Festival of the Masters canceled for 2014?

[doconeill]

Caught this via Facebook, and don't know the source, but there is a report that Festival of the Masters is canceled due to the construction at DTD?

Makes sense given the space constraints I guess, but...

 

[k5jm]

Caught this via Facebook, and don't know the source, but there is a report that Festival of the Masters is canceled due to the construction at DTD?

Makes sense given the space constraints I guess, but...

Well that stinks! You figure they could move this to another location that is not under construction, like the Millennium Tent, or the Boardwalk.


http://www.artfairinsiders.com/prof...l-of-the-masters-cancelled?xg_source=activity

Disney Festival Of The Masters Canceled

Posted by John Hartung on August 20, 2014 at 2:16pm
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After a month of delays in notification from Disney Festival Of The Masters, I just received this email.

As you may be aware, Downtown Disney is undergoing the largest expansion in its history as it transitions into Disney Springs. While it certainly is an exciting time for us, it has presented challenges as we attempt to stage the 2014 Festival of the Masters. Much of the area that traditionally houses the Festival is unavailable due to the expansion work, and so I must share that we have made the difficult decision to not host the event.



We are sorry for any inconvenience or disruption to your schedule. Please be assured that if you paid an application fee, you will promptly be reimbursed. The enthusiastic support of the arts community has contributed to the long-running success of the Festival of the Masters. Therefore, we wanted everyone who submitted an application to be the first to know of this decision.



We value and appreciate all of your hard work, dedication and commitment to your art, the arts community and to this Festival. Walt Disney World Resort has long been an advocate and strong supporter of the arts and we remain committed to nurturing the arts.



Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time of growth.



Keith Bradford

Vice President Downtown Disney

 

[doconeill]

Hmm...and no mention of the future either...

I'm not sure where else would be suitable for the size of the event. Last year it covered most of the open spaces at DTD.

 

[DisneyKevin]

This makes me sad.

 

[k5jm]

This makes me sad.

Canceled due to guest parking demand.

 

[k5jm]

Hmm...and no mention of the future either...

I'm not sure where else would be suitable for the size of the event. Last year it covered most of the open spaces at DTD.

It appears to me from the "backstory" video WDI released yesterday for Disney Springs, that WDW is going for the California DTD experience. I am not sure that Festival of the Masters fits that mold.

 

[OKW Lover]

I was surprised to see this. I know several folks who were coming to town for the FoM (plus F&W) that weekend.

 

[jcb]

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/08/festival-of-the-masters-update/ Disney statement.

 

[OKW Lover]

I read the story and had a bit of a chuckle. Maybe the expansion project is way behind schedule? Otherwise, wouldn't they have realized the constraints long ago and made this decision sooner?

 

[doconeill]

I read the story and had a bit of a chuckle. Maybe the expansion project is way behind schedule? Otherwise, wouldn't they have realized the constraints long ago and made this decision sooner?

It's hard to be behind schedule when you schedule three years for one year's worth of work...

 

[brer_rabbit]

I read the story and had a bit of a chuckle. Maybe the expansion project is way behind schedule? Otherwise, wouldn't they have realized the constraints long ago and made this decision sooner?

Yes it's a bit odd that they didn't think about this sooner! I've only been to the Festival once and all I can remember was the DTD car park being like Christmas with people stalking for spaces

It would've made a lot of sense to scale it down a little bit and move it to the Boardwalk (still could have used the Typhoon car park and bused people over to avoid any parking issues with the Boardwalk area hotels).

 

[kuleiros]

Yeah, seems like Disney may have messed up with this one! I'm sure this event draws in lots of money - not only in DTD itself, but in hotel rooms, etc. I'm sure that not only Disney, but the local economy will take a "hit" on this, as well as the unfortunate artisans, who will not get to showcase and sell their wares.

You mean Pete (and his "rant" about the obscenely long construction time for a PARKING GARAGE - and Disney Springs) was RIGHT?? Wow - Disney execs better start watching their Dis Unplugged Podcasts!!!

 

[txvjc]

I was so bummed when I read this on the Orlando Sentinel website yesterday because it is my favorite non-park event.

My first thought was that they should move it to the Boardwalk/Beach Club area as someone above mentioned, but that really doesn't help the parking situation as parking around there is at a premium that time of year due to F&W.

ESPN WWoS could also be an option as that place is HUGE with lots of parking...heck, they wouldn't even have to give up any of the sports fields, they could hold it outside the gates as there is a ton of room in the grass area used for extra parking and it would even have the built in crowd of people attending events inside the gates during breaks plus the people that would go just for the festival, but I bet Disney doesn't think enough people would be interested in travelling to ESPN strictly for the event

 

[GAN]

You mean Pete (and his "rant" about the obscenely long construction time for a PARKING GARAGE - and Disney Springs) was RIGHT?? Wow - Disney execs better start watching their Dis Unplugged Podcasts!!!

Okay.... Now they're baiting him -I'm convinced they are listening

 

[JustSayin]

I love Festival of the Masters, and I will miss it this year when I am down for the Wine and Dine ½ Marathon. However, I do think that it was a wise decision to cancel it given the current state of Downtown Disney.

I think it would have been both a parking and crowd nightmare. There just isn’t room for the booths and the people. Hopefully it will be back next year.