Disney's Hollywood Studios Announces Operational Changes for Late 2008 and 2009
Walt Disney World Resort Announcment
July 19, 2008
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®.
Disney's Hollywood Studios Announces Operational Changes for Late 2008 and 2009
I'm also disappointed about the reduced number of Fantasmic Performances. IMHO American Idol is not a viable substitution for Fantasmic! :(
More bad news for cast members
As bad as this all sounds to all of us, let's think of all the cast members who are losing there work location. With all these cut backs, with PI and now this, you know that many cast members will lose hours and some may even lose their jobs.
- Tom
Fewer Vactions Away From Home
Does anyone besides me think this may have something to do with the economy. Disney Parks have had a great run for the last few years, with crowds getting bigger each year. I'm thinking this next year will be different, that perhaps the corporate big wigs are expecting a bad year. Right now with gas prices so high and everyone cutting back on travel they must be in a panic. :shake: IMHO Disney is still one of the best deals out there but that doesn't mean they won't feel the pinch. People will cut back on trips so fewer shows will be offered. The economy will get better, but it will take awhile.