Casinos at WDW?!?!

[DaveCN]

Why not? They'd make even more money, hand over fist!

While they are at it, why not some strip clubs? You know that there are a ton of guys out there who would pay through the nose for a Cinderella lapdance!

 

[johnvree]

Over 10 years ago (I think it was 94) there was a referendum in Florida to legalize gambling. Disney was ready to go full ahead and that was the original idea behind the Boardwalk, make it like Atlantic City (but from the turn of the century) a good friend of mine was working at Disney at the time. Disney was even in talks with slot machine makers and had the contracts ready to sign if the voters had passed it.

This didn't sound right to me. Though it wouldn't surprise me. Who would have thought WDW would have been into nightclubs before DTD was built.

However, I found this on gamblingmagazine.com

Florida: Losing a $16 Million Bet

In 1994, the gambling industry seemed to be on a roll. The number of states with casinos had jumped from just two to more than 20 in six years. Gambling palaces were popping up on riverboats along the Mississippi and on American Indian reservations all over the country. Casinos in Florida seemed like a sure thing.

So sure, in fact, that Vegas interests and other big casinos spent about $16 million on a 1994 ballot initiative to legalize casinos. The state already has a lottery, racetrack wagering, Indian gaming, and "cruise to nowhere" gambling boats that take bettors on trips outside regulated waters.

The casino industry bought expensive TV ads and sponsored splashy job fairs to show off casino "career opportunities" (i.e., hotel housekeeping and serving drinks). Squaring off against the casinos was a coalition of clergy, elected officials, and community groups, backed with small donations and some money from Walt Disney World.

So it seems like Disney opposed this initiative. You can find the whole article at http://gamblingmagazine.com/articles/22/22-63.htm

Puggymom, do you remember where you heard they were planning to build casinos where the Boardwalk is now?

 

[wdwfan1]

The cost of my trip would go up!

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

My tummy hurts from laughing!! Cinderella.... oh man... too much!!

Oh yeah... I soooo don't think it's a good idea.

Why not? They'd make even more money, hand over fist!

While they are at it, why not some strip clubs? You know that there are a ton of guys out there who would pay through the nose for a Cinderella lapdance!

 

[crazyj4488]

Wow, really interesting stuff posted on this thread. Thanks for the info and discussion on the gambling stuff rather than just slamming the idea. Just for the record as the OP....I am NOT for casinos at WDW....just thought it was an interesting subject to chew on here.

In regards to Pleasure Island....yes, I have heard from MANY sources that they are going to remove MOST of pleasure Island starting with the stage. The stage demo was actually halted due to some acts coming thru that they still wanted to use it for. Here is a post from WDWmagic in regards to the plans for Pleasure Island:


You'll have to manually enter the URL. DIS is censoring the link for some stupid reason.

www wdwmagic com/around.htm

25 January 2006: Changes to Pleasure Island

There has recently been a lot of speculation surrounding some changes to Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney. Currently, the plan stands like this:

* Removal of the West End Stage
* Removal of the Hub Stage
* Removal of part of the Mouse House building
* Introduction of some "green" areas - benches, seating areas
* Changes to the frontage of several buildings
* New traffic flow running near Motion connecting to the Marketplace
* A re-grade of the Pleasure Island street, reducing the hill, making the area ADA compliant

The above is the outline plan for Phase 1, and is scheduled to be completed within a year of work commencing. Phase 2 is more concerned with the actual clubs themselves.

As always, until officially confirmed, this information should be treated as rumor and speculation, and is subject to change.

 

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

Why not? They'd make even more money, hand over fist!

While they are at it, why not some strip clubs? You know that there are a ton of guys out there who would pay through the nose for a Cinderella lapdance!

they could even name it "Ariel's Piece O' Tail"

 

[crazyj4488]

they could even name it "Ariel's Piece O' Tail"

OH MY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lorli]

IMHO that is not Disney. I have always thought of Disney for the kid in all of us and casinos and gambling have nothing to do with children. Leave gambling out of Disney and keep it good clean family fun.

 

[byoung]

Leave the gaming elsewhere. No need at the Mouse's House.

 

[pepperw23]

I would worry about the type of people it would bring in around all the children there.

I am not saying people that gamble are bad ( I personally love the slots), but anyone who has ever been to Atlantic City, Vegas, etc, know exactly what I am talking about.

Nah, I think Disney should keep it innocent. IMO that is what a lot of us love about it.

 

[pepperw23]

they could even name it "Ariel's Piece O' Tail"

Okay, gotta admit, it made me "snort"

 

[Chuck S]

I am not opposed to the idea of Disney opening a casino as a money making thing. But, I would not want to see it located at WDW. It would be great in Vegas, or even (if FL allowed it), somewhere else in Florida, but not so close as to interfere with theme park operations and ambiance. Nor would I particularly want it to be "Disney" branded.

 

[crazyj4488]

I will say this. My Disney habit is worse than any gambling habit...LOL. Uhh, I've spent 39 days at the resorts in the past nine months and I live in Houston...not even close to either park. I've got two trips planned within the next two months as well. Is there an 800 number for this???

 

[WaltD4Me]

Leave the gaming elsewhere. No need at the Mouse's House.

Exactly! And on the flip side, leave Vegas to the adults and adult entertainment.

Remember when Vegas had their big campaign trying
to make VEGAS more "family orientated" they added amusement parks and rides and kid orientated things, trying to convince people it was a good place for a family vacation. Well, it was a stupid idea and it DIDN'T WORK and I'm quite sure the reverse would not work at Disney. - I also think Disney knows it too.

 

[Speedemon21]

I think if you want casinos, go to Vegas, plenty of resorts there for you, but leave them out of Disney. People spend enough hard earned money to get to Disney, why throw more away?

 

[Amy&Dan]

I will say this. My Disney habit is worse than any gambling habit...LOL. Uhh, I've spent 39 days at the resorts in the past nine months and I live in Houston...not even close to either park. I've got two trips planned within the next two months as well. Is there an 800 number for this???

You and me both! Your Disney track record sounds about like ours, I have gotten pm's from people on the dis who read my posts and start to figure up how often we go! Oh, well, it makes us happy and the kids aren't complaining, they are just along for the ride .

 

[DaveCN]

they could even name it "Ariel's Piece O' Tail"

Obviously, I was (semi)joking when I suggested the strip club. No way does it fit in at Disney. But dont think it wouldnt roll in the $$$$. Have you seen the dads leering at Ariel's cleavage back in the grotto?????????

I think that they indeed need some more opportunities/locales that are more adult oriented. Pleasure Island is tired. If there were some restaurants that were kid-free, it might be nice.

I love my three kids, and really don't mind the usual noise and racket when dining at Disney, but it would be nice to have a place where my wife and I could go one evening by ourselves, or on those occasional trips she and I (gasp) take without the kids to WDW.