What should they do with Pleasure Island?

[eliza61]

So the rumor mill is ramping up ever since Disney said the MAY announce a make over in 2 weeks.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/25438789/detail.html

But if you had a vote in the decision, what would you like to see in that area?

I would not mind a comedy club. It doesn't have to serve alcohol or maybe a "live acts" type of place. some place with an "open mike" format where local artist could perform.

Any thing but more stores.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

A return of the adventurers club. Maybe more of the same but with different theming. Dinner/mystery theater.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I'd turn it into some popular outlet shopping area, charge some insane rent (b/c they can) the places will get lots of business and that will bring in a few non disney brands and places people can get some shopping done without leaving property. Even 15-20 popular stores could bring in a big bunch of business.

I'd also like to see Adventurer's Club come back, we never got a chance to go and vidoes and reports online look like it was a great place. But based on that report the permit is to doze that place so I highly doubt it will ever be coming back.

 

[WDW_lover_in_SC]

It won't be more stores I know for a fact the DTD is split into 3 sections. "Entertainment" "Dining" and "Shopping" (Marketplace PI and West Side) so it will be family friendly club atmoshperes imo.

 

[inaminute]

More stores? Yuck. I can shop anywhere--and can find cheaper prices.

Since they're not going to reopen any of the good nightclubs, I think they should just bulldoze the whole section and turn it into something like Central Park. Green grass, trees, fountains, etc. Just a nice park like area. Of course, that won't bring in the dollars, so it'll probably be more stores with the same old Disney stuff that's already in the parks and in the Disney Store. Of course, it won't affect us--we only go to Downtown Disney for Earl of Sandwich now. There is absolutely nothing there that appeals to us.

 

[DebbieB]

My bet is you will see at least a couple of large restaurants along the lines of Cheesecake Factory.

 

[notfrostyjosh]

Night kingdom!!!!

 

[WDW_lover_in_SC]

More stores? Yuck. I can shop anywhere--and can find cheaper prices.

Since they're not going to reopen any of the good nightclubs, I think they should just bulldoze the whole section and turn it into something like Central Park. Green grass, trees, fountains, etc. Just a nice park like area. Of course, that won't bring in the dollars, so it'll probably be more stores with the same old Disney stuff that's already in the parks and in the Disney Store. Of course, it won't affect us--we only go to Downtown Disney for Earl of Sandwich now. There is absolutely nothing there that appeals to us.

There is a park type area at Downtown Disney now. It's on the West Side right hand side.

 

[PSUGuy]

What should they do? Re-open the Adventurer's Club and the Comedy Warehouse exactly as they were, on a cover charge or X-drink minimum basis, the rest of it be damned.

What will they do? Sell us more overpriced merchandise plastered with their own trademarked characters and logos and open more second rate, overpriced restaurants.

Bill From Pa

 

[Robo]

A return of the adventurers club.

Re-open the Adventurer's Club and the Comedy Warehouse exactly as they were

I'd also like to see Adventurer's Club come back...

But based on that report the permit is to doze that place so I highly doubt it will ever be coming back.

Yes.
Based on the info in the news story,
they are specifically planning to tear down the Adventurer's Club building
(and another of the former clubs.)

 

[Robo]

It won't be more stores

1- I know for a fact the DTD is split into 3 sections. "
Entertainment" "Dining" and "Shopping" (Marketplace PI and West Side)

2- so it will be family friendly club atmoshperes imo.

1- Hmmmmmm. Not so much, as I see it.

Marketplace has several signature restaurants in addition to stores.
West Side has shops (used to have the HUGE Virgin MegaStore) and Cirque,
plus the "Characters in Flight" balloon ride.

Doesn't appear to be very well "divided into categories" by area.


2- I'd like it to be that, but I'm not very optimistic about it.

 

[JimmyV]

My prediction:
It will be re-made in the manner of Downtown Disney at Disneyland. Which is to say, it will be similar to what it was, only the establishments will be anchored by outside brands paying rent instead of Disney-owned and run establishments. Much more like the restaurants and bars at CityWalk. CW is crushing Disney in terms of night time entertainment. From talking to locals (whose support is essential to make a night time venue viable), they hated the PI cover charge and hated the kitchy Disney-run clubs. (Sorry to all of you who loved the Adventurer's Club and 8 Traxx....the local twenty-somethings hated those places). So while you probably won't see Pat O'Brien's or Jimmy Buffet's at DTD, I think you will find something similar. Nationally known names owned and operated by outsiders paying rent to Disney. Certainly not "hostile" to families, but not the family-friendly places you might imagine. The percentage of Disney visitors who hit those clubs from 10:30 on is pretty small. You need to appeal to cast members and locals, most of whom do not have nearly the patience for the Disney immersion experience that visitors do.

 

[WDW_lover_in_SC]

1- Hmmmmmm. Not so much, as I see it.

Marketplace has several signature restaurants in addition to stores.
West Side has shops (used to have the HUGE Virgin MegaStore) and Cirque,
plus the "Characters in Flight" balloon ride.

Doesn't appear to be very well "divided into categories" by area.


2- I'd like it to be that, but I'm not very optimistic about it.

That may not be the perception of DTD but when I was in orientation that's what they told us. Maybe I got WS and MP mixed up...I think I did now that you mention it. WS is entertainment. MP is Shopping. PI is dining. But essentially if you think about it it is broken down. You do most of your shopping at MP so there will of course be restaurants. PI is questionable as of now. But most of the live entertainment/cirque disney quest ect. is in WS.

You are right when you say they may have lost their sole identities but in Disney's eyes thats how they're set up.

 

[Magicbus]

My prediction:
It will be re-made in the manner of Downtown Disney at Disneyland. Which is to say, it will be similar to what it was, only the establishments will be anchored by outside brands paying rent instead of Disney-owned and run establishments. Much more like the restaurants and bars at CityWalk. CW is crushing Disney in terms of night time entertainment. From talking to locals (whose support is essential to make a night time venue viable), they hated the PI cover charge and hated the kitchy Disney-run clubs. (Sorry to all of you who loved the Adventurer's Club and 8 Traxx....the local twenty-somethings hated those places). So while you probably won't see Pat O'Brien's or Jimmy Buffet's at DTD, I think you will find something similar. Nationally known names owned and operated by outsiders paying rent to Disney. Certainly not "hostile" to families, but not the family-friendly places you might imagine. The percentage of Disney visitors who hit those clubs from 10:30 on is pretty small. You need to appeal to cast members and locals, most of whom do not have nearly the patience for the Disney immersion experience that visitors do.

I respectively disagree with all your predictions and assertions.

 

[Hugpug]

Bring back the Comedy Club and the Adventure Club. They should have never closed them in the first place. Right now Pleasure Island is nothing but a DEAD HORSE.

 

[brenalexacamp]

Bring back the comedy club! Reasonably priced dining and LIVE BANDS!

 

[Magicbus]

Bring back the comedy club! Reasonably priced dining and LIVE BANDS!

Based on what I've heard and experienced, I can't see that happening. The PI experience soured Disney on anything involving younger people and drinking. Other than the places that remain, I think Disney is resigned and content to let City Walk have the lions share of that market. Speaking for a lot of people that had to deal with the situation, good riddens. It was a real nightmare on a lot of nights.

 

[JimmyV]

Based on what I've heard and experienced, I can't see that happening. The PI experience soured Disney on anything involving younger people and drinking. Other than the places that remain, I think Disney is resigned and content to let City Walk have the lions share of that market. Speaking for a lot of people that had to deal with the situation, good riddens. It was a real nightmare on a lot of nights.

I agree with what you say which makes it odd that you would disagree with my predictions. Changing over to more of a 'Cheesecake Factory/P.F. Chang's/Buffalo Wild Wings' type nationally recognized franchise hub would seem to satisfy both the need to utilize the space as a profit-maker, and discourage the younger people drinking and partying. This is exactly what DTD is at Disneyland and I cannot see them reinventing the wheel. From what I have heard, Disney Corporate is taking over the space from WDW which pretty much eliminates any possibility of Disney operated "themed" establishments.

As for your disagreement with my assertions, I stand by them. The following points are irrefutable:
City Walk crushed PI in terms of popularity.
Locals hated the PI covercharge.
Locals hated the themed clubs.
Locals are essential to the success of an evening entertainment district.

 

[wendy1974]

I'm another one voting to bring the Adventurer's Club back but if what I'm hearing is true and they have a permit to bulldoze the building then they're probably thinking along different lines. But, if not the original Adventurer's Club then I think they should have something in the same theme. A fun place where Adults as well as children can go, almost like the DHS Streetmosphere Actors in a club.

 

[BamaFan121s]

I'd love to see it reopen as a more adult oriented section similar to what it was supposed to have been as PI. Only actually restrict it to adults only. Our trips to WDW are family affairs--me, DH, DD, mother, sis and BIL (with one on the way for them ). Sometimes we are together in the parks, sometimes we split up and go our own ways for a while. It would be nice to have a place more adult oriented place to go from time to time when DH and I venture off on our own.