Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede has closed

[mikoiv]

I dont have a lot of details but Dolly Parton has been closed, workers have all been given severance and dismissed.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...08jan08,0,2228549.story?coll=orl_tab01_layout

 

[TimothyG]

Oh, that's unfortunate.

 

[Robo]

The operators claim that the theater's site was sold.


http://www.wftv.com/news/14997032/detail.html

http://allearsnet.com/blogs/lindamac/2008/01/dixie_stampede_orlando_locatio.html


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-stampede0808jan08,0,2228549.story

"Dixie Stampede...
Since opening in June 2003, the Central Florida Dixie Stampede has mixed down-home dining with shows featuring horses, pigs, ostriches and a human cast of make-believe Civil War soldiers, antebellum belles and old-time zanies."

 

[fla4fun]

Since they said it was sold to a developer, I would bet it's a timeshare resort going in.

I feel for the employees though. Considering one article said it was supposed to be closed this week anyway for the annual refurbishment, I would imagine a lot of employees went on vacation after the last show Saturday, not knowing it would be the last show ever and that they wouldn't have a job (especially right after the holidays, and the bills that will be coming in). I would understand more if it were a bankruptcy or going out of business closing, but to just be selling the land to make money, they could have given the employees a little more notice.

 

[Laurabearz]

Bummer.. I had wanted to try it out.

Sucks they gave zero notice to the employees.

 

[Magickndm]

We were driving by that place just a couple of weeks ago and I said I was surprised it was still open. Told my husband that maybe it might be worth trying after all. Guess I jinxed the place.
I'll miss their Christmas tree.

 

[Robo]

I would understand more if it were a bankruptcy or going out of business closing...

All we know is what was SAID by the opertors.

It smells like a "going out of business closing," for sure.

Most business real estate deals don't require vacating the premises in a matter of days (in this cave, virtually overnight.)

They must make arrangements for the boarding of all of the livestock, as well.

 

[Karibeth19]

Since they said it was sold to a developer, I would bet it's a timeshare resort going in.

I feel for the employees though. Considering one article said it was supposed to be closed this week anyway for the annual refurbishment, I would imagine a lot of employees went on vacation after the last show Saturday, not knowing it would be the last show ever and that they wouldn't have a job (especially right after the holidays, and the bills that will be coming in). I would understand more if it were a bankruptcy or going out of business closing, but to just be selling the land to make money, they could have given the employees a little more notice.

According to DH, who runs a restaurant, in that industry you can't really give the employees advance notice of a closing. If you do, most will leave immediately for new jobs (As would anyone, I'm sure! I know I would!), and consequently there is not enough staff left to run the remaining days. Most restaurants and similar venues will be open one day, and closed for good the next, with little to no notice given to employees or customers. Not the kindest thing to do, but it's how it's done.

 

[Robo]

According to DH, who runs a restaurant, in that industry you can't really give the employees advance notice of a closing. If you do, most will leave immediately for new jobs (As would anyone, I'm sure! I know I would!), and consequently there is not enough staff left to run the remaining days. Most restaurants and similar venues will be open one day, and closed for good the next, with little to no notice given to employees or customers. Not the kindest thing to do, but it's how it's done.

Sucks they gave zero notice to the employees.

Sad, yes, but it comes with the territory.
"Show business" must generally be done this way.

I've been in broadcasting my entire adult life.
If you are "firing" an on-air person, they can be given zero advance notice.
Otherwise, what might get said during their last few days (or MINUTES) on the air?

In the case of the Dixie Stampede... if they gave everyone in the cast and offices 2 weeks notice, the show would be threadbare in no time.
Trained show talent would evaporate without notice and the audiences would not be given "good show."

 

[CarolA]

Bummer.. I had wanted to try it out.

Sucks they gave zero notice to the employees.

Well, zero notice is not quite as bad as it sounds. From the ariticle posted above


The company plans to give most of the 150 to 200 employees severance packages with as much as 60 days of compensation. Some would be transferred to other locations, he said, and the attraction's livestock and horses would also be moved

So if you get severance without working that's probably as good as "notice"

 

[Karibeth19]

Sad, yes, but it comes with the territory.
"Show business" must generally be done this way.

In the case of the Dixie Stampede... if they gave everyone in the cast and offices 2 weeks notice, the show would be threadbare in no time.
Trained show talent would evaporate without notice and the audiences would not be given "good show."

That, and the fact that Dixie Stampede was also a "restaurant" that employed servers. An experienced server can go out and have a new job the next day, if they want, especially in a place like Orlando with such a huge amount of restaurants. With that opportunity, why stick around and work in a place that will be closed in two weeks?

 

[micksterlee]

Hey Robo I agree totally I was in radio and TV for 10 years on the talent side of the mic and have seen what can happen if entertainers get wind of a job coming to an end.

The Dixie Stampede here in Pigeon Forge seems to be busy all the time and I have heard Branson is still going strong.

 

[Spaceship Earthfan]

Bummer. We've been to the Dixie Stampede in every one of it's locations except Branson & have seen about 30-40 shows. Living by the Stampede was one of the things I was most looking forward to when I move later this year. The article says that they might reopen elsewhere in the Orlando area, and I trust what Dolly says so I guess there's still hope...

 

[Robo]

I trust what Dolly says...

She said it was not closing...
until it did.

 

[fairfax]

I was so shocked to see this in the paper this morning! I'm sorry now that we never went there.

 

[angiejg]

Dixie Stampede here in Branson is always packed. We LOVE that place! I think it might fit better here.

Angie

 

[Feralpeg]

Some of the employees are being asked to relocate. The others have been given a two month severance package.

Dixie Stampede sits directly adjacent to the outlet mall. The mall is land locked. It is always packed. In fact, they recently, took one part of parking lot away to build a multi-level parking structure. I would not be at all surprised to find the mall expanding to where Dixie Stampede currently resides.

 

[Robo]

I would not be at all surprised to find the mall expanding to where Dixie Stampede currently resides.

OPINION:

Here's how a thriving business would "relocate."

1- Offer is made for property by another company.

2- Offer is considered.

3- If offer is favorable, you accept with contingency of "business interruption" considerations, and you commence building another location for your current successful business.

4- After new construction is complete, you move your successful operation to the new location and close on the old property.

=======================================

Doing what "Dolly Inc." actually did, in the case-in-point, is CLOSE, cold-turkey...
refund advance tickets, and give any other dinner-show operator at least a year to take any and all business Dixie Stampede might have had for that year.
And lost all "momentum" of advertising in the area and all the good will they may have had with their staff (and future staff.)

I would be very surprised to see them build and open another show in WDW area.

They must have wanted O-U-T, and fast!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Oh, wow!

I used to work at the one in Branson- I would have been devastated if it was sold while I worked there! (The Orlando one is just a few miles from my house- I've been meaning to go- guess it's too late now!)

 

[Feralpeg]

OPINION:

Here's how a thriving business would "relocate."

1- Offer is made for property by another company.

2- Offer is considered.

3- If offer is favorable, you accept with contingency of "business interruption" considerations, and you commence building another location for your current successful business.

4- After new construction is complete, you move your successful operation to the new location and close on the old property.

=======================================

Doing what "Dolly Inc." actually did, in the case-in-point, is CLOSE, cold-turkey...
refund advance tickets, and give any other dinner-show operator at least a year to take any and all business Dixie Stampede might have had for that year.
And lost all "momentum" of advertising in the area and all the good will they may have had with their staff (and future staff.)

I would be very surprised to see them build and open another show in WDW area.

They must have wanted O-U-T, and fast!

The building now housing Dixie Stampede could very easily be changed into some type of mall area. In order to do so, the current tenants would need to be out.

I have no idea if they will build again in this area, but I do see their land as very premium for other ventures. Offer enough incentive and any business will fold promptly.