After several decades in the industry, Michael Croaker, VRTP’s Head of Entertainment has retired from the company

Mike has left quite the legacy from the village parks and if you aren’t familiar, he is behind Quest for the Golden Seal, Fish Detectives, Police Academy, Hollywood Stunt Driver, Spy Chase, Fright Nights, Carnivale, Spooky Nights, White Christmas and many other street performances and side shows. He has been an essential part of Villages history and is a big loss for the company.

Given he updated the instagram post to include "A restructure means a reset. So, here we go…" I would hazard a guess it was not his choice.

Another sign of trouble within VRTP.

Mike was VTP thru and thru. No-one was more about the magic and guest experience than Mike. He was also a wonderland man prior to being a VTP man.

this isn’t a retirement, he’s been pushed out in a restructure, and VTP invariably will be worse for it.

13 hours ago, themagician said:

Police Academy

Are you sure about this one? He doesn't list it on his website (michaelcroaker.com), and PASS opened with the park in 1991. I know he was at Wonderland in the late 90's and early 2000s. I know he joined WB in 2004-05 after Wonderland closed, but I think he worked as a show host in Sea World when he was younger too - I can't say for certain whether he was or was not a part of the PASS cast at some point, I'm pretty confident he wasn't "behind" it.

I saw him walking the park with a bunch of suits a couple of weeks ago. I wonder if those conversations were going on back then?

It certainly seems a bit like a changing of the old guard. 'Froggy' certainly had a knack for entertainment. You could see his touch reflected in entertainment offerings across Wonderland, Sea World and Movie World. I can't say I always agreed with some of the creative choices at Village - but nobody else could match his passion for 'the show'.

I won't speculate as to motivation or reason, but I hope BGH has a good plan for who will take over this mammoth entertainment responsibility.

8 hours ago, Brad2912 said:

Mike was VTP thru and thru. No-one was more about the magic and guest experience than Mike. He was also a wonderland man prior to being a VTP man.

this isn’t a retirement, he’s been pushed out in a restructure, and VTP invariably will be worse for it.

Maybe some fresh blood will bring new ideas and help steer them in a different direction. Metallica were also incredible in the 80s, but these days their music is just average.

and maybe, as someone said recently, the business plan is now written on a napkin.

15 hours ago, Brad2912 said:

Mike was VTP thru and thru.

Not exactly the compliment i think you are going for

But if you mean complete sub par performance laklustre offerings cheap budgeting and in general a total steady decline over time then yes vtp thru and thru for sure

Ill just standby for the inevitable new head of entertainment announcement at the place up the road where all ex village staff end up

Croaker was best when presenting the SeaWorld Ski show. Then he took over everything, not just the Theme Park S&E - but ALL of the major Park Operations too - AND- with what!? BigGa$h stepped in nicely by his side, & well, where is that guy now?🫠

Let's just keep in mind that nobody else has been named in the current embezzlement clusterfuck, and Bikash left the company of his own accord a year earlier. I am far from his greatest fan - but I dislike the court of public opinion making a finding of fact out of thin air.

Inferences that any member of the village team is involved should be considered very carefully until they are publicly named by lawsuits or the company - and remember that everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

15 minutes ago, DaptoFunlandGuy said:

Bikash left the company of his own accord a year earlier

Apparently…

The thread has all the information available. He "resigned" and clark said he "will be missed".

Bikash resigns from VRTP - Theme Park Discussion - Parkz Forums - Theme Park Community

There's plenty of speculation to be had - but until we have proof - we should choose our words carefully when speaking about someone who cares so much about their reputation.

Just because something is suppressed in the media doesnt mean its not in the actual court records or mentioned in the court room

There's plenty of information on social media if you really want to figure out what's what too. I'm just suggesting caution until things are more progressed.