Fantasmic to be cut to two shows per week

[crazy4wdw]

The rumor's out that Fantasmic at DHS will be cut to two showings per week starting in January. Rumor is that it will only be shown on Monday's and Thursday's. Wonder what other budget cuts are coming?

 

[sandym718]

Hmm.. well luckily I have it in the plans for Monday already for our May trip. But wondering just how crowded (and HS in general) it will be now!

 

[Brer Rabbit]

If this is true, I can't imagine how crowded it will be. Disney must really be anticipating tough times ahead if they are thinking this

 

[stitchlover]

Don't they usually cut the amount of shows during the slower times (i.e., January and February)?

 

[Laumau]

The rumor's out that Fantasmic at DHS will be cut to two showings per week starting in January. Rumor is that it will only be shown on Monday's and Thursday's. Wonder what other budget cuts are coming?

Yes, thank you for posting this! I had booked Fantasmic package through the IPO at WL and it was put on a wish list for Jan. 4 which is a Sunday. Just called them and sure enough it isn't being offered. I had her check Monday, Jan. 5 and was able to book. We might have been totally dinked if I wouldn't have had this heads up!

 

[crazy4wdw]

It's no longer a rumor:

"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®.

Showtimes will be published for Guests in the Times Guide, which is available at the theme parks, and online at disneyworld.com."

 

[bookwormde]

Has anyone been there when it was not crowded?

Hard to believe such a popular show would be cut back to only 2 days. With only 2 days the crowds are going to be terrible. I am going in August so I will have to go a couple of times to get my fill.

This just seems crazy to me.

bookwormde

 

[CanadianGuy]

The way I would take this information is if you have a trip booked for January 2009 - Congratulations... the parks and resorts should be nearly empty.



Knox

 

[Luv2Roam]

Wow. And hope you don't have inclement weather on the two nights it is showing.
I am surprised too, as I always thought it was busy. However we have only seen Fantasmic once in the last 5 years or so ourselves.

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

I bet that Fantasmic dinner package will be get even more popular next year.

 

[paulh]

. Wonder what other budget cuts are coming?

No spetro parade in mid to end aug,check park hours
Paulh

 

[disneymath]

No spetro parade in mid to end aug,check park hours
Paulh

That's because they are refurbing the Liberty Bridge or something and the Spectro floats are too big for any of the alternate routes ... they are going to show the regular daytime parade twice a day for the period that Spectro is down ... (the Earth Ball from IllumiNations is also going in for repairs around the same time, but will be gone for longer.) While I wouldn't be surprised to see more cutbacks, this doesn't appear to be one of them.

 

[zulemara]

That's because they are refurbing the Liberty Bridge or something and the Spectro floats are too big for any of the alternate routes ... they are going to show the regular daytime parade twice a day for the period that Spectro is down ... (the Earth Ball from IllumiNations is also going in for repairs around the same time, but will be gone for longer.) While I wouldn't be surprised to see more cutbacks, this doesn't appear to be one of them.

omg I can't imagine illuminations without the ball!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I've seen fantasmic relatively uncrowded....as in normal seating for everyone who didn't want to stand. This occurred in January. I believe they've also cut back on the number of days it was performed in January...but not just to two days and not just midweek days at that.

It wouldn't surprise me if it was just two days once the crowds thin after New Years and then towards the end of January when the conferences and other events start maybe they'll add on a weekend performance (although, for conference attendees weekends wouldn't be particularly useful). Eventually they'd build up to whatever the summer schedule is.

And yes it'll be crowded but that would be good for Disney. Takes some of the load off of the rides and people will spend more money (what else would you do if you are sitting waiting for a show an hour or two in advance...spend money on junk food).

 

[GrumpyFan]

January thru February are traditionally the slowest times of the year, so if the bookings for that time frame are off significantly, then this is probably just the first of many such cuts. Lets hope it's short lived.

 

[bennyb98]

Ugh, not too found of this, just makes you wonder what else they will be cutting back on

 

[dobball23]

The rumor's out that Fantasmic at DHS will be cut to two showings per week starting in January. Rumor is that it will only be shown on Monday's and Thursday's. Wonder what other budget cuts are coming?

How many nights per week has Fantasmic run in January/February in the past? If it is seven, then this is a severe cutback. If it has only been three or four, then it is not a huge cutback.

 

[PIERCEDRN]

Perhaps if they are so worried about a slump in January, they should publish some rates for Resorts and dining... Still have no clue what we are looking at spending.

 

[Keyser]

How many nights per week has Fantasmic run in January/February in the past? If it is seven, then this is a severe cutback. If it has only been three or four, then it is not a huge cutback.

Though it's been a year and a half since I was there, I went at a slow time of January (twice), and it was offered every night. It was also pretty full, though not totally packed - probably more than 75% full, though. The main thing I remember being offered only occasionally was Spectromagic (only 2 times a week).

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

This is actually extremely common in the off season, not sure why this is being considered news. Every CP (I did three), during the off season there were maybe two or three shows per week. Fantasmic is our most complicated show. The manpower alone is an enormous cost and when you aren't filling up the amphitheater, it makes sense to take it down to a couple of night a week. The same thing with Spectro, during off season Spectro does not run every night. That's how it's always been.