So What's Coming to the New Pleasure Island?

[lugnut33]

Ok I know most people will claim to dislike mcdonalds - but surely by closing their DTD site that would be yet another less reason for many people to go there?

I'm sure the bean counters at Disney have come up with the fairly simplistic thought that "Hey McDonalds is so popular, but they pay us so little rent... what if they weren't there anymore and we opened our own burger place there?" But in reality a no name burger restaurant with at best average food wont make people go out of their way to visit DTD as much as people would for a known dependable place like mcdonalds.

It was bad enough when DTD was losing the best reasons for people to visit. But now its getting to the point where there is NO reason for people to visit DTD.

I think they should retheme the area with Stitch.

 

[mitros]

Ok I know most people will claim to dislike mcdonalds - but surely by closing their DTD site that would be yet another less reason for many people to go there?

I'm sure the bean counters at Disney have come up with the fairly simplistic thought that "Hey McDonalds is so popular, but they pay us so little rent... what if they weren't there anymore and we opened our own burger place there?" But in reality a no name burger restaurant with at best average food wont make people go out of their way to visit DTD as much as people would for a known dependable place like mcdonalds.

It was bad enough when DTD was losing the best reasons for people to visit. But now its getting to the point where there is NO reason for people to visit DTD.

Hmm... Before McDonalds and Ghiradelli and Wolgang Puck, as well as the Rainforest Cafe, Disney ran all of the eateries at DTD. I wonder if they are trying to get back to running their own restaurants again. Anyone remember the Verandah Restaurant, Village ice cream Parlor and Bake Shop, Heidelbergers Deli, the Lite Bite, and Lake Buena Vista Club?
About the only original reataurant at DTD that is still there is Cap'n Jack's Oyster Bar. I for one would prefer some Disney-run eateries again at DTD. Never cared much for Mickey D's, especially since you can go ANYWHERE in the world, practically, and find a McDonald's. WDW was supposed to be unique in every way. When they put every-day places to eat on property, it's not magic. It's anytown, USA.

 

[DC7800]

But in reality a no name burger restaurant with at best average food wont make people go out of their way to visit DTD as much as people would for a known dependable place like mcdonalds

People do not travel hundreds of miles or more to go to McDonalds's; They travel all that way for Disney - attractions, resorts, shops, and restaurants. Indeed, Disney operated fast-food was once regarded as generally superior to McDonald's and other 'real-world' examples. Why, why, why would anyone go to Downtown Disney for the sake of eating at McDonalds's??? They can do that when they get back home; As mitros stated, Disney should be full of unique (dining) experiences you can't get anywhere else.

Few persons are likely to venture out to the Marketplace for just a burger regardless, but Disney is a known quantity and the reason you're there. It isn't like traveling in a strange town, so you look for familiarity in McDonalds' as opposed to taking a chance on Joe's Diner & Bait Shop. If you really want a McDonald's for some reason, there is still one a mile or so away in Crossroads, but it just doesn't belong in Downtown Disney - and never did. I don't hate McDonalds' - ate there for lunch today - but I do hate it intruding upon Walt Disney World.

I'm sure the bean counters at Disney have come up with the fairly simplistic thought

Simplistic thoughts appear to be the only type some members of Disney senior management are capable of.

It was bad enough when DTD was losing the best reasons for people to visit. But now its getting to the point where there is NO reason for people to visit DTD.

For Pleasure Island and its new "theme" of urban wasteland and abandoned buildings, you are quite correct, but the same cannot be said of the Marketplace. It remains a vibrant, well-patronized shopping and dining complex. That, of course, is part of the problem, in that Marketplace shoppers do not venture through P.I. to the West Side (and never did so effectively). Perhaps the marketplace numbers are down as well, I don't know, but I've never seen the place (well, for many years) when it wasn't relatively busy, so thats hardly my impression. Still, World of Disney and other establishments (collectively) continue to bring in customers to the Marketplace. Granted, some like Ghirardelli and Earl of Sandwich are just tenants like McDonalds. But at least you can't find one on nearly every street in the nation, so they remain somewhat more unique to most WDW visitors. I'd much prefer all-Disney experiences (and be careful what we mean by that: All-Disney doesn't mean all-character experiences), but Disney seems to be going in the opposite direction. Or at least they were - say Disney, how's that strategy working out for you with Pleasure Island?

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Re: the AC reopening. I would love it more than anyone, but at least a half a dozen CMs from all over property have said the artifacts are being removed in October and shipped to Hong Kong. Moreover, there hasn't been a peep about actor auditions or a push to hire bartenders and staff. One PI insider told me flat out no, none of the clubs are set to reopen. And this rumor has been around in some form since last October. I want to believe, but at this point it would contradict all the evidence.

My source on the Island is the one that mentioned that 2 clubs were going to be reopened. She never said which two; speculation quickly turned to Mannequins and 8TRAX because they are in the only building (besides CW) apparently being spared demolition per the older rumor. She never mentioned AC. But my source had no independent knowledge of clubs reopening; it was merely what she too had heard a week or so prior to me asking her if she had heard any recent rumors!

One PI insider told me flat out no, none of the clubs are set to reopen.

OK, so someone in the know says no clubs are reopening. But can this person give any explanation whatsoever about why NOTHING is happening out there?

Granted, some like Ghirardelli and Earl of Sandwich are just tenants like McDonalds. But at least you can't find one on nearly every street in the nation, so they remain somewhat more unique to most WDW visitors.

Interestingly, there are now several Earl of Sandwich restaurants at service plazas along Florida's Turnpike!

BobK/Orlando

 

[Jason71]

My source on the Island is the one that mentioned that 2 clubs were going to be reopened. She never said which two; speculation quickly turned to Mannequins and 8TRAX because they are in the only building (besides CW) apparently being spared demolition per the older rumor. She never mentioned AC. But my source had no independent knowledge of clubs reopening; it was merely what she too had heard a week or so prior to me asking her if she had heard any recent rumors!


OK, so someone in the know says no clubs are reopening. But can this person give any explanation whatsoever about why NOTHING is happening out there?

BobK/Orlando

Sorry, lose track of what's been said here, and what's been said over on the other board. I think it's the other board that has a rumor from a Paradiso manager that that Mannequins/8-Trax/AC would re-open. The inclusion of the AC made me dismiss it out of hand, tho as I said, I've heard next to nothing one way or the other about the two dance clubs.

I agree, BTW, if any two clubs are to re-open, the two you mentioned are the only real options at this point. That said, they have been stripped, and there would still be regulatory hurdles to go through--an October opening still sounds overly optimistic.

As for "why," I've yet to hear a good answer. The number of people who show up EVERY night shows the name "Pleasure Island" still carries a lot of good will, but Disney just seems content to squander it.

 

[Jessfrogger88]

That is the only Earl of Sandwhich i've ever encountered.. I dig it.

 

[TheBeadPirate]

...also one in Planet Hollywood (Las Vegas)

 

[AprilLizbeth]

I know its an extremely remote possibility, but I'm still hoping for AC and 8Trax to reopen. These were such unique clubs and without a nightlife, our Disney vacations are just not the same.

 

[MJMcBride]

I know its an extremely remote possibility, but I'm still hoping for AC and 8Trax to reopen. These were such unique clubs and without a nightlife, our Disney vacations are just not the same.

remote is being optimistic


but I agree with you, at least about the AC

 

[zulemara]

I know its an extremely remote possibility, but I'm still hoping for AC and 8Trax to reopen. These were such unique clubs and without a nightlife, our Disney vacations are just not the same.

Mannequins was more unique than 8-trax. 8-trax was formerly "the cage" and when they redid it, they only spent 250 dollars at a thrift shop on some old stuff. When the theme did well, they did a further rehab, but there wasn't a whole lot to the theme overall. 8-trax could be recreated pretty easily I think.

Mannequins on the other hand was much more unique. The combination of theme, rotating floor, and amazing light and sound systems lead the industry for many years.

AC was indeed unique. There truly is nothing like it, although I didn't care much for it.

Don't get me wrong, I actually worked at 8-trax a lot on my first college program and visited the club frequently, but it could be recreated. Please continue to tell Disney you are disappointed at the lack of night life options on property. Then, since we know they won't listen anyway, go patronize citywalk on a Thursday night. At least then you can get some good 80s music at the groove

 

[Evi]

I DO like top 40. My husband always comments that I have the music taste of a High School Freshman. I'm very diverse in my music choices, my IPOD goes from Jay- Z to Kerli. We did go to 8 track I guess overall the crowd was just way to old to me. It looked like old people trying to regain there youth and very classless people ALSO I wasn't offended by the fact that the three woman were dancing together they were just not attractive and older like in their 40's. Gay or not that to me is way too old to be doing that. Also I think because I'm originally from NYC and live in Boston my expectations of clubbing or going out are a bit higher.

hrm says your from Worcester, considering that I wouldn't have such high club expectations and since the hay day of large clubs in boston is gone and now all we have is a house of bluesand a bunch of little lounges. those of you from the area know we used to have one in harvard sq but it closed and now they brought a new one back in kenmore sq. My point you ask. Well unless you were clubbing in the 80s and 90s your reference point to high end night club in boston or nyc is a bit off since now we have lounges and not night clubs boston used to have all of Lansdowne, narsicuss and in saugus you had the club complex. Dont recall any of these being in worcester and as for nyc the big old clubs palladium, 44, and as well as all the undergound members only clubs that only live on as a high priced lounge are all but gone and forgoten. So when you see a bunch of ladies that are older then you trying to get down and boogie remember those are the mommas that were hot and helped make the club scene you think is so hot not. Im not that old but I remember enough to know that they paved the way for me to boogie on today tomorrow and forever.

So though I dont think dt disney will get me to come back since the closed adventurers club if you want to dance kick of your shoes and dance already.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

The hay day of large clubs in boston is gone and now all we have is a house of bluesand a bunch of little lounges.

It is true that most mega-clubs everywhere have closed down in favor of so-called ultra-lounges. Orlando is no exception. But larger cities can and still do support mega-clubs, particularly tourist-oriented cities like New York, Washington, Miami, Las Vegas, etc. Orlando still has its share of large venues.

Yeah, get down and boogie! But on Disney property, it's now very limited.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I don't have any deets, but I heard Disney is having some sort of internal event concerning PI on September 27th. That just so happens to be the 1 year mark..

Call me an eternal optimist clinging for hope...

MG

 

[rebecca06261]

I don't have any deets, but I heard Disney is having some sort of internal event concerning PI on September 27th. That just so happens to be the 1 year mark..

Call me an eternal optimist clinging for hope...

MG

Coincidentally, it's the date of the Congaloosh event as well...

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Coincidentally, it's the date of the Congaloosh event as well...

Well I wonder if it's one in the same...

MG

 

[Scurvy]

Well I wonder if it's one in the same...

MG

I don't think they are related. ConGaloosh isn't a Disney sponsored event, it's sponsored by a non-profit organization. Plus, it's open to anyone who bought a ticket. I assume the internal thing is a private Disney function. So I think the timing is more of a coincidence. It could be that the internal thing is intentionally being held at the one year anniversary of the closure, just as ConGaloosh is. I don't think one has anything to do with the other, though.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I don't think they are related. ConGaloosh isn't a Disney sponsored event, it's sponsored by a non-profit organization. Plus, it's open to anyone who bought a ticket. I assume the internal thing is a private Disney function. So I think the timing is more of a coincidence. It could be that the internal thing is intentionally being held at the one year anniversary of the closure, just as ConGaloosh is. I don't think one has anything to do with the other, though.

I agree.. I'm just wondering if my source got confused and thought Congaloosh was an internal Disney event.
That is unless someone else can verify??..

MG

 

[doconeill]

I agree.. I'm just wondering if my source got confused and thought Congaloosh was an internal Disney event.
That is unless someone else can verify??..

MG

http://www.congaloosh.org/

It's essentially an AC fan convention.

 

[Scurvy]

I agree.. I'm just wondering if my source got confused and thought Congaloosh was an internal Disney event.
That is unless someone else can verify??..

MG

Oh, sorry - I misunderstood. I do wish there really would be an internal event and that they would announce the reopening of the AC and other clubs, but I could see someone hearing about ConGaloosh and getting confused. I'm certainly not holding my breath for any news about PI any time soon - I'm starting to think it's destined to stay a ghost town for a long, long time. But maybe there will be some great announcement sometime!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Zulemara reports that there is some kind of Pleasure Island cast member reunion scheduled for the 27th as well. I have no further details on it at this time.

BobK/Orlando