Major DLR Entertainment Cuts

[prettyprincessbelle]

I saw this posted on both Mice Chat and Mouse Planet so I thought I would post this here to let you Dis'ers know to give you a heads up with your planning.

Disneyland Resort Entertainment is getting MAJOR cuts...

The first was Princess Fantasy Faire, with basically everything except the Meet and Greet and the merchandise/food being cancelled (The Money Makers remain open).

Based on Disneyland.com

DCA is getting some major cuts...

Aladdin is going on Hiatus as of Monday, January 5th.

HSM:3 will go to a Friday through Sunday only schedule (might be offered on some Monday Holidays).

Pixar Play Parade will remain at 5 days a week (Wednesday through Sunday)

Drawn to the Magic is on Hiatus

Brother Bear will remain (Friday through Tuesday).

Playhouse Disney will remain at 7 days a week.

As for Disneyland..

NO Parade as of January 5th for the foreseeable future (my educated guess, mid March for Spring Break - "Celebrate Today"

No Fantasmic! as of January 5th

Remember Fireworks not offered until MLK, Jr. weekend (a couple of weeks off, then just weekends).

I don't know how entirely true this reported schedule will be. I'm just copying and pasting from other sites so everyone can plan accordingly.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

Thanks! I guess they really do need to cut things back due to money...it makes me sad but it is what it is

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Thanks! I guess they really do need to cut things back due to money...it makes me sad but it is what it is

I feel the same way. It makes me sad but you really can't blame them. Disney is a business.

I've seen pretty much every show listed since I go fairly often, but it makes me sad for people who don't go to DLR often and for this time being not being able to see some of the shows due to budget cuts.

 

[Canyon girl]

There is a HUGE problem with the cuts! In this economy, customer service is everything. If they cut back to, basically, just an amusement park, what is the incentive to go? I think that, if they make too many cuts, they will lose more money and guests than if they didn't cut. Call me crazy, but I believe that the cuts will turn people off. I have an AP8 rate at DLH for Feb., but I am also holding onto an entertainment rate at HOJOs. I'm not sure which direction I am going to go. If they cut more, is it worth the extra to stay on the resort? Customer service says it all! I emailed about the calendar, or lack thereof. I was sent an email saying that their policy is to post it 6 weeks ahead. I am sure that the Oct. schedule was up more than 6 weeks ahead. So now they are adding the schedule for my vacation time one day at a time. Does that sound efficient? I think that there are other ways that they can cut without cutting these things that are mentioned. Is cutting storytelling really going to save money, or is it going to decrease the guests coming to that area (thereby cutting sales at the merchandise location)? We have never waited for the meet and greet at PFF. We only went for the storytelling, so this cut will keep us from going. As for the parade, fireworks, and Fantasmic, isn't this going to decrease some of the local crowd on the weekend? On our last 2 trips, we ran into quite a few locals that came out on Friday night mainly for the parade and fireworks. I think that these cuts will come back to bite them on their rears. It will certainly make us rethink the trip we had planned for Sept.

 

[pixiewings71]

Well the parade is being cut due to them working on the tracks on Main Street so that's not exactly a "cut". As for Aladdin and F! those were not on the schedule for my trip at all, not even listed on the weekend (well I think F! was but not Aladdin) so I was hoping for but not expecting to see it. I'm glad you got that info tho Courtney, now I will be sure to DBF to see Aladdin on the 4th and hopefully F! as well. Since we are going "off season" I wasn't expecting to get much in the way of entertainment but hopefully DL won't get rid of it completely. I'm sure they understand the draw that those activities do have and they will do whatever they can to get them fully funded for us all.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

Well I certainly understand people being frustrated but parade or F! being gone will not keep me from visiting disney parks at least once or twice a year. I do feel for first time visitors though, however if you dont know what you're missing then it isn't a huge deal. My mom's favorite show is F! so she may be sad that we only have one night in april to see it but honestly it doesn't bother me. I go for the rides, food and time with my family. Disney is having a rough time just like everyone else and I do not blame them for making any cutbacks.

 

[fairykin]

hhmmm... i am sad to see there won't be parades. i think they should keep those.

 

[pixiewings71]

hhmmm... i am sad to see there won't be parades. i think they should keep those.

Don't worry, it's only temporary so they can fix the tracks on Main Street. The parade will be back mid March or so.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Well the parade is being cut due to them working on the tracks on Main Street so that's not exactly a "cut".

I wonder if they weren't working on the tracks on Main Street if they would have still cut the parade, KWIM? It seems like it was just the right timing.

 

[Canyon girl]

This is a quote from MiceAge:

Editor's Note 12/24-25: There's lots of confusion from Disneyland.com on early 2009's entertainment, but here's the latest; Fantasmic! will still run 7 nights per week thru the middle of March before a rehab. Fireworks are cancelled weekends, except for MLK Jr. & President's Day. And Parade of Dreams is history, pending the response to the Celebration street party debuting 3/26. More info on the cuts in the next update. Enjoy your holiday! - Al Lutz

I just called guest relations 714-781-7290 to see about my dates (Feb. 1-7). According to the lady I spoke to
1) Aladdin will be going
2) Fantasmic will be running all week
3) IASW will be back up Feb. 5 or 6.

Hopefully, this will not be changed.

 

[Albort]

well, Fantasmic is suppose to go down again to replace the dragon. more refurb for it, not because its a slow season.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

This is a quote from MiceAge:

Editor's Note 12/24-25: There's lots of confusion from Disneyland.com on early 2009's entertainment, but here's the latest; Fantasmic! will still run 7 nights per week thru the middle of March before a rehab. Fireworks are cancelled weekends, except for MLK Jr. & President's Day. And Parade of Dreams is history, pending the response to the Celebration street party debuting 3/26. More info on the cuts in the next update. Enjoy your holiday! - Al Lutz

I just called guest relations 714-781-7290 to see about my dates (Feb. 1-7). According to the lady I spoke to
1) Aladdin will be going
2) Fantasmic will be running all week
3) IASW will be back up Feb. 5 or 6.

Hopefully, this will not be changed.

THANK YOU!!!!!!

So it's not as bad as it was made out, I guess.

I think Mr. Lutz means "fireworks are cancelled weekDAYS" right?

 

[Canyon girl]

I got the impression from guest relations that the fireworks are canceled the entire time that the street work is being done, then will go to weekends after that. I may be wrong, but that is what it sounded like.

 

[LucyDingo]

Well, most of that doesn't effect us because we don't do most of the shows.

I like Aladdin and Fantasmic but we've seen them so it's not a huge deal.

I LOVE the fireworks. So that kind of stinks. But at least I have them on video.

I would have liked to see a parade, but I can live without it.

As far as the other stuff....I could care less.

And on the bright side...maybe this will keep the parks extra empty while we're there. *fingers crossed*

 

[bumbershoot]

If they cut more, is it worth the extra to stay on the resort? Customer service says it all! I emailed about the calendar, or lack thereof. I was sent an email saying that their policy is to post it 6 weeks ahead. I am sure that the Oct. schedule was up more than 6 weeks ahead. So now they are adding the schedule for my vacation time one day at a time. Does that sound efficient?

Is cutting storytelling really going to save money

They've done the one-day-at-a-time before, well before this.

And while I do NOT believe the PFF cuts are a sound financial move, to them, they think that b/c they don't have to pay for those hours of princess and prince time, it will save them money. I don't think it will ultimately work out, and it's going to make that place like a ghost town, and might increase injuries in kids who now just run around the stage area and bash themselves thereby causing more money being spent by First Aid, but I think that's what they are thinking.




So glad about HSM.

Is Drawn to the Magic the show thing near Monsters and Muppets?

 

[Canyon girl]

Yes, Bumbershoot, Drawn to the Magic is that show. While I thought it was cheesy, all the kids there seemed to enjoy it. As for DLR cutbacks, it seems like cutting loose a couple of middle or upper management behind the scenes would be more cost efficient, but they don't listen to nor pay you or me. I have a feeling you and I could help them. But, alas, we are just "nobodies.". HA HA!!!

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I got the impression from guest relations that the fireworks are canceled the entire time that the street work is being done, then will go to weekends after that. I may be wrong, but that is what it sounded like.

Oy, that makes sense.

And while I do NOT believe the PFF cuts are a sound financial move, to them, they think that b/c they don't have to pay for those hours of princess and prince time, it will save them money. I don't think it will ultimately work out, and it's going to make that place like a ghost town, and might increase injuries in kids who now just run around the stage area and bash themselves thereby causing more money being spent by First Aid, but I think that's what they are thinking.

I agree. Especially about the stage thing.

The princesses make a minimum of $10/hour. The pretty maiden girls that help them tell their stories I'm sure make the same if not less. I don't get it either.

 

[bumbershoot]

Yes, Bumbershoot, Drawn to the Magic is that show.

As for DLR cutbacks, it seems like cutting loose a couple of middle or upper management behind the scenes would be more cost efficient, but they don't listen to nor pay you or me. I have a feeling you and I could help them. But, alas, we are just "nobodies.". HA HA!!!

OK, whew. I thought it was the Animation Academy, which we LOVED (seriously, loved), and Eamon asked questions in front of everyone (he's 4.5 and doesn't go to school, where did he learn to put his hand up to ask a question, and where did he get the guts to ask for help in the middle of the lesson?????) and the helper animator gave him, without being asked, a picture he had drawn.... So while the show thing looks cute from afar, I'm glad it's not the Animation Academy.

And I think we could help 'em out too! They wouldn't even have to pay us, ya know? Just give us a Premium AP each year for our thoughts and opinions.

I agree. Especially about the stage thing.

The princesses make a minimum of $10/hour. The pretty maiden girls that help them tell their stories I'm sure make the same if not less. I don't get it either.

I'm sure you can figure out that I was thinking of what E will want to do in that empty stage area....

Oh those poor ladies in waiting! I hope they don't lose their jobs. The male attendants, too. E has signatures of 3 ladies in waiting and one of the guys, it's too cute.



I guess the only thing for us to do is to GO GO GO to DLR! Stimulate their economy? And give them feedback!

But I let hubby, who is notoriously awful with money, be in charge of our money from Nov to, well, today, and now we're in debt b/c of our trip! I had it budgeted, and the end of this month wasn't going to be pretty, but we would have it ALL taken care of, but no, starting off the new year with a few hundred (which isn't much but it's more than it was supposed to be) on DH's brand new credit card. Harumph.

Some cost-cutting measures will be in effect 'round here, LOL...

 

[Canyon girl]

Bumbershoot, I agree that premium APs would be enough! I am hoping to talk the kids into Animation Academy next time. It is amazing what kids pick up even without going to school. I have 2 of the no-one-is-a-stranger kids. Sounds like you have one to watch, too! BTW, maybe DLR needs a mom's panel like WDW!

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh, if only they'd get a mom's panel at DLR!!!!!

Obviously I should go write in my trip report, b/c I want to talk about the AA, but I'm not even up to that day yet! Gotta go get my notes and get cracking on the report.



I can imagine that fantasmic and the fireworks will save them huge amounts of money. Can you even imagine how much those must cost each night? (and we didn't even like Fantasmic...shhh, don't tell anyone)