Pleasure Island Clubs to Close
Late last week, Disney announced it’s closing the nightclubs located in Walt Disney World’s Pleasure Island. Six clubs in total will close on September 27, 2008 including Mannequins, 8Trax, BET, the Adventurers Club, Motion, and the Comedy Warehouse.
It will take two years for Pleasure Island to be recreated as a dining and shopping haven for a more family-friendly crowd. According to Disney, the purpose for the redesign is to better meet the needs of Disney’s core audience – families. Three businesses will stay after the transformation – Raglan Road (an Irish pub), Fuego by Sosa Cigars and Harley Davidson.
Some of the changes coming to Pleasure Island can be seen already from the new T-Rex Restaurant that’s already well into the construction phase to a tethered balloon that will take guests 300 feet up in the air to catch the view of Disney from the sky. Other new venues will include a Central/South American restaurant scheduled to open in Spring 2009 and a design your own T-shirt store scheduled to open in Fall 2008.
Changes will also be made to existing locations. For example, Portobello Yacht Club will change to Tuscan Country Trattoria sometime this summer and Fulton’s Crab House and the Wolfgang Puck Cafe will be revamped. The existing Marketplace Stage will also change into a larger stage that will be fully covered.
I’m actually not surprised by these changes. What do you think?
Stop by The Disney Traveler later this week for my upcoming homage to Pleasure Island in pictures or subscribe to The Disney Traveler so you don’t miss it!
Image: Susan Gunelius
Technorati Tags: Walt Disney World photos,Walt Disney World,Disney rumors,Disney news,Pleasure Island,Pleasure Island nightclubs,Pleasure Island closing,Disney dining,Disney refurbishments
17 Comments
I’m not surprised, especially considering some of the problems they’ve been experiencing with the guests, but it’ll be a shame to see some of the go.
The Adventurer’s Club was a great concept, if somewhat poorly executed and I loved 8Trax. I guess Disney would prefer that folks party at Universal and families enjoy the nightlife at Pleasure Island.
I never found the clubs at PI to be all that fun or unique. The attitude seemed forced and full of adults that were acting like business people trying hard to get in their “wild” fun while at a convention or tradeshow.
I’m kind of glad – I didn’t have any interest in those places anyway. Hopefully they will put something in there that I will like!
[...] a follow up to my post earlier this week about Disney closing the nightclubs in Walt Disney World’s Pleasure Island and replacing them with shops and restaurants, I thought I’d share a nostalgic view of [...]
I am sad that they are closing the clubs. I have had some really memorable nights there with my best friends. We will continue to go right up until they close.
This completely SUCKS. Disney IS ALREADY family friendly…the whole Disneyworld is oriented for the family. This was the ONE place adults could have fun; I loved it there.So now…MORE shops? Like you can’t find enough stuff to buy at Disney? Or places to eat. Crap…
I am very sad that PI is going away. I would go there everytime I visit the Orlando area. It was a safe place to party and be yourself with no one judging you. I will also miss the the the interactioans you had with other visitors form all over the states as well as the world. I will especially miss the clubs Manniquins and 8Trec they wer the best. My disney could keep them or re-open then some where else on the property. Well I will deffinately be there on the final curtian call weend see you all there.
[...] Pleasure Island Clubs to Close – New Attractions Coming [...]
[...] Pleasure Island Clubs to Close – New Attractions Coming [...]
I too am sad to see PI go. My husband and I always wanted to go, yet never had the time with the kids. Now that they are older, we were hoping to party again. It seemed to always be busy, and like the other person said, it was a place for adults to unwind, and everyone in Kissimmee and Orlando visited, not just the “Disney goers”.
well who needs more shops and restaurants, especially in a downturn!
they need places for adults to get away while on their…getaway.
I can’t think of a better reason to drink, then being with the kids at disney!
Sad…..In the early days PI was sooo much fun…
Ive party there for years..Come on Disney!!Aren’t there enough shops and restaurants? How many store you need to sell overpriced Mickey Tshirts and Stuffed Plutos…Disney, you are chasing the adult childless crown to Universal Studios City Walk..Hope Universal gets the message and add more night time ADULT Venus…
Excellent article, I enjoy every article I read here. Thanks,
and keep bloggin!
This really SUCKS!!!! I’m going to Orlando in 5 weeka with all my girlfriends and just found out via “surfing” that the clubs will likely be closed!!!!!!! What are we supposed to do now as (6) Adult women on vacation???????????
Renee —
You have just given me an idea for a new post. While the clubs at Pleasure Island have closed, there are new restaurants and shops in their place. But I promise you I will come up with some ideas for your girlfriends get-away!
Universal Studios Has a Night Time Party Place like Pleasure Island..
Its Called City Walk..Several Clubs and Restaurants There..Lots Of Fun..Don’t Give Disney Your “Party” money
[...] only” trip to Walt Disney World. Upon reading several posts, she has discovered that the clubs at Pleasure Island have been closed to make room for additional restaurants and shopping experiences. “Now what are 5 women [...]