Pleasure Island Changes

[David Welty]

No one seems to know what exactly will be changing at Pleasure Island. I know whenever there is a change to DTD at DLR. There is accurate (usually) information posted months before (on non-Disney Websites). Am I just not looking in the right place?

[dvcconvert]

Am I just not looking in the right place?


DTD op's in DLR vs WDW are very different in many ways. I don't think you're "looking" in the wrong places :)

Time will tell as far as to what develops at WDW's version of DTD :)

[tjkraz]

David,

Like convert said, nobody seems to know what the long-term plan is for DTD. In case you haven't been keeping up, there have already been a slew of changes in the last couple of years:

* Pleasure Island is no longer a gated community. I believe there are only two clubs (Adventurer's Club and Comedy Club?) that require paid admission. The rest of the area is freely accessible all day long.

* They no longer celebrate New Year's Eve (with fireworks) on a nightly basis.

* One of the oft-used outdoor stages has been permanently removed.

* A dinosaur-themed restaurant run by the folks behind the Rainforest Cafe has been confirmed and is set to open in 2008.

...and I'm sure there are more things I'm forgetting.

As far as Pleasure Island is concerned, I think that the addition of Raglan Road and the new dino themed joint signal that Disney is more interested in being a landlord than they are in being an owner/operator. It would surprise noone if more outside operators are brought in over time.

As for rumors, the most substantial revolves around DisneyQuest. A few months back Jim Hill Media reported that DQ would close in '08 and be replaced by an "ESPNZone." There are a number of ESPNZones around the country--it's basically the next step in the evolution of the BoardWalk's ESPN Club with the addition of arcade and interactive games. I've heard most are expansive, multi-level structures, so the DQ rumor doesn't seem too far out in left field. Key points in Jim's argument were:

1. DQ was designed to be a franchise...and it failed. The only other location to open was in Chicago, and it's long gone.

2. DQ hasn't seen a new attraction open this decade. Why else would Disney be completely neglecting it other than for financial reasons?

3. Given the interactive component of the ESPNZones, many of the pricey attractions at DQ could be easily incorporated.

Disney, of course, denies that DQ is on the chopping block, so this remains a "wait and see" situation.

The future of the Adventurer's Club could also be up in the air. I don't think there are any firm answers, but it's more of a "writing is on the wall" deal. It takes a lot more CMs to staff that place than a run-of-the-mill bar and if people aren't paying the admission fees or using their PLUS options, they just won't be able to keep it open.

There was a great article on MiceAge.com a few months back that really outlined a lot of things that have gone wrong at DTD. Unfortunately it looks like the article may have been archived. Too bad--it was a great read.

[Leftcoaster]

All of the dance clubs still require admission. You can purchase a single club admission for $10 and the multi club admission is, $21. For Adventurer's Club and Comedy Warehouse, you must purchase the multi-club pass.

The Adventurer's Club is apparently pretty safe these days. The club is often rented out earlier in the evening for private events and that seems to be making a lot of money for Disney. This is according to a performer who is part of the Adventurer's Club Yahoo group.

[doombuggy]

For the clubs:

1 night multi-club ticket is $21.95+tax
1 night single club ticket is $10.95+tax (Adventures Club & Comedy Warehouse are not valid for this)

Admission to the clubs is restircted to guests 18 or older unless accompanied byt a guest 21 or older.

Some of these clubs are 18 and older on certain nights of the week.

As far as the construction goes, PI is undergoing a Revitalization Project. Part of that is the new resturant, T-Rex, a Prehistoric Family Adventure.

[ghost1000]

And according to the sheet I received when I renewed my DDE:

DOWNTOWN DISNEY Pleasure Island:
Half price admission to Pleasure Island Clubs for members and guest.

[kutchyone]

For the clubs:

1 night multi-club ticket is $21.95+tax
1 night single club ticket is $10.95+tax (Adventures Club & Comedy Warehouse are not valid for this)

Admission to the clubs is restircted to guests 18 or older unless accompanied byt a guest 21 or older.

Some of these clubs are 18 and older on certain nights of the week.

As far as the construction goes, PI is undergoing a Revitalization Project. Part of that is the new resturant, T-Rex, a Prehistoric Family Adventure.

Effective 01/01/07 the only clubs that anyone under the age of 21 can get into will be the Adventurers Club and Comedy Warehouse. Very disappointing to the two kids who will be with me in August and had planned on going to the few clubs that permitted kids under 21 with an adult. If my daughter didn't think the Adventurers Club was such a hoot I don't think we would be wasting a "plus" feature here.