Downtown Disney Development Updates?

[yitbos96bb]

Remember that David Copperfield was supposed to open a $30 million Copperfield Magic Underground restaurant at the Studios in 1998, but the deal fell through.

Attracting private and unique businesses to invest in WDW locations in the current economy is going to be tough, if not impossible. While PI needed a make-over, the timing just wasn't in Disney's favor. I think Disney will need to be the majority investor in new venues at PI for a few years.

If some of the rumors of that concept were true, that would have been an amazing restaurant. All the illusions and guest interaction. SOunded really great.

 

[Scurvy]

Yes, but again, the point is finding investors/chains with enough open capital and credit line to open/sponsor a location on Disney property in this economy is going to be extremely difficult, thus I wouldn't expect the PI area to attract any new non-Disney funded venue of any format, whether it was a new PI club, or a family style restaurant. I expect that the PI area will be empty for at least a couple of years, and they've got the huge retail space vacated by Virgin Megastore to do fill, too.

True. I think Disney is going to have a really hard time finding things to fill all that space. And I especially think they are going to have a hard time finding things that are unique enough to really fit in at WDW - though these days I am not too sure they are too concerned about how unique something is. If they were smart they'd be thinking of their own ideas instead of trying to bring in more outsourced venues. Or they could always reopen the Clubs instead!

If some of the rumors of that concept were true, that would have been an amazing restaurant. All the illusions and guest interaction. SOunded really great.

It really would have been an amazing concept. I was very disapointed that it didn't work out. I know that David is still interested in working with Disney someday - I wish they would cut out the middle men and Disney would work with Copperfield to open a Magic Underground-style restaurant in the Virgin location. I know Disney wouldn't be willing to invest in something like that right now, though.

 

[jfinke]

interesting you mention DTDs impact on SSR.

have disney always had problems filling SSR and OKW or is it a recent issue?

For them to be pricing both of those with (full) free dining for less than the mods with upgraded (to full) dining seemed to me to show they're struggling?
Also SSR and OKW were available for us Disney UK customers to book on the UK site where as all other DVC resorts arent.

One of the reasons we purchased at SSR was its proximity to DTD and PI. We have yet to stay at SSR or go to DTD since the announcement.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

One of my PI sources told me yesterday that Emilio Estefan was involved in negotiations to reopen one of the clubs but it fell through because Disney wanted an extremely high cut of the revenue. Same source informs me that the Disney Quest out, ESPN Club in rumor is also true!

As far as the OP's original question, one of the unresolved rumors is that the company that just opened the Paradiso 37 Restaurant (e-Brands) might be behind a plan to reopen 8TRAX and Mannequins in some form. We had heard a few weeks ago that there may be some PI announcements in July. A lot of rumors have Adventurers Club reopening in some form.

But we don't really know......just rumors.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Until those clubs are bulldozed, there is always a possibility. But first, I want to clear some things up
1. The clubs WERE profitable! Lansberry said so himself.
2. Regarding attendance, it had fallen because they slowly killed the island piece by piece. They stopped the fireworks, they tore down the stage, they changed the age requirement, and the worst thing they ever did was ungate the island. They did everything possible to sabatoge the island so they could convince the higher ups to close it. When was the last time they had even advertised it? Exactly, I can't remember either. Yet as soon as they announced the closing, attendance shot through the roof. Sure, maybe it's because of the type of announcement, but imagine if they actually put a flier in the paper every now and then, pushed it a little harder at the front desk, or had a TV commercial.
3. For those of you who are not aware, AC, Motion, and BET are all fully operational clubs and could be opened very quickly. They are all available for rentals and I was in Motion myself during gay days. Mannequins and 8-trax(the two most popular clubs) have been gutted and I have a mannequin from Mannequins sitting in my bathroom right now that I bought from property control.
4. They are CLUBS not BARS! A bar is somewhere with no dancing area where people just stand around and talk. A club offers a dancing element and in some cases, a multi million dollar light and sound system.
5. For those who do not like the clubs, fine, don't go to them, but the reality is there ARE people looking for night time entertainment on property and many people specifically want dancing. What are they left with? Atlantic Dance or Jellyrolls(which isn't dancing). You wouldn't believe the number of people who walk through DTD talking about the clubs, some still thinking they will be open at night. I've also had people at Atlantic Dance ask where else they can go because it just doesn't compare to PI...and I tell them to go to citywalk, which is not convenient for most Disney guests.

I can only hope management comes to their senses and reopens a couple of the clubs. Having them sitting there with 0 revenue is not only stupid, but looks awful to people walking through. Of course, those wanting to do the cha cha(motion), the elctric slide(8-trax), YMCA(8-trax) or any other line dance can always join that ridiculous celebration plaza thing they have. Pay no attention to these empty buildings

You are the voice of reason here, Z. Otherwise I see a lot of scary and very un Disney like wishes for this area (more themed restaurants???).

King Bob, I have no real addition to what you said except to say that Emilio and Gloria Estefan are the antithisis in personality and character of what Disney should stand for (i.e they're nothing more than money grubbing, me first, primadonna's). But of course that's pretty much what Disney stands for today too, isn't it???

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I walked through there last week and the adventurers club still looked "intact" from the outside, but I don't know if it will ever open again. I am pretty sure that if some business wanted to pay disney rent money for that water front location it would be gone. JMHO.

The Adventurers Club is still open for private bookings, at least thru September.
I actually have the price list... Basically you can count on 10g's including the booze.

MG

 

[Mlissa88]

I'd love to see AC open again and count me in with the others who would also like to see a comedy club or mystery dinner theatre. I'd love for there to be more entertainment again in DTD.