So What's Coming to the New Pleasure Island?

[PDJPrinceCharming]

While I share in everyone's concern about the future of the AC, I have to inquire about my favorite club. I was wondering if there were any plans to re-open the CW if these new PI V.2 reboot actually comes to pass. I know Mary, Missy, Carol & Krista are still at Epcot. Lisa, Robby & Philip are either at Idol or AK & David is still around at SAK. So with the success of the recent reunion show(that I would've loved to attend), is there a possibility of CW reopening if the PI V.2 ends up going through? Just wishful thinking of course but it it does happen, i'd gladly add that & More option just so I can go back & see proper improv comedy at The World yet again.

[Luv2Roam]

I'm with you that I would LOVE to see CW re-born on PI. Do I think it will happen? no
SAK proved that CW has quite a following. I keep looking at their site for further CW nights. We will definitely return for those.
That is the only reason we go to AIE -- to see prior CW/AC cast.
We loved AC. However we actually spent most of our PI time in CW.
While we would love to see AC return, I hope thy finally change the skits. But considering all I have now is youtube to get my AC fix.... anything would be good!
CW just does not view too well on youtube.

Lisa is DH's favorite too. (I love them all!) DH compares Lisa to Gilda Radner!

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Originally Posted by Luv2Roam

I'm with you that I would LOVE to see CW re-born on PI. Do I think it will happen? no.

There was really never anything family unfriendly about CW; the later show could get a bit more risque but nothing like other comedy clubs out there. I think the main barrier for CW (and AC) is the labor cost versus the revenue being brought in because once shows start, not a lot of drinks get sold. So to bring back anything they have to justify revenue versus expense.

There was no mention of CW in the rumor I heard but AC was mentioned with the cost of labor specifically mentioned as a hurdle to accomplishing that. I think an entry fee with a one drink minimum would solve that!

BobK/Orlando

[Luv2Roam]

Another ridiculous move was to offer NOTHING to sell at the clubs besides beverages. The places where we would have LOVED gift shops had NONE. What AC/CW fans would not have bought gifts, souvenirs, shirts, etc? Even finger foods would have been nice. If they were not set up for food service, I could understand that. But no extra revenue opportunities besides drinks and popcorn? dumb
Just look at how the AC was selling cups in their last days. We all would have bought anything they offered. Even lint off the colonel.

[doconeill]

Pure speculation on my part...

The audiences for AC and perhaps CW I believe were VERY different than for the dance clubs. Depending what "crowd" the suits may have wanted to get rid of, the AC/CW may have been caught in the "backlash", although I'm sure the labor costs were a big factor there as well. Both could probably do better without the other clubs present (sorry dance clubbers ), but still the revenue must be able to justify the expenditures. Disney (nor anyone else) won't take a loss (especially if it can't lead to other income elsewhere, like with Magical Express) just because a lot of people want it. People need to actually go there - and it would be hard to predict that that would happen if they bring it back (if the rumors are true that it was losing prior to the announced closing).

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Originally Posted by doconeill

People need to actually go there - and it would be hard to predict that that would happen if they bring it back (if the rumors are true that it was losing prior to the announced closing).

Well this is true. Suppose that CW and AC were actually money losers because of the cost to run them versus the actual revenue generated inside. But they were there anyway because they were part of the PI package of different clubs. But once a ticket or AP was sold, Disney did not know where the purchaser went with the ticket. In most cases there was no attendance taking measures other than not to exceed building capacities. In the later years after the island was open to all, the only place the ticket was scanned was at the club of initial use. And that could hardly be used to allocate revenue. Heck, I always got my armband at a club with no one in line even though I didn't stay there even a minute.

Interestingly over at CityWalk, whether you have their AP or a 1-night all-club ticket, they scan it one time at each club. So they know where it is being used and I have to guess that if I go into 3 venues that night, they allocate the ticket revenue to those 3 venues. So while it's a pain for me to have the ticket scanned multiple times each night I'm there, it does give CityWalk much more information about use than Disney ever collected.

If any clubs actually reopen they will no doubt have to justify their own existence. And Luv2Roam, you are so right! You would think that Mickey, the king of souvenirs, would have had merchandise available at every venue.

BobK/Orlando

[Luv2Roam]

However there was other revenue generated due to PI.
I am just speaking from our PI experiences, although I am sure there are many like us.
We had upgraded APs or a PI pass. We dined at WDW, spent money shopping and then went to PI. Spent money at PI and DTD. Even sometimes staying overnight onsite due to PI.
Actually no PI has saved us quite a bit. Downgraded passes, or none at all. Don't dine on site near as much. No dining on site means no shopping in the WDW stores afterwards. We don't even bother going to DTD.
We still dine and shop. However now it is just as likely to be away from WDW.
And again I cannot imagine there are not others like us who changed habits.
We probably have saved quite a bit of $ and time since PI closed. That is the way I look at no PI on the positive side for us.

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Originally Posted by Luv2Roam

However there was other revenue generated due to PI.

I agree fully. I have been out to PI once to eat at T-REX but other than a couple picture taking visits and my New Year's Eve visit to see what was happening (nothing!), I don't visit DTD anymore. I don't go to the DTD restaurants nor do I go to any of the shops. A hotel stay out there was an annual event but there is no reason to now. After leaving CityWalk at 2am last night my routing home took me on SR 535 by Crossroads. Back in the PI-era there would be a long line of cars at the McDonald's drive-thru there. If the place was even open last night at 2am I couldn't tell; there were zero cars in line.

I agree the PI closure had had a great impact to Disney.....and to many others. But it's not too late to reverse course; I think all of us would return to our nightlife home base if given the opportunity!

BobK/Orlando

[Jason71]

Catching up a bit here...

I've heard the lighting from Mannequins is gone. Whether to AI or Property Control or parts unknown, I don't know, but not in the club anymore, which would suggest why they might use BET rather than Mannquins. Also, I imagine Mannequins would be the easier building to "retrofit" into a restaurant, should any 3rd party be gullible enough to sign up.

Even if this rumor is true, don't count on CW reopening with the AC. Supposedly all the decor from the floor to halfway up the wall has been removed. No idea why they cleared it, or why only half so far, but that's the word.

Just to echo what King Bob said about McDonalds, last time I was in the "Awful Waffle" on 535 the waitress was lamenting that business has been horrible since PI closed. So there have definitely been ripple effects in the community.

[zulemara]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Catching up a bit here...

I've heard the lighting from Mannequins is gone. Whether to AI or Property Control or parts unknown, I don't know, but not in the club anymore, which would suggest why they might use BET rather than Mannquins. Also, I imagine Mannequins would be the easier building to "retrofit" into a restaurant, should any 3rd party be gullible enough to sign up.

Even if this rumor is true, don't count on CW reopening with the AC. Supposedly all the decor from the floor to halfway up the wall has been removed. No idea why they cleared it, or why only half so far, but that's the word.

Just to echo what King Bob said about McDonalds, last time I was in the "Awful Waffle" on 535 the waitress was lamenting that business has been horrible since PI closed. So there have definitely been ripple effects in the community.

I have heard directly from someone who saw the inside of CW that half the decorations, starting at the top and working down, have been removed. Of course I don't think anyone would really care if they opened it back up and put some new stuff up. Who cares if it's half empty for a little bit? We just want our shows back!

As for Mannequins, my contact said the lighting for AI was finished before PI closed and he knows because he was a test so that puts that to rest in my mind. If it's really not in the building, then it's probably in a van back in the cast services area on the other side of the street from DTD.

Or it could be still inside mannequins. I have yet to hear reports of anyone actually seeing the inside without lighting. From what I have read(or remember reading) it's all speculation. I do think it's true that Mannequins and 8-trax were both sold given the immediate cover up they did and the taking down of the little things outside 8-trax. From looking inside 8-trax all I could really see was the big bathroom sign. If I could get closer I could get up to the window and see if anything else is torn apart.

I'm so torn about this whole thing, but ultimately, I don't care where, I just want my techno club on property back! I hate having to drive 15 miles down the road only on a certain night of the week and put up with drag shows that kill the dance floor in the middle of the night. I want non stop techno every night the club is open(I'd be fine with thurs-sat) No shows, no BS, just lots of dancing and lights. All the replacement clubs have cheap lighting anyway except HOB, so even BET lights would be better than what is currently offered.

The same goes for 8-trax! Give me the 70s and 80s again baby! Citywalk is doing a nice job of it, but I wish they would include 70s too!

If it wasn't raining right now I'd go to DTD just to check the doors of AC and see if they have black stuff over the other 2 doors or if it's still only over the revolving doors.

All I can say is I hope they figure out what they are doing and I hope they figure it out soon! I also hope Kevin Lansberry takes a severance package and I wish I could buy back mannequins and 8-trax and rebuild it!

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Originally Posted by zulemara

I have yet to hear reports of anyone actually seeing the inside without lighting. From what I have read(or remember reading) it's all speculation. I do think it's true that Mannequins and 8-trax were both sold given the immediate cover up they did and the taking down of the little things outside 8-trax.

Well I did report on one person who still works on PI that said a few months ago that nearly everything electronic had been stripped out of Mannequins. He reported actually being inside Mannequins and seeing this AND witnessing vans there every day loading up. I think I mentioned it somewhere here on Disboards but it's definitely reported in my November 12, 2008 blog entry at:
www.savepleasureisland.blogspot.com

It makes sense that something might still be coming to the Mannequins/8TRAX building because otherwise, per my newest rumor reopening those two clubs in new locales, why not just put them back where they were? But can they tear down the club parts but leave the stores operating? If not, can they actually retrofit a restaurant or stores or both into that kind of space? It's actually quite huge and there's that dang revolving dance floor!

BobK/Orlando

[Scurvy]

Originally Posted by KINGBOBOFTHENORTH

If not, can they actually retrofit a restaurant or stores or both into that kind of space? It's actually quite huge and there's that dang revolving dance floor!

BobK/Orlando

Well even though I think it's ridiculous, I would think they could just put a new floor over the revolving one if they needed to. It seems like a huge waste to do that, though.

Frankly, I still think it was absurd to close all of the dance clubs. I think that it would have made much more sense to take whichever one had the best space (Mannequins?) and play different music on different nights, if they thought that having all the different clubs was overkill. I wasn't a dance club person - I spent all my time at the Adventurers Club - but even I know that lots of people do like to dance and if Disney isn't going to offer it then everyone will have to go somewhere else. I do hope the rumors are true that they will reopen at least a couple of the dance clubs. And the Adventurers Club, of course.

[zulemara]

Originally Posted by KINGBOBOFTHENORTH

Well I did report on one person who still works on PI that said a few months ago that nearly everything electronic had been stripped out of Mannequins. He reported actually being inside Mannequins and seeing this AND witnessing vans there every day loading up. I think I mentioned it somewhere here on Disboards but it's definitely reported in my November 12, 2008 blog entry at:
www.savepleasureisland.blogspot.com

It makes sense that something might still be coming to the Mannequins/8TRAX building because otherwise, per my newest rumor reopening those two clubs in new locales, why not just put them back where they were? But can they tear down the club parts but leave the stores operating? If not, can they actually retrofit a restaurant or stores or both into that kind of space? It's actually quite huge and there's that dang revolving dance floor!

BobK/Orlando

ok you got me. If they were put in vans, then my friend is probably right, that they're just across the street unused. I wasn't able to see any electronics by peeking in the window...only one mannequin hanging off the railing on the second level /cry

and you still didn't list Pulse for Saturday night house music.

All we can do at this point is wait and pray. It's just so sad to see that floor go to waste!

[Brian_WDW74]

Here's the latest rumor from Screamscape:

Downtown Disney & Pleasure Island News - (2/2/09) I’ve heard a rumor this weekend that Disney may have reopened bookings for some of the old Pleasure Island nightclub locations as well as the Adventure’s Club. If the rumor is true, staff were informed that they may be taking new bookings for special events through to October 1st, 2009 now, the end of Disney’s fiscal year. There are whispers starting to work their way up about possibly doing something to breathe new lift into the area sooner than later, perhaps reopening the Adventure Club and a Club or two for the spring break crowds. Anyone know more?

Take it with a pinch of that salt they'll be putting in the tequila bar.

[zulemara]

Originally Posted by Brian_WDW74

Here's the latest rumor from Screamscape:

Take it with a pinch of that salt they'll be putting in the tequila bar.

/faint