Sad news.......PI closing forever 09/27/08!

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I guess our trip to PI on the 26th is on for real now. We are going to have to be there on the 27th for the final night at the AC.

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

Disney to close Pleasure Island's six nightclubs
Scott Powers | Sentinel Staff Writer
7:43 PM EDT, June 27, 2008
The six nightclubs at Pleasure Island will soon shut down, as Walt Disney World redevelops the adult-focused district at Downtown Disney.

BET SoundStage Club, Mannequins Dance Palace, 8Trax and three other nightclubs that have for years catered largely to young, single adults -- rather than to Disney's bread-and-butter family market -- will close after Sept. 27. Over the next couple of years Disney will reopen the Pleasure Island area with a broader mix of restaurants and shops.

Though Pleasure Island's possible demise has been the subject of rumors for awhile, the announcement surprised many in the Orlando nightclub business. Pleasure Island, now 19 years old, may have seemed an odd venture for Disney but it appeared to thrive -- so much so that some in the industry have blamed it for accelerating the decline of the nightlife district in Downtown Orlando during the 1990s.

In announcing what they called "a bold new vision" for all of Downtown Disney on Friday, Disney officials framed the Pleasure Island nightclub closures as a response to their customers, who say they want more broad-based dining and retail opportunities throughout the 120-acre district.

"Our bold new vision for Downtown Disney reflects the feedback we receive from our guests each and every day and will enable us to continue to offer the high-quality entertainment that is our hallmark," said Downtown Disney Vice President Kevin Lansberry.

Pleasure Island is the middle section of Disney World's 120-acre dining, shopping and entertainment district, called Downtown Disney. While the two flanking areas, MarketPlace and the West Side, also have nightclubs, they are parts of restaurants, appealing to broad crowds. In general, those areas appealed to families. Until recently, Pleasure Island has been mostly about nightclubs, and it created an awkward bridge between MarketPlace and West Side.

Other businesses on Pleasure Island, including a couple of restaurants, a cigar bar and a couple of clothing shops, will remain open. They already offer the broad appeal that Lansberry said Disney's patrons want from the rest of Pleasure Island. He did not offer specifics about what might replace the clubs, but said Disney was looking worldwide for restaurant and shopping concepts.

In addition, Disney is sprucing up the other two areas, adding new restaurants, expanding and updating a band shell, and bringing in a giant, tethered balloon attraction, which visitors can ride in, going up 300 feet above Village Lake.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

OH NO! AC was the best!

 

[DWJoshua]

I just heard this and was about to post something on here...but you beat me! I can't believe that the last time I was in WDW was the last time I'll see all of those clubs! I spent a LOT of time there when I was a CP and have a lot of great memories on that Island!

...from what they have posted on the official PI website, it looks like they're going to replace them with restaurants and shops.

Okay...I'm going to go sulk now

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/myfox/p...n=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1

Disney’s Pleasure Island To Get Makeover

Last Edited: Friday, 27 Jun 2008, 9:29 PM EDT
Created: Friday, 27 Jun 2008, 9:29 PM EDT

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35, Orlando) -- Walt Disney World plans to close six nightclubs in its Pleasure Island entertainment district.


Disney will shut down the clubs -- which include BET SoundStage Club, Mannequins Dance Palace and 8Trax -- after Sept. 27.

Company officials said Friday they have a "bold new vision" for the entire tourist-friendly retail district called Downtown Disney. Officials said customers say they want more broad-based dining and retail options.

“We are committed to offering guests new and exciting experiences they can only have at Walt Disney World Resort,” said Downtown Disney Vice President Kevin Lansberry. “Our bold new vision for Downtown Disney reflects the feedback we receive from our guests each and every day and will enable us to continue to offer the high-quality entertainment that is our hallmark.”

Over the next year, the 120-acre entertainment-shopping-dining complex will add a number of one-of-a-kind, immersive experiences. They will also add a giant, tethered balloon that will take guests 300 feet into the air.


Among the highlights released by the company Friday:

• In fall 2008, guests will enter a world of prehistoric creatures at T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure. The dinosaur-themed family eatery will serve up pizzas, pastas, seafood and more, and will feature life-size animated dinosaurs that dwell among bubbling geysers, waterfalls and a fossil dig site.

• Also this fall, a design-your-own t-shirt store from Hanes will add to the growing collection of merchandise guests can personalize at Downtown Disney.

• E-brands Restaurants, an Orlando-based, multi-concept restaurant group, will premier its newest concept at Downtown Disney in spring 2009. The high-energy, casual eatery will feature authentic Central and South American cuisine, specialty drinks and live music along the waterfront.

Guests also will enjoy a brand new mix of shopping and dining experiences at Pleasure Island as it is transformed over the next two years.

“Our guests tell us they want additional shopping and dining experiences at Downtown Disney,” added Lansberry. “We are currently considering a number of unique concepts from around the globe as we re-imagine Pleasure Island and look forward to sharing our progress over the coming months.”

To make way for the new offerings, all of the clubs currently on Pleasure Island will close on Sept. 27. Other locations on Pleasure Island, including Raglan Road, Fuego by Sosa Cigars, Curl by Sammy Duval, Orlando Harley-Davidson and outdoor food and beverage locations will remain open during the transition.

Many of the Downtown Disney locations will undergo enhancements, including:

• Beginning this summer, Portobello Yacht Club will be transformed into a Tuscan Country Trattoria. The refreshed menu features authentic Italian dishes and signature favorites and a re-designed interior along with an outdoor dining space.

• This fall, Goofys Candy Company will add a special new room that will enable families to host one-of-a-kind birthday parties at Downtown Disney.

• The Marketplace Stage will be completely replaced with a larger, covered stage this fall to welcome even more entertainment to Downtown Disney and serve as a new premier venue for Disney Magic Music Days.

• Fultons Crab House will update its interior fixtures and furnishing and exterior in Spring 2009. The enhancements include a refreshed third floor deck dining area to offer additional Disney guests and larger private parties the traditional Fultons experience.

• Next year, Wolfgang Puck Café will update its interior fixtures and furnishings and will feature an enclosed glass patio offering guests a year-round outdoor dining experience.

These efforts come on the heels of recent enhancements at World of Disney, Wolfgang Puck Express, Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop, Earl of Sandwich and Capn Jacks Restaurant.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Make room for me in the sulking area..

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Sadly, this clearly specifies that The Adventurer's Club and the Comedy Warehouse are among the planned closures.

Pleasure Island FAQ
Q.What are the changes on Pleasure Island?
A. By September 28, 2008, all of the nightclubs on Pleasure Island will close. It will be last call for the last time at 8 Trax, The Adventurer's Club, Mannequins™ Dance Palace, BET Sound-Stage™ Club, Motion and The Comedy Warehouse.

Q. What will replace the nightclubs on Pleasure Island?
A. Downtown Disney® will feature an entirely re-imagined Pleasure Island. Based on Guest feedback, the nightclubs will be replaced by an extraordinary mix of dining and shopping - to be announced in the future - that will entertain Guests of all ages.

Q. What do the changes on Pleasure Island mean to a Pleasure Island Annual Passholder?
A. The closing of the Pleasure Island nightclubs will impact the Passholder's ability to use their Pleasure Island Annual Pass. Passholders who would like to request a pro-rated refund can stop by any Guest Relations location or Vacation Planning booth at the Walt Disney World® Resort or, call (888)-294-2691.

Q. What do the changes on Pleasure Island mean to a Walt Disney World® Premium Annual Passholder?
A. Beginning September 28, 2008, your Premium Annual Pass will no longer include admission to the Pleasure Island nightclubs.
The good news is that beginning June 28, 2008, Guests with a Premium Annual Passes will be able to play a round of golf at Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course—a relaxed, nine-hole walking course designed for the entire family! Tee times are required and subject to availability. To make a tee time, call 407-WDW-GOLF (939-4653) or visit disneyworldgolf.com.

Q.How do the changes on Pleasure Island affect my Water Park Fun & More ticket option at Walt Disney World® Resort?
A. As a Water Park Fun & More ticket option holder, you receive a certain number of visits to your choice of Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Disney's Blizzard Beach® Water Park, DisneyQuest ® Indoor Interactive Theme Park, Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex or the Pleasure Island nightclubs.
Beginning June 28, 2008, you can also choose to use a visit to play a round of golf at Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course, a relaxed, nine-hole walking course designed for the entire family. Tee times are required and subject to availability. For tee times, call (407) WDW-GOLF (407-939-4653) or visit disneyworldgolf.com.

By September 28, 2008, all the Pleasure Island nightclubs will close. So beginning September 28, 2008 the Water Park Fun & More ticket option will no longer include admission to the Pleasure Island nightclubs.

 

[zulemara]

I just heard this and was about to post something on here...but you beat me! I can't believe that the last time I was in WDW was the last time I'll see all of those clubs! I spent a LOT of time there when I was a CP and have a lot of great memories on that Island!

...from what they have posted on the official PI website, it looks like they're going to replace them with restaurants and shops.

Okay...I'm going to go sulk now

agreed 100% my next CP experience in January simply will not be the same. I have so many sentimental ties to PI
::sigh::
/sulk

 

[jharrowell]

My comedy warehouse! my beautiful comedy warehouse!



Forget the budget, I've got to get over to WDW again before Sept 27th...

 

[rpmdfw]

I'm not going to get too in depth here. I'm VERY upset by this. The Adventurers Club has been our second home since we moved here.

I'm literally sick to my stomach.

Rob

 

[ConcKahuna]

I'm sure not all the contracts are finished yet, there still may be time for feedback. wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com is a place to start with it.

 

[ConcKahuna]

http://www.petitiononline.com/wdwaclub/petition.html

Here's an Adventurer's Club petition..

 

[Saxton]

http://www.petitiononline.com/wdwaclub/petition.html

Here's an Adventurer's Club petition..

ConcK - you beat me to it! I was just about to post that link. Disney has to realize how unique AC is and how much people love it. The petition can't hurt and maybe (fingers crossed) it will help.

On a side note, I've actually only been to the AC once. I was down with friends in April and we planned to go but never made it. I've got trips scheduled for October and December but now I'm thinking of adding on a trip in September ... so maybe they'll be making money off of this!

 

[M4travels]

When all the nasty rumors started (well, I guess they've been out there for some time) we got real nervous that AC would be closed before we got there at the end of August. I'm so sorry to hear that it's going but so glad that we've actually got some time booked to go. We'll definitely be going either Aug 30 or 31. Maybe we'll catch some of you there.

Michael

 

[simpilotswife]

Looks like I am going in the nick of time!! Kungaloosh!!

 

[Viki]

I'm not going to get too in depth here. I'm VERY upset by this. The Adventurers Club has been our second home since we moved here.

I'm literally sick to my stomach.

Rob

I'm with you the Adventurers Club is some of the most original entertainment at WDW...

 

[rpmdfw]

http://www.petitiononline.com/wdwaclub/petition.html

Here's an Adventurer's Club petition..

Already over a hundred signatures. I also posted the link on the Adventurers Club Yahoo group. 511 members there, that'll spread the word quickly. I believe they're also starting a letter writing campaign.

Here's the link the the yahoo group if anyone is interested. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Adventurers_Club/

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Well, we will definitely have to pop in during our August trip! DH likes to gripe about the things we missed. Like the TimeKeeper (which was closed before we went on our first trip). And the Wonders of Life pavilion (which was open during ONE Christmas trip but I forgot about it. ) We need to make sure we get to see the AC in case it does close!

 

[twistedmickey]

UGH!!! Gay Days wont be the same without a crazy Thursday night at Mannequins. It will become one big Disney mall. Its all about the money.

I am hoping to go there on closing weekend. I have to have one more spin on the Mannequins dance floor. I will miss it.

 

[rpmdfw]

We need to make sure we get to see the AC in case it does close!

Sadly, I'm afraid it's not a "in case it does close" it's a "before it closes".

We spoke to the cast members and performers at the club last night. It's a done deal. They've already started talking to the performers about other positions that they might be able to fill within entertainment.

I hate this.

I haven't slept. My stomach has been in knots since last night. We won't be able to talk to our wedding planner until Monday at the earliest.

My heart hurts.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Ah no. {{{hugs}}} This is so hard on you, isn't it?

I wonder if the AC couldn't just change venue? I mean, can't they simply move it to the Boardwalk or something?

May I say this? Should I say this? Feels a bit like taking out an entire section that was supported by family.