Bad News About Pleasure Island (Well, good news if you have kids)

[B'rer Karen]

Kendra,

In general the AC is pretty laid back. It draws a slightly different crowd than the dance clubs and the "street people" (my term for the people dancing outside in the street). But you do get a lot of off color commentary when you're in there. It's part of the shows and part of the interaction with the guests.

 

[Karibeth19]

I don't want to post an opinion either way on this issue, but I did want to throw this in. When we were at the Adventurer's Club in Jan., at one point during the show one of the performers yelled out, "Look everyone! Do you see what I see? NO KIDS TONIGHT!!! It's about time we had some fun!" The shows after that were very funny and what I like to call "Disney dirty"; a little off color, but certainly not offensive. Mainly a lot of innuendo and double entendres. However, it was "adult" enough that I wouldn't have wanted my DD there (she was at the hotel with my parents). It was obvious to me that the performers prefer an adult only crowd, though I'm not sure how much different the shows would have been if kids had been in the audience. It's just something to think about before bringing kids to AC. Being a show with a lot of improv, you can't guarantee it will be as "safe" for kids every night as some might think.

 

[Jen D]

I haven't made it over to PI yet, probably won't this next trip. We usually do one adults-only night out but last time we did the Boardwalk and this time we're doing Victoria and Albert's.

To me it isn't really a "bad parenting" issue-- my daughter is growing up in NYC so she sees her share of public drinking and loutish behavior on an average walk home from school, LOL. I just think-- and this isn't meant as a flame to anyone, it's just my opinion-- it's just kind of uncool to bring your kids into a setting that was supposed to be for the adults. I feel the same way about Victoria and Alberts. I can see bringing teenagers, maybe-- like 13 and above-- but not little kids. I just think it's a bummer for those trying to have an adult night out.

 

[JamesD]

Well Jen, don't hold your breath about V&As being adults only! When we had our 25th anniversary dinner there several years ago, there were not one but two tables with children! Their ages ranged from 8 to 12 years old. They were well behaved overall, but it was a surprise, especially considering the cost!

 

[mickey12810]

We used Disney's babysitters about 10 years ago so that DH and I could go to PI by ourselves. The boys, at the time 8 & 4 absolutely loved her. They wanted to bring her home with us. It was the best $60 we ever spent. We will be visiting PI with our boys this trip but they are now 13 and 18. I could not imagine bringing younger ones there and actually having a good time especially if you have been in the parks all day. Definately not the place for screaming babies. And like several posters have stated not all parents pay attention to their little ones, especially when they are tired.

 

[TDC Nala]

Personally I consider the Adventurers Club and the Comedy Warehouse appropriate for teens. I wouldn't bring anyone younger than 13 or so, but that is just my opinion.

Don't know about the other clubs, I never go to those. Mannequins and BET Soundstage are restricted to 21 and over (sometimes they lower that to 18 for certain occasions).

 

[tmli]

If I want to enter using the plus option on my hopper do I still do that at the entrance, get a band and not have to pay the 21.50 to get in the clubs?

 

[PKS44]

First-I have never been to PI with my kids, don't know that they would have any interest in it...

BUT-this whole parenting critique really rubs me the wrong way...parenting is not about shielding your child from experiences-protecting the child from harm--sure-absolutely...but witnessing bad behaviour by others while not desirable is an oportunity for a good parent to teach--while I don't seek out examples of undesirable behaviour, I have never been afraid of taking my children anywhere. You see we have this little thing called respect from them which protects them from looking to others for how to behave...they also have self-esteem which girds them from peer pressure...oh yeah and this crazy thing called values -not some memorized list of do's and don'ts written out for them but values based on real world consequences and situations -- not just fairy tales and blind obedience to some authority...you want to talk about bad parenting...???? IT has nothing to do with where you take your child, it is about the compass and the map you use to get them there--- and beyond...

 

[Dancind]

I'm pretty sure that the Open Gate policy was instituted because somebody thought it would generate more revenue. More drinks sold on the streets, more shopping in the stores, more people entering the clubs on impulse. I doubt that they wanted more children in PI, but that's the way it works out.

We have taken our daughter to AC, but we waited until we thought she was mature enough (12). She's very bright, and enjoys improv humor. She was fascinated by the up-close interaction with the actors, and spent the week doing a spot-on impression of the French Maid. We got there early, and had left by 10. Nothing was really very racey while we were there, and it does make sense that things get toned down while kids are present. However, there were younger kids just arriving when we left! One boy of about 9 was pointed out as having been there every night that week! It would be fun to see a show that is "kid-free". Even though we plan to take DD again.

That said, I think my jaw would drop to see a stroller in AC, or in any of the clubs. It's not that big of a place, and it gets very crowded. And there's no way a child young enough to be in a stroller would enjoy anything about the place. I wouldn't be thinking "bad parent" necessarily, but I would be thinking "selfish parent".

 

[SRUAlmn]

I also have some pretty strong views on the bad parent- good parent debate, but I think I will keep them to myself. I have a tendency to get heated about this issue since I work with kids and see parents behaving un-parentlike much too often.

However, my question is this... We got passes that include PI. Does this no longer matter since there is no general admission price now? Will we still have to pay to get into the clubs even though we have UPHs? That is ridiculous! It would be smarter to get PHPs then because you could use one plus for DQ and one plus for a water park and get into PI as many times as you want for free. It's not very likely that in an average weeks vacation a family would not have time to go to a water park or DQ much more than once or maybe twice, so why would anyone want the UPHs when PHPs are cheaper? Am I understanding this correctly???

 

[BrianMonk]

would be smarter to get PHPs then because you could use one plus for DQ

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe you can use a plus from a PHP for DQ.

 

[DebbieB]

Park Hopper Plus does not include DQ, but it does include PI club admisison (1 plus use). UPH includes both DQ & PI club admission.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Park Hopper Plus does not include DQ, but it does include PI club admisison (1 plus use). UPH includes both DQ & PI club admission.

Sorry, I was under the impression that plusses could be used for DQ. So does that mean that if I have a UPH then I won't have to pay any additional admission fees at DQ or PI to get into the clubs?

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

My DH and I were at PI in 1996. We were in WDW for an adults only trip (two DD's were with aunt/uncle/grandma)

OK....now keep in mind, the only drinking DH and I do is about 4 times a year we have A glass of wine with dinner. Yes, you could say we are not the "partying" kind, (I've never understood how getting drunk and using foul language/body language is a definition of "fun" anyway) but I digress.............

We were all set on having a great evening, though I must admit, I didn't know a whole lot about the place. We went in, had an appetizer at one of the clubs, no drinks and went back on the street to see if anything interested us. This was probably around 9:00pm.

We saw pretty much the sort of things that have already been described in this thread. Not exactly kid friendly. WE didn't even want to stay there! But like I said, we are not the night club type. I would NEVER want my children to see that stuff. Maybe my kids are sheltered, at least I HOPE they are.

The clubs at PI should be adult only just like any other club. (at least I don't THINK you can bring your stroller into a NYC nightclub )

On a high note...................after DH and I decided that PI wasn't for us, we saw the movie theater. I would NEVER think to go to a movie on vacation, but this night was meant for PI and it was now an "open" night. We saw "That Thing You Do" and LOVED it!! It is still one of our favorite movies. The night ended up being a "memory maker" for us. Everytime we watch the movie, we think, "oh, that was when we were at WDW for our second honeymoon!"

 

[TDC Nala]

Park Hopper Plus "plus options" do NOT include admission to Disney Quest.

If you have a ticket that includes Pleasure Island admission - park hopper plus, UPH, PI annual pass or premium annual pass - you present it when you enter the first club you go into. They'll scan it and give you a wristband. You shouldn't have to show it again.

 

[mkbroas]

I don't want to sound prudish, but my DH and I visited the AC on our last trip to PI; we had a great time, there were some very small children there and a preteen girl. The small ones were crying and fussing most of the night (they were probably tired) and the preteen girl kept asking what the jokes meant. There were several drunk college kids whose language was questionable at best and they where all over their dates all night. I personally would not want to bring my child into this environment. While AC is great for adult entertainment, some of the subject matter just shouldn't be presented to young children. The Mask Room humor can get a little raunchy for kids IMO. Parents can and should be able to do what they want, but I think taking them into AC is unfair to the kids and the adults.

 

[jarestel]

Well, in 20+ trips to WDW, I've never been to PI at night and after reading here about some of the things that go on, it's highly unlikely I ever will. The nightclub thing just isn't a big draw for my wife and I, so I guess it's safe to say we wouldn't bring the wee ones there either. That works for us, but I wouldn't be so arrogant as to suggest that anyone who disagrees with my thinking is "BAD". As long as Disney allows children into PI, everyone can decide what is best for their families.

As a side note for those who don't feel PI is a place for children, I would suggest you make your views known to Disney. I'm sure if the "adult" attendance at PI falls off because people are disenchanted with the current status quo, things will change.

 

[gjerseygirl]

I'm thinking about visiting PI for the first time this trip. Every other trip the parks were open late and we never had time. But this trip the parks will be closing early and I thought I might really enjoy going to the comedy club. I luuuuv comedy clubs. If I go I plan on bringing DS-16, DD-13 and DS-8. I think that I am an excellent parent. I'm very open and honest with my kids. If my kids ask me "what does that mean?" I tell them exactly what it means. If someone's falling down drunk, I say, "Now, Johnny, that's NOT what I want you to be when you grow up." My kids have seen my DH and I a hundrend times "making out." They tell us to "get a room." When I dance I like to bump and grind a little....they call me a Loser!! And this is sober, DH and I don't drink. My children know they can come to me for EVERYTHING and ANYTHING. I am extremely affectionate, open, honest and liberal with my children. Although some parents prefer to keep their children sheltered, I don't consider them "bad" parents and if I want to be open with my children and expose them to the world, I don't expect to be called a "bad" parent.

 

[ChisJo]

I am very undecided on this issue.
I do not believe that it would be bad parenting to bring children at a late hour into PI. Unfortunately, people will be and are bringing younger children into PI well after those little ones should be in bed. These little ones may be cranky and will not understand the concept of what is occuring around them. That being said, it is someones holiday, and they should be free to do as they choose.
Unfortunate, I am a childless woman. I choose this and will continue to choose this until I am ready to commit everything to my child, including understanding the limits I must take for my own pleasure. I love visiting WDW, and an evening without the shrills of children is something that I love most about PI. I love casually walking down the boulevard, love the feeling of a dance club, love AC and the freedom to just enjoy. Will I find that there now? In certain clubs, maybe, but no longer in some of the bars now. I do believe that Disney has made a wrong decision.
PI was meant to entertain the adult visitors, and I believe that by taking that adult environment away, it has somewhat lessened my desire to visit PI again.
In the city where I live, we have a very similar environment like PI. Children have a curfew around this area because the city does not believe that young children should be in such an environment. Believe it or not, people here agree, as do I. Younger children, under the age of 12, do not belong in a club or bar.
But, like I previously said, it's someone elses holiday. PI just lost my money, that's all - Disney is looking at the overall income, afterall.

 

[crisi]

Originally posted by tmq2766
Just a warning..... I will NOT stop taking my DD9 to PI!!!!! We had a great time last year and she and I both enjoyed Adventurer's Club and can't wait to go back there during our Dec. trip..... I did not feel uncomfortable taking her there considering I was NOT the only bad parent in the clubs.
Maybe there should be a age requirement at Mickey's Toontown... You must be 10 or under to enter.... You know there are many many crabby adults in kid friendly enviornments. hmmmmm

Just a warning, the presence of your 9 year old will not keep me from dressing in S&M gear, getting drunk, making obsence comments, street dancing suggestively, feeling up my boyfriend in public and vomiting in front of her. Since I'm likely to be doing most of this in the street, and not the Adventurers Club, you'll only need to get her from the club out through the street where my friends and I are doing jello shots.

(I do none of these things - at least none of them nowadays....but its a less than comprehensive list of behavior I am only slightly ashamed to admit I did participate in when I was in my early 20s and nightclubbing. And you know what - it was fun. I'm glad I did it. (I'm glad I grew up, but I'm glad I did it) I'm glad there is somewhere at Disney for young adults to do it.)

BTW, does anyone else wish they'd turn Jellyrolls and Atlantic Dance at the BW into "family" clubs. They could do some sort of themed thing - like the Adventurers Club (maybe a constant wedding, ala Tina and Tony's Wedding) at Atlantic Dance. And at least let the under 21 set in until 11:00pm. Then you'd have the "adult" nightclub space and the "family" nightclub space.