Downtown Disney update

[maxairmike]

Are you sure DTD West Side is all dead? Because...There's a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive.



Sorry, couldn't resist. All those "deads" reminded me of one of my all time fav movies so I had to quote it

I just can't pass this up...

 

[bubbles1812]

I just can't pass this up...

Haha. I love that movie. And that brings me to one of my all time favorite funny musicals:

 

[Clever Name]

If you wanted to be emphatic about something that was dead, you could say, "That's dead as Pleasure Island."

 

[unkadug]

Or that's as irrelevant as clevername.

 

[zulemara]

My only question is will the new, expanded DTD include any element of nightlife and by that I mean a dance club and comedy venue? JT, I don't want your opinion, I'm asking a question for those who might actually KNOW the answer based on seeing the plans.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

It needs to be a gated area. This could be a win-win for Disney. They will be able to close all the parks except MK fairly early (9ish) and people will migrate over and use their "Waterparks and More" option on their ticket for whatever experience they have there. But the only reason I can think of for the stalling for YEARS on this is that Disney still wants third parties - and third parties just aren't interested.

I agree, but DisneyQuest is pretty much this and Disney can barely be bothered to turn on the lights there. I don't think there has been an update there since the Pirates game was added in 2000?

 

[WDW1974]

I agree, but DisneyQuest is pretty much this and Disney can barely be bothered to turn on the lights there. I don't think there has been an update there since the Pirates game was added in 2000?

DQ was planned to be shut down a good 5-6 years ago ... they kept it open largely because Virgin closed and the Westside would have died completely with two huge boxes sitting empty.

 

[lebeau]

DQ was planned to be shut down a good 5-6 years ago ... they kept it open largely because Virgin closed and the Westside would have died completely with two huge boxes sitting empty.

Wait? You're telling me they didn't shut down DQ 5-6 years ago? Could have fooled me!

 

[COProgressFan]

DQ was planned to be shut down a good 5-6 years ago ... they kept it open largely because Virgin closed and the Westside would have died completely with two huge boxes sitting empty.

Funny, because closing large areas of shops, restaurants, clubs, entertainment and attractions never seemed to bother them before!

 

[asianway]

My only question is will the new, expanded DTD include any element of nightlife and by that I mean a dance club and comedy venue? JT, I don't want your opinion, I'm asking a question for those who might actually KNOW the answer based on seeing the plans.

The flash from Orlando, apparently official...save pi should be updating any moment

 

[xdan0920]

The flash from Orlando, apparently official...save pi should be updating any moment

Rumors circulating that Mannequins and Comedy Warehouse are coming back. No word on Adv Club. If this turns out to be true, and it seems like it is, TDO will have more egg on its face then at anytime since Imagination re-added Figment.

 

[John]

Rumors circulating that Mannequins and Comedy Warehouse are coming back. No word on Adv Club. If this turns out to be true, and it seems like it is, TDO will have more egg on its face then at anytime since Imagination re-added Figment.

Thats ok, there will be enough that TDO can share it with JT.

 

[HenryMystic]

Rumors circulating that Mannequins and Comedy Warehouse are coming back. No word on Adv Club. If this turns out to be true, and it seems like it is, TDO will have more egg on its face then at anytime since Imagination re-added Figment.

If the other 2 actually do reopen and are successful, that would make a case for AC and Soundstage to return as well. AC would need a little work, but it could be done.

 

[xdan0920]

Thats ok, there will be enough that TDO can share it with JT.

Jt already has all he can handle.

If the other 2 actually do reopen and are successful, that would make a case for AC and Soundstage to return as well. AC would need a little work, but it could be done.

Thinking reasonably, you are right. But I think, AC has no shot to come back. Until, there is new management in place. Re-opening a comedy club and a dance club can be spun to be something new. The AC can not.

 

[menamechris]

Though I can't imagine TDO making the rather large investment to bring AC back, I would hope they would consider a similar concept. Unique experiences need to remain a part of WDW. But again, are they really going to want to spend the money on it? I am guessing no.

 

[WDWFigment]

If the other 2 actually do reopen and are successful, that would make a case for AC and Soundstage to return as well. AC would need a little work, but it could be done.

Agreed. I assume they're opening the two that would require the least effort to bring back (and that were financially successful prior to closing) as a test. If the test succeeds, I suspect it will expand beyond just the two reopening clubs.

 

[djlaosc]

Agreed. I assume they're opening the two that would require the least effort to bring back (and that were financially successful prior to closing) as a test. If the test succeeds, I suspect it will expand beyond just the two reopening clubs.

And that give two different experiences - I would imagine that most people would rather have a comedy club and a dance club that they could go to, rather than two dance clubs! The problem with just the one dance club (compared to the multiple ones that used to be there) will be, what music will they play? Theme nights?

 

[John]

The whole DTD situation has been so interesting in the fact that it can be used as a buisness case study. Its history has been well documented and its future so pivital to its financial success. I think the most signifcant part of the what has transpired is how long PI has sat shuttered. No matter if you are Disney or the local strip mall the last thing you want is sq. footage to go unleased or without any return. In the almost four years this has been going on TDO has left a HUGE amount of money on the table by not utiliseing the properties. Also factoring in the money that left the property to go elsewhere. I have said in other post which I still standby that indeed there will be some type of adult entertaiment at DTD. What? I have no idea. But I think little else can be fiancially sustainable. Adding anyother retail outlets will be mostly be repetitive and most certianally cannibalize eachother.

Think how unique DTD once was, where else was there a place like Starabilia,the magic shop, PI, even DQ, wasnt DTD to have the first permenant Cirque venue? Lego store? My point is now DTD has become ALMOST irrelevant. I know its packed most of the time....atleast the eastside is. We keep hearing whispers that there are plans....more plans and even still yet more plans. But no construction. Egg on the faces of TDO dosnt even come close to the depths DTD and what was PI has fallen. We can point ti Splitsville if you want. But that dosnt address the glaring "open space" left in the middle of DTD. Nor do I think it will address the money left on the table.

It boggles the mind to think what has happened here. Most everyone agrees that the most recent decisions that TDO has made has been in the name of profits and cost cutting measures. How does leaveing this eyesore save money? With all do respect to our insiders.....we are no closer to anything happening at PI then we were almost four years ago. Given what has recently transpired......I think we are further away. If you were a outside vendor that was in the buisness of running a club, resturant or other establishment where would you rather be RIGHT now.....DTD or CityWalk? Please put down the dust before you answer this question.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

I just want to pop in to say, love the idea of adding a Broadway theater to run some of the Disney shows anywhere in DTD. I fell in love with the musical Aida and would love to be able to see it again someday!

 

[71jason]

Agreed. I assume they're opening the two that would require the least effort to bring back (and that were financially successful prior to closing) as a test. If the test succeeds, I suspect it will expand beyond just the two reopening clubs.

Agreed they are the easiest to reopen, but actually CW was one of the two unprofitable clubs. That said, (1) I think assuming it's just two clubs presumes too much--I can't see opening those two without the 8-Traxx space in hte middle also being used; (2) we have no idea what the names/themes of the clubs will be if they do reopen.