Disney's Hollywood Studios Announces Operational Changes for Late 2008 and 2009

[locutus]

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

First they close PI and now cut 5 shows a week of Fantasmic. I know they want to cut costs but cmon. I cant tell you how many times I have wanted to see Fantasmic, gotten there over an hour before the show and couldnt get it. your right...how hard is it going to see when its only available twice a week. Its not as if the show were unpopular. I think its time we all start boycotting Disney and go elsewhere until corporate realizes that cutting so many things will just turn people away and not encourage attendance. People complain and still go, Disney will not care what we say. We stop going they may reconsider.

[BMan62]

People complain and still go, Disney will not care what we say. We stop going they may reconsider.

I think that is the whole point of them cutting back - people have stopped going. Actually, more to the point is that people are not booking rooms and packages for Q1 '09, so they feel they have to save some money.

From an e-mail newsletter that I received today:

Disney sees slowing ad sales, park hotel bookings

Walt Disney Co said park bookings were flat and it had detected weakness in advertising sales in the current quarter, sparking fears that U.S. economic woes will hit its results and sending its shares down 2 percent.

[KAT1811]

I think its time we all start boycotting Disney and go elsewhere until corporate realizes that cutting so many things will just turn people away and not encourage attendance.

I call that cutting your nose off to spite your face. Two or ten shows of Fantasmic! there isn't a vacation destination in the world that I would rather take my children to. As devistating as this may be to some there are still a zillion other things to do at WDW at night.

[locutus]

I call that cutting your nose off to spite your face. Two or ten shows of Fantasmic! there isn't a vacation destination in the world that I would rather take my children to. As devistating as this may be to some there are still a zillion other things to do at WDW at night.

Why cutting your nose to spite your face? Prices rise and entertainment drops. And please tell me a few things to do at night. Without PI soon it looks to me I would have to sit and watch tv in my room while the kids are in bed. Not many more options for us grown ups when the parks are done. Except for maybe Citywalk at Universal.

[Vito]

Why cutting your nose to spite your face? Prices rise and entertainment drops. And please tell me a few things to do at night. Without PI soon it looks to me I would have to sit and watch tv in my room while the kids are in bed. Not many more options for us grown ups when the parks are done. Except for maybe Citywalk at Universal.

Guess that depends on when you're going. If you're going during the busy season, the parks are open until 11 or midnight, plus Extra Magic Hours if you want to do that. I can't think of anything much better than walking around a very quiet Magic Kingdom at 2 am after watching the fireworks together. I certianly wouldn't choose a nightclub in lieu of that. I can go to nightclubs anywhere - there's only one Magic Kingdom. Isn't that why we go to WDW and not Universal or the nearest city?

And additionally, if it's the crowded season, Fantasmic will definitely be more than 2 times per week.

As for other nighttime activity, I don't know. Again, the best I've got is the parks at night (especially EMH nights), a quiet walk around your resort and a late night dip in the pool when most everyone is in bed. The Boardwalk has several places that are open until 1am-2am... Not sure if these are all still open, but according to Intercot:

Atlantic Dance Hall
Feel the live Latin rhythms sizzle at this newly themed club. It's hot, hot, hot! Lounge and dance club for 21 and over only.
(Valid, proper photo ID required.)
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday -- 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday are VIDEO DJ Nights, playing some of the best music videos on a large screen.
Thursday &Friday nights are DJ only nights, playing a mix of today's top hits.
Please Note: The Atlantic Dance Hall may be booked for wedding receptions and other special events and does accommodate live bands for those events when requested.

Jellyrolls
A Dueling piano bar where you choose the play list.
Take part in non-stop live entertainment in a casual atmosphere.
Admission Ticket required
21 and over only. (Valid, proper photo ID required.)
Hours: 9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.

Those are in addition to a few different places to eat (ESPN Club, Big River Grille & Brewing Works) that are open until midnight or later.

Downtown Disney still has quite a bit open late, you could catch a movie, grab a bite or just take a walk lake-side, etc.

I think if you do some digging you'll find there's plenty of nighttime activites, many of which cost nothing and in my opinion can be a much more enjoyable experience than dancing with a bunch of drunk and/or sweaty people in a club.

Adventurers Club and Comedy Warehouse will be missed, yes, but honestly, how often did you visit there, and at what hour?

I don't know - personally the things that I enjoy about WDW are the things that are exclusive experiences, and really I never found Pleasure Island as much of a unique experience. I found most of it to be fairly generic and un-Disney.

By the time the parks close, I'm about out of energy anyway, especially if it's 11 or midnight or so. By the time I get back to the hotel it's usually close to 1am. Even during the "slow" season, there's often a park open late with EMH (usually at least until 11pm), and even if there isn't by the time you get back to the hotel it could be 11 or 12, and there's really no time to head over to DD/PI after that. Perfect time for a quiet coctail poolside or a quiet walk around the resort.