Save the Adventurers Club

[lugnut33]

I was perusing Youtube today and came upon an amazing video. It shows what has to be the most magical moment that I have ever seen come out of any Disney park, and of all places it is at the Adventurers Club!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oX7-W0vSPA

I was there on that night sitting behind the guy taking the video. So glad I got to see the Adventurers Club before it goes the way of Mr. Toads Wild Ride (of course I can go to Dinseyland to ride that).

 

[Scurvy]

Here's another magical Adventurers Club moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY1zY7FQgIE

This one's from Friday night, and I don't think there was a dry eye in the house when it was finished. What you can't really tell from the video is that they got a standing ovation afterward - the whole crowd was standing and clapping more than I've ever seen.

I'm at WDW now for my last few nights at the Club and the cast is better than they've ever been. I've had the best time the last couple of nights, but of course it's bittersweet because I know once I leave on Tuesday I won't be back again. I'm so glad I was at the Club for that moment, though. It starts out so silly but it really was the most touching moment I've ever seen there.

 

[Disneydonnam]

WOW what an AWESOME thread. I LOVED reading all your posts on this.

 

[BarleyJack]

Sadly we've never been to the AC, but will be there the week before its scheduled closing and plan to go. My brothers visit WDW a lot more frequently than I get to, and this is a must do for them so I signed the petitions.

Love the clip of Christian helping with the Lion's Den song...hysterical!

Here's to hoping our first trip there won't be our last!

 

[APB513]

Here's another magical Adventurers Club moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY1zY7FQgIE

This one's from Friday night, and I don't think there was a dry eye in the house when it was finished. What you can't really tell from the video is that they got a standing ovation afterward - the whole crowd was standing and clapping more than I've ever seen.

I'm at WDW now for my last few nights at the Club and the cast is better than they've ever been. I've had the best time the last couple of nights, but of course it's bittersweet because I know once I leave on Tuesday I won't be back again. I'm so glad I was at the Club for that moment, though. It starts out so silly but it really was the most touching moment I've ever seen there.

Thanks for sharing this video Scurvy. Please have a Kungaloosh for me!

 

[BillSears]

Here's another magical Adventurers Club moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY1zY7FQgIE

This one's from Friday night, and I don't think there was a dry eye in the house when it was finished. What you can't really tell from the video is that they got a standing ovation afterward - the whole crowd was standing and clapping more than I've ever seen.

I'm at WDW now for my last few nights at the Club and the cast is better than they've ever been. I've had the best time the last couple of nights, but of course it's bittersweet because I know once I leave on Tuesday I won't be back again. I'm so glad I was at the Club for that moment, though. It starts out so silly but it really was the most touching moment I've ever seen there.

That was wonderful!!!! Thank you for posting.

 

[BarleyJack]

this thread deserves a good cause bump

 

[WDW_Fanatic]

Here's another magical Adventurers Club moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY1zY7FQgIE

This one's from Friday night, and I don't think there was a dry eye in the house when it was finished. What you can't really tell from the video is that they got a standing ovation afterward - the whole crowd was standing and clapping more than I've ever seen.

I'm at WDW now for my last few nights at the Club and the cast is better than they've ever been. I've had the best time the last couple of nights, but of course it's bittersweet because I know once I leave on Tuesday I won't be back again. I'm so glad I was at the Club for that moment, though. It starts out so silly but it really was the most touching moment I've ever seen there.

After spending everyday this week at the AC, this was my final Hoopla! I couldn't have asked for a better end to my time at the AC. This truly exhibits the magic that permeates every room, nook, and cranny of this building.

I don't know if any of the cast frequent this board, but I sincerely thank them for all the hard work they do to make this club as wonderful as it is. I only began visiting last January, and I know that I will forever cherish and remember the 9 fantastic nights I was able to spend here!

I really hope that Disney either changes their mind about this or reopens the club at a new location. This is a true Disney gem that will be sorely missed! At least I know that the adventure will live on in our hearts, minds, and memories!

Kungaloosh everyone!

 

[APB513]

This video was taken the night we were at the Adventurer's Club

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWalN8ugPPo

I was searching YouTube and happened to find it.

My kids were excited when I showed it to them. This is a GREAT souvenir!

 

[Master_Gracey]

More Disney News scans, this 1988 article featuring the plans for the up and coming "revolutionary concept in Disney entertainment" Pleasure Island!

Disney News: Summer 1988

Sigh, if only costs were not cut in the building of Pleasure Island, the family aspect of the Island wasn't lost in translation, and turnstiles were not removed, then we probably would not be in the mess we have today. Interesting news to tell as well, two of my friends, who work in Disney's Entertainment Main Gate Office, have mentioned, that Disney has concerns about Universal opening the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction and is about to launch a huge marketing campaign because of it. Also, an Imagineer who originally designed the Adventurers Club has put in a personal request to redesign it for the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the plans are still on the table. So Adventurers, there is still hope, and the fight is far from over. Even after Sept 27th, we must keep flooding executive offices with letters, e-mails, phone calls, ect. so they will see that Adventure must continue, we are not going to disappear, and give the green light to the rebuilding of our beloved Adventurers Club. Meanwhile, attend the Adventurers Club and purchase a Kungaloosh or two in an Arnie & Claude glass and toast to the possibility that we will see out beloved Club rise again! Till next time Adventurers:

Some days you eat the mouse.
Some days the mouse eats you.
But never give into the mouse without a fight!

KUNGALOOSH!​

 

[Scurvy]

Master_Gracey, thanks for posting that! It was so funny to read it and notice the name changes that have happened. I didn't remember that the Yakoose was ever supposed to have a different name, and I can't imagine Claude and Arnie being "Comedia" and "Tragedia".

I also don't believe the fight is over yet. I continue to hear rumors that Disney is considering reviving the Adventurers Club at some point, though maybe not as soon as we might hope and maybe in a different location (and with some changes). I was there Labor Day weekend and was asked by a CM on PI if I would take a survey when I got home. The survey had lots of questions about the Adventurers Club, so either the questions are very outdated or they are getting feedback while they consider reopening the Club someday.

Maybe it no longer fits with Disney's "bold new vision" of DTD, but that's okay - I don't think I fit their "bold new vision" of outsourcing at DTD, either. I won't miss the rest of DTD at all and I don't intend to go there again after the Club is gone. Still, especially given recent crowds, I don't think anyone can say that the Club is no longer popular or relevant. And just imagine if they had been selling the collectible cups and other merchandise over the years - they would have made a fortune! I still firmly believe that someone at the Disney Company is smart enough to bring the Club back somewhere on Disney property. I believe Disney is still in the "magic" business, even if Downtown Disney no longer is.

 

[lugnut33]

So, I wonder if this is the same Carradine they refernence in the article?


'Architect who became Vice President of Walt Disney Imagineering."

"Brother of Keith Carradine and Robert Caradine' and half-brother of David Carradine."

Would be interesting if somebody could track him down and ask what he thinks?

 

[lugnut33]

Here's an old article talking about the two restaurants at DD that were selected in 1988

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_n1_v22/ai_6306839

 

[lugnut33]

If PI didn't exist in our worlds, but let's say today Disney came out today with an announcement that they were going to build PI exactly like it's being described in the article Master-Gracey posted, would you be excited? Would it be on your list of things to do?

 

[DutchsMommy]

Thanks for the links, I've added our names. We love AC and hope we'll make a difference.

 

[Master_Gracey]

Adventurers, with one week left of our beloved Club, I just want to say, that now is not the time to give up and march into the sunset singing the song of Adventurers. Now is the time that the battle really needs to get started. While the flood of “Save the Adventurers Club” letters, emails, phone calls, ect. have been sent to Disney Executives, soon we will need to send “Bring Back the Adventurers Club” paraphernalia! While Disney took notice that there is a huge demographic of Adventurers wanting their club to stay, they also need to know that after Sept. 27th, we are not going away. Jennifer Harmless, on the “Save the Adventurers Club” Facebook Group posted this message:

I just posted this on the Yahoo group, but I want as MANY people as possible to do this!! Ok, so we all pretty much KNOW that the Adventurer's Club is closing, but what if they do have some plans to reopen it? What if they are still considering those plans? What if they get thousands of phone calls, letters, emails, pictures, maps, etc., in the next few weeks/months? This COULD make a difference in the potential future of this AMAZING club!

I beg every single one of you to call all the numbers you can find, email all the addresses you can find, multiple times from multiple addresses if you can, and send them letters. Write two or three to each person. Keep them short and simple, the more the better. Also if you have any old pics from previous trips, make copies and mail those in with a note that says something about how much it meant to you, or how angry you are that it is being taken away.
Disney LIVES on guest satisfaction. Make it glaringly obvious how DISSATISFIED we are with their decision. Tell them very clearly that any change to the club, other than perhaps making it a little larger, would be DISASTROUS. TAKE ACTION PLEASE! If all of us can do this it just might make a difference, and wouldn't that be worth it?

I'm working on postcard images and other graphics to use to send to Disney. I want all of us to hit Disney HARD to force them to reconsider their decision. If anyone wants some images to used or wants to request particular graphics for their own "save the AC" campaign please let me know.
my email is harmless@gmail.com

As far as any of my contacts in Celebration know, there is nothing definite going into the Adventurers Club area, so there is still a possibility of getting the club back in its original location! So adventurers, I leave you for now with original concept art of Pleasure Island, and the Adventurers Club Main Salon. Until next time:

Some days you eat the mouse.
Some days the mouse eats you.
But never give into the mouse without a fight!

KUNGALOOSH!​

 

[wdwtheplacetobe]

I signed a petition to keep AC when this was first announced.

I also wrote a letter, explaining that AC was our first date, my DH went there for "Bachelor Party", and we went 12 hours after we were married at Disney....etc. I received a polite 'we understand, but we're closing it, anyway'.

My question is: How on earth can they equate AC with the rest of PI????

 

[Master_Gracey]

Dear Fellow Adventurers,

Well, here we are after three months of emails, letters, phone calls, blood, sweet, tears, ect, and the time has come for phase two of the “Save the Adventurers Club” Campaign, the “Return the Adventurers Club” Campaign! Disney Executives have taken notice of the mass amounts of guest displeasure at the announcement and actual closing of our beloved club, and rumors are flying out of control like the Hathaway Browne’s Gypsy Moth!

One source says Animal Kingdom Lodge will be the new sight of Adventure. Another source tells of EPCOT’s United Kingdom Pavilion taking in the Permanent Members. Sill other sources tell of a Disney Cameraman with a Disney Manager filming one night at the Club, someone overhearing them talking about the footage being compiled into a “training video”, mentioning that the Adventurers Club Main Salon, Library and BET Soundstage would be the new Adventurers Club, and that the reopening will occur in as little as two months! Which is true? Which is false? I do not know but I do know this.

The Executives were expecting a response from the closure announcement; however they were not prepared for the volume of dissatisfaction. In the following weeks, months and if need be years, the Executives need to continue to have their desks, computers and phones stuffed with messages saying that we want Adventure to return ASAP and sooner! If the messages stop, they will then sit back and say to themselves they were right, and no one cared about the Adventurers Club in the first place, However, if the messages continue to pile up They will see that movement will not be going away until we Adventurers have a new place to gather, enjoy a Kungaloosh and listen to the exploits of Hathaway Browne, Pamelia Perkins, Otis T. Wren and so on.

Please Adventurers, continue the fight! Our cause is justified. I was in attendance on the last night and witnessed that the Final Hoopla (for a while) consisted of 150 people inside the Library, 200+ inside the Main Salon and 100+ in the extended outdoor Queue, watching the event on the Plasma TVs! This kind of crowd does not appear at an unpopular attraction that deserves to close. So once again, here are the important addresses and websites devoted to preserving the greatest Disney Attraction of all time!


Petitions:
Save a Part of Walt's Legacy
http://www.petitiononline.com/wdwadvcl/petition.html

Save the Adventurers Club!
http://www.petitiononline.com/wdwaclub/petition.html


Letter Writing Campiagns:
Kungaloosh Forever
http://www.kungalooshforever.com

PeterDavid.net
http://peterdavid.malibulist.com/archives/006323.html

Executive Addresses:
Mr. Robert Iger
Chief Executive Officer
The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4873

Peter Murphy
Personal Adviser to CEO Robert Iger
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91521

Roy E. Disney
Director Emeritus, The Walt Disney Company
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91521

Mr. James A. Rasulo
Chairman
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4873

Meg Crofton
President
The Walt Disney World Resort
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Al Weiss
President
Worldwide Operations
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
PO Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Jim Lewis
President
Disney Vacation Club
200 Celebration Place
Celebration, FL 34747

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

Walt Disney World Guest Relations
P.O. Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830


Executive E-mail Addresses:
Bob Iger, Vice President of Operations, Walt Disney World
Robert.A.Iger@email.disney.com

John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney/Pixar, Principal Creative Advisor of Walt Disney Imagineering
jl@pixar.com

Kevin Lansberry, Vice President of Operations Downtown Disney
kevin.lansberry@email.disney.com

Meg Crofton, President Walt Disney World Resort
meg.crofton@disney.com

Jay Rasulo, Chairman Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
jay.rasulo@disney.com

Al Weiss, President Worldwide Operations - Disney Parks and Resorts
al.weiss@disney.com

Barry Carlson, GM of Operations
barry.r.carlson@email.disney.com

Kris Piser, DTD Finance Manager
Kristine.piser@email.disney.com

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com


Media Pages:
Facebook Group:
http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=17614776169

Myspace Group:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=392 612672

Adventurers Almanac
http://www.2719hyperion.com/search/label/Adventurers%20Almanac

Others:
http://www.savetheadventurersclub.info

http://adventurersclub.ning.com


Forum Threads:
WDWMagic
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=325622

Mice Chat
http://micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/save_adventurers_club_pleasure_island-99204.html

Mouse Planet
http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=107402

The DIS Disscussion Forums
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=26811610#post26811610

Walt Disney Boards
http://www.waltdisneyboards.com/showthread.php?t=2523

Some days you eat the mouse.
Some days the mouse eats you.
But never give into the mouse without a fight!

KUNGALOOSH!​

 

[TLinden16]

Since this isn't really about trip planning, and has been bumped up, we're going to move it over to the theme parks community board now.

 

[MainStreetFireman]

Keeping my fingers crossed that some official positive comment gets posted here.