Disney to close nightclubs at Pleasure Island

[CdnDisneyNut]

we'll miss the Adventurer's Club and the Comedy Club... those were always big highlights. At least we can go one last time before the end.

Same here
Will make sure we will make it there on out next trip.

 

[checkwriter]

Okay, FAQ on the Disney website includes this bizarre tidbit:

Q. What do the changes on Pleasure Island mean to a Walt Disney World® Premium Annual Passholder?

A. Beginning September 28, 2008, your Premium Annual Pass will no longer include admission to the Pleasure Island nightclubs.

The good news is that beginning June 28, 2008, Guests with a Premium Annual Passes will be able to play a round of golf at Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course—a relaxed, nine-hole walking course designed for the entire family! Tee times are required and subject to availability. To make a tee time, call 407-WDW-GOLF (939-4653)† or visit disneyworldgolf.com.

Somebody at Disney has a wickedly warped sense of humor. "Yes, because somewhere deep in the bowels of the Borg -- sorry, I meant Disney -- we just KNOW that substituting a round of golf at our cheesy nine-hole executive course -- where you don't even get to drive one of those fun little carts -- is even REMOTELY CLOSE to being an ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTE for shutting down six nightclubs at Downtown Disney."

It's one thing if they're going to be featuring night golf, or Kevin in a hot little two-piece driving the beverage cart. But OMG, as the kids say, on what planet does walking nine holes of golf equal a year's access to six good nightclubs?

 

[BensMom]

Was in last night catching Hoopla. Talked to a few of the CMs. They don't know for sure what's going to happen. They all said writing to Disney en masse letting Dis know how disappointed you are will help. I already did. Everyone needs to do this to save such a unique gem.

 

[drakethib]

I have never been to the clubs there so I guess it won't matter to me one way or another. It is not that I don't drink or anything like that, we just never went.

Gotta ask though, weren't people starting to have a lot of problems (fighting, robbery, etc in DTD and maybe Disney is attributing it to the clubs? I may be off base, just wondering.

 

[BensMom]

I really like the suggestion one signer of the petition had, which was to move it to the Atlantic Dance Club. Who ever uses that??? It would be an amazing, smoke-free addition to the Boardwalk area.

OMG, I can't believe you said that! Someone said that to me just yesterday too! You're right! No one ever in there. I was thinking of the most logical place AdvClub could move to, and that was on my hit parade.

Where is this petition? I just can't sit idly by and have this just happen without at least a try to save it. We all need to write to DIS about this!

 

[MenashaCorp]

OMG, I can't believe you said that! Someone said that to me just yesterday too! You're right! No one ever in there. I was thinking of the most logical place AdvClub could move to, and that was on my hit parade.

Where is this petition? I just can't sit idly by and have this just happen without at least a try to save it. We all need to write to DIS about this!

See meowmarie's post (#31) above for the link.

 

[ericafny]

They're not planning on just putting different clubs there.
I think they're going to put their stupid Night Animal Kingdom/Discovery Cove knock-off in there based on the FAQ which states that the plus options no longer include admission.

I'm sorry, maybe I missed something but what "night animal kingdom/discovery cove knock-off" are you speaking of??

I also have a feeling that this is going to be more outsourcing, not Disney doing things there, but just leasing the spaces and collecting the cash.

My first thoughts when hearing they were closing the clubs.

And the balloon ride??? In Florida weather? I mean, it sounds great but I don't see the point in an attraction that wont be able to run over 90% of the summer....

What balloon ride?!?

 

[pschnebs]

I hate to see PI go, but alas, it did seem like things have been going in that direction for a while. The part that really bugs me is that business in the press release that they're doing this "in response to Guest feedback." Maybe I'm hanging out with the wrong people when I go to WDW, but I don't remember anyone ever saying, "I hate the Comedy Warehouse and the Adventurers Club. Disney should get rid of them and bring in more cheesy gift shops and annoyingly themed restaurants with mediocre food."

Sorry if I stole your rant for this week, Pete...

 

[Sammie]

If I was taking a guess to the closings, based on conversations with friends who work for Disney, crime is the reason for closing.

 

[ADP]

If I was taking a guess to the closings, based on conversations with friends who work for Disney, crime is the reason for closing.

Not disagreeing with you totally, but if crime were the only reason they would have put the turnstyles back into Pleasure Island.

 

[Sammie]

Not disagreeing with you totally, but if crime were the only reason they would have put the turnstyles back into Pleasure Island.

How would that help, you still have people coming in and in the parking lots. Over the years it has attracted a very rough local crowd.

 

[mommycrawford]

When I first read the press release, all I could think was..."it's a Mall world after all!" More restaurants and shopping while the economy tanks? What has always been so appealing about Disney for me was that I felt the "ONE MAN'S VISION" thing: it was like no place else. Now it will be like every place else...driven solely by profit.

Although I've only been to PI once, I do think it's a great adult oulet that is an alternative to just drinking yourself silly. ( I was pregnant when I was there.) I am fine with change, but recent changes at Disney have not shown growth (ie: El Rio Del Tiempo in Epcot ) but a lack of faith in the intelligence of their visitors.

 

[angelmav]

Well they have made the fun and more option pretty much worthless. I would take Wet N Wild over the two disney water parks any day, and now their is no incentive not too. I dont understand the thinking. The thing that makes Disneyworld so appealing is the 'having something for everybody,' even though PI may not be at the top of the list, it helps to round out the on site offerings. More shops and super expensive restaurants dont exactly fill a void.

 

[disneycrazed139]

Hate to see this...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

... those of us who no longer take the kids to WDW (you will all get there) like to go out for the evenings and enjoy Mannequins and AC, etc. Certainly not every night, but a couple of times a visit. Once again, Disney is showing it's contempt for the adult visitors.

--Okay, well I never went to Mannequins, but

THE COMEDY CLUB and ADVENTURERS CLUB were quitessential Disney fun for my growing child and myself. As my child became a teenager, these places were two where we could have a blast--throw in Disney Quest and I think my son enjoyed this as much as anything.

WE PURCHASED SSR BECAUSE OF DTD PI CLUBS. I wanted this home away from home to be somewhere my son could join me as he grows on his vacations--where we could meet up again--and remember our happy times together--a sort of bridge from his childhood.

Disney has effectively ruined my vacation investment.

Buy where you want to own. Right? Well, I did. I can't wait to tell my son that they are closing PI. All of our memories at Adventurers Club and Comedy Club will be just that.

Sad. Really sad.

 

[MenashaCorp]

Hate to see this...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

... those of us who no longer take the kids to WDW (you will all get there) like to go out for the evenings and enjoy Mannequins and AC, etc. Certainly not every night, but a couple of times a visit. Once again, Disney is showing its' contempt for the adult visitors.

THE COMEDY CLUB and ADVENTURERS CLUB were quitessential Disney fun for my growing child and myself. As my child became a teenager, these places were two where we could have a blast--throw in Disney Quest and I think my son enjoyed this as much as anything.

WE PURCHASED SSR BECAUSE OF DTD PI CLUBS. I wanted this home away from home to be somewhere my son could join me as he grows on his vacations--where we could meet up again--and remember our happy times together--a sort of bridge from his childhood.

Disney has effectively ruined my vacation investment.

Buy where you want to own. Right? Well, I did. I can't wait to tell my son that they are closing PI. All of our memories at Adventurers Club and Comedy Club will be just that.

Sad. Really sad.

Well said. I purchased DVC under the same assumption; that Disney appreciated that there ARE people without children who like to
1) Express the child within @ the parks AND
2) Escape the children and be a grown-up yet keep that imagination

I'm sooooo glad I'll soon be able to SHOP more... to DINE more.... I've always felt starved for food and retail by WDW. SHYEAH!! HHRRIGHT!!!

 

[angelmav]

Well said. I purchased DVC under the same assumption; that Disney appreciated that there ARE people without children who like to
1) Express the child within @ the parks AND
2) Escape the children and be a grown-up yet keep that imagination

I'm sooooo glad I'll soon be able to SHOP more... to DINE more.... I've always felt starved for food and retail by WDW. SHYEAH!! HHRRIGHT!!!

Exactly! The entire reason that I kept thinking 'buy DVC' and why SSR was such an appealing option was the nightlife and proximity to DTD and PI. If your going to commit to 50+ years of vacationing at the same place, you want to know that you can mix it up once in awhile. Lucky for me, we hadnt pulled the trigger yet, but boy were we close! Now I think well wait till next summer and see how things shake out.

 

[DISNUT21]

I cannot believe they are going to axe pleasure island, however just to add to the discussion, on my last trip in May I noticed my girlfriends family who we were meeting for evening cocktails being polled by Walt Disney World Marketing (those people who walk around and ask you questions about your stay and the theme parks) it was a family of about 7. They were being asked specific questions about their PI and West Side experiences. Their responses were that it was not family friendly having many obnoxious people drunk around children. Especially early in the evening, which made sense but in an effort to stay neutral I was not going to butt in and say "well why would you have your children out so late in or near PI" but I did not need that fight with the girlfriend or the funny looks from her family . Well to get back to what happened, they mentioned it and the WDW Marketing representative agreed stating she has had that comment from many guests and she had been there for over 8 years, she also mentioned that was why they implemented the age changes, etc. But, maybe there are some people who have those sentiments about PI. In my opinion however, I do agree that they should keep them open, it is a place for adults to "play" and enjoy themselves while on vacation. And, to be quite frank this may lead to a slight decrease in WDW's numbers as some travelers may now choose Universal over WDW because they'll now view the free transport to Universal's nightlife as a new perk of being a guest over there.

 

[Katiebell]

I really like the suggestion one signer of the petition had, which was to move it to the Atlantic Dance Club. Who ever uses that??? It would be an amazing, smoke-free addition to the Boardwalk area.

OMG, I can't believe you said that! Someone said that to me just yesterday too! You're right! No one ever in there. I was thinking of the most logical place AdvClub could move to, and that was on my hit parade.

I suggested it here yesterday:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25932577&postcount=172

So if someone else is thinking the same idea, well....????? The ONLY thing I've seen the Atlantic Dance Hall used for is a backdrop for wedding pics...I have not seen one single post from anyone the goes there or loves it. But there are other nighttime attractions at Boardwalk -- Jellyroll's, Flying Fish, Spoodles, shops...so why not? I love the idea of AC at AK, the theming would work so well (adventurers/jungle/safari) but the park closes so early, don't see how that would work.

I hate to see PI go, but alas, it did seem like things have been going in that direction for a while. The part that really bugs me is that business in the press release that they're doing this "in response to Guest feedback." Maybe I'm hanging out with the wrong people when I go to WDW, but I don't remember anyone ever saying, "I hate the Comedy Warehouse and the Adventurers Club. Disney should get rid of them and bring in more cheesy gift shops and annoyingly themed restaurants with mediocre food."

Sorry if I stole your rant for this week, Pete...

I agree...and just another thought -- for those who say that writing letters or emails or signing the petition is pointless because Disney has their mind made up -- Disney is saying this decision is "in response to guest feedback". So let's give 'em some feedback!!! Seriously, though, money is almost ALWAYS the bottom line for corporate Disney. Maybe closing and revamping PI is a good idea from a financial standpoint. But the AC is so widely loved, so unique, and so popular (and I would think profitable, much more so than the other clubs) that they may see that relocating the AC (or somehow retaining it as part of the DTD nightlife) would be a win-win-win for Disney, the stockholders, and the guests.

 

[wdwowner]

I really don't see a problem with this at all. The last few times my wife and I were in WDW we saw a lot of people who made us feel very uncomfortable, a lot of local groups of kids that just seemed out of place. We actually went to DTD less this last trip because of this.

I fully understand there will be local people there and those who want to visit the clubs and such, but when visitors start to feel uncomfortable about the surroundings the shopping and dinning money will go away.

We usually go to City Walk once each trip to eat at Buffett's place, and every time we feel unsafe, from parking and walking from the parking garage to the middle of CW.

In our own opinion, let the wacky night crowds have Universal and make DTD a safe place for the family.

 

[ericafny]

A lot of posters have commented on the 'rough crowds' that hang out in the PI area and I have to say I just don't see it. Maybe by the AMC I saw a few teenagers hanging out with their skateboards (ohh...those hooligans!) but honestly I didn't ever really get that vibe from PI.

I think CityWalk has a 'rougher' crowd than PI, mostly because I think it appeals to more college kids and young 20's who get drunk and act stupid (been there, done that...so not judging)..

I guess I will have to go one last time this coming trip to say goodbye.