So What's Coming to the New Pleasure Island?

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I think a new building would be needed, as I don't really see how the current building could be used for a dinner show. In addition, according to another source, the building is in need of a fairly extensive refurb anyway.

One of the earlier rumors was that the Soundstage part of the building was going to be the restaurant site. Soundstage/AC are one building. One would pay a package price that would include AC shows in that section and then a meal in the other section. But the latest rumor was that the whole thing was coming down!

Unfortunately July is quickly coming to a conclusion and the only thing announced (which did confirm a rumor pertaining to personnel changes) was that Lansberry was moving on to greener pastures.

BobK/Orlando

 

[anthony2k7]

Unfortunately July is quickly coming to a conclusion and the only thing announced (which did confirm a rumor pertaining to personnel changes) was that Lansberry was moving on to greener pastures.

BobK/Orlando

which was good news for PI at least! not such good news for AK

 

[Maistre Gracey]

One of the earlier rumors was that the Soundstage part of the building was going to be the restaurant site. Soundstage/AC are one building. One would pay a package price that would include AC shows in that section and then a meal in the other section. But the latest rumor was that the whole thing was coming down!

Unfortunately July is quickly coming to a conclusion and the only thing announced (which did confirm a rumor pertaining to personnel changes) was that Lansberry was moving on to greener pastures.

BobK/Orlando

I also heard the end of July timeframe for an announcement, but now I'm hearing by September 28th?? (Whatever the one year anniversary is).

MG

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I also heard the end of July timeframe for an announcement, but now I'm hearing by September 28th?? (Whatever the one year anniversary is).

The September date I keep hearing as a possibility (or just wishful thinking) has to do with the D23 Expo. A lot of big Disney big shots are going to be there to entertain the attendees and there is speculation that some announcements will be made there.

http://d23.disney.go.com/expo/031009_EE_EXPO_TheD23ExpoComesToSoCal.html

BobK/Orlando

 

[zulemara]

As predicted, Starabillas has closed at DTD. The bold new vision just keeps gettin better!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Someone on another board posted that Motion and RRBC buildings will be coming down, possibly as early next month. The space that RRBC currently occupies will be the home to a building designed to look like a lighthouse and in the bottom will be a bar and a fast food hamburger restaurant.

If this rumor is true, I have to say Disney Imagineers really outdid themselves thinking this one up!

BobK/Orlando

 

[Traveliz]

Someone on another board posted that Motion and RRBC buildings will be coming down, possibly as early next month. The space that RRBC currently occupies will be the home to a building designed to look like a lighthouse and in the bottom will be a bar and a fast food hamburger restaurant.

If this rumor is true, I have to say Disney Imagineers really outdid themselves thinking this one up!

BobK/Orlando

You are so right about that - you just can't find a bar and a hamburger restaurant (fast food at that!) in any ole town! That will definitely draw me to the area. I am so thankful they have gotten rid of the clubs and the fun. NOT.

Liz

 

[mitros]

Someone on another board posted that Motion and RRBC buildings will be coming down, possibly as early next month. The space that RRBC currently occupies will be the home to a building designed to look like a lighthouse and in the bottom will be a bar and a fast food hamburger restaurant.

If this rumor is true, I have to say Disney Imagineers really outdid themselves thinking this one up!

BobK/Orlando

Was there an artists rendering on this other board , Bob? And could you tell me the name of the board where you saw this?

 

[Jason71]

Was there an artists rendering on this other board , Bob? And could you tell me the name of the board where you saw this?

As the guy who posted on the other board, I've yet to see an artist rendering, although I imagine there is one locked up in Imaginieering somewhere. Most of what is currently the Beach Club will be given over to patio seating.

Another aspect to the rumor is that McDonalds is to close (has been rumored for months now). So essentially, there is nothing new here--McDonalds will be replaced with a burger stand, and (presumably) PI Live will be moved across the walkway. It does show, however, that WDW has given up the idea of transforming DTD into "the new Sand Lake Road" and is instead trying to think up something else to do with this stretch of real estate.

 

[mitros]

As the guy who posted on the other board, I've yet to see an artist rendering, although I imagine there is one locked up in Imaginieering somewhere. Most of what is currently the Beach Club will be given over to patio seating.

Another aspect to the rumor is that McDonalds is to close (has been rumored for months now). So essentially, there is nothing new here--McDonalds will be replaced with a burger stand, and (presumably) PI Live will be moved across the walkway. It does show, however, that WDW has given up the idea of transforming DTD into "the new Sand Lake Road" and is instead trying to think up something else to do with this stretch of real estate.

OK, I'm confused. What do you mean by most of the Beach Club is given over to patio seating?

 

[DC7800]

Another aspect to the rumor is that McDonalds is to close

So there is at least one kernel of good news? About time.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

OK, I'm confused. What do you mean by most of the Beach Club is given over to patio seating?

Mitros, the lighthouse building will not take up that much space itself. The rest of that vast space where the RRBC building sits would, if this rumor is true, consist of tables and chairs to be used by those who ordered food or drinks from the take out windows.

As the guy who posted on the other board....

Jason71, I was wondering whether you and 71Jason were the same people. Had I known, I would have attributed the rumor to you. Appreciate you sharing the information.

BobK/Orlando

 

[TSR6]

Realistically, the AC has such an odd design...the open Salon, two side rooms not really big enough for restaurant seating, secret tunnels...that you couldn't easily use it for anything other than an interactive comedy club. Plus it's not set up to allow waterfront dining. If the Club goes, no reason for that building to stay up.

I miss the kitchen that was open in the '04-'05 range that would be open once every couple of days. You know, when the chef didnt call in sick..lol..

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Rumors continue out on the Island about Mannequins & 8TRAX reopening, possibly as early as October. Latest rumor includes AC reopening but of course that goes against the prior rumor that all the waterfront clubs were meeting the wrecking ball soon.

Where there's rumors, there's hope!

BobK/Orlando

 

[Scurvy]

Rumors continue out on the Island about Mannequins & 8TRAX reopening, possibly as early as October. Latest rumor includes AC reopening but of course that goes against the prior rumor that all the waterfront clubs were meeting the wrecking ball soon.

Where there's rumors, there's hope!

BobK/Orlando

Oh, I wish this would be true!

I think until the bulldozers come through (or until the relics are taken from the Adventurers Club) there's still hope. Someone could still change their minds and decide to give the clubs another chance. I don't really think it will happen, but I would be thrilled if it did. And I guess even if the clubs are demolished, someone could always decide to rebuild and reopen them.

Still, I was just thinking last night that I will be heartbroken when the Adventurers Club is gone - so it's nice to hear a positive rumor today. Thanks, BobK!

 

[rpmdfw]

We were at Downtown Disney a little over a week ago (had to spend the birthday giftcard and figured why not get the AP discont at World of Disney . . . )

It REALLY bummed me out. The Adventurers Club had become a birthday tradition for us, so I was missing it anyway. And we hadn't been back to Pleasure Island since the wedding (the day after the club closed) But walking through and seeing the place empty was so sad.

Made me sick to my stomach. I can't imagine how it'd feel if they tear it down.

 

[patsal]

All I can share is that it was one boring 2 week vacation with nothing to do during the later evenings. I'm not even sure I want to do another 2 week vacation without something reopening. We were tossing around the idea of City Walk maybe for next year as an alternative. It is just so sad there.

 

[stitchineeyore]

Our whole family agrees! Our oldest son has no interest in going back to WDW. We were premium annual passholders for years, but downgraded to regular APs due to the closing of PI. We all loved the Comedy and Adventurer's Clubs. Our kids are 21 and 27, and we could all enjoy some great entertainment together there. Hope these rumors are true!

 

[anthony2k7]

Ok I know most people will claim to dislike mcdonalds - but surely by closing their DTD site that would be yet another less reason for many people to go there?

I'm sure the bean counters at Disney have come up with the fairly simplistic thought that "Hey McDonalds is so popular, but they pay us so little rent... what if they weren't there anymore and we opened our own burger place there?" But in reality a no name burger restaurant with at best average food wont make people go out of their way to visit DTD as much as people would for a known dependable place like mcdonalds.

It was bad enough when DTD was losing the best reasons for people to visit. But now its getting to the point where there is NO reason for people to visit DTD.

 

[Jason71]

Posted this on the other board as well, but adding here...

First stage of the PI demolition will be the old DJ booth, which will be turned into an outdoor upstairs patio for Fuego. The demolition of Motion/Beach Club will follow next year. Someone posted it will happen in May, but that is their info, not mine.

Re: the AC reopening. I would love it more than anyone, but at least a half a dozen CMs from all over property have said the artifacts are being removed in October and shipped to Hong Kong. Moreover, there hasn't been a peep about actor auditions or a push to hire bartenders and staff. One PI insider told me flat out no, none of the clubs are set to reopen. And this rumor has been around in some form since last October. I want to believe, but at this point it would contradict all the evidence.