1) Ah, the Diamond Horseshoe !
2) We used to love that place.
. . . cute "Western" floor show with dancing, singing and jokes
. . . audience participation on and off stage
. . . snacks, sandwiches and soft drinks
. . . nicely air conditioned, very nicely air conditioned, on a hot day
3) The labor costs became too much for WDW budget constraints.
. . . dancers, comics, other performers
. . . lighting and stage hands
. . . musicians
. . . waitresses, hostesses, bartenders (for soft drinks)
4) They shut it down with little fanfare.
. . . Del Monte stopped its sponsorship, and it closed in 2003
. . . then, it became Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree, and closed in 2004
5) Now, it is an overflow eatery for LTT, but only in "busy" seasons.
. . . busy seasons are usually Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break
. . . counter service and sandwiches for lunch
. . . family-style all-you-can-eat for dinner (same items as at LTT)
. . . recommended ADR's for either
. . . it uses the same kitchen as LTT, but the food seems worse
. . . in most cases, not worth the effort
. . . during Halloween it is a "dance party" and Trick-or-Treat
7) I would not tell people to avoid it totally, but the food and service don't warrant a visit.
8) WHAT A PITY to kill off such a nice attraction !!!!
NOTE: I got selected to participate before the show was canceled. I had a silly part, but when the show was over, the banjo player let me take the instrument and play a little blue grass. It was a cute little "jam session" with the other musicians.
NOTE2: The Golden Horseshoe, the pattern for Diamond Horseshoe, is still operating at Disneyland.