Last Call for PI?

[jt04]

According to the usually reliable http://www.disneygossip.com/, it has been "announced" that PI as a concept is going away later this year as rumors have indicated. It appears the Mouse wants to make the area more family friendly which I personally think is a great decision. "Disney Gossip" however, concludes that this is un-Disney. While I fail to follow the logic of that, I understand a lot of people hate the idea of PI going away. Yet Disney has been adding high end night spots at different resorts so I think there will be plenty of evening entertainment venues for those without children. Anyway, I applaud the news but notice there was no official press release with the article. Is this official? Anyone know more?

 

[Greg34]

It wouldn't surprise me if it is true, however I do enjoy going to PI every now and then. It just doesn't seem to bring people in like it used to though.

 

[Disneykidder]

I haven't been to PI in years as I now am a parent. But I loved it!! I say keep it for those who want it.

Anyhoo, where are there clubs/bars in the resorts? Anyone know which ones?

 

[jt04]

I haven't been to PI in years as I now am a parent. But I loved it!! I say keep it for those who want it.

Anyhoo, where are there clubs/bars in the resorts? Anyone know which ones?

Maybe someone has a list. I know they added one to the awesome Coronado Springs resort but I don't remember the name. I also think they are adding something at the top of "Kingdom Tower" and a new high end restaurant is going in the Contemporary.

 

[BRER STITCH]

"Disney Gossip" however, concludes that this is un-Disney. While I fail to follow the logic of that...

What the article is saying is that the practice of leasing off property to outside vendors is something "OTHER" companies have been known to do. Disney, on the other hand, used to be famous for developing and branding their projects themselves.

They lament that the once "Disney" Pleasure Island is being sold off to other vendors and wil soon resemble CityWalk or your local Mall, with very few nods to classic Disney design or entertainment quality.

That's all.

 

[Bug715]

This makes me sad as I'm just reaching 21. I have gone to the comedy club and LOVED it I really want that to stay because of all the cool stuff on the walls.

There are clubs/bars at the Boardwalk, Cornado Springs, & Polynesian that I have heard of. I know most deluxe resorts have lounges.

 

[JennyTablina]

This seems to be an economic thing actually, as a place over here called Center Parcs who used to do all their own resturants and things have recently started converting their resturants and coffee houses into Bella Italias and Starbucks. Maybe its a case of the bigger company giving the smaller companies a helping hand? It isnt as if Downtown Disney is all Disney only stuff.

What the article is saying is that the practice of leasing off property to outside vendors is something "OTHER" companies have been known to do. Disney, on the other hand, used to be famous for developing and branding their projects themselves.

This is a bit odd. Disneys always worked with other companies. Even back in the Disneylands early days you had a Kodak camera store, a Carnation Ice Cream palor ect. Heck Disney made rides for other companies. It's only been the past few decades that Disneys really tried to do it itself and thats because the economy was stronger at the time I suspect.

Though you could argue both sides of the coin are "un-disney". PI isnt really Disney, as Disney is about family fun and PI is rather kid unfriendly bar possibly Comedy Warehouse and Adventurers Club. But it happened, and PI because a pretty decent Disney concept. It's just a shame after one police call too many Disney decided to make it so only over 21s could enjoy PI, effectively banning PI's original core audience.

So offering that space to other businesses might make better sense in that respect. Places that have more adult entertainment but can cater to familes too. Plus considering the money issue, it helps the business and Disney. So both do their part to support each other and the economy. Which sounds more "Disney" to me personally.

 

[Bug715]

This seems to be an economic thing actually, as a place over here called Center Parcs who used to do all their own resturants and things have recently started converting their resturants and coffee houses into Bella Italias and Starbucks. Maybe its a case of the bigger company giving the smaller companies a helping hand? It isnt as if Downtown Disney is all Disney only stuff.



This is a bit odd. Disneys always worked with other companies. Even back in the Disneylands early days you had a Kodak camera store, a Carnation Ice Cream palor ect. Heck Disney made rides for other companies. It's only been the past few decades that Disneys really tried to do it itself and thats because the economy was stronger at the time I suspect.

Though you could argue both sides of the coin are "un-disney". PI isnt really Disney, as Disney is about family fun and PI is rather kid unfriendly bar possibly Comedy Warehouse and Adventurers Club. But it happened, and PI because a pretty decent Disney concept. It's just a shame after one police call too many Disney decided to make it so only over 21s could enjoy PI, effectively banning PI's original core audience.

So offering that space to other businesses might make better sense in that respect. Places that have more adult entertainment but can cater to familes too. Plus considering the money issue, it helps the business and Disney. So both do their part to support each other and the economy. Which sounds more "Disney" to me personally.

I understand the having most of the places 21+ because I have a friend who works at a club here and they use to have a policy that people 21+ could sponsor in 18-20 year olds but they had to stop that because the club could get in trouble for underaged drinking. While on my CP I wished that one of the dance clubs could've been 18+ because I couldn't go dance anywhere.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

According to the usually reliable http://www.disneygossip.com/, it has been "announced" that PI as a concept is going away later this year as rumors have indicated. It appears the Mouse wants to make the area more family friendly which I personally think is a great decision. "Disney Gossip" however, concludes that this is un-Disney. While I fail to follow the logic of that, I understand a lot of people hate the idea of PI going away. Yet Disney has been adding high end night spots at different resorts so I think there will be plenty of evening entertainment venues for those without children. Anyway, I applaud the news but notice there was no official press release with the article. Is this official? Anyone know more?

There haven't been any real "night spots" added except for Coronado Springs which is a remote "convention targeted site". Back in the day, each resort did have a nightclub, often with entertainment, but they were removed with the advent of PI. The thought was I believe, remove the clubs from the "family friendly" resorts to a separate site. While lounges and poolside bars remain, I doubt if there will be any significant increase in larger entertainment clubs like what is currently at PI back at the resorts. JMHO

 

[petersenjp]

Guess I will be spending more time at Jelly Rolls!

To anyone that hasn't been there before, it is amazing. It a piano-sing-along bar. The musicians are absolutely amazing. Drop a napkin with the name of a song and a few dollars...and they will play it.

 

[cinderellafan6]

I don't want Pleasure Island going anywhere. I love the fact that you can go to the clubs and have the bus driver take you back to the hotel so your not drinking and driving. The thing also is Citywalk is not always kid friendly, because at night your arent even allowed anywhere near there if your under 21. And if you want to go to the movies and your under 21, the security guards escort you there and make sure you go into the movie theatre.:zipit::shrug:

 

[JeffC]

"Yet Disney has been adding high end night spots at different resorts so I think there will be plenty of evening entertainment venues for those without children."

Every resort has at least one bar - I wouldn't call any of them "night spots".


"Though you could argue both sides of the coin are "un-disney". PI isnt really Disney, as Disney is about family fun and PI is rather kid unfriendly bar possibly Comedy Warehouse and Adventurers Club. But it happened, and PI because a pretty decent Disney concept. It's just a shame after one police call too many Disney decided to make it so only over 21s could enjoy PI, effectively banning PI's original core audience."

I agree. I still feel there are times when "just us adults" need time at a place where children aren't allowed - or atleast frowned upon.

"They lament that the once "Disney" Pleasure Island is being sold off to other vendors and wil soon resemble CityWalk or your local Mall, with very few nods to classic Disney design or entertainment quality."

But CityWalk continues to thrive and you don't see alot of change from the orininal concept. After what they've done to PI, I would think CW will become more active. I know when I was in Orlando for a conference in October, plans were made to have a night at CW. This had always been at PI years before. I'm thinking more of this will happen.

I have a ton of great memories of PI from the 90's. RIP.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I'll go ahead and make the obvious post that always makes it into any thread with PI as the topic...

As long as they don't mess with Adventurer's Club!!!!!!!!!


KUNGALOOSH!!!!!

 

[markjohns1]

Guess I will be spending more time at Jelly Rolls!

To anyone that hasn't been there before, it is amazing. It a piano-sing-along bar. The musicians are absolutely amazing. Drop a napkin with the name of a song and a few dollars...and they will play it.

You speak the truth. I find Jelly Rolls to be a lot more fun than the majority of clubs that were/are at PI. I'd like to see the focus go back to nightclubs or bars at the resorts, as resort hopping can be a fun experience on its own.

I think the current direction PI is headed is fantastic. It will finally link the void between the West Side and the Marketplace, which was always strange to walk through during the day anyways. The assimilation of this space will definitely improve DTD from its current state.

It seems odd, though, that the primary complaint in that article is additions from outside companies makes the experience un-Disney. That claim implies that the current Marketplace and West End are already un-Disney, which I find to be far from the truth. I get a similar "magical" feeling walking into DTD that I get walking into any of the other parks. Just being on property does it for me. Maybe I'm alone in that, though.

 

[RyanS]

Removing the Adventurer's Club will launch full-scale riots, guarenteed.


KUNGALOOSH!

 

[yankspy]

You speak the truth. I find Jelly Rolls to be a lot more fun than the majority of clubs that were/are at PI. I'd like to see the focus go back to nightclubs or bars at the resorts, as resort hopping can be a fun experience on its own.

I think the current direction PI is headed is fantastic. It will finally link the void between the West Side and the Marketplace, which was always strange to walk through during the day anyways. The assimilation of this space will definitely improve DTD from its current state.

It seems odd, though, that the primary complaint in that article is additions from outside companies makes the experience un-Disney. That claim implies that the current Marketplace and West End are already un-Disney, which I find to be far from the truth. I get a similar "magical" feeling walking into DTD that I get walking into any of the other parks. Just being on property does it for me. Maybe I'm alone in that, though.

I agree with you to a point. For me the whole un-disney thing boils down to this. A store like Candy Cauldron or World of Disney is somewhat unique to disney. A Virgin mega store can be visited in any big city. When I go to disney I am looking for a completely secluded experience from the outside world. Stores like Virgin or the movie theater remind me of the outside world. Disney has had a long relationship with sponsors but it has usually been a unique one. Another poster mentioned the Kodak photo store earlier. While Kodak may have sponsored the store, it's decor and layout was unique to disney and main street in particular.:wave:

 

[nanna]

Does anyone know if all of the clubs will be going, or just 1 or 2 of them (i'm talking about Motion, BET etc, not the comedy warehouse and AC)

 

[marni1971]

What a shame... it began to go down hill when the admission policy was scrapped (and backfired big time)

I won`t be going back as either a geek or a tourist. Apart from bag check in when we leave.

 

[JennyTablina]

[/B]For me the whole un-disney thing boils down to this. A store like Candy Cauldron or World of Disney is somewhat unique to disney. A Virgin mega store can be visited in any big city. When I go to disney I am looking for a completely secluded experience from the outside world. Stores like Virgin or the movie theater remind me of the outside world. Disney has had a long relationship with sponsors but it has usually been a unique one. Another poster mentioned the Kodak photo store earlier. While Kodak may have sponsored the store, it's decor and layout was unique to disney and main street in particular.:wave:

Hi there :wave:

I can understand Virgin, its not really Unique but I always thought that a single concession from Disney. Resort guests cant really leave the world so Virgin kinda makes it up for those who might want to shop for stuff other than Disney merch. Virgins special to my family though, its usually where we'd find our tune/album of the holiday. But the Lego store and even the McDonalds in Downtown is pretty themed up. Downtown Disney was the first place we hit in 98 for out first Holiday and I felt the magic even from the giant lego structures and the McDonalds with its funny noises around the drinks section.

Of the only place I've seen recently come into PI's area, Raligan Road doesnt seem that corporate a takeover of the space. It looks like an English Pub of sorts so I'ld say that has its Disney touch. It's more Disney than the boarded up bar that was there before it anyways.

 

[MyNameisStitch]

I'll go ahead and make the obvious post that always makes it into any thread with PI as the topic...

As long as they don't mess with Adventurer's Club!!!!!!!!!


KUNGALOOSH!!!!!

Removing the Adventurer's Club will launch full-scale riots, guarenteed.


KUNGALOOSH!

I'll fly to Orlando to join in the riots if they touch the Adventurer's Club! LOL!

*Club Salute* KUNGALOOSH!