Entertainer at Poly Fired - Lipoa's Return!! & 'Ohana's changes

[The Sweetness]

That being said, WDW, because of the hypersensitivity to situations like this, should do something to prevent something like this from happening again. Enforce a "no photography from ground level" rule?? Sounds silly, but what else can they do?

Maybe I am a bit *off* myself, but I dont think it was safe or appropriate for someone to be laying on his back in a crowded restaurant DURRING A PARADE to take photos of his lil angels, no matter how presh they are. That sounds like a safety hazard to everyone, inc himself

 

[Disfan3]

Her email was amazing. It made me cry. I cannot wait to go back to the Poly in March and say HELLO to her!! (even tho I will be staying at POP) I am so glad to hear she is BACK. Let it be known...my little girls certainly don't remember the salad or shrimp or potatoes at Ohana...their fondest memory is of cocnut races, hoola hoop dances, limbo, and singing with LIPOA!!! Truth be known, she WAS Ohana to us...

glad to have her back to enterain AND inspire us.

because I did not even have Ohana as an ADR this March and it was a family tradition...now we can happily go back...

 

[mom2my3kids]

That is great...

 

[Disfan3]

I wanted to add this to the thread!! THANKS LIPOA!! Your smile is contagious!!


p.s. this is from our 2005 trip...my kids are in the blue and green behind you!! The little one in the pink is not mine but look at how much fun they are having with you!!!

 

[disneycrazycatlady]

I wanted to add this to the thread!! THANKS LIPOA!! Your smile is contagious!!


p.s. this is from our 2005 trip...my kids are in the blue and green behind you!! The little one in the pink is not mine but look at how much fun they are having with you!!!

What a great picture!!

 

[Disneyhappy]

This is fantastic news and I will be sending another email to thank them for doing hte right thing. It is the least I can do after the scathing email I snet them in resposne to her firing. Lipoa's email is so like her... gracious and classy!

 

[goofy4tink]

Such wonderful news!! I really missed her when we were at 'Ohana last month. In fact, some of us commented on her absence. She made our meal there in Dec '05 so terrific. She told us our table was the only table that was having any fun...so we got included, a lot, in her shenanagins!! We all had a ball. So, now I can make those ADRs for August and my dh and dd can see what it is I liked so much about 'Ohana last year.
Thanks so much for sending out those emails. Not sure mine made a difference but I like to think it added to the 'bulk'!!!
Great to have you back Lipoa!!!!!

 

[jgates]

Lipoa - I have never had the pleasure of seeing you perform. And this next weekend we have only three nights so it won't happen then either. But trust me - we will be coming to see you one day!!! DS picked Rose & Crown, his GF picked Tony's Town Square and my daughter picked Prime Time. So my dinner card is full this time around, LOL. But WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!!

 

[Lowillian]

That is such great news! I emailed WDW but did not get a response from them. Maybe they had so many, they just couldn't respond!

Alohaguy, if it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have known about this and I'm so glad you let everyone know and we were able to voice our opinions to WDW. Thanks again.

I'll be looking forward to seeing Lipoa in April on our next trip.

I love happy endings!

 

[Cameo]

This is great! We really enjoyed Lipoa's personality and enthusiasm on each of our visits to Ohana. She certainly knows how to relate to the guests and always has a smile on her face. Good for her for standing up for herself and good for all of the DISers who helped by expressing their opinions to the BIG MOUSE. It is a shame that misunderstandings and "silly" incidents can be reduced to legal "issues."

It's very disturbing that one gentleman (term used lightly) could cause such a commotion in her life. Good for her for coming back to work with her chin held high. She should be proud of her work. It brings joy to so many. And now she can continue to bring more happiness!!!

 

[Esmerelda]

Wow Alohaguy....I'm just now reading all of this thread! I think this was a wonderful thing you have done here. As the saying goes "I believe they're are angels among us"... I think in this case, you were the angel.

Just to think, no one would have known about this had you not posted and now this lovely woman (whom I even recall from our last visit) can have her job back (that she truly seems to love). I did not get a chance to email Disney but it sounds like I can now send one the other way since she was reinstated.

Its sad to think when you work with the public how ugly they can be and accuse you of something so stupid. I work in an emergency room. The general public can be total nut cases and will say anything against you...its scarey. Where I work at we are very careful and refer to it as CYA (cover your a**...) Its really hard working in healthcare because by just doing your job...you can get falsely accused of something ludicrous.


many blessings to Alohaguy..and Lipoa for a great new year!
Esmerelda

 

[MikeAidanEoinMom]

Her email was amazing. It made me cry. I cannot wait to go back to the Poly in March and say HELLO to her!! (even tho I will be staying at POP) I am so glad to hear she is BACK. Let it be known...my little girls certainly don't remember the salad or shrimp or potatoes at Ohana...their fondest memory is of cocnut races, hoola hoop dances, limbo, and singing with LIPOA!!! Truth be known, she WAS Ohana to us...

glad to have her back to enterain AND inspire us.

because I did not even have Ohana as an ADR this March and it was a family tradition...now we can happily go back...

We have never been there.....but after seeing everyone say things like this you KNOW it will be on our ADR list next trip :*)

 

[Disfan3]

What a great picture!!

thank you!!

 

[Disfan3]

We have never been there.....but after seeing everyone say things like this you KNOW it will be on our ADR list next trip :*)

aww!! your pic on your siggy is great!!! You must try Ohana's it is great fun!!

Do a late PS and watch Wishes from your table!! It was a perfect first night for us!!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

oh i am so glad that she is back! my DD loved dancing with her in October! We can't wait to go back again! glad to see e-mails really do get read!!!

 

[DawnCt1]

Great story and a great results. I wish I knew about it before, but I am usually on the community board unless I have an upcoming trip. We love Lipoa and also Kaleao. We will happily return to Ohana.

 

[TiaMaria]

Disney acknowledged that the incident was not her fault, but that because it involved something that could be construed as 'sexual' in nature, she had to be terminated for them to protect themselves legaly.

Wow...what about legally protecting an excellent, long-term, award-winning employee with numerous positive character references? Thank heavens for her union. All those who like to bad-mouth unions should take note. Who would have looked out for Lipoa's rights besides an attorney? What if this piece of trash had wanted to personally sue Lipoa for "damages"? Disney would not have lifted a finger in her defense due to her termination.

Disney CM's in particular, take note: you could be next. Get your union to shore up your next contract to prevent the trash that is out looking for freebies - or an easy buck at your expense - from costing you your job because your company is only interested in protecting itself and not it's employees.

 

[SamRoc]

Wow...what about legally protecting an excellent, long-term, award-winning employee with numerous positive character references? Thank heavens for her union. All those who like to bad-mouth unions should take note. Who would have looked out for Lipoa's rights besides an attorney? What if this piece of trash had wanted to personally sue Lipoa for "damages"? Disney would not have lifted a finger in her defense due to her termination.

Disney CM's in particular, take note: you could be next. Get your union to shore up your next contract to prevent the trash that is out looking for freebies - or an easy buck at your expense - from costing you your job because your company is only interested in protecting itself and not it's employees.

After reading this thread i was thinking that she must be in the Actors Equity Union as a performer in Disney. They are a very strong union and would definitely help out a member. Glad she was hired back, so sad though to hear about these Disney "guests" lately like the one with the tigger incident, that are making the perfomers lives miserable.

 

[TiaMaria]

Glad she was hired back, so sad though to hear about these Disney "guests" lately like the one with the tigger incident, that are making the perfomers lives miserable.

Right. And I'm not saying that there aren't instances where a CM may have been inappropriate or even criminal - and they should be dealt with to the full extent of the law. But from a company standpoint - why not stand behind your employee until proven guilty? How about being put on suspension w/ pay until guilt/lack of guilt is proven? I mean, in Lipoa's case, were there any criminal charges filed for indecent exposure? Not that I know of. That just makes it appear that the guy on the floor was out looking to see what he could get from Disney - and I hope to heaven they did not give him anything. It sets a terrible precedent. It also seems like Disney wanted to appear magnanimous in letting Lipoa come back - like they were doing her a big favor because so many fans wrote in. They should be on their knees apologizing very publicly. This is not only her livelihood - this is her good name we are talking about here.

 

[alohaguy]

Thanks again Jimmytammy, and lowillian and esmerelda for the nice sentements.

How about being put on suspension w/ pay until guilt/lack of guilt is proven? I mean, in Lipoa's case, were there any criminal charges filed for indecent exposure? Not that I know of.

Lipoa was placed on suspension for one week. After that time period, a decision to terminate her came in from California, and the Polynesian GM was forced to comply - though Lipoa expressed to me that she has an excellent relationship with Dave Venables and always felt supported by him.


One other thought - is anyone going to be at 'Ohana's on Tuesday the 9th? This is Lipoa's first night back. Just curious. We will be sending her a little surprise that night to welcome her back.

Thanks again to everyone, and thank you for all of the private messages I've received.

Aloha