Disney's Night Kingdom??? About This Page:

[MickeyWaffle71]

After I heard about PI closing, the first thing I thought was Disney's Night Kingdom. Then I looked into DNK, and it just didn't seem to make sense. So I went to the source of PI: Walt Disney World Resort - Detecting Browser Properties . . .. All that said was that they were turning PI into more shops and dining.
I also thought that maybe they're turning Downtown Disney into California's version (a lot more than just Disney stores)
So I want to hear everyone else's opinions.
Will it be:
A. Disney's Night Kingdom
B. just some more shops and dining
C. California's Downtown Disney 2.0

[Caldercup]

You might want to add a poll to your post -- easy way to track the responses!

I personally think it will be more shops, although I do see them adding more non-Disney retail opportunities.
Eileen

[RobDVC]

B. just some more shops and restaurants. Apparently, there's not enough of them in DTD already.

[Dave Marx]

The PI location will almost undoubtedly be all shops and dining - theme dining, of course, and I wouldn't be surprised if there was some live music (like House of Blues). They need to connect Marketplace and West side with a consistent experience, so that folks will be more likely to stroll from one end to the other. I suspect that the tenants at West Side (which opened most recently) have been complaining from the beginning that PI blocked people from coming their way.

While most folks have been saying that Disney was trying to kill PI over the years by changes like getting rid of the turnstiles (exposing families to the club/drinking atmosphere, etc.), I think now that these may have been desperate attempts to keep the clubs despite the pressure. We'll probably never know, though.

I do have a pet theory now that, when it comes time to finally change DisneyQuest (and I think they must change it eventually), that they'll put one or more clubs into that building. Unlike PI, which was either a barrier or corridor to foot traffic, DQ is easy to bypass and would have little/no impact on the surrounding atmosphere. Further, it fits with the West Side master plan, with big entertainment venues at the end (DQ, Cirque, and to a lesser extent, the House of Blues concert hall). Add the AMC theaters, and what has happened is that entertainment is concentrated in West Side, with dining and shopping spread throughout West Side and Marketplace. In a way, it's still a version of the layout when PI was added - PI (entertainment) at one end, Marketplace at the other.

[chezp]

Originally Posted by Dave Marx

The PI location will almost undoubtedly be all shops and dining - theme dining, of course, and I wouldn't be surprised if there was some live music (like House of Blues). They need to connect Marketplace and West side with a consistent experience, so that folks will be more likely to stroll from one end to the other. I suspect that the tenants at West Side (which opened most recently) have been complaining from the beginning that PI blocked people from coming their way.

While most folks have been saying that Disney was trying to kill PI over the years by changes like getting rid of the turnstiles (exposing families to the club/drinking atmosphere, etc.), I think now that these may have been desperate attempts to keep the clubs despite the pressure. We'll probably never know, though.

I do have a pet theory now that, when it comes time to finally change DisneyQuest (and I think they must change it eventually), that they'll put one or more clubs into that building. Unlike PI, which was either a barrier or corridor to foot traffic, DQ is easy to bypass and would have little/no impact on the surrounding atmosphere. Further, it fits with the West Side master plan, with big entertainment venues at the end (DQ, Cirque, and to a lesser extent, the House of Blues concert hall). Add the AMC theaters, and what has happened is that entertainment is concentrated in West Side, with dining and shopping spread throughout West Side and Marketplace. In a way, it's still a version of the layout when PI was added - PI (entertainment) at one end, Marketplace at the other.

Interesting - I can see a lot of logic to what you're saying.

[MelC]

I'm of the opinion it will probably be more shops and dining. But with all those "imagineers" there, they should come up with something more original! You can only shop and eat just so much!

[Laughaholic]

That actually sounds like a great idea, Dave. Since there are many levels to DQ and rooms, it could be one price to enter and have several different clubs inside. I'm sure you could easily make the Wonderland Cafe upstairs a bar without having to change much.

[yearbook50]

From what I've read is that they will be expanding the Adventurer's Club concept to a bigger experience than it is now. Those actors are not out of a job, in fact I have a private event I am attending at AC after the official closing date and hope to get more info out of them then. But all of them know they will soon be back in business