Downtown Disney vs. the Boardwalk

[TKDizneyluver]

Okay, so we've been to Downtown Disney since the "most" important clubs have closed. Let's face it, when the Adventurers Club closed we all knew we were doomed as far as year round entertainment! I keep thinking one day we will hear this miraculous decision by Disney to open our favorite places up again and close off DD the way it used to be before all the problems started, but until then.....

I was wondering from all you party people out there, will I have more fun at the Boardwalk or Downtown Disney? Last year (10/24-10/31) we took our good friends to DD and had a unpleasant realization there was no more fun in DD. We went to DD a few times duing our visit and each time every club was closed early except Raglan Road, T-Rex, Planet Hollywood & Rainforest. I could not believe House of Blues was already closed too!!! (10:00 p.m.). We've never been to the Boardwalk to check out the clubs (cover charge & all), but not sure if it will be to our liking as we prefer a little harder rock when out and about drinking and having a pre-paid designated driver. Let's just say we party hard when on vacation but are respectable about it. Regardless we're looking for a good time!

Or......am I going to have to resort to paying a Taxi to take me to & from City Walk?

Say it ain't so!!!

 

[travelin' tigger]

I was wondering from all you party people out there, will I have more fun at the Boardwalk or Downtown Disney?

Definitely the Boardwalk - Jellyrolls to be more specific. It's a MUST for me every trip and always a good time!! A few specifics:
This is a 21+ dueling piano bar and the cover charge is $10. It's open 7pm-2am nightly - entertainment starts at 8 with 2 pianos (4 piano players) each night and it's all-request. Also, the more $$ you put up, the faster your request is played - $20 is a Jellyrolls fast pass to get your song played right away! Last call is 1:30am with doors closing promptly at 2. Late night bus service is provided which will take you directly back to your resort.

I think that covers most things - feel free to ask any other questions!!!

 

[mgilmer]

Okay, so we've been to Downtown Disney since the "most" important clubs have closed. Let's face it, when the Adventurers Club closed we all knew we were doomed as far as year round entertainment! I keep thinking one day we will hear this miraculous decision by Disney to open our favorite places up again and close off DD the way it used to be before all the problems started, but until then.....

I was wondering from all you party people out there, will I have more fun at the Boardwalk or Downtown Disney? Last year (10/24-10/31) we took our good friends to DD and had a unpleasant realization there was no more fun in DD. We went to DD a few times duing our visit and each time every club was closed early except Raglan Road, T-Rex, Planet Hollywood & Rainforest. I could not believe House of Blues was already closed too!!! (10:00 p.m.). We've never been to the Boardwalk to check out the clubs (cover charge & all), but not sure if it will be to our liking as we prefer a little harder rock when out and about drinking and having a pre-paid designated driver. Let's just say we party hard when on vacation but are respectable about it. Regardless we're looking for a good time!

Or......am I going to have to resort to paying a Taxi to take me to & from City Walk?

Say it ain't so!!!

I am a dyed in the wool Disney nut, but if hardy partying is your thing, nothing now on Disney property compares to City Walk at Universal. I am sorry to have to say that, but I feel that by closing the clubs at DTD, Disney was abdicating young adult fun to Universal.

 

[TKDizneyluver]

Definitely the Boardwalk - Jellyrolls to be more specific. It's a MUST for me every trip and always a good time!! A few specifics:
This is a 21+ dueling piano bar and the cover charge is $10. It's open 7pm-2am nightly - entertainment starts at 8 with 2 pianos (4 piano players) each night and it's all-request. Also, the more $$ you put up, the faster your request is played - $20 is a Jellyrolls fast pass to get your song played right away! Last call is 1:30am with doors closing promptly at 2. Late night bus service is provided which will take you directly back to your resort.

I think that covers most things - feel free to ask any other questions!!!

Thanks so much for your input, it sounds like you really enjoy Jellyrolls! I will let DH know what you mentioned and see if he would be interested in checking it out. I like the fact that they are open later than 10:00!

I am a dyed in the wool Disney nut, but if hardy partying is your thing, nothing now on Disney property compares to City Walk at Universal. I am sorry to have to say that, but I feel that by closing the clubs at DTD, Disney was abdicating young adult fun to Universal.

I figured the fun as we knew it may be over, but inside I keep hope that Disney may try to reopen some of the clubs. Especially since they have not torn them down or emptied out the establishments as I've read on other threads. I guess that's just wishful thinking. I don't know that I'm that intent on doing heavy partying if I have to leave grounds so I will probably take the advice of Travlin' Tigger and check out Jellyrolls.

 

[cityofweasels]

Sad to say, I can't think of a singly nightlife-related reason to go to DD any more, the only exception being if a band or something you like is appearing at House of Blues.

Boardwalk really gives you two options: Jellyrolls and Atlantic Dance (and ESPN, if sports bars are your thing.) Jellyrolls is a blast, get there early... it's a sit and sing (and/or, drink) kind of place, but you could spend a whole night there. Atlantic Dance can be on or off, with no discernible pattern other than how party-friendly the convention attendees from the Dolphin are that week.

Much as I hate to say it, for anything club-ish, I'd suggest a cab over to Citywalk... something I'd never have said when PI still had its mojo.

 

[sueandkent]

How much do you figure it is to take a cab over to the City Walk? Also, while I'm asking, Sea World - how long a trip is it there and I assume there are shuttles from the WDW resorts to Sea World? It's not included in the park pass correct?

 

[Brocktoon]

I don't know that I'm that intent on doing heavy partying if I have to leave grounds so I will probably take the advice of Travlin' Tigger and check out Jellyrolls.

I'm pretty much in the same boat. I don't want to go crazy, but I would like to have some decent places to hit after the parks. I really don't feel like going off-site to City Walk. I'm probably still going to hit DTD one night and maybe bar hop between Raglan Road, Paradiso, and HoB. But, now I'm hearing that they may close as early as 10PM if they're not busy.

THe Boardwalk having Jellyrolls and ESPN may be the best and ONLY choice if the other bars close early.

 

[TKDizneyluver]

How much do you figure it is to take a cab over to the City Walk? Also, while I'm asking, Sea World - how long a trip is it there and I assume there are shuttles from the WDW resorts to Sea World? It's not included in the park pass correct?

I can't answer you question about how much it costs to take a cab to Citywalk as I've never been there, but I'm pretty sure there is not a shuttle there from Disney and definitely not included in a park pass. Park passes are for the parks only on Disney property.

Sad to say, I can't think of a singly nightlife-related reason to go to DD any more, the only exception being if a band or something you like is appearing at House of Blues.

Boardwalk really gives you two options: Jellyrolls and Atlantic Dance (and ESPN, if sports bars are your thing.) Jellyrolls is a blast, get there early... it's a sit and sing (and/or, drink) kind of place, but you could spend a whole night there. Atlantic Dance can be on or off, with no discernible pattern other than how party-friendly the convention attendees from the Dolphin are that week.

Much as I hate to say it, for anything club-ish, I'd suggest a cab over to Citywalk... something I'd never have said when PI still had its mojo.

We do occasionally enjoy listening to some Irish music so Raglan Road is an "early" possibility, but I know when we stopped there last year it was dead. I felt bad for the performers because they only received a smattering of applause, so sad.

I'm pretty much in the same boat. I don't want to go crazy, but I would like to have some decent places to hit after the parks. I really don't feel like going off-site to City Walk. I'm probably still going to hit DTD one night and maybe bar hop between Raglan Road, Paradiso, and HoB. But, now I'm hearing that they may close as early as 10PM if they're not busy.

That's exactly what we experienced when we were at Raglan Road last year, there were very few peeps there so we left expecting to find some action at HoB and it was closed!! I was soooo disappointed!! I will be interested to see what Paradiso is all about and I also heard there may be a tequila bar opening up there as well. However, I was just checking out Paradiso's menu and realized they describe a "tequila tower bar with more than 50 kinds of tequila". Maybe that was the tequila bar they were referencing?

THe Boardwalk having Jellyrolls and ESPN may be the best and ONLY choice if the other bars close early.

I've done a little searching to see if I could find some type of set list/song request list for Jellyrolls and the best I could come up with was from their website stating they play from "Let It Be" to "Purple Rain" and Billy Joel's Piano Man. Just a little scary for someone who prefers some harder rock. I wonder if they do Metallica or some other harder rockin' music?

Maybe some of the Jellyrolls lovers here can give us some insight on the type of music we can request or a link to a thread that discusses that? Anyone?

Hmmm, maybe we will be breaking tradition this visit and actually be leaving Disney grounds for once.......

 

[travelin' tigger]

I've done a little searching to see if I could find some type of set list/song request list for Jellyrolls and the best I could come up with was from their website stating they play from "Let It Be" to "Purple Rain" and Billy Joel's Piano Man. Just a little scary for someone who prefers some harder rock. I wonder if they do Metallica or some other harder rockin' music?

Maybe some of the Jellyrolls lovers here can give us some insight on the type of music we can request or a link to a thread that discusses that? Anyone?

Over the years I've compiled a list of quite a few songs that I've heard played. Most of my favs were played by Jason who left last year - November Rain, Something to Believe In and Here I Go Again. Some of the remaining piano players might know these, but don't know...

Anyway, they know pretty much any popular song that can be played on a piano - from country to hard rock. You can always request a song and $$$ talks - they'll tell you up front whether they can play it or not. I've even had piano players learn my requests between sets!!

Some of my favorites:
All 4 piano players - Fat-Bottomed Girls, In the Middle of the Night (I believe Scotty needs to be playing for this)
Scotty - Buttercup, Disney Medley, Coldplay
Ray - Baby Got Back, Wanted Dead or Alive
Tommy - Walking in Memphis, Ring of Fire
Michael W - Fight for your Right to Party, NY State of Mind (or most Billy Joel)
Mike K - Barenaked Ladies, Daydream Believer
Daniel - Come Sail Away, Livin' on a Prayer

HTH!!!

 

[Brocktoon]

II've done a little searching to see if I could find some type of set list/song request list for Jellyrolls and the best I could come up with was from their website stating they play from "Let It Be" to "Purple Rain" and Billy Joel's Piano Man. Just a little scary for someone who prefers some harder rock. I wonder if they do Metallica or some other harder rockin' music?

I wouldn't hold your breath for any metal ... maybe they'll be able to play 'Enter Sandman', but that's probably about it. Although I would love to hear some Richard Cheese lounge-style metal covers. I wonder if they know any Spinal Tap ... Big Bottoms would be a great request

I'll probably be fine as long as they throw in some classic rock

 

[TKDizneyluver]

Some of my favorites:
All 4 piano players - Fat-Bottomed Girls, In the Middle of the Night (I believe Scotty needs to be playing for this)
Scotty - Buttercup, Disney Medley, Coldplay
Ray - Baby Got Back, Wanted Dead or Alive
Tommy - Walking in Memphis, Ring of Fire
Michael W - Fight for your Right to Party, NY State of Mind (or most Billy Joel)
Mike K - Barenaked Ladies, Daydream Believer
Daniel - Come Sail Away, Livin' on a Prayer

HTH!!!

Thanks so much for posting this list!!! It at least gives me some idea of what we may hear, and I suppose it all depends on the age of the crowd. I'm guessing Jellyrolls is probably attracting a lot more younger people now that PI is closed (not that I'm young, I'm 45), but that they may be playing a lot more current music. I'm sure once I get a few drinks in me, and the fact that it sounds like a very high energy atmosphere that we will have a good time. I'm looking forward to checking it out on our next visit.

I wouldn't hold your breath for any metal ... maybe they'll be able to play 'Enter Sandman', but that's probably about it. Although I would love to hear some Richard Cheese lounge-style metal covers. I wonder if they know any Spinal Tap ... Big Bottoms would be a great request

I'll probably be fine as long as they throw in some classic rock

Oh my gosh dude, I had never heard of Richard Cheese so I checked him out on youtube, how totally cool! DH and I have been known to look for loungy type performers in our area. And while in PI we did visit the Jazz Club occasionally because they played the bluesy, jazz lounge style when we had been there. Now how cool would that be to have a place in DD that played his style??!! DH is a Radiohead fan, I'm sure he will appreciate hearing Creep!

Thanks for turning me on to a new performer!!

 

[feistygalkmc]

JR's is lots of fun, the only thing I don't like about it is the fact you have to pay pay pay pay. In other words, you pay a cover, pay for your overpriced drinks of course and then pay to get your song heard. Be careful or you will spend a small fortune quickly! lol They do/did offer a $9 huge drink but that wasn't always what I wanted and beer was $5 a pop.

As far as hits/misses the beginning of the night it always seemed there were more slow songs & showtunes for some reason but like someone else mentioned it depends on the crowd. its a lot of fun for sure just be prepared to bring your wallet and leave it there

 

[jfair1219]

Jellyrolls is the BEST. We always stay at the Boardwalk and go to Jellyrolls several times during our stay.

 

[TKDizneyluver]

JR's is lots of fun, the only thing I don't like about it is the fact you have to pay pay pay pay. In other words, you pay a cover, pay for your overpriced drinks of course and then pay to get your song heard. Be careful or you will spend a small fortune quickly! lol They do/did offer a $9 huge drink but that wasn't always what I wanted and beer was $5 a pop.

As far as hits/misses the beginning of the night it always seemed there were more slow songs & showtunes for some reason but like someone else mentioned it depends on the crowd. its a lot of fun for sure just be prepared to bring your wallet and leave it there

I guess between the music and now the cost, it's starting to sound like I might be better off hanging out at Planet Hollywood (good music in the bar) until they kick our butts out and then continuing the party back at our resort. At this point our trip is a budget trip, I don't want to spend ridiculous amounts of money for just an okay time.

Jellyrolls is the BEST. We always stay at the Boardwalk and go to Jellyrolls several times during our stay.

Do you have any tips or advice about Jellyrolls? Any favorite songs you have heard them play?

 

[TKDizneyluver]

I will be interested to see what Paradiso is all about and I also heard there may be a tequila bar opening up there as well. However, I was just checking out Paradiso's menu and realized they describe a "tequila tower bar with more than 50 kinds of tequila". Maybe that was the tequila bar they were referencing?

Okay so call me a total bonehead!! I had mentioned new tequila bar "thinking" Downtown Disney, when in actuality it was the Mexico Pavillion in World Showcase in EPCOT. After seeing it in print I remembered that that was where I had heard it was going to be but had completely forgotten! Anyway, this is what I found and was also told to me by a fellow Diser Maddhatir (thanks Madd!):

La Cava del Tequila has finally opened at the Mexico Pavilion with 70 varieties of Tequila 46 seats.

The lounge will also have premium tequilas and margaritas, with light Mexican appetizers.

 

[jfair1219]

Since they shut down all the clubs at DTD there's hardly anywhere to go except RR or PH. It's like a ghost town walking through there. What was Disney thinking?

 

[TKDizneyluver]

Since they shut down all the clubs at DTD there's hardly anywhere to go except RR or PH. It's like a ghost town walking through there. What was Disney thinking?

I think, from what I've read around the Dis is that after they "opened" Pleasure Island for people to freely walk through they started having problems with teens & gangs hanging around causing disturbances.

I'm guessing there came a point that Disney did not know how to solve the problem so they just shut it down. I know they still have plans to open a few more "family friendly" restaurants in DD. And the last I heard was that they were still using the Adventurer's Club for private parties, not sure if it's completely closed down now or not. Maybe another Diser would have that info.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

You can follow the progress of rumors about clubs on PI reopening on my Blog located at: www.savepleasureisland.blogspot.com

There is a lot of mention about Jellyrolls in this thread but no mention of Atlantic Dance Hall which is right next to JR's. Admission is free and you can dance all you want and the DJ will play your requests if he/she has it.

Pleasure Island is not a place to plan on partying. Paradiso 37 is mainly a restaurant although there is a tequila bar in there too. Raglan Road too is mainly a restaurant and you'll find it clears out after 10pm. That leave House of Blues but HOB is a club that depends on whether anyone is performing as to whether it stays open late. If no one is performing then the dance club part is closed. Check: www.houseofblues.com/orlando Service Industry Night every Sunday night is packed to the rafters though.

Do plan to visit CityWalk if you can because it's as close to the PI experience as you can get. You can get a pass into all the clubs for $11.99 which is about half of what PI used to charge. Stick with Th-F-Sa nights as the rest of the week is dead.

BobK/Orlando

 

[LinkinX]

Anyone know how much it would cost to get from the Movies Value resort to downtown Orlando or city walk?

I am heading to Disney with my girlfriend for out 21st birthday and would like to go out for atleast a night or two.

 

[JoShan1719]

Do you all think Jellyrolls would still be worth a visit if you don't plan to drink? DH don't drink alcohol.