DCBakerSep 23, 2022

Update via the Carol Stein Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/carol.stein/

ThelazerApr 25, 2022

Would be a said day indeed, she is.. a treasure... quite frankly a window on main street would be due to her. Hopefully the company will see the light.