Pleasure Island Changes - Analysis About This Page:

[NanaTink]

Sadly, I have to agree with Sue.

[YoHoTales40]

Thanks for all the news and updates! I knew we could look to you to get the scoop on the recent, seemingly under-announced, news.

[MattUGA]

The Adventurer's Club??????????????????? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[MattUGA]

I've already written to Disney about The Adventurer's Club. SAVE IT. I mean, I know I heard the rumor of it reopening as a part of that "Night Kingdom" idea. Well forget that. How about opening it up somewhere around the Animal Kingdom. The Adventurer's Club could totally fit in there. Man I HATE that this is going.

[Starla4436]

Still sad about the AC...will write to WDW tomorrow!

[DrDolphin]

Originally Posted by rescuesk

Shopping holds no appeal to me. However, the AC is a must-do every trip, and I am sad to think that Disney would even think of letting such an icon close.

Two thoughts came to mind immediately upon reading this thread. The first one was that I will seriously re-think any further investment in DVC if Disney is going to start to change things. No characters at LTT, the blander and more structured menus, the closing of the Concourse, the increased cost of the specialty cruises... I feel they are making changes that the casual Disney vacationer might not notice, but the die-hard Disney fans will find hard to swallow. If you've never been to a character dinner at the LTT, you won't miss it, but for those of us that have fond memories of such, it is a low and painful blow.

And my second thought is...where does it end? If they are doing this to make Disney more "family-friendly", what is the end point? Do we close down the ESPN club and the Big River Grille, as well as JellyRolls? Hpw about the lounges at the resorts? Shall they be closed and replaced with another gift shop?

I am by no means a party person, but I enjoy a place where my DH and I can have a drink and some good adult (not x-rated, just mature) fun. I don't think that will be possible in a shopping complex.

Sue you said it SO WELL!!!!

[WillCAD]

Originally Posted by lukeandbrookesmom

This was my thought, too. As a mom of two small children we never went there. I don't necessarily know if the closings are good thing or not as I have never been to PI, I just think Disney is heading back in the 'family' direction maybe.

Thanks for all the info Dave!

One of the classic mistakes of WDW debating - what does "family" mean to you? Does it mean, "Mom, Dad, and 2.5 kids"?

Families come in many configurations, from newlyweds with no kids, to the classic Mom, Dad, and 2.5 kids model, to the empty nesters, to the Never Had Kids crowd.

Being a "family friendly" venue, to me, means having entertainment options appropriate to ALL types of family, not just the classic Mom, Dad, and 2.5 kids variety. And some families like night clubs.

If I'm not mistaken, there is someone on this very board whose signature reads, "Just because we don't have kids doesn't mean we're not a family." I agree with this sentiment wholeheartedly.

I just hope that a new, bigger, better AC reopens with the new stuff they build on the island.

[Starla4436]

Originally Posted by WillCAD

One of the classic mistakes of WDW debating - what does "family" mean to you? Does it mean, "Mom, Dad, and 2.5 kids"?

Families come in many configurations, from newlyweds with no kids, to the classic Mom, Dad, and 2.5 kids model, to the empty nesters, to the Never Had Kids crowd.

Being a "family friendly" venue, to me, means having entertainment options appropriate to ALL types of family, not just the classic Mom, Dad, and 2.5 kids variety. And some families like night clubs.

If I'm not mistaken, there is someone on this very board whose signature reads, "Just because we don't have kids doesn't mean we're not a family." I agree with this sentiment wholeheartedly.

I just hope that a new, bigger, better AC reopens with the new stuff they build on the island.

Well said!

[Caldercup]

While I do have a "youngish" child, I also travel to Disney without him -- and many parents enjoy letting their kids have fun in one of the resort "clubs" while they go to an adult "club" themselves. (Again, Sue pegged it beautifully -- adult doesn't mean x-rated or objectionable, it just means something geared towards adults.)

I'm hoping that the physical location of the A/C in a spot that could be left as a stand-alone place might be hope for it being saved. Disney might be willing (if enough people write to them to voice their complaints about losing such a fine source of entertainment) to let it remain or to re-open it once the construction around it is complete. BTW, although the petition is great, personal and individual letters to Disney will have far more impact -- I urge everyone who feels strongly about this (and any) change at Disney to write to them. Emails are good, but printed and mailed letters are said to have even more weight with them.

Seriously, with what has happened to homogenize Disney's merchandising over the past 18 months, I can see why they would want to bring in outside vendors -- they themselves aren't offering the "repeat customer" much to spend their money on. But that doesn't mean they have to raze a wonderful source of fun.

Eileen

PS - here's two ways to make your voice heard -- directly to Disney!

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
P.O. Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

guest.mail@wdw.disneyonline.com

[raftislander]

I have never been to AC. I've only been to WDW once and didn't know it existed. I learned about it on these boards and was looking forward to going on our 2009 trip. DH, who is not such a Disney fanatic as DD and me, loved the sound of it. I guess the one downside to planning ahead is that things change so plans must be scrapped. I am sorry I will never get to experience this club.

[Katiebell]

Thank you Dave for the straight scoop, and thank you Eileen for posting Disney's snail mail address. I would say if you really want to try to save the AC, snail mail Disney, email Disney, and sign an online petition. There is one on another board I post at, and they have almost 1600 signatures in 2 days.

Disney says they are making these changes because of guest feedback. Well, maybe guest feedback can save the AC. If not at DTD because they have already committed and planned the space, then maybe AK (although with the park not open at night, that could be challenging). Or what about at the Boardwalk? They already have Jellyroll's, ESPN, Flying Fish, and some other adult-oriented venues that are open at night. Does anyone care about or go to the Atlantic Dance Hall? I've heard it's often empty -- so why not relocate the AC there?

[Nahtezuh]

I never really thought PI was worth the admission price. I hope they do add some interesting things here. The balloon is a decent start

[jimmymac]

That really stinks. PI was an awful lot of fun

[MorenaSangre]

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...

[mattnkatsmum]

Truthfully, I'm not that sad to see the back of Pleasure Island. The first time we went, they had a turnstiled admission and fireworks every night. The theme was 'New Years Eve every night'.

Upon our recent trip, Matt and I paid for admission (although we only used the Adventurers' Club) and as the night wore on, I felt the atmosphere was a little seedy.

That said, I absolutely agree that the demise of the Adventurers' Club would be awful. Hopefully, Disney will take on board the sentiments of the many in this regard.

Just a thought. Wasn't there some rumour a few months back about some Night Kingdom or something? Could this be the beginning of that project?