Possible Reprieve to PI

[Cheshire Figment]

When I was in California a few weeks ago I heard (from reliable sources) that upper level people in Disney Corporate were concerned about the number of complaints referring to the notification that the PI clubs are closing.

Also, I have been dealing with a hotel on Hotel Plaza Blvd for an upcoming convention and I was told by my Sales Manager there that the on-site Disney Rep had officially asked the Director of Sales if they have lost groups and/or rooms because of the PI closing, and needed a count with detailed information. The SM told me that had lost a few conventions because of it. Also, it appears that it is being asked of all the non-Disney resorts on property.

I wonder why Disney is collecting this information. Maybe they might decide it was a poor decision and can be revered before it actually is implemented.

 

[sassytink03]

It would be nice if Disney had finally come to its' senses. It didn't work when Vegas tried to make it family friendly, so hopefully Disney will see that we need a place to play too.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

OMG, wouldn't that be fantastic?

I have no problem with an overhaul of the island. It needs it. But that's no reason to close ALL the clubs.

There is absolutely no doubt that convention and meeting planners take into account evening activities for attendees. That's one of the main reasons why Las Vegas is so popular for meetings. PI is a safe, adult party location and taking it away leaves attendees with..............what? City Walk can't handle it all. Walt Disney World is far less attractive with nothing to do at night.

BobK/Orlando

Sign the Save PI petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/SAVEPI/petition.html

 

[sassytink03]

I agree Bob...PI needs some work, but they should keep the good clubs..aka The Adventurer's Club, Comedy Warehouse, and 8Trax. There is no reason why they can't keep those and work around the other things like the Beach Club that is just sitting there. I never even thought about all the conventions that might have been cancelled due to the closing of PI. I was too concerned with what the locals would do if we lost it. Maybe our movement is doing some good after all. ***fingers crossed***

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I don't think they are going to completely forgo all plans since they have probably already signed agreements with Hanes and the other companies they are bringing in. However, they may keep some of the clubs (Adventurer's, the Comedy Warehouse, and maybe one dance club).

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I don't think they are going to completely forgo all plans since they have probably already signed agreements with Hanes and the other companies they are bringing in. However, they may keep some of the clubs (Adventurer's, the Comedy Warehouse, and maybe one dance club).

Nothing announced so far would necessarily go into a location that currently houses a dance or comedy club.

BobK/Orlando

Sign the Save PI petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/SAVEPI/petition.html

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

The company my partner works for is owned by a family that totally loves WDW. They had talked about planning the 2009 annual conference to take place at WDW. With the news that PI was closing, suddenly they are now saying that they will not be going to WDW and the conference will stay here in Atlanta.

Yes, Disney, closing PI is losing you conference business!

 

[zulemara]

The company my partner works for is owned by a family that totally loves WDW. They had talked about planning the 2009 annual conference to take place at WDW. With the news that PI was closing, suddenly they are now saying that they will not be going to WDW and the conference will stay here in Atlanta.

Yes, Disney, closing PI is losing you conference business!

They need to make that known! We also need to keep sending letters, maps, whatever it takes. If there is anyone who can save PI it is the people in California. Don't leave anything up to the idiots that run DTD at WDW.

Iger you saved Pixar, now save PI!

 

[Jason71]

I don't think they are going to completely forgo all plans since they have probably already signed agreements with Hanes and the other companies they are bringing in. However, they may keep some of the clubs (Adventurer's, the Comedy Warehouse, and maybe one dance club).

At the moment, the plan is to keep the buildings closed for two years. Doesn't sound to me like too many air-tight leases have been signed. Who pays for two years of nothing?

Really, if any businesses have a reason to be upset, it's Curl and Harley Davidson, who are going to see a drop in foot traffic.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

OMG ! That would be AWESOME

 

[TheBeadPirate]

There is a hiring "freeze" on for managers and bartenders so that they can place the CM's from PI in the system.

Props are already disappering from AC and of course the light wall is gone in Mannequins...

 

[AdventurerKat]

At the moment, the plan is to keep the buildings closed for two years. Doesn't sound to me like too many air-tight leases have been signed. Who pays for two years of nothing?

Really, if any businesses have a reason to be upset, it's Curl and Harley Davidson, who are going to see a drop in foot traffic.

TWO YEARS?!

And they think its a dead zone in there now during the day.

 

[mitros]

Over the last few years, we have noticed an unbelievable increase of people on property. Everything is crowded all the time. I doubt that Disney will loose any business by eliminating PI. Sorry guys, just my observation over the years. We have been going to WDW since 1989, and living in Florida for the last 11 years, we were going to the resort on a regular basis, several times a month. We have cut waaaay back on our visits over the last few years because of these, in our opinion, overcrowding conditions everywhere on property. It's just not fun anymore.....

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I don't see how whether there is overcrowding or not effects the decision about PI. Clearly Disney was willing to give up the income currently being made from ticket and drink sales at PI. What they may have failed to realize is that other income would be lost too from lost meetings and conventions, lost hotel room sales, lost restaurant sales and lost theme park sales. If overlooked, those figures could be huge. The loss of PI leaves close to ZERO evening activities for meeting and convention guests staying on Disney property or nearby. If I was an Event Planner, why would I choose Disney if there is nothing fun to do on property after the meetings finish for the day? Keep in mind that during the "convention season", the theme parks all close early because it's off-season for regular tourists.

BobK/Orlando

 

[mitros]

But is it at all possible that those at Disney {whoever they may be} may actually be making an attempt to make the whole Downtown area family friendly? Is there more money selling Mickey plush than liquor? I really don't know......And besides, if they add more restaurants, won't they still sell alcohol?

 

[TDC Nala]

But is it at all possible that those at Disney {whoever they may be} may actually be making an attempt to make the whole Downtown area family friendly? Is there more money selling Mickey plush than liquor? I really don't know......And besides, if they add more restaurants, won't they still sell alcohol?

So this is about alcohol, not about having a place to go and spend some time in the evening? You can't really hang in a restaurant.

If you're right I will take it as an indication that WDW is now interested only in the almighty family and it's a big sign I should go elsewhere.

I'm already lost on what I am supposed to do with myself after hours on my October/November/December trips. After that I don't really have to go back until the next food & wine festival.

 

[mitros]

So this is about alcohol, not about having a place to go and spend some time in the evening? You can't really hang in a restaurant.

If you're right I will take it as an indication that WDW is now interested only in the almighty family and it's a big sign I should go elsewhere.

I'm already lost on what I am supposed to do with myself after hours on my October/November/December trips. After that I don't really have to go back until the next food & wine festival.

Not really sure what your getting at with the alcohol comment, I was mearly replying to a poster that did mention alcohol. It's neither here or there for me personally...........

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

If you're right I will take it as an indication that WDW is now interested only in the almighty family and it's a big sign I should go elsewhere.

I sure hope not. I was talking to one of my attorneys yesterday who somehow had not heard the news about PI. Even though she is local, she and her husband and kids stay at the Disney Resort every year for a week and during their stay they hire a babysitter two nights so they can hang out and have a fun evening at PI. With the news they're going to consider a Universal resort.

Surely they're not the only families that do this. And we know there are singles staying at the Resort and plenty of meeting and convention attendees traveling without their kids.

Are nightclubs really "family unfriendly"? They're not for kids of course, but they're not family unfriendly either.

BobK/Orlando

 

[jfinke]

I think that part of the problem is that some people assume that PI is just some place to get drunk. So, when people mention, well you can just get alcohol in a restaurant, it irritates the other group of people. If I just wanted to get drunk, I would buy a bottle of jack and sit in my room all night long. Heck, I probably wouldn't even go to Disney because there is not much point in going and then being hung over all the time.

There is a whole group of people who go to PI, to interact with adults in an adult only setting. We are dinks. No desire to have children. We joke that part of the reason we go to Disney is to remind us why we don't want to have kids. PI was an area that allowed you to get away from the madness. That diminished when they opened the gates to everyone, but at least you still had to be of age to be in the clubs.

Now, where are people going to go to participate in adult activity? I already told them that we are not going to be purchasing the "plus" package or whatever they are calling it these days. So, they lost that money from me. Plus, more likely than not, we will probably just retire to the room. There is no where for me to go. The restaurants are packed with kids. Heck, they don't even enforce the dress codes anywhere.

I think that V&A is about the only place that is a kid free zone at this point and you are talking $150/person.

 

[sassytink03]

As far as everyone talking about PI not being child-friendly, I agree for the most part. But, the AC is extremely child friendly! My kids ages 6 and 8 just went there for their first time and loved it. They didn't get to stay all night on Friday, but they did stay up an hour or so past bedtime for a special treat. My son got into an argument with Otis T Wren and Samantha couldn't stop fawning over them. They loved to sing along and my son was the talk of the club because at age 6 he was marching and singing the all purpose theme song at the top of his lungs. While I wouldn't take them to 8Trax or Mannequins, there isn't a problem with kids being at the AC or the Comedy Warehouse. Disney could spare these two things and maintain the "family friendly" experience that they want.