Fantasmic cancellations

[cinder-ellah]

Last Saturday Dec 14th my Granddaughters and I had the HB dining package to watch the 1st show for Fantasmic. We approached 2 CM in the line up area and were told both shows had been canceled. Slightly disappointed (of course) but we know shows can get canceled due to technical difficulties but they said it was due to not enough dining packages being purchased. We were also told by 2 other CM's that that was why the show was canceled. The CM's told us to return to the HB and talk to the Cast Members there that checked us in earlier and we would be reimbursed, if not for the total amount atleast a partial amount. We hadn't asked for that, we were just informed thats what they were doing. We approached the HB with a positive attitude and yes we were told there also that not enough dining packages were sold. First they offered us a free Funnel Cake and I mentioned that we were told of a possible reimbursement. They didn't know about that but got a manager. The manager said yes we could get a reimbursement and took my receipt and card that I had paid with and said she had put the amount back on my card. I was very happy and thanked her immensely. Unfortunately, sad to say the reimbursement was never credited to my card. My question is are shows cancelled due to not enough dining packages being purchased ? Is that a common occurrence / reason for canceling a show ? I've only heard of cancellations for shows due to technical difficulties and no refunds for that. .

 

[Cal-Pie]

I have NEVER heard of a show being cancelled because of dining packages. What a huge disappointment! I would definitely email or call if your refund doesn't post to your card.

 

[Howry]

This chaps my hide. Such a load of BS. But seems to be the way Disney is going.

 

[cinder-ellah]

I have NEVER heard of a show being cancelled because of dining packages. What a huge disappointment! I would definitely email or call if your refund doesn't post to your card.

I thought that was an odd reason also and we were told that by more than one CM. And I specifically asked if it was due to technical difficulties as we know that can happen. They all clearly stated canceled "due to lack of Dining Packages Sold". Thank you for your input.

 

[cinder-ellah]

This chaps my hide. Such a load of BS. But seems to be the way Disney is going.

It did seem so unusual.

 

[ShoeCello]

@cinder-ellah Here's a thread from last Saturday relevant to the F! cancellation: https://www.disboards.com/threads/fantasmic-canceled-for-12-14.3782439/ The other people there reported that the CMs said the cancellation was due to staffing issues, not dining packages. I've never heard of F! being cancelled for lack of dining packages either; they often run the second showing with virtually no one in the dining areas (they've often let in other people in that section).

For the refund, I would give it another couple days to show up - I had an issue when I did the HB F! dining package over the summer and was refunded a certain amount. The money was not credited until about a week or two after - I remember checking every day, and it showed up a bit later than I expected. Not sure why it took that long, but it's possible that it might still come. If it doesn't show up on your credit card statement you could call Disney and ask, since they did promise you the refund!

Sorry that you had to deal with the F! cancellation- hopefully you managed to catch Fantasmic! on a different night!

 

[cinder-ellah]

@cinder-ellah Here's a thread from last Saturday relevant to the F! cancellation: https://www.disboards.com/threads/fantasmic-canceled-for-12-14.3782439/ The other people there reported that the CMs said the cancellation was due to staffing issues, not dining packages. I've never heard of F! being cancelled for lack of dining packages either; they often run the second showing with virtually no one in the dining areas (they've often let in other people in that section).

For the refund, I would give it another couple days to show up - I had an issue when I did the HB F! dining package over the summer and was refunded a certain amount. The money was not credited until about a week or two after - I remember checking every day, and it showed up a bit later than I expected. Not sure why it took that long, but it's possible that it might still come. If it doesn't show up on your credit card statement you could call Disney and ask, since they did promise you the refundSorry that you had to deal with the F! cancellation- hopefully you managed to catch Fantasmic! on a different night!

Oh, WOW ! Thank you for the link. Fascinating read. I’ve barely caught up with anything since getting home. It was a go with the flow kind of day for our family and we were happy to see that the evening weather seemed perfect for F. Thats interesting that others heard it was a staffing issue. So who knows what it was. I know not all CM's seem to get the same information. I had hardly been on my cellphone to check things out when in the parks, staying at DLH the cellular data was nonexistent and the wi-fi just did not work for us (on and off, more off with constant disconnects). Seemed like I only had my phone out in the parks for MP. That was our last night at the parks, so we missed seeing it this trip. As I told my GD's add it to the list for "next time". I appreciate the link and your input. Thank you.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Sounds like Fantasmic is no longer a normal part of the day, but more of a money maker? Seems odd considering for how many years they had Fantasmic without any dining packages. Oh, well, it's a different time, I guess.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Sounds like Fantasmic is no longer a normal part of the day, but more of a money maker? Seems odd considering for how many years they had Fantasmic without any dining packages. Oh, well, it's a different time, I guess.

There is a 0% chance that they cancelled the show due to lack of dining packages. They ended up refunding quite a few of them from what I heard, and they still have to pay most of the huge staff that runs it each night - way more of a loss to cancel it.

I can’t imagine why CMs would say that (even if it was true, poor show), but there’s no way.

 

[cinder-ellah]

There is a 0% chance that they cancelled the show due to lack of dining packages. They ended up refunding quite a few of them from what I heard, and they still have to pay most of the huge staff that runs it each night - way more of a loss to cancel it.

I can’t imagine why CMs would say that (even if it was true, poor show), but there’s no way.

I'm sure its a huge headache for Disney to have to cancel shows. We still haven't got a refund, fingers crossed. We didn't expect a refund or asked for it, but we were told we would get one. I'm sure Disney does not want to disappoint guests and it must take alot to actually cancel. We felt bad for the CM's having to give the cancellation notice.

 

[Malcon10t]

I am also 100% certain the CM wrong (yep, they are wrong often.) . Packages rarely sell out completely, and the second show often runs without selling packages. A better guess would be there were too many call outs to run the show, which RARELY happens, but has happened. I mean, we have all seen when there is no Beast, but Belle is there, or no Ariel, but Prince Eric is there. But if both are missing, or not enough specific other characters, it happens. We have no clue, but I can say it wasn't about Hungry Bear not selling enough packages.

 

[cinder-ellah]

I am also 100% certain the CM wrong (yep, they are wrong often.) . Packages rarely sell out completely, and the second show often runs without selling packages. A better guess would be there were too many call outs to run the show, which RARELY happens, but has happened. I mean, we have all seen when there is no Beast, but Belle is there, or no Ariel, but Prince Eric is there. But if both are missing, or not enough specific other characters, it happens. We have no clue, but I can say it wasn't about Hungry Bear not selling enough packages.

Thank you for the information. We thought the reason we were given was odd also.