Downtown Disney update

[71jason]

summer of 2004

2004 - the last promotion of PI took place

Sorry, Zulemara, but didn't they offer the Carpe PM promotion in 2006 or 2007? Starting in January, one night admission was good thru June, with a good deal of local promotion on the radio and in Orlando Weekly. I remember because April through June saw the biggest crowds in years--the last time the Island would see crowds until its final months.

But otherwise, totally agree with everything you said, as is tradition.

 

[Orangelake555]

i want an area of DTD called Traverse Town, and i want it to look like this:
http://kingdomhearts.wikia.com/wiki/Traverse_Town

if you know what video game this is from, then you're awesome!

some sort of ride with sora and ninja mickey would be awesome

 

[marni1971]

Not in my opinion and it appears from the parking lot usage I am not alone.

I'm like everyone else here and have a great deal of respect for you. But I think it is best if we agree to 'agree to disagree' on this matter. And while HW may not be happening, I'd bet something along those lines happens. As soon as the potential is realized by someone with the authority to do something about it.

Thank you.

Yes, something will happen. I've seen big plans and small plans. Should the bigger ones happen I'll be amazed since it will indeed be amazing. We can live in hope.

 

[Tiggerrules]

Thank you.

Yes, something will happen. I've seen big plans and small plans. Should the bigger ones happen I'll be amazed since it will indeed be amazing. We can live in hope.

Hope is good, but I am not going to hold my breath on that one.

 

[J03Y]

some sort of ride with sora and ninja mickey would be awesome

YES! SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS ME!

 

[GoofGoof]

If you were in PI 20 years ago you weren't a teenager. The area was 21+ then.

In 1995 it was 18 to enter 21 to drink. I think 1 or 2 clubs were over 21 only but the rest were fair game. I was 19 and went every night on that trip. You could also get in if you were under 18 if you entered with a parent or guardian.

Maybe some of the problems stemmed from the 18 to 20 crowd loitering in the area without spending any cash. The idea of gangs going to Disney World seems pretty bizarre. Did they have special red or blue Mickey ears made up? Going to Disney does not seem like a very gang-like thing to do.

 

[WDW1974]

I have my doubts about that. Splitsville "inked a deal" when our local experts claimed no deals were pending. Same as they do now.

Geography a weak subject, JT?

Splitsville is replacing the Virgin Mega Store ... it is located in the Westside, not at TSFKaPI. You just love to spin, spin, spin doncha? The question really is simply why?

 

[WDW1974]

MK attendance was up 1% year over year in 2011. Universal's Harry Potterland was up 29%. So yes they lost total market share to Universal in 2011 but their total numbers were still up not down and in line with the other Universal Orlando park, Sea World and Busch Gardens Tampa. The MK still had over 17M visitors. I doubt too many people are viewing this as a major hit on the Disney brand. I have no statistics about how many people go to DTD (not sure if this is ever made public) but from personal observation it still looks crowded to me.

As someone with more than a passing knowledge of branding, I'll simply say you are equating two things that are not the same: theme park attendance and BRAND value and perception.

Two very different things.

 

[WDW1974]

Why do I always have to repeat myself? I have said a hundred times I think the AC was perfect for DTD sans the PI concept. It is the large dance clubs that alienate too many guests and cause security issues. That is why PI and the large clubs will likely not return. Plus two are gone now.

No, JT, dance clubs didn't allienate guests and cause security issues no matter how many times you puke it forth.

There are more security issues daily in the theme parks than there were most nights at PI. That involves everything from the rampant shoplifting (Disney has made this easier for that element too, but that's another subject) to child abuse to fistfights in queues.

 

[WDW1974]

BS

OK, that's the answer.

Question: What is JT regularly peddling on MAGIC?

 

[WDW1974]

Jt, there are security booths in the parking lots at DTD now just as there were when PI clubs were open. The amount of OCSO deputies on duty currently at PI and DTD are exactly the same number as were there when the PI clubs were open. Same with Disney Security. Nothing has changed. There was no criminal element at PI. There were no thugs hanging around. At worst, it did become a teen hangout once they opened the gates to all. That part is the only true thing you say.

Some folks here, JT would fit in to that, do not like hearing facts and reality ... PI in their minds might as well have been CSI: O-Town! Unfortunately, that isn't what the reality was ...

 

[NoChesterHester]

OK, that's the answer.

Question: What is JT regularly peddling on MAGIC?

25 year old college drop out in his Mother's basement that gets a kick out of rattling your chain???

:lol:

I'm joking... Or am I?

 

[WDW1974]

Oh yes the underage problem. Forgot to mention that. Not only underage but then many were drinking of course. And then driving. I don't see how the entire PI concept got through the legal department in the first place.

What about the problem with children being beaten and abused (even sexually!) at WDW ... that stuff doesn't happen daily, does it?

Yet you want to focus on a problem that never was.

 

[matt_taylor1985]

Maybe they'll turn Downtown Disney into Disney's Orlando Adventure....

 

[Jim Handy]

You mean PI wasn't home to roving gangs of bloops thirsty savages and gypsies operating in the back room of Mannequins behind CO2 cannons?

 

[jt04]

Geography a weak subject, JT?

Splitsville is replacing the Virgin Mega Store ... it is located in the Westside, not at TSFKaPI. You just love to spin, spin, spin doncha? The question really is simply why?

Perhaps you have not heard that or even noticed that the 'segmented' DTD is being phased out. That old "geography" went the way of the iron curtain.

No, JT, dance clubs didn't allienate guests and cause security issues no matter how many times you puke it forth.

There are more security issues daily in the theme parks than there were most nights at PI. That involves everything from the rampant shoplifting (Disney has made this easier for that element too, but that's another subject) to child abuse to fistfights in queues.

I have never said there are not security issues elsewhere. These are always issues where large crowds assemble. You can deflect all you want but nobody is going to buy that there were not serious issues surrounding the clubs of PI.

What about the problem with children being beaten and abused (even sexually!) at WDW ... that stuff doesn't happen daily, does it?

Yet you want to focus on a problem that never was.

Again you deflect from the topic the adults in this thread are discussing. Sometimes you come off as an overindulged only child who is still spoiled rotten and incapable of rational discussion. PI closed partly because of the mix of underage teens being too close in proximity to seedy elements around the clubs including illegal drug use. That is the truth of the matter.

 

[jt04]

You mean PI wasn't home to roving gangs of bloops thirsty savages and gypsies operating in the back room of Mannequins behind CO2 cannons?

It was certainly headed in that direction. And the issues are still being dealt with today. Quick fix would be parking garages with connecting walkways that do not allow for easy access and departures. This is why CityWalk is relatively secure compared with the way PI operated especially after the gates came down.

 

[Beholder]

Ok, PI closed for whatever reason, and nothings replaced the empty buildings. Does anyone think it would be feasible to open another "adult" area somewhere within the confines of WDW property, somewhere with more control? A place or location that affords more oversight and is perhaps more selective of who gets in? As I stated earlier, I'm not familiar with PI and it's problems (both real and urban myth), but it does seem like that adult entertainment is something that people want. I understand that DTD is/was a logical place for this, but if Disney is having a hard time reconciling the two "atmospheres", then create a different place. Like I said, don't know a lot about this, just throwing out ideas.

 

[jt04]

Ok, PI closed for whatever reason, and nothings replaced the empty buildings. Does anyone think it would be feasible to open another "adult" area somewhere within the confines of WDW property, somewhere with more control? A place or location that affords more oversight and is perhaps more selective of who gets in? As I stated earlier, I'm not familiar with PI and it's problems (both real and urban myth), but it does seem like that adult entertainment is something that people want. I understand that DTD is/was a logical place for this, but if Disney is having a hard time reconciling the two "atmospheres", then create a different place. Like I said, don't know a lot about this, just throwing out ideas.

I have always thought a perfect place would be near Coronado Springs. Two reasons why, it is somewhat remote and CS gets a ton of convention traffic that would help support such a facility in addition to locals. I even 'armchair imagineered' a great concept if I do say so myself.

 

[Beholder]

Or, build a resort that caters to that life style. A little less kid friendly, with dance clubs etc. open later in the evening/night, eliminates any driving issues or public displays of drunkeness, but at the same time, maintain Disney's standard for behavior. I'm not suggesting club Sodom, but something tasteful and adult. Maybe 3-4 clubs, each with a different theme. The Adventurers Resort...?