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

[anotherboardnposter]

I was on another Disney board as a lurker, and I was reading some of the horror stories vis a vis the Open Gate policy of Pleasure Island. I took my complaints right to the source and talked on the phone to somebody in Pleasure Island guest services. I was talking about my issues with the open gate policy, and I was told that although it hasn't been made official, it will more than likely be sticking around permanently. Since food, drink and merchandise sales have gone through the roof, it's all but decided that they'll keep the program. I also was told about future plans for Pleasure Island. I'll keep them a secret for now, but I'd imagine something being officially announced within the next year or two.

Anyway, I'll learn to adjust, but I am a little sad at this turn of events. I just hope on my next visit to the Island, I'll still be able to exit a club and enter it again later.

Sincerely,

John "anotherboardnposter" Kilduff

 

[buzzz1]

When my husband and I honeymooned at DW 12 years ago, we LOVED Pleasure Island. But I can't imagine taking my boys (10 & 6) there. Even just to walk around.... to me, that isn't the place for children at all !!! I think it is ridiculous.

 

[krissy3483]

anotherboardnposter- just wanted to say hello neighbor. i live in poughkeepsie for school, but my parents live in warwick, just north of the lake

 

[safetymom]

Glad to hear that they are going to keep it open. There are enough other areas for parents to take their kids.

 

[SkylarKD]

Can someone elaborate on the Open Gate Policy? Thanks!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I thought kids were always allowed at PI w/ a parent except in certain clubs?

How does this change anything?

For the record, I truly do not understand the people who think it is okay to bring toddlers and young children to PI after 7 pm. I personally do not change my behavior for them and I hope no one else does either.

 

[KCMiller]

Originally posted by anotherboardnposter
I was on another Disney board as a lurker, and I was reading some of the horror stories vis a vis the Open Gate policy of Pleasure Island...

Hi,

I did a search on this board on 'Open Gate' and didn't come up with anything - I'd like to read these 'horror stories' myself - can you point me in the direction?

thanks,

KC

 

[wdwdvcdad]

Kids + Pleasure Island + After dark = Poor Parenting

 

[B'rer Karen]

The open gate policy the OP is referring to is where you now no longer need a ticket to get into Pleasure Island, only to enter the clubs. While you could always take your kids with you, most people wouldn't want to pay for children who aren't going to be able to enjoy it, so you really didn't get a lot of kids there. Now the parents can push their strollers right in and enjoy the atmosphere and have a few adult beverages without the extra cost of tickets. I'm don't begrudge the parents this, but my problem is with how this now effects getting into the clubs. It is my understanding that the clubs now give you the wristbands. The first club you go to you show them your ticket and get the wristband. When you go to the next club you have to wait in line to show them your ticket again. Maybe someone who has been there can speak more accurately about the situation, but I'm picturing a lot of waiting in lines, and that doesn't make me happy at all. I think we're getting a bum deal on this one.

 

[Kendra17]

Isn't this actually a plus? Before, if you got in before 7pm, parents could be in Pleasure Island the whole night with kids, even club hopping. They didn't have to pay admission before 7pm. This new way actually limits kids. . .the parents will not want to have to pay to enter some of the clubs with their kids! This actually should LIMIT children at Pleasure Island, not increase them!

By the way, though, I am not sure Pleasure Island is bad for kids. So what if some people are drinking a little? The Adventure Club (name correct?) is great for kids OR adults, and some families just want to get a snack, a beer, and some atmosphere. ..this doesn't mean they are poor parents!

However, did you ever go to Las Vegas? Some parents are in the corridors with their kids in strollers at 3AM!!! That, to me, is poor parenting!

 

[SkylarKD]

I'd like a bit more information about the new Pleasure Island scenario, but to me, it seems it's another example of Disney moving away from wholesome family entertainment. There are TONS of things for kids at WDW, in fact, almost everything. I don't think parents should also be allowed/encouraged to bring their children to an area where there are a bunch of clubs and drunk people. Even if those particular parents are acting responsibly, it's a fact of life that a lot of people won't be, and kids don't need to be subjected to that. Get a babysitter for heaven's sake, or go to the restaurants with your kids in the afternoon, before 7pm.

 

[wdwdvcdad]

They're both examples of poor parenting.

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

We were there are few weeks ago and it was so crowded in the street you could barely get through. There were also long lines to get into the clubs because you have to show your ticket and your ID to get in. The good news is, you only have to do that at one club, and then they give you a wrist band and you can get in and out of clubs pretty easily after that.

I'm not a fan of the open gate policy because it makes it so much more crowded and there are kids darting around and people pushing through with strollers. Not exactly the atmosphere they advertise for PI. However, I knew when I saw the lines of people buying drinks outside that it was going to be permanent!

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

I am not intending this to become a debate but I do want to post my opinion on this.

We have been to PI many, many times with our children!! We do not drink but we do go there for the adventurer's Club and the Improv comedy club. We love both of them. We try to get to PI at least once on our vacation and we try to get to the earliest shows for these clubs so we can go back to our room at a reasonable hour. Yes we do bring our stoller too!! Sorry if a stroller bothers you in WDW!!

Going to PI with kids does NOT make us poor parents. We are on VACATION and want to enjoy ourselves. I am not going to hire a babysitter to take care of my children that I don't even know!! I wouldn't do that at home so why would I do that on vacation hundreds of miles away???

Let the flames begin!!!

Lisa

 

[stinkerbelle]

I think the reason people might get upset about this is becuase PI was prodominatly adult...adults didn't have to worry about their actions around children like they would have in, say, the Magic Kingdom.

at PI you can smoke *anywhere* outside, you can drink on the streets, adults will be adults using adult language, etc. Some (not all, not you) parents might not like this and force Disney to change.

just wait for a crowded street at 11pm...and some drunk college kid falling onto a stroller...

i dunno...all Disney is seeing is $$$ right now.

flame me if you must

 

[MiraDawl]

I really don't think it is strollers or drinking that bothers most people. In fact, WDW is geared towards families, children, and all that they come with (including strollers!)

However, many individuals without children, or those with, would like someplace there they can escape without children. Just look at the Disney Cruise, would anyone like to see the adults only pool open to children, or Palo?

While kids are wonderful, at 11 PM after a long day of Disney, most are probably going to be tired, cranky, and not in their more adorable state. For a child, there isn't much pleaure in Pleasure Island.

There are plenty of places for adults to get drinks, any restaurant, poolside bar, hotel lounge, etc. so I don't see why this one area is such a draw for those with little ones. Besides, who wants to expose their kids to some sights of people who've had too much to drink?


~Mira

 

[tmq2766]

I guess I belong to the bad parent club... I have taken my DD9 to PI several times and gone to The Adventurer's Club and the comedy club, Uh the humanity, someone quick call family services... Whatever.... You think that kids have never seen the consumption of alcohol? I am not saying keep them there till all hours of the night but I see nothing wrong with kids at PI.
FLAME SUIT ZIPPED AND READY TO GO!!!!!!!

 

[Kendra17]

Yes, I guess I agree with Lisa (ridisneylovers). I think that if one truly wants an atmosphere devoid of children, one should just go to a club that is completely outside of DisneyWorld.

And, also, I noticed that one person on this board thinks that attendance on Pleasure Island with kids after dark is indicative of poor parenting! I'm sure if one is drinking with their kids in tow, that might be an indicator, but going to the Adventurer's Club or something similar is quite mild and absolutely fine, I think.

After dark is okay at MK, Epcot, and MGM, though? I just don't see anything wrong with attending one of these clubs. They were obviously built for families, since with the exception of Mannequins and maybe another one, kids are ALLOWED!

I can't see club hopping with children; that's not our thing at all. . .but, if the kids are having fun, I don't see what is wrong with attending a comedy show or a mild club like the Adventurer's club for a change of pace.

Also, the clubs on PI are filled with security people that don't look like security. If someone is too obnoxious, rowdy, or too drunk, they are handled immediately. These aren't 'shot and a beer joints", remember.

 

[B'rer Karen]

Originally posted by Kendra17
Isn't this actually a plus? Before, if you got in before 7pm, parents could be in Pleasure Island the whole night with kids, even club hopping. They didn't have to pay admission before 7pm. This new way actually limits kids. . .the parents will not want to have to pay to enter some of the clubs with their kids! This actually should LIMIT children at Pleasure Island, not increase them!

But how many people are leaving the theme parks and heading to PI prior to 7 pm? Most people will stay in the parks until closing and then head to DTD. They wouldn't be able to get to PI prior to 7. While there are the people who are on non-park days, the amount of people doing this is limited. Now they can head in at any time. I don't see families with young children thinking "Hey, let's leave MK early so we can get into PI." But I can see them thinking "hey, what can we do tonight after the parks close? Let's go to PI." While I disagree with bringing the kids there, that's not my real beef. My beef is that it is going to increase the crowds and decrease my experience.

I also whole-heartedly agree MiraDawl, it's nice to have a place that's adults only. While I don't have any children of my own, I love children and love seeing all the happy kids in the parks. I just would rather have my evenings adult events. There should be options for everybody.

 

[feenie]

I am kind of glad that they might keep the open gate policy (i may change my tune after I actually go though!)
DH and I love the comedy club and the adventures club, but next trip we are just planning on shopping at DD. Now we can walk through and get a little extra shopping in, (and a stop at the missing link sausage co.!)