Citywalk and PI update

[HillaryIn2008]

I just found out that at least two PI DJs (Doc form 8 Trax and P Pod from Mannequinns) will be soon appearing at Red Coconut and The Groove at Citywalk. Also just heard that PI Live will be going back on the air seven nights a week with the same DJs who were there before...on the air till 11 on weekdays and midnight on weekends (this starts on Monday 10/19) this is being done because of how dark dead and dreary the place is late night. As for the empty buildings...NONE will reopen as nightclubs!!! Disney does not want nightclubs in the same capacity as were already there. In other words Mannequinns, 8 Trax, Motion, etc would never reopen, even under 3rd party ownership, as dance clubs.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

As for the empty buildings...NONE will reopen as nightclubs!!! Disney does not want nightclubs in the same capacity as were already there. In other words Mannequinns, 8 Trax, Motion, etc would never reopen, even under 3rd party ownership, as dance clubs.

Is this your own speculation, or wild rumor?
I can safely assume it's not an official statement made by the powers..

MG

 

[Scurvy]

Supposedly the South American restaurant that will be opening at some point will have a dancefloor and will operate as a dance club at night. I think it's not so much the "nightclub" concept that they are trying to get away from - it's running the clubs themselves that they are giving up on.

That's good news that the DJs will be working elsewhere in Orlando. Well, it's good news for the PI fans, at least - not so much for Disney. With the downturn in the economy lately I think Disney will really regret losing the business from locals that PI brought in. I know many of them went to the parks, shopped and dined on Disney property before the Clubs opened, and now they won't be.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I have e-mailed DJ Peapod and asked whether he's able to confirm this or not. If true, this is Universal's third salvo to take over what Disney willingly gave away for free. First they continue to put sticker advertisements in the Orlando Sentinel giving free 1-night all-club Party Passes or 2 for 1 admission club deals. Second they are giving free 6-month annual passes to holders of PI annual passes. And now....maybe this.

To say PI is dreary at night now is the understatement of the year.

BobK/Orlando

 

[zulemara]

well I'm certainly glad to hear Universal is embracing a Techno DJ at least one night per week. Kudos to them for once again listening to people want and jumping on a tremendous opportunity.

As far as PI live...eh. I agree with kingbob, but it's like why? YOU created this mess Disney. To me it's just another example of the lack of planning by these bonehead execs. As far as the clubs at PI, I'm still not sold on the idea that they will not reopen at some point under third party management. Time will tell

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

As for the empty buildings...NONE will reopen as nightclubs!!! Disney does not want nightclubs in the same capacity as were already there. In other words Mannequinns, 8 Trax, Motion, etc would never reopen, even under 3rd party ownership, as dance clubs.

Well if we look back again to the original closing announcement article in the Orlando Sentinel, Lansberry is quoted as saying: "Some of the offerings might feel like a nightclub, but they won't feel like high-energy clubs like we have today in all likelihood."

Now what the heck does that mean? Low-energy night clubs? Restaurants that morph into night clubs at night? No one is going to patronize night clubs that are not energetic. No one is going to patronize night clubs that don't play the kind of music they like to hear. We've seen that a South American restaurant/night club is coming. OK, that can work. But what other kind of music can they introduce into those multiple buildings that hasn't been tried before? There have been two unsuccessful attempts at country music night clubs. Are we going to see a country cooking restaurant come with country music at night? Is PI going to house the first Cracker Barrel Dance Club? While Disney may know, for us observers the jury is still out on whether 3rd party leasors will get to reopen any of the venues as we knew them. And Lansberry's "in all liklihood" leaves the door cracked just a bit.

BobK/Orlando

 

[schmitty]

Ive gone to PI twice sense the clubs closed and I haven't noticed a single difference. Thats actually the most Ive been to PI recently. I would never go before because seeing people in there late 30's and earlier 40's trying to party is just a sad sight to see.

 

[hygienejean]

I would never go before because seeing people in there late 30's and earlier 40's trying to party is just a sad sight to see.

Wow.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Ive gone to PI twice sense the clubs closed and I haven't noticed a single difference. Thats actually the most Ive been to PI recently. I would never go before because seeing people in there late 30's and earlier 40's trying to party is just a sad sight to see.

Remember YOU said this when you are at that age. And trust me you will be shocked how quickly you find yourself in that age group.

On another note, despite my age, I was never into night clubs or parties but I do think Disney needs to recognize that there are more than just families that vist WDW and that some families actually take a night or two out of their family vacation for some adult time. I hope the new vision of PI at least has a good balance between family activities and (clean) adult entertainment.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I just found out that at least two PI DJs (Doc form 8 Trax and P Pod from Mannequinns) will be soon appearing at Red Coconut and The Groove at Citywalk.

OK, have spoken to DJ Peapod (via email) and he is unable to confirm this because he is still in negotiations with CityWalk. They want him to do Wednesday and Friday nights while he would prefer Thursday and Saturday nights. They are in agreement that he would be spinning Mannequins-style music (Top 40 Dance) and not hip hop, old school or the other disorganized mix they play out there now.

I hope they reach an agreement. Universal would be smart to give him Thursdays because they just began their Service Industry night and the crowd that packed Mannequins on Thursday Service Industry nights wants techno. If Universal wants to draw them (especially Disney CM's), they need Peapod.

I have no word yet on DJ Doc at Red Coconut.

BobK/Orlando

 

[zulemara]

OK, have spoken to DJ Peapod (via email) and he is unable to confirm this because he is still in negotiations with CityWalk. They want him to do Wednesday and Friday nights while he would prefer Thursday and Saturday nights. They are in agreement that he would be spinning Mannequins-style music (Top 40 Dance) and not hip hop, old school or the other disorganized mix they play out there now.

I hope they reach an agreement. Universal would be smart to give him Thursdays because they just began their Service Industry night and the crowd that packed Mannequins on Thursday Service Industry nights wants techno. If Universal wants to draw them (especially Disney CM's), they need Peapod.

I have no word yet on DJ Doc at Red Coconut.

BobK/Orlando

FANTASTIC news! Two nights! hurray!!!! I agree with you, I hope Universal books him Thurs and Sat night. That's really the best way to draw the same crowd that mannequins drew and a great way to bring in the Disney CMs. Once again, KUDOS to Universal for recognizing this and at least starting negotiations. Perhaps a little note to some Universal officials would help push them in the direction of Thursday/Saturday.

As far as "old people trying to party" The only time I ever noticed a markedly older crowd dancing was 8-trax and quite frankly that was my favorite club for a long time. Mannequins drew a variety(surprisingly) and Motion drew the younger crowd. I never saw a 40 year old in Motion grinding to sexyback...but maybe that's just me.

The beauty was there was something for everyone. 8-trax formed my personality in many ways. The days of dancing as a door host are gone, but lives on in my memory. So many guests thought I was getting paid to entertain them, when in reality I was just plain and simple having fun!

Additionally I know people in Orlando who work a full time job, plus work at Disney part time, PLUS party literally all night long. I swear they get 2 hrs of sleep per night. we're talking 40 year olds here, and I'm sure they can hold up to even the most hardcore college party crowd.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Well CityWalk was packed last night so I can see why they don't want to make any changes to Saturday night DJ's; they figure why mess with something that's working. But really, the DJ in Red Coconut was playing the same stuff as the DJ in the Groove. They just don't realize how much they could gain by having a Dance music DJ in the Groove on Saturdays. But getting someone the quality of DJ Peapod on Friday night would be a safe start and if he draws the crowds, who knows. The Mannequins-crowd on my e-mail list are a Saturday night crowd but I expect they'd switch to Fridays to get to see him play again on a regular basis. Meanwhile, my acquaintance from Destiny is opening a new club in downtown Orlando in the space formerly occupied by Club Paris. He's got the Swedish Mafia spinning this Thursday and Paul Oakenfold coming the week of Thanksgiving. This guy's serious too but I've got to find out what his nightly intent is.

BobK/Orlando

 

[zulemara]

Well CityWalk was packed last night so I can see why they don't want to make any changes to Saturday night DJ's; they figure why mess with something that's working. But really, the DJ in Red Coconut was playing the same stuff as the DJ in the Groove. They just don't realize how much they could gain by having a Dance music DJ in the Groove on Saturdays. But getting someone the quality of DJ Peapod on Friday night would be a safe start and if he draws the crowds, who knows. The Mannequins-crowd on my e-mail list are a Saturday night crowd but I expect they'd switch to Fridays to get to see him play again on a regular basis. Meanwhile, my acquaintance from Destiny is opening a new club in downtown Orlando in the space formerly occupied by Club Paris. He's got the Swedish Mafia spinning this Thursday and Paul Oakenfold coming the week of Thanksgiving. This guy's serious too but I've got to find out what his nightly intent is.

BobK/Orlando

awesome news! Paul oakenfold! That's amazing! I take it this club is just opening? What's the name of it?

We'll see how it plays out with Universal. I just hope they figure SOMETHING out and don't miss the opportunity.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

awesome news! Paul oakenfold! That's amazing! I take it this club is just opening? What's the name of it?

I think the "working name" of the club is Love but I don't think that's the permanent name. Some details at: www.rickrodriguezproductions.com

BobK/Orlando

 

[deej696]

Kinda off topic, but during my days in the hotel business in Orlando, Paul Oakenfold was a guest of ours once and I had a long conversation with him one night without a clue who he was. Apparently, he's kind of a big deal

 

[zulemara]

Kinda off topic, but during my days in the hotel business in Orlando, Paul Oakenfold was a guest of ours once and I had a long conversation with him one night without a clue who he was. Apparently, he's kind of a big deal

Thank you for the info bob. I will pass that along to my local friends!

Good to know paul is a conversationalist. He is indeed a big name in the techno business. I only wish I was down there right now. I'm sure more will come next year and if Citywalk and this "love" club work up the techno crowd, gay days just might be saved

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Thank you for the info bob. I will pass that along to my local friends!

You're welcome. Yes, top 10 DJ, I would think.

I may call the Mouse one day this week and see if I can find out if it would be possible to lease out Mannequins for New Year's Eve and what that would cost. We had a 3-hour Holiday party at 8TRAX a few years ago for around $5500 including DJ. If I could get Mannequins in that price range, I'm sure between all of us we could fill the place and pay for it.

BobK/Orlando

 

[zulemara]

You're welcome. Yes, top 10 DJ, I would think.

I may call the Mouse one day this week and see if I can find out if it would be possible to lease out Mannequins for New Year's Eve and what that would cost. We had a 3-hour Holiday party at 8TRAX a few years ago for around $5500 including DJ. If I could get Mannequins in that price range, I'm sure between all of us we could fill the place and pay for it.

BobK/Orlando

but I won't be there till the 21st of january /cry
I think someone had tried to book the clubs after they announced they were closing them and were unable to book anything. Give it a shot and see what they say

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

OK, gave them a call today and told them I wanted to rent out Mannequins for New Year's Eve. The girl who answered the phone said that all the clubs on Pleasure Island were closed and it could not be rented. I asked about BET Soundstage Club being open last Saturday night and she said that was an event booked prior to the closing announcement. I told her that was my point; Mannequins is just sitting there and if I could rent it out then Disney would make revenue. She told me to hold on for a minute while she inquired.

She was gone about 2 minutes and I expected her to say it could not be done but the response was that they told her to take down my name and number and someone would call me within a couple days. They actually had my information in their system from when I rented 8TRAX a few years ago. At least they know I'm serious. Told her no food, just cash bar and party favors with room for 500! So we'll see where this leads to.

If they're not already planning to open for the holidays then why not do this? I figure between rent and liquor sales the place could clear $25K in revenue for them.....or it could sit there empty and earn them $0.

BobK/Orlando

 

[deej696]

This sounds pretty awesome Bob. Hopefully someone has half a brain and decides this is a good move. Given the thirst for dollars that is in no short supply at Disney, I'd be suprised if they said no....