PI closing..i am confused...

[grover]

have been reading that it is closing..but what exactly are they replacing it with?

 

[PanamaMike]

Their surveys apparently show that guests are interested in dining and shopping options so more restaurants and stores.

 

[Ham Ham]

I guessing PI isn't generation enough $$$ per sq ft.

If was a big enough revenue generator the moutse wouldn't touch it or Disney have figured a way to make even more money.

 

[esdras]

Go into the Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies forum and there are a few threads on this topic.

Opinions can generally be divided into:

1. Those who are upset over closing all the clubs at PI
2. Those who are only upset over the closing of The Adventurers Club and Comedy Warehouse
3. Those who are only upset over EITHER closing The Adventurers Club OR Comedy Warehouse (more are upset about the AC though)
4. Those who don't care one way or the other
5. Those who are happy about the changes.

I'm in the third group - just over losing the AC.

My general view is that by closing the six clubs and replacing them with (as reported) shopping and dining that has essentially all been licenced out to other companies (a HANES make your own T-Shirt store or a T-Rex Restaurant) is Disney taking the easy way out.

The Adventurers Club was the one venue on PI that was a true example of Disney Imagineering. If people wanted more dining and shopping, Disney could have easily expanded the AC to include a restaurant with animatronics and excellent theming - a "Junior Adventurers Club" similar to Deluxe Resort Kid's Clubs so that parents would have a place for thier kids to go while they saw the show in the AC Club room, and then tack on an AC themed gift shop.

That would have required Disney to put up their own money though.

So, I am more upset about Disney dumping the most Disneyish (non-shopping related) thing (other than maybe DisneyQuest) at Downtown Disney. Losing the Adventurers Club is just one more reason to say that this is no longer Downtown Disney but simply a Downtown at Disney.

 

[fivebyfive]

what exactly are they replacing it with?

The Downtown Disney area will be getting its own iconic attraction — a giant, tethered balloon that will take you 300 feet into the air to view the amazing vistas of Walt Disney World Resort.

It's safe to say that Disney will be spending a pretty penny on this one.

 

[Luhts]

I read they are also going to open some big Dinosaur themed restaurant.

I was very sad to see PI was closing. We were planning to go there for a night out w/o the kids, with my bil and sil, so when I heard this I was thinking, "Now what do we do?" There is the Boardwalk, but only about 3 clubs there. But then I saw the Universal Studios CityWalk: $11.99 for entrance to all the clubs, and the only one I will truly miss from PI is the Adventurer's Club. I would personally like to see them relocate that club to the Boardwalk area.

 

[catne]

The dinosaur related restaurant is not replacing anything at PI...that restaurant is already being built, in Disney Marketplace (not in Pleasure Island space) Will be like Rainforest Cafe, only dino theme. Might even be the same company that does Rainforest Cafe.The name of the place is T-Rex something or other.

We were at DTD in May 2008--the huge construction walls & such were all up...it's well on the way to being done. I believe it's set to open this Fall. I'm sure someone will chime in with exact name & ETA.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

The name of the new restaurant is T-Rex Cafe and it is supposed to open up late this year. From the looks of things it still has a long way to go.

None of the new things announced fit into a space currently housing a night club or comedy club. So we really don't know why they're closing the place.

I have a blog on the subject located at:
www.savepleasureisland.blogspot.com

And we'd love your support on the Save Pleasure Island petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/SAVEPI/petition.html

Thanks,
BobK/Orlando

 

[F4disneyfan]

Well the Adventurers Club is one my in laws would like to see stay open as for me I want mannequins to stay open the rest I don't care about.

 

[grover]

thanks for the info--i saw the threads where folks are upset over what is being lost-we have never been but it sounds like it is something we SHOULD have taken in-cause now we will never be able to!

so a big balloon hey-that will be interesting to see how it works. i hadn't heard exactly what was going in the space-so it is good to know--thanks!

 

[sammi]

We decided to go to PI this past May and we were totally disappointed with the crowds....alot of very young and very drunk people staggering around.....we haven't been in a while but I really don't think we would ever have bothered going back.That said we will miss The Adventurer's Club....had many a good laugh there.

 

[pxlbarrel]

When is PI closing? (Or has it already?) I always wanted to go to the Adventurer's club but was always too tired after a day in the park or wanted to go to Epcot to watch Illuminations. LOL

 

[grover]

i believe it is the end of sept...

 

[Ham Ham]

When is PI closing? (Or has it already?) I always wanted to go to the Adventurer's club but was always too tired after a day in the park or wanted to go to Epcot to watch Illuminations. LOL

Take a look.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/orl-disney2808jun28,0,2367595.story

 

[pxlbarrel]

Ohhhhhhh... I might be able to get to it before they close. I'm going in September. Will have to see if I can make the time for it....

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Sept 27 is the closing date