Restriction Lifted to Pleasure Island

[benebire]

While I wouldnt take a young child to PI, we have taken our teens into both the Comedy Club and the Adventurers club. They enjoyed both of them and the show we saw that night was no different then when my husband and I attended them without kids. In fact when they ask for suggestions at the comedy club they even say "rememeber folks this is disney". I believe they are censored in what material they use regardless of whether kids are present or not. With that said, when we take our teens with us we try to leave by 10 pm. I dont feel uncomfortable with my teens seeing people buying drinks, I think some of you are naive if you think your teens arent aware of alcohol and I believe it can be a good opportunity to talk to them about it. I think everyone should use their OWN parental judgement about taking their kids/teens to PI. I dont believe there is a clear cut YES/NO answer to that question.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I guess none of you EVER drink around your kids. You never curse around your kids. Your kids ONLY watch rated G movies. I'm sure you don't take your kids to World Showcase. They have beer there and people are able to walk around, in front of kids with beer in their hands.

I'd never take my son into a bar at home but I will take him into bar and grill for dinner. He'll see the same thing there that we have seen while at PI.

What we've seen at PI is no different from the things we can see at a block party during the summer. Families outside dancing, drinking, having a good time.

I've never seen anything sexual going on at PI. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, I've just never seen it.

Now my son and I did see two teens feeling each other up while waiting in line for TOT. The girls mother and two sisters were in line with them.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Benebrie, I would have to say that I completely agree with you comment regarding children in the clubs. Those are not places that children should be. Now if Disney is allowing children into PI I believe it isn't out of the kindness of their hearts, its related to the extra income it may generate. If they want to allow children, why not add a children's "club" or play area in one of the nearby buildings with supervised care for a fee of course. I am assuming the reason they are doing this is that they feel they will not only sell more non alcholic items to the children/families, but more adults will come because now they won't need a babysitter, etc. I agree that it is not a place for children to be, and although I assume that all the parents on the DIS are responsible and will know when to leave, watch their children, etc. This is opening it up to all the children/parents who aren't like that as well.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

I forgot to add, children where allowed before now that I think of it with a parent. However I guess now Disney is allowing free access to the street area of PI. More adults will now be tempted however I think to visit with the kids because they won't have to pay for them like they use to. I just think it deminishes the appeal to PI for us adults who wouldn't take young children there. I don't want to have to worry about the things I say, do, etc for fear a little one might be next to me. Plus it can get crazy in there sometimes.

 

[brunoflipper]

here is an old post on this very topic...

as a board certified pediatrician and father of three, i cringe whenever i see a child at PI... there is a reason that, originally, minors were not allowed (i.e. it is made for adults)... and the reason they are allowed in now is simply disney greed... this issue has been harped on over and over... simply put, if you think it is OK to take children there, then it is both my professional and personal opinion that your parenting skills are highly suspect... many people also have no problem letting their children watch whatever they want on television... some people see nothing wrong with walking down bourbon street with their children at 11 pm (i've seen it myself many times)... ask yourself if would you take your kids to the west end in dallas, westport in kanasas city, the lodo in denver, SOMA in san francisco, fell's point in baltimore (just to name a few)?... if you go to PI, watch the adults and see if the are exhibiting the kinds of behaviors that you would want your children to emulate... (most of the activity at PI centers around alcohol... they sell shots in the streets... there has been a large ice block shot slide)... also watch the tweeners and preteen kids running around at PI because they are doing just that, modeling inappropriate behavior... on two specific occasions i have seen security intervene with underage drinkers at PI... i myself have been asked by a minor at PI if i would buy a drink for them ( i chalk that up to my boyish looks)... does this stuff happen everywhere? sure it does... should disney allow parents to make their own decisions about what is appropriate for their family? in this case i say no... they built and run this place as an adult venue but changed course to allow kids in just to pick up more revenue from admissions (and now additional alcohol sales to the parents)... PI is almost worse than somewhere "in the real world" because it makes it all look like sooooo much fun and sooo inviting to the kids because it is loud, trendy, flashy and disneyfied... all of this is from someone who enjoys a good drink on a regular basis... and to the people who argue the point that it would not be fair to parents who otherwise would not be able to go if they did not bring the kids along- get a sitter!... do you take the kids to the bar with you back home too? you can argue with me but, unfortunately, you are wrong... sorry about the rant... the short answer is that i don't recommend it

flamesuit on

 

[Puffy2]

City Walk is a much better place for families - there is entertainment for kids as well as the adults (some places are 18 or 21 and older - some are not) there are more restaurants, and the street activity is better. Why not just forget PI (which was mostly a snooze to me) and take in an evening over at Universal?For adults, City Jazz is a GREAT place. Really nice.

 

[JerseyBallerina]

Sorry to go off topic but I have a question.

I am going to Disney with three friends. Two of us are eighteen, the other two are not. Are we allowed to go into the Adventurer's Club and Comedy Club? Do we have to pay now that PI is open to everyone?

Thanks!

 

[benebire]

well brunoflippers you wont need the flame suit, but I think your credentials as a pediatrician have absolutlely no relevance to how good my parenting skills are, how does knowing how to treat my child medically give credence to your opinion about whether they should be at PI?. Guess we will just have to agree to disagree on this subject because our views are totally different. Guess only time will tell just how good a job I have done as a parent. My teens will be going to PI with us again this trip in June to see the comedy club and adventurers club. I will report back as to what we notice ie: drunkiness, other people with kids there etc. just for those who are curious and still trying to decide if they should take their kids/teens or not.

 

[bballmom56]

Originally posted by benebire
I believe it can be a good opportunity to talk to them about it. I think everyone should use their OWN parental judgement about taking their kids/teens to PI. I dont believe there is a clear cut YES/NO answer to that question.

I agree, particularly about it being a good opportunity to talk to (and with) them about it. We have had these discussions with our kids throughout their growing years. Although we all would like to shield our kids from what they may see there, it exists, and education is the best weapon.

 

[wdwdvcdad]

I tis a TERRIBLE idea to bring children to PI after dark. I've seen many things which are reminiscent of mardis gras. If you are thinking about bringing a child, reconsider. If you really want a drink that badly, bring a six-pax or a bottle of wine to the room.

 

[TDC Nala]

Kids are allowed in the clubs (other than the two that have an age limit), but they have to pay like everybody else to get in there. from what I've heard, it's the street that will be accessible to everyone and not the clubs. Maybe it's because I don't have kids, but I don't understand why parents would be reluctant to explain to them that kids can't have adult beverages.

It may be a party atmosphere, but Bourbon Street it ain't. Must've been some night for it to get compared to that.

Oh, and don't expect a whole lot from the nightly PI fireworks, they only take a minute or so.

I'll go to City Walk when they bring in a helicopter, pick up the Adventurers Club and move it over there.

Jersey Ballerina: under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times in the clubs. And you still have to pay to get in.

 

[skiwee1]

I think PI should be for those 21 or over whether they have a parent with them or not. Disney has so much to offer for families that it would be nice to actually have an adult venue. I have 3 kids but when DH and I go out without kids the last thing we want to see is other peoples kids! Why do some folks feel everyone wants to see their kids? Leave them home for once and let the adults enjoy themselves.

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

Benebire, you took the words right out of my mouth! I don't think anyone has the right to judge someone elses "parenting skills" by whether or not they take their kids to PI, PHD or no PHD. I plan on taking my daughter to Adventurer's Club and the Comedy club on our trip this June. She has watched "Whose line is it anyway"(wait, I'm probably a bad parent for letting her watch that as well, but here at least they only show it on a channel called "ABC Family") and she loves it. I went to check out PI alone on a business trip in January, and the Comedy club was a watered down version of that show. I see racier things on SpongeBob than I saw at the Comedy Club. The entire time I kept thinking to myself that my daughter will love it here! And yes, there were a ton of kids there as well. The Adventurer's Club the same thing, I think she will get a kick out of the animatronics and such.

Now, I agree, I don't plan on staying late (not because I think she will be emotionally scarred for life and turn into a alcoholic prostitute by age 16) but because I think after seeing these two clubs, we will have had enough. But heck, if we are having a good time, who knows. No parent should feel wrong about taking their kids to PI. Disney allows it, encourages it, and you are not doing anything wrong.

I have to laugh at the posts that say "would you take your child to a bar at home?" because my ex in-laws own a restaurant/bar, and since they watch her everyday after school, she is there quite frequently. So I answer "yes, I would" to all those posts (so I guess that means it is ok then to take her PI, but lose my "good parenting ability certificate".) By the way, she is a straight A student, excels in athletics, active at church, and I have never heard her curse in her life. Amazing, even with my lack of parenting skills!!!

 

[Figaro]

One of the things that I think people would like to know, is that while the CM's at the Comedy Club and the Adventurer's Club will tone things down when there are children in the audience, the audience members who have been drinking will often yell out suggestions that are filled with swear words, sexual terms and other ideas that are not very appropriate for children to hear.

I used to think that this would only happen at the later shows, but have found out that depending on the conventions going on at WDW, the shows can have incredibly vulgar suggestions made from the very first show on. If you talk with the CM's who work at Pleasure Island, they will tell you that because of the stuff they see every night, they would not bring their children there because adults who are on vacation and don't have to drive will often drink and behave in ways that they wouldn't otherwise behave.

 

[brunoflipper]

benebire: as it turns out... pediatric training includes behavioral pediatrics, child psychology, developmental pediatrics and adolescent medicine... not to mention the fact that i have three children of my own... my job is as much about parents (and their parenting skills) and familial interpersonal relationships as it is the actual medical condition of the child... i get asked daily by families what my professional opinion is regarding very similar topics... i am hurt that you value your pediatrician's opinion so little...

good luck to you

 

[benebire]

Well brunoflipper you are certainly entitled to your opinion and I think I clearly stated mine too. Obviously your kids wont be at PI and FYI while I do appreciate my peds advice for many things I wouldnt be asking him for "permission to take my kids to PI".
It was interesting to hear your side though, and the main point is that other parents who are trying to decide whether to take their kids/teens get the benefit of seeing differing opinions and different peoples experiences while at PI. I wasnt insulting you and I'm sure your a great ped.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by Figaro
the audience members who have been drinking will often yell out suggestions that are filled with swear words, sexual terms and other ideas that are not very appropriate for children to hear.

Gee sounds just like what happens when you take kids to baseball games! Major league games are worse than anything I have ever seen at PI when I have been there...the language in the stands at ball games is worse too....I bet people who say they won't take their kids to PI will take them to major league games though....

 

[MaryJ]

Originally posted by sugermouse
You will still have to pay to get into the nightclubs, but you will be able to bring your kids to play the street games, eat, browse in the shops and experience the fireworks at midnight.
We are going in July, this is great news!

What if you all ready have a valid ticket for PI? I ordered one for my DD to use on her honeymoon from Ticket Mania and it arrived today. Can she use it as her entrance fee into the clubs?

 

[Figaro]

Hi, aprilgail2!

Believe me, it is a LOT worse at Pleasure Island than at baseball games. People there are on vacation, don't have to drive because of Disney transportation and they drink accordingly. The loud graphic sexual descriptions/comments are shocking to me, and I'm an adult. I would not want my children exposed to that type of adult behavior and I'm writing this not because it is going to change the mind of anyone who is bound and determined to take their children to Pleasure Island, but to let everyone know what kinds of things go on there.

A lot of it has to do with the not being at home (people tend to not want people they are going to run into in their day to day lives to think less of them), peer pressure to have a good time from other people at conventions and the not having to worry about drinking and driving. Pleasure Island is designed to encourage adults to spend money on alcohol, and they do that very well(smile).

I just cringe when I see parents with little ones standing in front of the outside music because it is so loud that I have to wear ear plugs (hearing loss from antibiotic) and I know it is damaging little ones hearing even more. Add in that I get burned at least once every trip (wheelchair is short like children) by someone who has been drinking and is holding their cigarette low and I worry about a little one getting burnt on the face.

There are so many wonderful places for parents and children at WDW, I just don't think Pleasure Island is one of them.

 

[Davids-Coco]

Honestly, I don't want to spend money to hang out in a club or bar with a ton of kids. It is nice for adults to have a place to get away from that, especially if they are somewhere like WDW with their families.