| Although it is probably irrelevant in the greater scheme of things, I have to chime in with irrition from a totally different angle.
I am the proud owner of a Premium Annual Pass, and I feel that closing PI lowers the value of my pass without in any way compensating me for the loss. Unlimited, no-charge access to those clubs was a pleasant perk, and I'm rather certain that Disney isn't going to be lowering the cost of the pass since it won't include that benefit next year.
The addition of new vendors will be lovely. I certainly enjoy the shopping and dining at DTD, but with the third-party ownership in that area, costs are high for regular/local visitors since Disney passes/discount programs are often of minimal or no benefit. Access to the clubs at PI and to DisneyQuest were a part of what made the premium pass more attractive than the standard annual pass to my DH and me. We may have to re-think that next year with the loss of this benefit.
Odd...watching the History Channel special on Las Vegas a week ago, I was offended by an "expert" comment that DisneyLand was essentially a shopping mall around which tourists planned vacations. However, my initial reaction to the closing of PI, balancing atop rumors of DisneyQuest closure and the elite NightKingdom, is concern. I like shopping as much as the next gal, but my passion for Disney rises largely from theming, customer service, and good entertainment. I hope that, in spite of economic difficulties, Disney chooses to remain dedicated to entertainment (particularly live entertainment) and customer experience beyond food and shopping. The magic doesn't live at dinner or at the cash register for me; it lives in personal experiences and entertainments...
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