Take it from someone who is involved in outsourcing for many years already: it is a financial decision, sometimes covered by operations' arguments, but always decided by it's effect on the bottom...
How much money is a character greeting area making? Or a single attraction? Nothing. But it makes people come to WDW and spend money on tickets, lodging, food, drinks and merchandise. There are also...
Already over 1600 people signed the petition. If they all took the time to also write to Disney Co. or WDW sr. management, it gives a very strong signal that the bean counters are not appreciated!
So they are closing unique venues like the Comedy Warehouse and especially the Adventurer's Club, just to add more (3rd party) shops and restaurants... Oh, wait, there's a balloon too... This is not...