Fantasmic vs. American Idol Debate: The decline of Hollywood Studios

[scarpiapiano]

If you really want to go to Fantasmic, aren't they still offering the dinner package at Brown Derby, Mama Melrose, or Hollywood and Vine? Have I been out of the loop to long? It used to be that if you did one of these packages you could enter the theater about 30 minutes before the show and not have to wait.

 

[hack2112]

Plus, it was going into a previously unused space. When was the last thing that was there, anyway?

One new attraction is better than no new attraction.

 

[haveyoumetmark]

If you really want to go to Fantasmic, aren't they still offering the dinner package at Brown Derby, Mama Melrose, or Hollywood and Vine? Have I been out of the loop to long? It used to be that if you did one of these packages you could enter the theater about 30 minutes before the show and not have to wait.

Even with these packages, guest are still being declined entrance to the amphitheatre due to capacity. That's why some are so outraged.

 

[SirGoofy]

Plus, it was going into a previously unused space. When was the last thing that was there, anyway?

One new attraction is better than no new attraction.

While I'll agree that a new attraction is preferred over empty space, I'd rather have a very high caliber attraction, and I think that's people's biggest gripe with AI.

 

[drew81]

If you really want to go to Fantasmic, aren't they still offering the dinner package at Brown Derby, Mama Melrose, or Hollywood and Vine? Have I been out of the loop to long? It used to be that if you did one of these packages you could enter the theater about 30 minutes before the show and not have to wait.

Yes you can still get the package but now you must show up earlier than 30 minutes. I would say close to an hour and the dining package seating section at times was taken over by guests not doing the package. Then when the actual dining package guests showed up there were no seats. Not a good situation.

 

[scarpiapiano]

Maybe Fantasmic didn't have every performance filled to capacity but it was still a very popular show. I think there's a more dangerous attitude going on in the minds of Disney execs. these days. It seems that whenever something is popular, Disney wants to get a piece of it whether Disney created it or not.

I've never been into AI and I had a "Jimmy Crack Corn, and ...." reaction to the announcement of an American Idol Attraction. Why build this attraction simply just because American Idol is very popular nowadays? I think that's frankly a stupid attitude for Disney Execs. to have. When Walt built Disneyland in 1955, do you think he considered building an "I Love Lucy" or a "Jackie Gleason" attraction? Did we have an "All in the Family" or "Marcus Welby MD" ride when WDW opened?

Right now "American Idol" is very popular. A few years ago "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" was huge. Disney built an attraction on that show. When the shows popularity waned, the attraction was gone.

I think it's a big mistake to base attractions on what's popular. With that attitude Disney will never build anything with the idea of permanentness. Everything they build will be temporary. You can't buy "Song of the South" in U.S. stores. The "Twilight Zone" is no longer on T.V. Why do we still have Disney attractions based on these "has beens"? Because they're great attractions, that's why. If Disney execs. really wanted to do something that satisfied the public, they should have the attitude of "let's build something great!" not "let's build something.....well....what's popular these days?"

 

[jeffk410]

eh

to the post above:
Ive been to the world many many times and have seen Fantasmic many many many times and every show i mean every show ive seen has been packed. And also the issue with the dinning package is some people do not want to spend the extra money, especially in this time period.

 

[DisneyMusician2]

Maybe Fantasmic didn't have every performance filled to capacity but it was still a very popular show. I think there's a more dangerous attitude going on in the minds of Disney execs. these days. It seems that whenever something is popular, Disney wants to get a piece of it whether Disney created it or not.

I've never been into AI and I had a "Jimmy Crack Corn, and ...." reaction to the announcement of an American Idol Attraction. Why build this attraction simply just because American Idol is very popular nowadays? I think that's frankly a stupid attitude for Disney Execs. to have. When Walt built Disneyland in 1955, do you think he considered building an "I Love Lucy" or a "Jackie Gleason" attraction? Did we have an "All in the Family" or "Marcus Welby MD" ride when WDW opened?

Right now "American Idol" is very popular. A few years ago "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" was huge. Disney built an attraction on that show. When the shows popularity waned, the attraction was gone.

I think it's a big mistake to base attractions on what's popular. With that attitude Disney will never build anything with the idea of permanentness. Everything they build will be temporary. You can't buy "Song of the South" in U.S. stores. The "Twilight Zone" is no longer on T.V. Why do we still have Disney attractions based on these "has beens"? Because they're great attractions, that's why. If Disney execs. really wanted to do something that satisfied the public, they should have the attitude of "let's build something great!" not "let's build something.....well....what's popular these days?"

You are talking bout all of Fantasyland when they built it. Just because the movies have endured doesn't mean that wasn't the case.

Universal has been very successful building rides off what is popular, because it is popular. Disney has created many attractions with staying power, but it necessary to mix those headliners in with smaller shows. AI fulfills that need and uses a space that has been vacant in DHS for far too long.

The reason we didn't have rides based on TV shows that weren't Disney's was that Walt was promoting his own product and not someone else's. The times, culture, and economy are different today.

 

[hack2112]

While I'll agree that a new attraction is preferred over empty space, I'd rather have a very high caliber attraction, and I think that's people's biggest gripe with AI.

From what I've seen it looks like they spared almost no expense with the interior. That set is rocking. I think one of the biggest reasons why people don't like it is that they don't like American Idol in the first place.

Also, I understand the Fantasmic complaint, but don't judge one because of your love of the other.

 

[scarpiapiano]

to the post above:
Ive been to the world many many times and have seen Fantasmic many many many times and every show i mean every show ive seen has been packed. And also the issue with the dinning package is some people do not want to spend the extra money, especially in this time period.

I understand about the money. I was just worried that because of the limited show schedule the package might be gone as well. I've never seen Fantasmic when it wasn't packed either. I'm in your corner. I wished they hadn't cut the performances.