Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<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>> Yeah, there aren't enough restaurants in WDW. And I really wish there was an Old Navy and Foot Locker store in DtD. <<--rolls eyes
Originally Posted By Malin I can see why wanting to close down a few of the night clubs may be in the best interest of Guest, as night clubs stick out a bit at what is meant to be a family Resort, but is it really wise to close down venue's like the CW and AC, which have a loyal fanbase and offer to some guest an alternative evening to a park or movie.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I find it hard to believe the Waldorf Astoria and the Hilton will be opening a Huge new resort /golf complex on WDW property and Disney does not have any plans to improve and deliver something by Sept 2009.I can just see Hilton agreeing to build without any promises on the Future plans by Disney.Let's rethink this one.
Originally Posted By Trinitys Ghost In reference to the rumor Jim Hill brought up earlier in the year, it'd be nice if it were to come to fruition, but I tend to take his information with a grain of salt. On wdwmagic I read a thread also on this topic, and a person who either attended the CM meeting last night (or a friend of a CM) noted DTD Prez Kevin Lansberry held a meeting with PI CM's last night and informed them of the upcoming changes. While this has been swirling around as rumor for years now, many didn't think it would be happening, let alone so soon (and encompassing all of the clubs). This I cannot confirm, but the person posting their account did say Kevin said they have no plans to resurrect the AC. I'm not sure what to think of PI as a whole as it has been gutted over the years and much of what was there (stages, New Year's show, shops) are empty stores, save the clubs, a few new stores and restaurants. I enjoyed Manniquins the few times I went there with friends, CW and most especially the AC. I've been to the AC many times over the 19 years it's been open. I grew up going to the club, and lately I've enjoyed bringing in new members to the fold to show them what a unique, fun experience it is. It's such a shame that it will be gone come September's end. I wish it wasn't included on the chopping block. I live closer to Universal, but won't be going there come October to experience a safe, yet fun night out with friends or family.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey I do agree that PI is a shell of it's formerly heavily backstoried self. I visited for the first time in years in February, and I still enjoyed it, but it certainly wasn't crowded. The drinks were also ridiculously overpriced ($5.75 for a Heineken?). If they reverted to the former theme (Merriwether Pleasure, anyone?) I would be quite excited about a new configuration; however, if it's going to be a million and one Landry's restaurants, I'm pretty bummed out. I'm assuming Raglan Road will remain open, yes?
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey I read the Jim Hill article - interesting, but not exactly up my alley, providing it even comes to fruition. I usually don't trust Jim Hill any further that I can throw him. And I hate the way that man writes - it's so condescending, like he's a god from on high benevolent enough to furnish information to we members of the lowly masses.
Originally Posted By barboy No more AC--- what a pisser! One of the top 10 features of anything at WDW.... be it a ride, show, dining, shop or activity.
Originally Posted By Trinitys Ghost Amen, barboy. It'll be hard finding other venues with similar night entertainment in the future, that's for sure.
Originally Posted By barboy Uinversal should somehow get their hands on the AC. Secure the rights, take the wall props, costumes and story lines, hire their actors, gut one of their shops in IOA's Port of Entry and go at it. Wouldn't it fit perfectly in the Port of Entry of Islands of Adv.
Originally Posted By juicer Is there a formal future plan for the PI area? Will the nightclub buildings be used or will there be a lot of demo. and rebuilding? I am assuming it will be like a continuation of the West End area?
Originally Posted By joe80x86 Hmm, guess I'm the odd one who is actually rather happy to see the place finally go. We used to drive from the resort to DTD if we had reservations for dinner at night just so we wouldn't have to deal with or expose our young children to the drunks who would get on the bus at the PI stop when we would be leaving DTD.
Originally Posted By bayrr326 "Hmm, guess I'm the odd one who is actually rather happy to see the place finally go. We used to drive from the resort to DTD if we had reservations for dinner at night just so we wouldn't have to deal with or expose our young children to the drunks who would get on the bus at the PI stop when we would be leaving DTD." Oh I am so sorry. What are adults supposed to do at night at WDW. Sit in there hotel rooms and bother no one. You other people besides families go to WDW. Now they have pretty much killed off their main place for nighttime entertainment. You know they go after the convention business and weddings, exactly where are these people going to go now to have a good time. Once again, surprise surprise, we have a short sighted decision by mgmt at WDW. You know so many things have improved in this company since Iger took over but one of those things is not WDW. TDR seems to be in good hands now but WDW continues to be run by a bunch of accountants and marketing people who seem to have no clue what their guests need. What are they gonna say to all the adults now who do come there and spend alot money when they ask what is there to do at night. Well, you could go eat at a restaurant or go see a movie or La Nouba. And when they ask hey do you have some sort of nightclub complex like Universal has, what are they gonna tell them, Oh we used too but we tore it down cause guests only want more dining and shopping that they can get anywhere. Yes, PI was a shell of its former self but it is still better than whatever lame ass crap they are gonna put in.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome This actually came up with friends in conversation yesterday while at Disney - that eventually all clubs would close (this was prior to us knowing that there was any news on it yet). I didn't expect the AC and CW to be axed so soon. I don't go to PI much - but the AC is extremely unique, and I am sad that it will be gone.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I find it hard to believe the Waldorf Astoria and the Hilton will be opening a Huge new resort /golf complex on WDW property and Disney does not have any plans to improve and deliver something by Sept 2009.I can just see Hilton agreeing to build without any promises on the Future plans by Disney.Let's rethink this one >> Uhm. Not sure what you're getting at or attempting to. But the Hilton plans have nothing whatsoever to do with any plans Disney has for PI and/or DD. None at all.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I'm assuming Raglan Road will remain open, yes?>> Yes. That's right. RR was actually the first of what Disney hopes/plans will be coming to that whole area. And while I enjoy it and find it to be a quality addition, most of what has been added at Westside and Marketplace is another matter. Look at all this talk about T-Rex, which is loud, in your face, aimed squarely at families with kids under 11, and just another Rainforest Cafe with crappy robot dinos. That's the reality of where future additions are headed. This isn't going to be an upscale project with restaurants like Spago or Le Cirque or retailers like Tiffany or Gucci opening outlets. This is squarely anywhere USA stuff. Exactly the opposite of what WDW is supposed to be about. (but don't tell the clueless execs and their equally lost consultants this)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I read the Jim Hill article - interesting, but not exactly up my alley, providing it even comes to fruition. I usually don't trust Jim Hill any further that I can throw him.>> Well, Jim is a big boy and even if you've been pumping iron after school, I doubt you could even lift the man. A lot of the info in that column though is dead on according to my sources. But since the word broke on first the Internet and then mainstream media, the project has faced a firestorm of negativity. Not the least was the fact that Disney's own internal surveys showed over 90% of the people PAID (some in upwards of $200 Disney Dollars) were still extremely negative about the concept. When last I heard, the designers were headed back to the drawing board and that was months ago as while Jay Rasulo loves the idea (he apparently never heard of Discovery Cove before), Bob Iger has never been sold on it fully. With the talking heads getting us prepared for $7 a gallon gas by fall (I think it's to encourage people to travel this summer), I sincerely doubt this project is ever getting off the ground. One person close to the project at an earlier point told me the other day that he wouldn't be surprised if the whole thing is DOA. <<And I hate the way that man writes - it's so condescending, like he's a god from on high benevolent enough to furnish information to we members of the lowly masses. >> Everyone has their own style, Nikki. That's just his. I don't particularly like it either. But worse, I have a nagging feeling that he makes many things up, including quotes. And that means he has next to no credibility with me.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<but WDW continues to be run by a bunch of accountants and marketing people who seem to have no clue what their guests need.>> No. It doesn't just seem that way. They truly are clueless. I bet if you took 5 WDW execs and placed them in a room and asked them random questions about the property that you pulled out of a hat, they'd have difficulty answering most of them. They are completely out of touch with anything that isn't bottom line or the latest marketing campaign. Look for Magical Celebrations in 2009. <<What are they gonna say to all the adults now who do come there and spend alot money when they ask what is there to do at night. Well, you could go eat at a restaurant or go see a movie or La Nouba.>> Yet this was the very question that started the process that developed PI to begin with. There was very, very little for adults to do at night beyond a hotel bar that usually had last call at 11:30. There are more adults than ever visiting WDW sans brats and why would they want to see a movie while on vacation? And how many times can you see La Nouba? This is just more stupidity from a godawful management team. <<And when they ask hey do you have some sort of nightclub complex like Universal has, what are they gonna tell them, Oh we used too but we tore it down cause guests only want more dining and shopping that they can get anywhere. Yes, PI was a shell of its former self but it is still better than whatever lame ass crap they are gonna put in.>> I dunno. People ask me when they hear me complain about things like the MK why I still go. My answer is usually along the lines of there's still enough enjoyment there, enough things to put a smile on my face. When that changes, I won't be there. Well, I realized last night that it may have been 4-5 years since I last went to any of the PI clubs (and not the two years I wrote). So, clearly for me, they had destroyed so much that just returning to see the shell wasn't pleasurable (pardon the pun) for me anymore. So while I sense a lot of sadness and anger from fans here, I'm just numb to it. I knew this was coming over three years ago. It was just a question of when. I won't be back before they shutdown for good. There's simply no reason.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Leaving DTD one evening after shopping, we saw tons of what looked to me like young streetwalkers heading in.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Here is the official Press Release, that was sent out late Friday night (Gee, Disney loves doing that to get the info on slow weekend days in the Media when it might not be the most popular decision...) Walt Disney World Resort Unveils Bold New Vision for Downtown Disney Plans Include New and Enhanced Shopping, Dining and Other Experiences Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (June 27, 2008) – Walt Disney World Resort today unveiled a new vision for Downtown Disney, with extraordinary new shopping, dining and other experiences including a completely re-imagined Pleasure Island. Also planned are numerous enhancements to popular Downtown Disney locations, as well as additional theming and storytelling brought to life by Walt Disney Imagineers. “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 for guests. Downtown Disney will even get its own iconic attraction, in the form of a giant, tethered balloon that will take guests 300 feet into the air to view the amazing vistas of Walt Disney World Resort. Other new experiences include: · 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. To complement these new experiences, many popular Downtown Disney locations will undergo enhancements. · 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, Goofy’s 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. · Fulton’s 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 Fulton’s 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 Cap’n Jack’s Restaurant.
