Quantcast Disney's Hollywood Studios Announces Operational Changes for Late 2008 and 2009
 
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  1. #1
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    Exclamation Disney's Hollywood Studios Announces Operational Changes for Late 2008 and 2009

    Walt Disney World Resort Announcment
    July 19, 2008

    We are continually focused on providing the best possible experiences for our Guests who visit the Walt Disney World® Resort. Within the last six months, we have added significant new attractions and shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™, including Block Party Bash, Toy Story Midway Mania!, Pixar Place and Journey Into Narnia: Prince Caspian.

    Coming in October 2008 will be the recently announced “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” and later this year, Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ will host the annual Night of Joy event for the first time and welcome back ABC Super Soap Weekend. At the same time, we have continued to update existing offerings such as Playhouse Disney—Live On Stage!

    Next year, the park will unveil The American Idol Experience, host the first Grad Nite events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ and welcome back ESPN: The Weekend and Star Wars Weekends.

    We regularly evaluate and refine our operations. At the same time we unveil The American Idol Experience in January 2009, we will make an adjustment to our operation by offering Fantasmic! on select evenings each week. Fantasmic! will be performed two times weekly –generally Mondays and Thursdays - and more often during our busiest times of the year.

    On nights when Fantasmic! is not performed, Guests (with appropriate ticket media) will continue to have the opportunity to enjoy nightly fireworks spectaculars such as Wishes at the Magic Kingdom® Park and IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot®.
    Figment! aka Jason ºoº
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  3. #2
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    Thanks for the update!

    I'm not too happy with the announcement about Fantasmic being only 2 nights a week. I don't understand why almost every time I have ever gone to watch the show the theater has been basically full and that is all times of the year.

    I can only imagine what will happen when its only offered 2 nights a week. Guess you'll have to get there very early to get a seat
    Chris

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  4. #3
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    I'm not pleased with the Fantasmic changes either, especially when they seem to be associated with American Idol.

    Looks like the Fantasmic Dining package is going to become even more important if you don't want to sit in line for hours.

    Any word on whether Fantasmic will be done twice on the select evenings?
    Geaux Tigers!

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  5. #4
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    You have just got to love "Corporate Speak".

    It genuinely sounds like they are saying that since they are offering The American Idol Experience, the demand for Fantasmic will go down, so it won't have to be offered as often.

    Why not just come out and say it guys...you need to save money because you spent so much on all this new stuff, so you're reducing performances. That's really all that needs to be said.

    In truth, I imagine that by summer time, the show will be performed every night (maybe taking the odd monday or tuesday off), but they don't want to get our hopes up.
    Steve

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  6. #5
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    Default Disney's Hollywood Studios Announces Operational Changes for Late 2008 and 2009

    I'm also disappointed about the reduced number of Fantasmic Performances. IMHO American Idol is not a viable substitution for Fantasmic!

  7. #6
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    I am not a fan of American idol at all and least of all when I'm on vacation. It's a good thing that our trip in November '09 will be 11 days, so we will get more than one opportunity to see
    Fantasmic! With it being shown only twice a week there will need to be more planning for a trip to WDW to see the always crowded show. Maybe by the time we go it will be back to a nightly show...here's hoping.
    Grammie

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  8. #7
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    2009 is not going to fun at MGM after dark. I'm glad I'm going in November and will be able to see Fantasmic! when I want and will not be subjected to the American Idol junk.
    Clay
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    Class of 2001

    I got bit by the Big Blue Beast and I loved it...

  9. #8
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    Unhappy More bad news for cast members

    As bad as this all sounds to all of us, let's think of all the cast members who are losing there work location. With all these cut backs, with PI and now this, you know that many cast members will lose hours and some may even lose their jobs.

    - Tom
    Last edited by ScaryTom; 07-19-2008 at 08:16 PM. Reason: I can't type today! :(

  10. #9
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    THIS IS TERRIBLE NEWS. Fantasmic is always a favorite show. I've not been to a full show. I guess now the crowds at DHS will be packed on Mon and Thurs. We're not going to have a choice but to buy the dinner package just to be sure we get in.
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  11. #10
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    BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I love American Idol, but would choose to see Fantasmic over it any day of the week!!!
    Too many trips to keep track of now! Vacation WDW twice a year so any questions ask freely ☺️

  12. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by ScaryTom View Post
    As bad as this all sounds to all of us, let's think of all the cast members who are losing there work location. With all these cut backs, with PI and now this, you know that many cast members will lose hours and some may even lose their jobs.

    - Tom
    Yes that is a question i posed about the PI closure
    oh yes I was 1 who requested American Idol & to have less performances of Fantasmic!
    actually i was subjected to watching AI by the ex
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  13. #12
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    Very disappointed with the cut backs with Fantasmic. It is a show my family really enjoys and see it at least twice per trip. Now with the cut backs that may be harder to do.
    Vince
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  14. #13
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    Thumbs up

    Thanks for the update Jason! I'm not to happy about Fantasmic though.
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  15. #14
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    Thats sad news about Fantasmic, but on the bright side I think doing Grad Night at DHS is a great idea!
    Tina

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  16. #15
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    Unhappy Fewer Vactions Away From Home

    Does anyone besides me think this may have something to do with the economy. Disney Parks have had a great run for the last few years, with crowds getting bigger each year. I'm thinking this next year will be different, that perhaps the corporate big wigs are expecting a bad year. Right now with gas prices so high and everyone cutting back on travel they must be in a panic. IMHO Disney is still one of the best deals out there but that doesn't mean they won't feel the pinch. People will cut back on trips so fewer shows will be offered. The economy will get better, but it will take awhile.
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  17. #16
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    I do not watch American Idol, nor do I plan to. It holds no interest for me, and I fail to see any connection, other than $$$, between it and Disney. Needless to say I do not like these changes, and will not have anything to do with American Idol at Disney.
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  18. #17
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    We LOVE Fantasmic. It's a family tradition to go there our first and last night of our WDW vacation.

    Looks like the show won't be going on Saturdays or Fridays which are the first and last days of our vacation

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  19. #18
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    I'd love Fantasmic every night of the week, but I also know that Disney keeps very close track of the number of guests entering an attraction and then compares that to the operational cost. They are obviously seeing a decline in Fantasmic attendance, not surprising since every attractions attendance starts to decline at some point. With the number of performers its got to be expensive.

    I remember when it started, you had to be there more than a hour ahead to get a seat. Recently, you didn't have much trouble getting in even coming just a few minutes before the show started on many nights. So, it seems to me that the crowds are eroding just as you would expect for an older show.

    They do say more often in busier times so one has to wait to see what that means.
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  20. #19
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    Thanks for the update Jason!

    I can't believe that Disney would hop on board with these "trendy" performances. Sure folks like these shows, but I really don't and I don't want to have to listen or deal with these attractions.

    I will have to seriously rethink any future visits to the park. The Studios really didn't appeal me all that much. Now with Fantasmic all but shut down I really don't want to go back.
    Brian (aka CanadianWDWFan)
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  21. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Polynesian Dweller View Post

    I remember when it started, you had to be there more than a hour ahead to get a seat. Recently, you didn't have much trouble getting in even coming just a few minutes before the show started on many nights. So, it seems to me that the crowds are eroding just as you would expect for an older show.

    They do say more often in busier times so one has to wait to see what that means.
    These are both excellent points IMHO. I LOVE Fantasmic - I am upset by this announcement. But attendence is noticably lower than in the past.

    Also, I think we'll have to wait and see where this goes. Fantasmic very well may be performed more than two nights a week during a majority of the year. Here's to hoping!
    CaptainDisney, aka Kevin

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