Got a response from Disney regardingFantasmic fiasco

[TChrist05]

Hello all....sent an e-mail to WDW a week or so ago about the Fantasmic situation and the fiasco at the Studios on Thursday night, May 7th. I know most knows what has happened since they reduced the amount of shows of Fantasmic. They stated they constantly update entertainment and add shows during the busy times. They would like to replace my tickets for the day...all I need is to send them copies of them and they will give us tickets for the future. We have annual passes, so this is moot. Just wanted them to know what we are feeling about the cutbacks on the shows. Nice to know they respond to our concerns....and checking the calendars they are showing Fantasmic every night from June on....we go back the end of September....probably back to the 2 shows weekly.

Tom

 

[tinkabella627]

what?! I just looked at the calendars as I am going for 2 weeks for my honeymoon and I don't see fantasmic every night. though if it were it would make my plans a lot easier

 

[irish dancer]

Please share where you saw F! will be shown every night from June on.

We're booked June 12-20 and it's only 3nts during that time. Is this something they're going to add? Oh, I hope so.

 

[yulilin3]

I just called WDW and they say that it's only showing Mondays, Tuedays and Thursdays for the weeks in June, until now that's the schedule, they do change depending on crowd volume

 

[mjones73]

It appears they have been adding second showings on the same nights it's shown. The first half of June shows two shows on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday night now and the park hours have been extended til 10pm. That was just announced a week or so ago, I expect them to do the same for the second half of June as it grows closer.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Any guess on what nights it will be held in Sept? Are the nights released with the monthly park hours?

 

[Candy30]

I am glad you said something about your experience at Fantasmic. I really do not like the way it is now. I would be interested too in the hours for September as I will be there then too!

 

[kckmom]

Any guess on what nights it will be held in Sept? Are the nights released with the monthly park hours?

Not sure about Sept., however, we're going end of august and when I made my ADRs, I asked the CSR if she had the calendar so I wouldn't get a rezzie for the same time as Fantasmic and fireworks/parades, etc.

She was able to help me with that, so maybe when you make your call to the dining line, you could ask at that time.

Good luck!

 

[mjones73]

The initial schedule for Sept should be released shortly after the hours are released. Expect to see the hours sometime after June 1st.

 

[Robo]

1- Any guess on what nights it will be held in Sept?
2- Are the nights released with the monthly park hours?

1- No. The Sept. hours will be released within a week from now.

2- Yes (within a few of days of the hours being posted.)

But (as always, always, always...)
expect the hours and events to be changed a few times between the
time they are first announced and when the actual dates approach.

 

[DisGirlAllie]

I feel like an idiot, but what Fantasmic Fiasco?

 

[Robo]

I feel like an idiot, but what Fantasmic Fiasco?

Severe over-crowding" with guests being turned away for many shows.

All due to budget cuts in 2009...
causing the show to NOT be performed every night (as it was in the past)
but only to be presented 2-3 nights per week,
with either 1 or 2 performances on those nights.

Many times DHS can be "over-run with guests" on those days.

 

[momof2intx]

Maybe its just me but I don't see what the problem is. We went in Feb when they had just started the cutbacks. Got there early, walked right in and got great seats, enjoyed some snacks and people watching. It was packed but if you plan your day right, you shouldn't have any problems seeing Fantasmic!

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

Maybe its just me but I don't see what the problem is. We went in Feb when they had just started the cutbacks. Got there early, walked right in and got great seats, enjoyed some snacks and people watching. It was packed but if you plan your day right, you shouldn't have any problems seeing Fantasmic!

You can't really compare one of the slowest times of the year with the building crowds of late Spring.

 

[mjones73]

Maybe its just me but I don't see what the problem is. We went in Feb when they had just started the cutbacks. Got there early, walked right in and got great seats, enjoyed some snacks and people watching. It was packed but if you plan your day right, you shouldn't have any problems seeing Fantasmic!

When were you there in February? Other then around Presidents day, the crowds should have been smaller then they are now. They are also only initially scheduling 3 shows a week with the crowds increasing though they've started adding second showings. This is in comparison to them scheduling 13 showings during the same week last year.

 

[flyguychi]

Although it makes me sad (and harder to plan vacation), if Disney is losing revenues I can see why they are cutting things a little like this. Have to remember Fantasmic is an incredibly expensive show to put on: fireworks, lots of performers, event staffing to take care of everyone, etc. I would rather have better staffing in the parks than a Fantasmic show every night. Just glad that they still have Wishes and Illuminations every night. Hope things get back to "normal" with shows every night of Fantasmic!

Also, happy to hear that Disney got back to you regarding the issue. Still a great customer service company

 

[princesspiglet]

We were there Feb 23-March 1 and it was definetly a fiasco! We waited in line for over an hour and ended up being pushed and shoved until DD6 fell and cut her lip and skinned her knee after being pushed by the crowd behind us. I grabbed her and fired off some foul language at the people pushing us and turned around and left. I was so jacked and immediatly walked to the gate and spoke to a very nice CM. She directed me to contact the corporate office and I sent then an email that night from our room. It took about 3 weeks but I finally got a response back about budget cuts, crowd levels, etc. They asked if I would be coming back again and I said yes, in December. I received 3 one-day tickets and an autographed picture of the Fab 5 at the end of April from them in the mail with an apology.

I don't care about the tickets or the picture and I wasn't looking to get anything out of it (but I do appreciate it!), I just want them to do more shows or to somehow control the crowd a little. There were CM's standing around telling people to slow down, etc. but no one was listening and it was chaos!

 

[rward]

We have always done the Fantasmic Dinner package. Doing it again on our next trip over the 4th. From what I am hearing, it was a good decision.

 

[M5ward]

This is a post that appeared on another site. I don't think I would do the FDP again unless they add more show nights per week.

"I cannot tell you how disappointed I am with Disney and how they are handling Fantasmic Dining Packages. We just visited the first week of May and booked the Fantasmic Dining Package. We went to dinner and received our reservation "ticket." We arrived 60 minutes prior to the 8:30 show time, which is what was recommended by our server and what was printed on our ticket. We arrived only to find out there is no more separate entrance for the dining package. So we had to head over to the main gate and try and get through the mob that had congregated there. By the time I made it to the front they had already filled the stadium and told me they had filled the reserved section with people who didn't have the reserved seat tickets to begin with and that we could not see the show! What is the point of a "reserved seat" if they are just going to fill it with anyone to begin with -- and an hour before the show even starts on top of that? Please be aware that your seat WILL NOT be held for you and you should line up 1-1/2 hours prior to show time JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE has to! It's not worth it -- go see Wishes or IllumiNations instead! What a waste of evening at the Studios."

 

[Brian Noble]

Maybe its just me but I don't see what the problem is.

I'm glad you had a fine time getting in to see the show. But, I've read enough first-hand reports---including from people visiting during slower times---to conclude that I want no part of Fantasmic, either with the package or without it, until they resume an every-day schedule.

Of course, I'll still be going to Disney, and so there's not much point in complaining---the Sharp Pencil Boys won't care unless they lose money over it.