So What's Coming to the New Pleasure Island?

[KYMickey]

Haven't you heard? The demographics are changing! People are getting older and want to be back in their rooms at 10pm now. (quote from Lee Cockrell on the DIS podcast cruise btw)

That's certainly a funny comment. Especially since older people without kids is what PI was built for and was the target audience. It wasn't designed for families with kids (who go to bed early!), it was designed for the 20 somethings without kids and older couples whose kids have already moved out. Certainly seems like those groups are still quite prevalent in today's society and actually the older couples probably have more money to spend than any other demographic group.

 

[bgohre]

I'm sure I'll get flamed here. But....I've been going to Disney since I was 17 years old, lets just say, I'm a "touch" over that rignt now. We generally go to Disney at least once a year and usually twice. I have never, and seriously, NEVER been to PI. I don't come to Disney to go Dancing, listen to DJ's or drink beer. Thats something that I can do at home anytime I want.

So to me, PI has always just been a big waste of space and money.

 

[rpmdfw]

I'm sure I'll get flamed here. But....I've been going to Disney since I was 17 years old, lets just say, I'm a "touch" over that rignt now. We generally go to Disney at least once a year and usually twice. I have never, and seriously, NEVER been to PI. I don't come to Disney to go Dancing, listen to DJ's or drink beer. Thats something that I can do at home anytime I want.

So to me, PI has always just been a big waste of space and money.

Pleasure Island was SO much more than just "drinking and dancing". If you never bothered to visit, you don't know what you missed.

I feel bad for you. By never giving it a chance, you missed the single most amazing immersive Disney experience that imagineering ever created: The Adventurers Club. Nothing we've ever done at WDW, Disneyland, DCL, or Disneyland Paris has come close to the "Disney Magic" we felt in that one building. It was the pinnacle as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Scurvy]

Pleasure Island was SO much more than just "drinking and dancing". If you never bothered to visit, you don't know what you missed.

I feel bad for you. By never giving it a chance, you missed the single most amazing immersive Disney experience that imagineering ever created: The Adventurers Club. Nothing we've ever done at WDW, Disneyland, DCL, or Disneyland Paris has come close to the "Disney Magic" we felt in that one building. It was the pinnacle as far as I'm concerned.

I agree with you 100%. I loved that place. No where else can even come close.

And bgohre, isn't it nice that we all have such different interests? I think princess stuff is nauseating, so to me the new Fantasyland is a huge waste of space and money (especially given that it primarily will appeal to young girls and not at all to boys or most adults). I know other people will enjoy it, though, and I don't begrudge them that. Dancing and drinking may not be my thing (at home or on vacation) but I know some people really enjoy that sort of thing when they are on vacation, so as a stockholder I think it's a mistake for Disney to turn their back on those people. Especially since it appeals to people of many different ages. Disney is forcing those people them to take their money off premises for their evening entertainment. I've been taking my money to a comedy club and a playhouse off premises at night now that the Adventurers Club is gone, and I'm not the only one. I think it was foolish and short sighted of Disney to eliminate these evening entertainment options. Oddly, a well known comedy club and a really nice new theater are being built in Orlando, so clearly someone realizes that people are still interested in that sort of thing. Someone will still be making money on that kind of entertainment in the evenings, but it won't be Disney.

 

[skier_pete]

Pleasure Island was SO much more than just "drinking and dancing". If you never bothered to visit, you don't know what you missed.

I feel bad for you. By never giving it a chance, you missed the single most amazing immersive Disney experience that imagineering ever created: The Adventurers Club. Nothing we've ever done at WDW, Disneyland, DCL, or Disneyland Paris has come close to the "Disney Magic" we felt in that one building. It was the pinnacle as far as I'm concerned.

Boy, you hit that one on the head....the PP comments sound more like the common Disney response "Why would I want to go to WDW, Disney is for kids!" AC was my very favorite thing in WDW, as it was for many others. True Disney entertainment aimed at an Adult audience. It wasn't about drinking or dancing, but the show. Sorry, PP, that you were unable to experience it.

If they announced they were re-opening the AC, I would book a trip tomorrow. (Of course, I already have a trip booked, but you get my point.)

SkierPete

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Pleasure Island was SO much more than just "drinking and dancing". If you never bothered to visit, you don't know what you missed.

I feel bad for you. By never giving it a chance, you missed the single most amazing immersive Disney experience that imagineering ever created: The Adventurers Club. Nothing we've ever done at WDW, Disneyland, DCL, or Disneyland Paris has come close to the "Disney Magic" we felt in that one building. It was the pinnacle as far as I'm concerned.

I also agree 100%. Nicely said!

MG

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

....Especially since older people without kids is what PI was built for and was the target audience. It wasn't designed for families with kids (who go to bed early!), it was designed for the 20 somethings without kids and older couples whose kids have already moved out. Certainly seems like those groups are still quite prevalent in today's society and actually the older couples probably have more money to spend than any other demographic group.

And those at conventions and meetings on Disney property or nearby. Those people want evening activities after their meetings are finished. Those people used to go to PI too. Other than Atlantic Dance Hall (which is not promoted and thus usually empty), those staying on Disney property have few nightlife options.

Bongo's can be decent some nights, but unfortunatly the only real nightlife at DTD any more is House of Blues (

I agree; was there this past Sunday night and it was packed.

BobK/Orlando

 

[dolphingirl47]

For the first time ever I set foot on Pleasure Island and Westside last weekend. Unfortunately I was never in the position to visit PI when the clubs were still open. I am sure I would have loved AC. Well, I found both those places seriously depressing. I cannot believe that Disney is just not doing anything with them. There were plenty of people there, but they had nowhere to go and nothing to do.

Corinna

 

[gemstone1952]

It is sad to see what is there now--I remember PI when it was "alive" at night. The stages, live bands, learning to dance swing when BigBadVoodoo Daddy played the West End stage. Fireworks, stilt walkers, confetti....every night and the clubs...amazing. All PI is now is a boarded up wasteland. My daughter was a "regular" at 8trax and the AC when we were at Disney. She does head over to Atlantic Dance and JellyRolls now when we are at Disney and she enjoys it, but she misses PI and what was there. We are from Massachusetts and I can still call her a regular because when we went to Disney, she didn't go out much during the day to the theme parks. She waited for the nightlife that was PI. Downtown Disney used to be a "must see" for us when we went to Disney and sometimes, we didn't (as a family) even go to a theme park at all and only went Downtown. Disney Quest, Earl of Sandwich, maybe some shopping and then PI at night. Great times, great memories......but only a shadow of it is left. Even the WestSide is looking more and more like a wasteland. We'll keep going as long as DisneyQuest is there, but if it goes we will probably not set foot Downtown at all except to eat at the Earl of Sandwich occassionally.

 

[anthony2k7]

Is the Diana exhibition still there or has that finally given up and closed? any new rumours what might take over that store once its available again?

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Is the Diana exhibition still there or has that finally given up and closed? any new rumours what might take over that store once its available again?

The Princess Diana exhibit is still there and is scheduled to run through November 30th. With nothing planned to replace it and with the holiday tourist season just ahead, it would not surprise me to see it's run extended into January.

Sources say that the Harley Davidson shop will be moving from its current location on Pleasure Island over to the location formally occupied by Starabillas and part of Mickey's Groove.

BobK/Orlando

 

[zulemara]

looks like the end is near for mannequins, or else they are just trying to make it look more generic. WDW has filed a permit to demolish the stairs on the backside of Mannequins. Those were fire exit stairs. So either they are gonna A) demolish the building B) reopen as something and not use the upper floors or C) let it sit and rot, but make it look less obvious(in their eyes)

 

[clkelley]

From Mouseplanet Weekly Update Construction Permits:

Pleasure Island PI Live bridge – mechanical demolition.
Pleasure Island Mannequins – exterior stair removal.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Pleasure Island PI Live bridge – mechanical demolition.

We believe that this refers to the "light bridge" that runs from the former PI Live booth over to what is now called the PI Live Bar. The rumor is that the booth is going to be removed so that Sosa Cigars can have an upper deck outside patio above Sosa for smoking and drinking. This is of course in keeping with making Pleasure Island more family-friendly.

BobK/Orlando

 

[gemstone1952]

Well, yeah....I distinctly remember hearing many parents saying their toddlers and kids were asking for a place where could enjoy a good smoke and fine wine after a busy day at the Magic Kingdom. Disney closed that family unfriendly PI, especially those "clubs" and "dance halls" to meet the needs of those kids. RIGHT.

 

[Jason71]

We believe that this refers to the "light bridge" that runs from the former PI Live booth over to what is now called the PI Live Bar. The rumor is that the booth is going to be removed so that Sosa Cigars can have an upper deck outside patio above Sosa for smoking and drinking. This is of course in keeping with making Pleasure Island more family-friendly.

BobK/Orlando

I'd heard the "catwalk" holding the TV outside PI Live Bar would be the first thing demolished, at around the same time as the changes to Fuego. So I think you're right, would make sense to do all that at once.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I'd heard the "catwalk" holding the TV outside PI Live Bar would be the first thing demolished, at around the same time as the changes to Fuego. So I think you're right, would make sense to do all that at once.

Yeah, there are the towers and that light bridge thing that is part of the catwalk over the sidewalk. I posted a picture of the light bridge/catwalk on the Save PI blog at: http://savepleasureisland.blogspot.com/2009/10/breaking-news-mannequins-stairways-to.html although you have to click on the picture to enlarge it and really see it.

BobK/Orlando

 

[mitros]

We did a one day visit two weeks ago, didn't see any new changes, going again in 3 weeks for a 2 day trip. Will look again at what's is or isn't happening.

 

[zulemara]

well it looks like Disney's attempt to get rid of the "Wrong element" has failed again! a man was arrested with a loaded gun at DTD on Thursday night
http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2009/10/man-with-loaded-gun-arrested-at-downtown-disney/

A robbery and an arrest for concealed carry. Obviously those icky, unsafe, immoral clubs were the culprit of such activity

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Downtown Disney is safer than nearly any other public place. The clubs being there or not being there did not change that. Sure there may be fewer incidents of disorderly conduct now but there never were many to begin with! I've heard people make reference to guard towers out in the parking lot but if my recollection is correct, the PI parking lot never had those. I think the few that exist are in the parking lots that serve the West Side.

BobK/Orlando