So What's Coming to the New Pleasure Island?

[LuluLovesDisney]

I live in a city with the world record for most consecutive bars on one street and the world's largest six pack. Yet, the clubs that PI offered are the only escape from the beer drinking, country playing, smoke filled bars with a dance floor measuring a whole 10x10. At one time Mannequins was rated one of the best techno clubs in the country and the only reason that changed is because Disney let it change. I don't doubt that your bigger cities offer a different environment, but for people like me, Disney is the only clubbing I can ever dream about. Throw in the free transportation and I know I can be safe and still have a good time.

also FYI I wouldn't be surprised if the older women were European.

Since you mentioned "your bigger cities," I think you meant to quote Honey, not me. Just checking.

 

[EvilQueensandPixieDu]

I do hope they somehow go back to the old PI. Doubt it but hope.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I remember there being a beach club like bar with a live band. In NYC you can not smoke inside nor in Boston. And yes their age bothered me. When you're young you don't want to see someone your moms age grinding all up on two of her friends.

Unfortunately, the Rock'n'Roll Beach Club closed this past February, the first of the club closures. I was in the world-famous Pacha in NYC this past May and you most certainly can smoke. It was horrible! As for the middle-aged grinders, I know one of them and just don't recall who the other two were. But the one I know is married and her husband was there. She does seem to attract other girls and usually they're younger. When one of the top club and radio songs this summer is Katy Perry's I Kissed A Girl, their behavior is hardly unusual and similarly can be found in clubs all over the world.

Also FYI I wouldn't be surprised if the older women were European.

Actually, from what I've observed from my weekly visits, they're locals with an occasional tourist joining the grind; a couple hispanics too. They're just having fun.

BobK/Orlando

 

[EvilQueensandPixieDu]

The women with her were not young. To each their own I guess. I just hope that by the time I go back PI is revamped into something worth while. FYI you are not allowed to smoke in bar NYC unless it has an outside pavilion. I don't know about the smoking rule I guess. I know where I go out Oyster Bar and such, I always have to go outside and keep my GF company while she inhales cancer. HAHAAH

 

[zulemara]

Since you mentioned "your bigger cities," I think you meant to quote Honey, not me. Just checking.

yes probably. I often type very fast in between responding ot emails and browsing message boards. being self employed is tough

 

[cowza]

There is going to be a big hot air balloon you can pay to ride in like in the Disney Village at Disneyland Paris. I'm sure that was already announced though along with the t shirt store.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

There is going to be a big hot air balloon you can pay to ride in like in the Disney Village at Disneyland Paris. I'm sure that was already announced though along with the t shirt store.

My understanding is that the hot air balloon ride will be over in DD West Side, not Pleasure Island. Only the South American restaurant and t-shirt shop has been announced.

Hotel brochure racks around Florida now have an information "card" brochure (English on one side, Spanish on the other) entitled "Pleasure Island, What's In, What's Out, What's Up" and it explains all the clubs are closing. I've scanned it onto my blogsite at: http://www.savepleasureisland.blogspot.com

BobK/Orlando

 

[rpmdfw]

My understanding is that the hot air balloon ride will be over in DD West Side, not Pleasure Island. Only the South American restaurant and t-shirt shop has been announced.

Hotel brochure racks around Florida now have an information "card" brochure (English on one side, Spanish on the other) entitled "Pleasure Island, What's In, What's Out, What's Up" and it explains all the clubs are closing. I've scanned it onto my blogsite at: http://www.savepleasureisland.blogspot.com

BobK/Orlando

I just went to your blog and looked at the card. It's nauseating.

Just like every other response back to concerns that they're killing the magic, it's message is "We don't care what you want, you WILL be excited about mediorcre dining and increased shopping. You WILL want what we tell you to want! Here, look at the craptastic dinosaur restaurant. You'll love it!"

It all looks so "lowest common denominator" to me.

 

[cowza]

My understanding is that the hot air balloon ride will be over in DD West Side, not Pleasure Island. Only the South American restaurant and t-shirt shop has been announced.

Yeah you're most definitely right there. What I would love to see is a really unique Disney dining experience. The dinner shows they do in Orlando are so popular and Disney do a few of them like the Hawaiian one at the Polynesian and the one at Fort Wilderness. But there isn't one that *theatrical* really.

With the space they had there in Pleasure Island tho they could do something really special. Just a thought... but something like 'Mulan'... I can imagine acrobats and broadway style musical numbers.

Something like that would be VERY popular I'm sure!?

What do yall think? Mulan is just a passing thought... there's plenty of options. They could easily borrow influences from the Aladdin show at DL and do something with that. Or a Pirates of the Caribbean one. SO many options really!

 

[buf68]

They should totally build something like a Medival times, but focus it around mulan or some other disney character(s). They could totally do it and with the space on PI it would work. It would definately be a creative disney dining experience.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I just went to your blog and looked at the card. It's nauseating.

Well we know that the South American restaurant is going to turn into a club later in the evening with salsa and similar music and dancing. Presumably some of the other new restaurants will do similar. So how has the place become more family friendly? NOT. It's all a bunch of b.s.

BobK/Orlando

 

[buf68]

so it'll be family friendly daytime, party nightlife night time ? That would work...

 

[rpmdfw]

So, how is it that the Adventurers Club, already the most family friendly place on the island doesn't fit with this concept?

I can not believe that Disney can't find something to do with that space during the day.

Everything that they're telling us is a load of bull.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I have not heard anything going in PI or DTD that even comes close to a wow factor. Not even anything interesting, quite frankly.
I HOPE they prove me wrong.

 

[Jason71]

Yeah you're most definitely right there. What I would love to see is a really unique Disney dining experience. The dinner shows they do in Orlando are so popular and Disney do a few of them like the Hawaiian one at the Polynesian and the one at Fort Wilderness. But there isn't one that *theatrical* really.

With the space they had there in Pleasure Island tho they could do something really special. Just a thought... but something like 'Mulan'... I can imagine acrobats and broadway style musical numbers.

They should totally build something like a Medival times, but focus it around mulan or some other disney character(s). They could totally do it and with the space on PI it would work. It would definately be a creative disney dining experience.

You're both missing the point, I'm afraid. Disney, as a corporation, isn't going to do anything. They'll lease the space and let someone else build/run the operation (like Rainforest Cafe--there are similar RFCs across the country not on Disney property). Doubtful Disney characters will be involved, unless the 3d party operator is willing to pony up a licensing fee.

Did Disney ever officially claim the new PI would be more "family-friendly"? Or was that just spin/wishful thinking on the boards from the pixie dust crowd? Because right now the "new" PI will be the outdoor bars, a Harley shop, a cigar bar, and a two high-end restaurants that prominently feature bars. Find it hard to believe their PR people were that brazen.

 

[kstinw19]

A dinosaur restaurant?? Really?? Why??

I have four little kids, three of them boys, and they won't even be interested in a dinosaur restaurant.

I am really worried about this one...I will be shocked if it isn't just more stores and restaurants.

 

[AdventurerKat]

Wow, that brochure just makes it all sound so exciting, doesn't it?

 

[Forever42]

I have to laugh at being offended at the "old" people as I am having my 44th birthday at PI on Saturday - don't worry, I'll stick to the Adventurers Club where I probably won't offend anyone by just sitting in a chair (I hope)

We were there all evening on Saturday - wonder if we saw you?

Went over to Mannequins for the first time after the Hoopla and had a GREAT time (we're mid 20s) until DH lost our camera with 4 months worth of un-downloaded photos on it.

 

[cowza]

Well I was a CM at Disney World and when we were given the green light to tell guests officially about Pleasure Island closing, we were also told it was going to redeveloped into more family friendly shopping and dining experiences. That was the official statement.

We were told about the hot air balloon being launched in Downtown Disney like they have in Paris but anything else hasnt been officially announced yet.

To be honest I'm not really sure how much of the stuff in Pleasure Island is Disney owned or leased? If they own it they can potentially do anything they want I guess.

 

[Talking Hands]

Sorry,

The PI bus stops are closing for rehab and will reopen around Sept 12th.

Yikes! I'm going to PI on the 6th. Where will I be let off and how long will it take to get to PI? I will be using a power wheelchair. How long should I figure for getting from All Star Music to PI.