Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede has closed

[CanadianGuy]

I'm going to disagree with Robo (just cause I'm contrary today) and say that a new Dixie Stampede will open in 12 to 14 months... in a slightly more out of the way location.

I should start a SIG-TICKER to the day where I'm proven wrong.

 

[Robo]

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.

I'm sure that money WAS the key.

BUT-

I stand by my list of how a successful business changes locations.

In the entertainment business, it takes so much work to build a reputation and an audience base.

Countless bus tours and TA's will have been inconvenienced by the "instant closure." No "good will" there.

And maintaining a source of competent, reliable staff is a chore (especially in an area that thirsts for thousands of these kinds of workers) that owners and managers do not which to trash if the desire is to continue the business in the area.

There is much more to successful operation than just looking at a quick return on the property.

That is the real estate business... the business we are discussing is ENTERTAINMENT.

They have trashed their reputation in the area.

Employees at other Dixie Stampedes... WATCH YOUR BACKS!

 

[Feralpeg]

I'm going to disagree with Robo (just cause I'm contrary today) and say that a new Dixie Stampede will open in 12 to 14 months... in a slightly more out of the way location.

I should start a SIG-TICKER to the day where I'm proven wrong.

I agree. I would bet it will be somewhere along 192.

 

[Feralpeg]

I'm going to disagree with Robo (just cause I'm contrary today) and say that a new Dixie Stampede will open in 12 to 14 months... in a slightly more out of the way location.

Sorry. Double post.

 

[Rambler5678]

In a surprise move today, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Orlando location abruptly closed it's doors for good. The Dixie Stampede was a dinner show with a family friendly theme and 32 horses, dozens of cast members, live buffalo, ostrich races, magic and seating for 1,000 around a 35,000 square-foot arena.

The local news stations are reporting that the property was sold to a developer and the deal was too good for Dolly Parton and her business partners to pass up. Employees will receive severnce pay equal to two months. No word about future plans for the 13 acre track, building and stables.

If you are holding tickets for future dates, you will be contacted by phone with instructions on how to get a refund. This closing is only for the Orlando location

 

[Robo]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1680633

Yep.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Merged these two threads about the same topic.

 

[carlyle688]

They just said on the local news that the property was bought by the Premium Outlets (next door) and they are going to expand. So, it's going to be more shopping.

 

[Feralpeg]

Local news has announced that the land currently housing Dixie Stampede will be used for expansion of the Premium Outlet Mall.

 

[carlyle688]

Local news has announced that the land currently housing Dixie Stampede will be used for expansion of the Premium Outlet Mall.

Haha - we were obviously watching the same newscast at the same time.

 

[Schmeck]

Merged these two threads about the same topic.

maybe it could be moved off the WDW forum as well, unless it's going to be rebuilt on Disney property?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) At 3:10pm CST, I booked 14 seats fro March 3rd.
2) Saw at 4:15m CST that they announced closure at 4:23pm EST.
3) About 15-minutes after I made the ressies - and paid by credit card.
4) At least they called this morning and said I would get my refund.
5) Had me scared for a while.

 

[kimluvswdw]

We always see it from I4 but we never went there. I always wanted to.

 

[sbell111]

We always see it from I4 but we never went there. I always wanted to.

We've never been either, but some friends of ours just went on 12/31. They had been wanting to go for a long time. I guess they are lucky to get it in before it was closed.

 

[Robo]

We always see it from I4 but we never went there. I always wanted to.

It was a really FUN show.
High production values and good food (all eaten with the fingers.)

But my bone of contention is HOW they closed the place.

OFF, like a light-swich!

I can't see how a "GOOD OPERATOR" would do that to the staff, management, and CUSTOMERS.

They may, in fact, come back at another location... but I don't see how they can fully recover their losses internally or externally.

Its just ODD how they did this!

 

[sbell111]

It was a really FUN show.
High production values and good food (all eaten with the fingers.)

But my bone of contention is HOW they closed the place.

OFF, like a light-swich!

I can't see how a "GOOD OPERATOR" would do that to the staff, management, and CUSTOMERS.

They may, in fact, come back at another location... but I don't see how they can fully recover their losses internally or externally.

Its just ODD how they did this!

I wonder if their thinking wasn't that if they announced a closing date that the bulk of the staff would hurriedly find other jobs and leave them to provide a bad experience for their guests.

I certainly agree that from an employee's point of you, this stinks. However, if you look at it from the point of view of trying to provide the best service to it's customers, this was not THAT bad of a way to go.

 

[BeentoallDParks]

I must be the only person here who found the idea of separating an audience into "North" and "South" and then having a pig named Abraham Link-in race another hog was an offensive take on the American Civil War. Dolly's Dixie Stampede stereotyped Southerners as stupid, and its Civil War imagery was tacky to the extreme, considering it was a war all about human bondage. (The song in which women sang about how great life was on the ol' plantation really made my skin crawl. Guess whose sweat is making the ol' plantation such fun for you, sweetie.)

I guess it doesn't surprise me that the staff didn't even know that their last show was their last show. Dolly took the dollars and ran. I think that behavior is as tacky as the show was.

So what if the show WAS fun to watch? I am glad to see its messages go.

 

[resol37]

Wow. I never had the desire to go while I was a CM, but it'll be weird to not pass it on my way down to Disney.

 

[princessgirl2238]

i'm suprised that it didn't close earlier. it had to compete with all the other dinner shows on 192 and at disney. i know a few people who worked there and even though none of them knew about the closing, they all were getting new jobs a few weeks ago before the closing was announced- sounds sort of suspicious to me, especially when they all were performers and livestock handlers (none were servers or kitchen staff)