Disney to close nightclubs at Pleasure Island

[TheBeadPirate]

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.

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.

I find it interesting that the groups of "unseemly" locals that we've seen have been outside McDonalds and the AMC theater too. Neither of which is in PI. So, unless they're planning on closing those venues also I don't see how closing PI is going to change that much.

That being said, if the drunks wandering around is the real issue- does that mean soon we're to see a boozieless World Showcase too? I have seen my fair share there also-not corralled away from the merrymaking families like PI- but right out there on the porch like the crazy relatives.....

 

[ericafny]

That being said, if the drunks wandering around is the real issue- does that mean soon we're to see a boozieless World Showcase too? I have seen my fair share there also-not corralled away from the merrymaking families like PI- but right out there on the porch like the crazy relatives.....

You know I didn't even think of this, you are absolutely right! Last year while trying to enjoy a nice performance by the British Invasion, the show was bombarded with a group of ridiculously inebriated individuals causing quite the scene...we later saw them in Canada doing the same to the Off Kilter crowd. Whatever Disney's reasoning is it doesn't seem like they are being quite honest with why they are shutting down PI

 

[Chellymouse]

I am so not happy right now! PI is one of the few places for adults to have fun at night without having to go back into the parks. Mannequines has been my favorite dance club for years and it's absolutely horrible that it's closing! I never thought that in August it would be our last time in PI. What a shame!

 

[zulemara]

I don't know how anyone can not feel safe at PI. There is security everywhere! My gosh I took my shirt off at Mannequins(which used to be allowed) and the security guy made a real quick dart to the dance floor. The same is true outside as well.

As far as needing to cater to families more, see sig

as far as everything being about the bottom dollar...see sig

I'm a loyal cast member and I turn my head to a lot of things Disney does or doesn't do, but between PI, LTT character dining, and the ridiculous amount of outsourcing, I'm getting a crick in my neck and it's gettin real hard to keep turnin it.

 

[Redcon1]

I've heard they're going to build a new Buy 'N Large Megastore there.

 

[meowmarie]

I've heard they're going to build a new Buy 'N Large Megastore there.

 

[Katiebell]

I find it interesting that the groups of "unseemly" locals that we've seen have been outside McDonalds and the AMC theater too. Neither of which is in PI. So, unless they're planning on closing those venues also I don't see how closing PI is going to change that much.

That being said, if the drunks wandering around is the real issue- does that mean soon we're to see a boozieless World Showcase too? I have seen my fair share there also-not corralled away from the merrymaking families like PI- but right out there on the porch like the crazy relatives.....

Ya know...I was kind of wondering about this myself. I grew up with DL, and there is no alcohol served at all there (except at Club 33, but that doesn't count). So it was a little eyebrow raising when they served wine and beer at DCA, and then all the restaurants with full bars in DTD Anaheim... I have no objections to alcohol, but it was definitely a change of direction for Disney.

So our first trip to WDW was last May, and it was a bit of a culture shock to see liquor -- not even just beer and wine -- served in all of the parks except MK. Again, no personal objections, just different than what we're used to at Disney. So if Disney is closing down PI to make it more "family friendly", then what about the guests enjoying cocktails at PT50's? Or drinking their way around the World Showcase? And what's "family friendly" about the cigar bar in DTD, or the other restaurant bars? Come to think of it, makes it more authentic, like the original Pleasure Island in Pinocchio -- and we all know what happened to those bad boys...

Nope, I think it's primarily about the money. And if Disney could be convinced that AC is so unique, has such a loyal following of regulars, and has such appeal for new guests, that it would be profitable...then maybe, just maybe, they might consider saving AC, or relocating it.

Last time I looked, the petition had well over 2000 signatures

 

[saturday97]

so...shall we have an Dis Unplugged "Farewell to PI" meet at AC before September??

 

[firemanx]

you can help save the AC. Sign the petition.

http://www.petitiononline.com/wdwaclub/

 

[MM32830]

so...shall we have an Dis Unplugged "Farewell to PI" meet at AC before September??

How about we be the last party at the AC on September 27th?


Armand

 

[ericafny]

so...shall we have an Dis Unplugged "Farewell to PI" meet at AC before September??

I'll be in the World mid August! I would do a meet then!

 

[meowmarie]

We're planning to be at the club on August 28th! Could also possibly go on the 25th. Sorry we're not local lol. This trip will be with our toddler and my parents, and those are the only 2 nights we have scheduled to "break away" hehe.

 

[andrewilley]

I'm thinking of being there on 26th August, following on from a POR & DTD-boatride meet being organised via another online forum (sorry, there are other fourms than the DIS, honest! )

Andre

 

[meowmarie]

(sorry, there are other fourms than the DIS, honest! )

Andre

Where did you ever hear such a vicious rumor?!

 

[meowmarie]

There is a "Save the AC" podcast going on right now if anyone wants to call in live!

(347) 633-9577

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/savepi

I know I know, I shouldn't be listening to "other" podcasts

 

[meowmarie]

I just got this message from Brandon on Facebook with actual phone numbers to Disney execs including Lansbury! We should definitely call this weekend while they aren't there and leave messages, cause I'm sure when Monday comes the numbers will be changed.

Today, I was given the personal voicemail numbers for Barry Carlson and DTD VP Kevin Lansberry from a guest who found their numbers in the TeleCast dropped carelessly at Downtown Disney.

I took this opportunity to call and leave a voicemail for both today and hope you will consider doing so as well; remember, be thoughtful, sincere and always let your conscience be your guide.

Also, be brief! The shorter the calls--the more we will fit on their voicemail
before "voicemail is full."

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

Barry Carlson, General Manager of Operations at DTD'S
Personal Voicemail: 407-934-6688

Kevin Lansberry Vice President of DTD: 407-828-4591

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

HERE IS WHAT TO SAY:

"Hello (Barry or Kevin),

My name is (Your Name Here) and I am a patron of Pleasure Island/The Adventurers Club. I was calling to let you know while we appreciate the Disney Company's concern for building a better guest experience, I hope you will respectively re-consider the plans to close this Downtown Disney attraction.

I am considering taking my business outside of Disney if this plan goes through.

Thanks!"

Sincerely,
Brandon De Hoyos,
Host, SAVE the AC: Radio! Activism! Adventure!

 

[disneym2m]

Ok, so Disney wants to become more family friendly...great, sounds good. However what if it is only you and your significant other and you don't have kids. Pleasure Island gave adults a place to have a little fun of their own. Yes, Disney will always be a kid place, but adults love Disney too. And sometimes when the adults are tired of all the cutesy stuff, the adults could always have a place of their own where kids usually don't hang out. I love Disney but after a day of listening to screaming kids AND their parents, going to Pleasure Island was a place of escape from those kids. Yes, I like kids and yes, I know that I came to a place where there are thousands of them. But sometimes you are just tired of hearing the crying and screaming.

I think this will eventually hurt Disney because they are missing out on the nightlife money. Who shells out thousands of dollars for the Disney vacation? ... The adults.... not kids...the adults.

I wonder if Universal will start overhauling CityWalk and adding in new adult attractions. CityWalk WILL benefit from this. I love Downtown Disney but there are only so many different stores you can have before it becomes like a Prime Outlet.

Time will tell...but Disney Execs you are making a BIG mistake.

 

[BensMom]

4558 signatures! We need to do better! I designed and ordered my Save the AdvClub bumper sticker. My car is sporting it now! We need to get the word out better than we are.

 

[ready4mouse]

I signed up for the half marathon in January- the after party has always been at PI... any idea where they'll have it now?

 

[Uncleromulus]

I shed no tears for the demise of Pleasure Island. None of it was our cup of tea to begin with. We went once to the Comedy Club the very first year PI opened, and then once walked in to (and then right back out of) the Adveturers Club. Other than that, we never set foot in the place.
Serious party and dance fans can still go to Universal or downtown Orlando--I get the feeling Disney won't mind that at all.
I look forward to some new restaurants!