Breaking News: Disney to close Pleasure Island!

Posted under Disney, Entertainment by Catherine on June 28th, 2008 1:10 pm

This entry is part 6 of 15 in the series Disney Trip Planning

Yes you are reading that correctly. On September 27, 2008, Disney will shut their doors to the popular night clubs that line Downtown Disney’s Pleasure Island. Over the course of the next year Disney will be turning what is Pleasure Island into a mix of dining and shopping - to be announced in the future - that will entertain Guests of all ages.

Why is Disney doing this? Well based on guest feedback, it was determined that Disney should be more family friendly everywhere. While I will admit I have been to the clubs on Pleasure Island before and have been less than impressed. Actually, sad that I paid for admission to go. But at the same time I understand and appreciate that there is (now was) a place adults could go without being in a family environment. It seems based on many message boards I go to that there is a large majority of Disney fans that believe all of Disney should cater to those with kids only and Disney is listening. I guess if I want to enjoy a nightclub scene while on vacation I’ll just venture over to CityWalk at Universal.

Maybe Pleasure Island wouldn’t have been doomed had it been built on one side of Downtown Disney rather than between the West End and the Marketplace. Maybe it wouldn’t have been doomed had Disney patrolled the area better and kept out the bad element. But then again maybe falling attendance was to blame. One will never know the real answer.

Currently there is a petition going around online to keep the Adventurer’s Club open (comedy club). If you are a fan and want your voice heard make sure to click the link and sign the petition. Disney is known for reading message boards and keeping up with things that are said online so you never know. Your signature could make a difference.

Adventurer’s Club Petition

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2 Responses to “Breaking News: Disney to close Pleasure Island!”

Duane, on July 6th, 2008 at 2:28 pm Said:

I will differ with you in regards to your negative comments that suggest the clubs were not impressive. From your “less than impressed” experience counts for your slanted views. If you know enough then you would know that Mannequins alone has a $5mil light, sound, and stage system. When used properly, as it was many a nights, the music and energy just from that one club alone was phenomenal. The 3 shows a night just in this club alone gave the “adult” guest something of there own to remember. As the time drew nearer and nearer, the Execs at Disney knew exactly what and how to maneuver to justify closing of the clubs. The day the turnstiles where removed and free roam of all ages was allowed spelled doom and those responsible knew it would happen. Honestly, what kind of POSITIVE feed back would guests give when their kids are exposed to adult night life after midnight, NONE… You mentioned “the bad element”. Where was that? I never heard of a club out there being “raided” or shut down due to violations. Keep in mind the drop in attendance started just after the last shake up of employees and Mannequins completed a refurbishment. At that time the “play list” was enacted and enforced. Music brings the crowds the crowds bring the money. I remember not too long ago that 1030pm in the club I would wait for 10-15 minutes for a beverage, due to the lines.
Long Remember the Good Times!!!
Catherine, on July 9th, 2008 at 3:56 pm Said:

While you have your opinion I have mine being that I have been there. Whether or not they have the best sounds, lights, etc doesn’t matter if they are boring and not worth the money people pay to get in because they will not go back. When I went it was in the middle of summer and the parks were packed. There is no reason it should have been dead but it was and just not worth the money I paid. I have been over to CityWalk multiple times and it is by far much better. Not sure why people prefer to go over there but they do and Disney saw that and thus the changes.

The bad element I allude to has been all over the Orlando Sentential’s website in the last couple of years. It refers to the crime that has increased and the increase in the unsafe feeling many visitors to the Disney area have expressed all over the internet.