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Conference koolit::disney

Title:The Disneyphile's Disney File
Notice:This Conference can show you The World
Moderator:DONVAN::SCOPA.zko.dec.com::manana::eppes
Created:Thu Feb 23 1989
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:536
Total number of notes:19961

180.0. "Pleasure Island to become a gated attraction" by USCTR2::TOMYL (Joel R. Tomyl DTN 297-3188) Tue Apr 03 1990 23:42

    In the Amusement Business that I received today, dated April 2, 1990,
    on  the front cover there is a quick attention getter "NEW YEAR'S ON
    PLEASURE ISLE"
    
    Walt Disney World's Pleasure Island, the "nighttime adult theme park"
    in  Orlando, will become a gated attraction on April 7.  The $9.95 gate
    charge  will include all street entertainment and all six nightclubs. 
    Two of the  existing clubs have been repositioned as adult experiences.
    
    The main story appears on page 18
    
    NEW PRICING STRUCTURE, ENTERTAINMENT PLANS FOR DISNEY WORLD'S PLEASURE
    ISLAND ATTRACTION
    
    (I would also like to mention here that the story next to this one is 
    "Record Year Expected at Church Street Station.")
    
    By Tim O'Brien
    
    Walt Disney World's Pleasure Island, the behemoth's complex of
    nightclubs,  shows, restaurants and boutiques, will close down for a
    day on April 6 for a  transformation.
    
    When it reopens on April 7, it will be an adult-oriented, gated
    attraction  featuring a variety of street entertainment and club
    activities.  There will  also be a nightly New Year's Eve countdown and
    party.
    
    Opened in May 1989 in the Walt Disney World Village Marketplace,
    Pleasure  Island's main focus is its six themed nightclubs.  Since
    opening, the island  complex has had an open gate with a series of
    tickets available to the clubs.  One-, two-, three-, and all-club
    tickets were sold, with access to restaurants and shops free.  The
    one-club pass was $6; all clubs, $14.95. 
    
    Beginning April 7, there will be a $9.95 gate charge after 7 p.m.  The 
    admission includes entry to all six clubs and the New Year's Eve 
    celebration.  A season pass will cost $24.95.  The island will be open
    free  all day for shoppers.
    
    The main restaurants, Portobello Yacht Club and Fireworks Factory and
    the  Empress Lilly Showboat with its restaurants and lounge will be
    outside the  gated area.
    
    By gating the attraction, "new entertainment activities are now
    possible,"  said Charles Ridgway, director of press and publicity for
    Walt Disney  World, adding that more entertainment will be set up on
    the streets of the  island after 7 p.m.  "By gating the island, we are
    now (able) to concentrate  on adding more value-added elements."
    
    The idea of a gated attraction came very early in the life of Pleasure 
    Island, but officials decided to hold off and see how a free gate would
    work  out.  The results have been good and business was growing very
    well,  according to Ridgway.  "What we're doing now is making it even
    better.  We're  doing what people have told us they wanted," he said.
    
    At first glance, it appears Disney is doing something it isn't known
    for:   lowering the price.  But according to Ridgway, the prices are
    not really  being lowered.
    
    "We're just re-positioning how that money is spent.  In the long run,
    we'll  end up with the same revenues," explained Ridgway, adding that
    the new price  is an average of prices already charged.  "It's just an
    easier way of  charging," he said.
    
    Just before midnight each night of the year, New Year's Eve action
    starts on  the streets of the island.  At one end, a live band plays
    for those who wish  to dance in the streets.  At the other end, a local
    radio station will  broadcast live every night.  
    
    When the clock strikes midnight, people will be showered with confetti
    and  a fireworks show will begin.  Then, the lights will come up and
    the action  will continue as dancers appear on the rooftops lining the
    street.  In  addition to that action, each club will have its own New
    Year's Eve  celebration.
    
    Along with the overall theming, two clubs will be changed into 
    adult-oriented experiences.  XZFR will no longer have a roller skating
    rink  on its mezzanine level.  "The capacity for skaters wasn't very
    large," said  Ridgway.  "We'll now have more space for tables and
    chairs in the club."
    
    A beach party theme will dominate the club and the music will be
    switched to  live classic Rock'n' roll.
    
    Also in keeping with an adult emphasis, Videopolis, a club for the
    under-21  group will be converted into a progressive music club for
    adults.

    "The total environment we're creating is for adults," Ridgway told AB. 
    "Of  course, children will still be permitted in, but we want to keep
    it a  nighttime theme park for adults."
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
180.1Say it ain't soATE012::BERUBEMy Biscuits Are Burning!!!Wed Apr 04 1990 12:3423
    First off  let  me  say  that  I  like  the  idea  of a gated one price
    admission for all  the  activities, and the idea of a nightly New Years
    party/fireworks, sounds as if the PI experience is taking off.
    
    What  I  don't  like  is  the  elimination of the Under  21  clubs  for
    teenagers.  Lets face it WDW is a Family Vacation Playground, and you'd
    think that since there really wasn't anything  for  teenagers  prior to
    PI for nightime activities (other than the Parks), that they'd at least
    keep the Roller Skating and Videolopolis for the Teenagers and possibly
    expand on them if  necessary.  At least with the under 21 activities it
    was possible to leave them  go  off on thier own and have fun while you
    had fun etc., now they just  have  to  tag  along  or  stay in the room
    babysitting the young ones.

    I  don't know, maybe now that Disney is doing well, and now seem to  be
    getting greedy  (just look at the Disney Decade note and the way prices
    have gone up  over the years for the Hotels), that maybe a change is in
    order for Eisner and  Co.   At least with the original concept of PI it
    was a family afair now it geared for Adults what's a family to do?  The
    magic is strating to fade if they continue on this trend, It's just not
    the WDW that I knew and loved anymore.
        
    Claude
180.2just an observation on .1ATE012::BERUBEMy Biscuits Are Burning!!!Wed Apr 04 1990 12:419
    Rep to <<< Note 180.1 by ATE012::BERUBE "My Biscuits Are Burning!!!" >>>

    Gee now that I  reread  my  .1, and look at the personal name I've been
    using fo the past week  or  so  (Yosemite Sams one liner from WFRR), it
    seems apropriate for the tone of .1 ;^)
    
    Claude
    
  
180.3FDCV06::GRUBBSWed Apr 04 1990 14:0923
    
    
    	I hear what you say, Yosemite!!!!
    
    	I'm sorta wondering what the experience will be like?  Having never
    been, I'm going to assume it's not like going to any ole 'nightclub'
    complex.  I've been to these before, (In Dallas, called Dallas Alley)
    that work basically the same way with basically the same types of
    clubs!  I'm hoping that Disney magic will at least make PI stand out
    from the likes of Dallas Alley!
    
    	I'll be sure to post my report on how it turns out (I'm
    going May 27-31, as well as a Church Street comparison).  I'm sure
    Church Street Station will be fun what with me being a misplaced Texan, 
    I'm always at home with a little sawdust and twosteppin' at a joint 
    with an Armadillo in the name!
    
    	Any ideas on what other types of street entertainment Disney might
    be planning for PI when it's NOT New Year's Eve?  I got the impression
    from the atricle that that was part of the reason for making it a gated
    attraction........
    
    --BERT    
180.4Enter before 7, stay for free?CLUSTA::LUNDWed Apr 04 1990 14:118
    
    But what f you entrer before 7 (it's open free for shopping, do they
    make everyone leave and reenter, o do you get to stay in and catch the
    entertainment on the streets. You'd probabaly have to walk back out and
    pay if you wanted to enter any of the clubs...
    
    Annie
    
180.5Every Night is New Year's EveINDMKT::GOLDBERGWed Apr 04 1990 14:4321
180.6OOOOOPS!!!!!!!FDCV06::GRUBBSWed Apr 04 1990 15:067
    
    
    	sorry!!! I musta forgot to eat my Wheaties this morning.......
    
    
	thanks for the repoint at .0!  8^}
    
180.7sounds at the villas?TLE::KARAMWed Apr 04 1990 15:177
    
    The New Year's theme each night sounds great, as does the fire works if
    you are attending the celebration.  BUT - what if you are in one of the
    villas across the lagoon?  Will you be woken up nightly at around
    midnight?
    
    peter
180.8there goes the neighborhoodATE012::BERUBEMy Biscuits Are Burning!!!Wed Apr 04 1990 15:2610
    Rep to <<< Note 180.7 by TLE::KARAM >>>

    Peter,
    
    I forgot  about  the  Villas across the lagoon, having stayed at one of
    the Treehouse, one  of  the things I enjoyed was the peace and quite at
    night. Oh well.
    
    Claude
    
180.9Maybe a different type of fireworkUSCTR2::TOMYLJoel R. Tomyl DTN 297-3188Wed Apr 04 1990 15:5511
    That's a very good point!  But, you have to remember, there are
    different types of fireworks.  You have the screamer types and the
    whistling types, and the boom types.  I'm not sure about the first two,
    but the third has the boom built into the firework shell.  And, with
    Disney being the largest consumer of fireworks, I don't think they
    would have a tough time having the manfacturer keep out the BOOM part.
    
    Maybe Disney will be supplying ear plugs to those villas within earshot
    of the lagoon.
    
    Joel
180.10Chronicle rerun showed PIUSCTR2::TOMYLJoel R. Tomyl DTN 297-3188Wed Apr 04 1990 16:0413
    re: .3  
    
    If you caught the rerun of the Chronicle last night (4/3/90), it showed
    a bit of Pleasure Island including the inside of ZXFR and the Neon
    Armidillo.  My two favorite clubs were the Adventureres Club and the
    Comedy Warehouse (We're super conscience friendly Disney World
    employees, squeeky clean and smiley face for the the girls and boyees,
    we never sweat, we never frown, we're just like wind up toyees, super
    conscience friendly Disney World employees...sung to the tune of
    Supercalifragilisticxpealidocius(sp?))  God, that show was toooooo
    funny, especially if you work(ed) there.
    
    Joel
180.11Price is rightVICKI::STANLEYFri Apr 13 1990 17:489
    On April 8 at about 12:10am I received a phone call with a "HAPPY NEW
    YEAR" on the other end of the line.  My boys (living just outside of
    Orlando) were at PI and having a great time with the changes there.
    With their annual pass the addition of a annual PI pass was only
    $16(what a deal)  the clubs are all open to 18 and over even though
    there is liquor.  Unfortunatly I was a little too tired to ask for too
    many more  details I will have to close for now. 
    
    Terry
180.12They didn't leave the BOOM outTYGER::GIBSONThu Apr 26 1990 18:3712
    re: .9
    
    My travel agent just arrived back from WDW yesterday. She, her husband,
    and two teenage children drove up from Miami Saturday after spending a
    week cruising. By the time they arrived they were exhausted, so checked
    into their quiet villa directly across the water from Pleasure Island 
    and immediately went to bed (at least my travel agent did). At midnight 
    she thought they were getting bombed -- they didn't know about the 
    "Happy New Year" format. She says now it's funny, but she wasn't amused
    at the time. 
    
    Linda
180.13Would Walt go for this one?ASABET::M_KELLEYWed May 30 1990 19:4824
    I just got back the other day from Disney World and we went to Pleasure
    Island but didn't care for it.  The place was over-crowded, the lines
    to get into some of the clubs were incredibly long.  You could buy
    drinks anywhere in the park, you did not have to be in one of the
    clubs and there were many people who were totally drunk walking around.  
    
    We were both very surprised that this was a Disney attraction, there
    was just so much drinking and even though we relize that people must
    control their own behavior anywhere, this place seemed to cater or at
    least make it very convenient to drink to excess.
    
    On the positive side:
    
    We did however, have an excellent meal at the Fireworks resteraunt.  We
    had beef ribs, baby back ribs, and barbequed chicken with corn on the
    cob and coleslaw.  It was great and the service was also top notch.  
    
    The Empress Lilly was a pretty place, we did not eat there but we did 
    walk around the ship.
    
    We did enjoy the country music club also, the band sounded great and
    played a nice combination of music.
    
    
180.14having been there..JUPITR::OTENTIFri Jun 22 1990 17:0514
    
    Having attended the "actual" new years eve party PI had last new years
    I can't believe they're doing it every night! But i guess if its
    bringing in the $$$ they're gonna do it. As for the drinking as 
    stated .-1 back i suppose i can see what your saying..if its anything
    like it was on the real newyears eve it must be kinda wild...though it
    was the best newyears party i've ever been to in my life! a whole gang
    of us are planning on doing it again this year..tons of different types
    of free food and drinks...was only $60 per person...
     Now if your vacationing down there..and hear there is a wild party
    in disney you can go to...i'd do it too and probably be staggerin' with
    the rest of 'em! after all..YOU ARE ON VACATION!
    
    
180.15Big and small changes planned for Pleasure IslandAKOCOA::HILLThu Jun 27 1991 09:4835
    
    
    	Fans of Walt Disney World's Pleasure Island nightclub complex
    might be intrigued by the news that sprinkled throughout this week's
    edition of " Amusement Business " magazine. Among the tastier tid-
    bits :
    
    	* Look for more name entertainment to be performing nightly on
    the outdoor stage at the top of High Street. EX : All summer long, 
    veteran rock / pop performers -- like Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees and
    Paul Revere and the Raiders -- will take the stage as part of Pleasure
    Island's salute to " The Legends of Rock 'n' Roll. "
    
    	* Look for the Rocketeer ( Or -- at the very least -- some guy in
    a Rocketeer suit ) to show up nightly at the Adventurer's Club. ( Of 
    course, if the movie dies, expect this " special guest appearance " to
    disappear overnight ) Evidently, the idea is that the Rocketeer will 
    appear on the roof of the Adventurer's Club just before the fireworks
    for the " New Year's Eve " celebration go off. Then -- just like Tinker
    Bell at the Magic Kingdom -- the Rocketeer will " take off " ( With
    some sort of assist from the " Disney Magic " department, no doubt ),
    signaling the start of the festivities. Sounds kinda hokey -- but fun.
    
    	* Finally ( And -- for my money -- the most intriguing item of 
    all ), Disney has announced plans to build a seventh night club for 
    its Pleasure Island complex. There's no word yet on where the new club
    will be built or what its theming might be, but they've promised that
    the new club " will be substantially different from anything else you
    can currently find on the island. " ( Hmnnn ... Maybe they've decided
    to pull the " Madison's Dive " lounge/bar/restaurant concept out of 
    mothballs ?  I'll keep you posted ... )
    
    	Comments ?
    
    				jrh
180.16Disney News - Summer 1991FDCV07::GOLDBERGThu Jun 27 1991 13:119
    re: .15

>   * Look for more name entertainment to be performing nightly on
>   the outdoor stage at the top of High Street. 


    There is an article in the current Disney News about the addition of
    "Name Talent" to the PI line-up.  It includes an interesting story about
    a surprise visit by Robin Williams to the Comedy Warehouse.
180.17SPARKL::GARDNERTue Feb 16 1993 19:256
    
    Can any one tell me how much it would cost to get into Pleasure Island
    in April of 1993 and if that includes anything.
    
    
    Della
180.18Before 7:30 is freeCIVIC::GIBSONWed Feb 17 1993 01:065
    According to the 1993 Birnbaum Guide  the post-7:30 PM admission is 
    $13.73. This includes admission to all of the clubs and  the nightly 
    New Year's Eve party, but any drinks or food is additional. 
    
    Linda
180.19How do they work this?LUDWIG::ROBROSEWed Feb 17 1993 10:0413
    
    Does anyone know how they do this,  I guess what I mean is;
    
       Does PI close to visitors at 6:00pm or something?  Since it is open
     during the day I was just wondering if you are shopping or something 
     before 7:30 and you walk out onto the street of PI does a castmember
     come up and ask you for 13.75!!!!
    
         Anybody know?
    
         -Rob
    
    
180.20Show stamp to get into clubsCIVIC::GIBSONWed Feb 17 1993 11:297
    That happened to us. We were in line for the Comedy Warehouse and
    everyone else had tickets and hand stamps. You had to show them to get
    into the club, so we took turns leaving the line and going to buy the 
    tickets. If we had just stayed on the street we would not have needed 
    tickets.  
    
    Linda
180.21ILUVIT::GOLDMANWith hope, good morningWed Feb 17 1993 11:464
    	With the MKC card, I think it's only $11 (at least that's what
    it was in January...).

    	amy
180.22WONDER::REILLYSean Reilly CSG/AVS DTN:293-5983Wed Feb 17 1993 21:467
180.23NOVA::FEENANJay Feenan Rdb/xxx EngineeringFri Feb 19 1993 13:236
I have an AP rider so that is no problem but a quick question...

if you go in before 6:00 and get in from free how do you get a wrist band so
so that you can get into the 21+ places?

-Jay
180.24TURRIS::PHDVAX::JMCGLINCHEYFri Feb 19 1993 13:411
    You have to go out and buy one and come back in!