Pleasure Island - No Return Entry into Clubs

[CaptainMichael]

Saturday night, Disney Security almost wouldn't let me in to Pleasure Island because I was under 21 and I didn't have a ticket yet. I explained to him that not only am I a CM and we get admitted at the door, but I was also turning 21 in less than a hour. He still gave me a rough time, but finally, let me cross the bridge. That's the first time I encountered this "checkpoint", and needless to say, I didn't appreciate it.

They can do away with PI as long as the AC is moved somewhere else. I think it would make a nice addition to the Poly.

 

[Elonwy]

Saturday night, Disney Security almost wouldn't let me in to Pleasure Island because I was under 21 and I didn't have a ticket yet. I explained to him that not only am I a CM and we get admitted at the door, but I was also turning 21 in less than a hour. He still gave me a rough time, but finally, let me cross the bridge. That's the first time I encountered this "checkpoint", and needless to say, I didn't appreciate it.

They can do away with PI as long as the AC is moved somewhere else. I think it would make a nice addition to the Poly.

Just for my own curiosity...what's the deal with turning 21 in an hour? Is that why you felt you were being hassled? Were you trying to get an over 21 bracelet or just trying to get into PI? I know for bars around here they don't allow you in if you turn 19 (our drinking age) at midnight...you'd have to wait until the next day to get in.

For example, if your birthday is May 21st, you cannot get into a bar after midnight on the 20th/21st.

Are most people allowed in the day prior to being legal at PI or were you hoping to get in a bit early because you're a CM? I have friends who might be traveling around their 21st birthday who would probably be interested to see if they can get in.

 

[PhilharMagician]

Just for my own curiosity...what's the deal with turning 21 in an hour? Is that why you felt you were being hassled? Were you trying to get an over 21 bracelet or just trying to get into PI? I know for bars around here they don't allow you in if you turn 19 (our drinking age) at midnight...you'd have to wait until the next day to get in.

For example, if your birthday is May 21st, you cannot get into a bar after midnight on the 20th/21st.

Are most people allowed in the day prior to being legal at PI or were you hoping to get in a bit early because you're a CM? I have friends who might be traveling around their 21st birthday who would probably be interested to see if they can get in.

I thought PI was 18+.

 

[kc1296426]

Saturday night, Disney Security almost wouldn't let me in to Pleasure Island because I was under 21 and I didn't have a ticket yet. I explained to him that not only am I a CM and we get admitted at the door, but I was also turning 21 in less than a hour. He still gave me a rough time, but finally, let me cross the bridge. That's the first time I encountered this "checkpoint", and needless to say, I didn't appreciate it.

They can do away with PI as long as the AC is moved somewhere else. I think it would make a nice addition to the Poly.

Really? I'm not even 18 yet and I was walking around PI by myself on a Saturday night once. No one gave me any looks or even asked what I was doing there.

 

[jt04]

Really? I'm not even 18 yet and I was walking around PI by myself on a Saturday night once. No one gave me any looks or even asked what I was doing there.

Not suprised. Some of the CM's there only do their jobs when they feel like it. Further proof of why Disney is doing the right thing in moving away from the "clubs" idea in the future.

 

[TravisMT81]

It is annoying because it makes club hopping a hassle which is a shame because I like to to 8trax for a bit then head back to Mannequins but because of this new policy I have just been staying at Mannequins.

 

[sknydave]

I am looking at it as a club or bar anywhere in the world. Do you really think that somebody bar hopping in New York City would be allowed into a bar without waiting just because they just left the one next door?

I understand that this is how it was, but as I see it the wrist band should only allow you the saved time of having your ID checked again or your park pass swiped. Another analogy is just because you have a hand stamp at Epcot does not mean you can skip the turnstiles at the Magic Kingdom. Wait in line like the rest of them.

You are comparing two completely different situations. If the two clubs in NYC were owned by the same people and used the exact same format at both clubs for checking ID and entrance fees, then yes, they should be allowed to come in without waiting in line with everyone else. The only time anyone should have to wait for re-entry is if the club is at capacity.

 

[hemloc]

Hmm, I was just there last week, and there was no such policy in place... Walked around everyone once we had wristbands at 8 Trax, Mannequins, AC and Motion....:shrug:

 

[Thurp]

2 weeks ago we had to wait in line again even though we had our wristbands. So we had to wait while tickets were scanned, IDs checked, wristbands given out. Rather annoying.

 

[Giraffe Lounge]

Personally I am in favor of Universal going after the young adult demographic as I believe that better fits the direction they are taking their parks. I also think Disney creates the world's best family entertainment and I highly favor the trend of removing the clubs from PI and adding more family friendly venues (T-Rex, DisneyQuest). I actually think if Disney does not renew with Cirque you will actually see Disney shows in that venue (LM, LK etc). Not saying Cirque is not family entertainment but again Disney entertainment is unparalleled. Finally, I used to favor closing DQ in favor of an ESPNZone but since ESPN is taking over WWoS I am really hoping that DQ stays open and ESPNZone is added to the new ESPN-land they have announced. Then everyone wins as Orlando theme parks will have something for everyone.

I doubt you would see those shows in that venue as the 3/4 thrust would require re-conceptualization of most of the staging, scenery, and special effects. Not to say they couldn't knock it down for a more standard touring house.

However, I also think it would be a hard sell to get people to shell out $100 for the same type of entertainment they get with their park pass. Cirque succeeds by offering a very different experience.

On a personal preference note, I would say that Cirque's theatrical productions have a much better batting average than Disney-- having seen the horrible Tarzan (first 5 minutes excepted), and mediocre Poppins. So I wouldn't call Disney's stage productions unparalleled. In fact, based on the pictures I've seen of Mermaid, I'm happy to watch the 20-minute version in DHS and save the $120 for something original.

 

[unkadug]

Anybody who has ever worked in a popular nightclub knows the answer to this.

 

[JeffC]

Look on the bright side. In the not-so-distant-future this will no longer be a problem at DTD. No clubs, no lines, no waiting. Of course there is always Citywalk.

I was thinking the same thing - There's still something at PI? Go figure...

 

[luckyeye13]

...but ive always felt that wristbands were stupid and could be easily given to an underage person, so i would imagine the constant id checking is because of that. how long are lines getting outside of the clubs anyway?

Exactly! The new policy was introduced in direct response to several underage Guests sneaking into one of the clubs one night and starting a fight. In the previous scenario, one Cast Member was often responsible for both re-entry and exit and, from personal experience, it was pretty easy to lose track of who is coming in when you had people exiting and entering while asking a million questions. It also made it difficult to check wristbands thoroughly and to check IDs as the ID readers were located away from the exit.

Under the current policy, anyone who appears to be under the age of 30 must be asked for ticket and ID. (All Guests, though, regardless of age may be asked for ticket and ID at any time!) The fact that all Guests enter through the same line also allows us a better opporunity to inspect your wristband and to check your ID. As a result, we have been better able to catch Guests who may have a wristband (however it was obtained), but do not have a valid ID or are under age.

The justification for the longer lines is, as several of you have posted, that just about any other club area requires patrons to go through the main line at each club, even if they have already been at the same or a different club that night.

 

[liquid toez]

Exactly! The new policy was introduced in direct response to several underage Guests sneaking into one of the clubs one night and starting a fight. In the previous scenario, one Cast Member was often responsible for both re-entry and exit and, from personal experience, it was pretty easy to lose track of who is coming in when you had people exiting and entering while asking a million questions. It also made it difficult to check wristbands thoroughly and to check IDs as the ID readers were located away from the exit.

Under the current policy, anyone who appears to be under the age of 30 must be asked for ticket and ID. (All Guests, though, regardless of age may be asked for ticket and ID at any time!) The fact that all Guests enter through the same line also allows us a better opporunity to inspect your wristband and to check your ID. As a result, we have been better able to catch Guests who may have a wristband (however it was obtained), but do not have a valid ID or are under age.

The justification for the longer lines is, as several of you have posted, that just about any other club area requires patrons to go through the main line at each club, even if they have already been at the same or a different club that night.

OK, but why doesn't this new policy apply to the 8 Trax club? Explain the inconsistency please.

Also, I can see changing the policy if the problem had a history of recurring, but to change a long-standing policy as a direct response of underage kids sneaking into one the clubs JUST ONE night and starting a fight is overkill.

 

[CaptainMichael]

Just for my own curiosity...what's the deal with turning 21 in an hour? Is that why you felt you were being hassled? Were you trying to get an over 21 bracelet or just trying to get into PI? I know for bars around here they don't allow you in if you turn 19 (our drinking age) at midnight...you'd have to wait until the next day to get in.

For example, if your birthday is May 21st, you cannot get into a bar after midnight on the 20th/21st.

Are most people allowed in the day prior to being legal at PI or were you hoping to get in a bit early because you're a CM? I have friends who might be traveling around their 21st birthday who would probably be interested to see if they can get in.

Getting into PI is never usually a problem. However, on Saturday, Disney Securtiy was checking anyone trying to enter PI without a wristband or a ticket. Neither of which I could possibly have having just got there and being a CM (we get in with our WDW ID). I think the guy just felt like being a jerk as some people in positions of authority are capable of being.

Also, you don't get wristbands till you get to the door. Security has nothing to do with that. Plus, I never tried getting a wristband prior to turning 21, I always accepted the stamp of shame and ran downstairs to join the fun.

The fact that he was trying to keep me out was ridiculous, and it showed that either he was ignorant of the PI rules (CM's get in free all week now and AC is 18+) or being a jackass.

 

[The Mom]

Exactly! The new policy was introduced in direct response to several underage Guests sneaking into one of the clubs one night and starting a fight. In the previous scenario, one Cast Member was often responsible for both re-entry and exit and, from personal experience, it was pretty easy to lose track of who is coming in when you had people exiting and entering while asking a million questions. It also made it difficult to check wristbands thoroughly and to check IDs as the ID readers were located away from the exit.

Under the current policy, anyone who appears to be under the age of 30 must be asked for ticket and ID. (All Guests, though, regardless of age may be asked for ticket and ID at any time!) The fact that all Guests enter through the same line also allows us a better opporunity to inspect your wristband and to check your ID. As a result, we have been better able to catch Guests who may have a wristband (however it was obtained), but do not have a valid ID or are under age.

The justification for the longer lines is, as several of you have posted, that just about any other club area requires patrons to go through the main line at each club, even if they have already been at the same or a different club that night.

This seems to make more sense. Perhaps WDW got hit with a heavy fine because of this, and has tightened up security, rather than lose their liquor license? I know of places where this has happened, and they have even checked MY ID, just to be safe.

Hmmm, which is worse? Waiting in line multiple times, or finding your favorite club closed?

 

[liquid toez]

This seems to make more sense. Perhaps WDW got hit with a heavy fine because of this, and has tightened up security, rather than lose their liquor license? I know of places where this has happened, and they have even checked MY ID, just to be safe.

Hmmm, which is worse? Waiting in line multiple times, or finding your favorite club closed?

For me, the worse thing that could happen is if the entire PI complex of dance clubs closed, and I doubt that it would ever happen because of a few rowdy incidents. PI is the most secure complex I have ever seen; that's one of the reasons I am attracted to the place - I feel safe there.

I really don't have a favorite club; I like to dance to different genres of music and so I like to hop from 8 Trax to Motions to Mannequins to BET Soundstage, but I don't like waiting in line to enter each club.

 

[luckyeye13]

OK, but why doesn't this new policy apply to the 8 Trax club? Explain the inconsistency please.

Also, I can see changing the policy if the problem had a history of recurring, but to change a long-standing policy as a direct response of underage kids sneaking into one the clubs JUST ONE night and starting a fight is overkill.

Well, actually the policy applies at all clubs, however, at 8 Trax, there is a second entrance upstairs that is used for exit and re-entry only. This is mostly because 8 Trax is the only club with ticket pedestals and podiums in two different places. (Contrast that to Mannequins, the only other club that used to have a second re-entry area, but only has a ticket pedestal and podium at the main entrance.) As a result, we have the ability to check your ticket or run your ID through the scanner there, as well. The same rules for ticket and ID checks still apply to the re-entry point. If you were to head to the main entrance to re-enter, you would have to wait in the line. Since the ability exists, the club managers at 8 Trax require the use of the upstairs re-entry to better spread out the Guests inside the club. So it's not so much that 8 Trax is an exception, it's more that it provides another means of getting the job of club admission done.

As for the reason for changing the policy, the response was more of the "straw that broke the camel's back" variety. Underage Guests sneaking into the clubs had been an issue for some time and, over time, many different measures were tried to take care of the problem. Unfortunately, the very nature of the old setup made keeping track of everyone very difficult. The fight was what ultimately led to the club managers to ask for more stringent admissions measures rather than accept small changes.

This seems to make more sense. Perhaps WDW got hit with a heavy fine because of this, and has tightened up security, rather than lose their liquor license? I know of places where this has happened, and they have even checked MY ID, just to be safe.

Hmmm, which is worse? Waiting in line multiple times, or finding your favorite club closed?

The liquor license is certainly a very important part of the admissions decisions made at Pleasure Island and I would be very surprised if it didn't play a part in this one. Although bar tenders inside the clubs do not serve Guests without wristbands, they may not think twice about serving someone who has a wristband because they expect the admissions Cast Members outside to have checked the wristband. The new way of doing things better ensures that this check will happen.

 

[liquid toez]

Thanks for the explanations and insights, Luckyeye13. Knowing the rationale behind the policy changes really does help me adjust and adapt to the changes. I think its just good customer service practice to provide customers, especially regular, loyal customers, explanations as to changes in the status quo.

So now I will change my smily from to

 

[jt04]

Well, actually the policy applies at all clubs, however, at 8 Trax, there is a second entrance upstairs that is used for exit and re-entry only. This is mostly because 8 Trax is the only club with ticket pedestals and podiums in two different places. (Contrast that to Mannequins, the only other club that used to have a second re-entry area, but only has a ticket pedestal and podium at the main entrance.) As a result, we have the ability to check your ticket or run your ID through the scanner there, as well. The same rules for ticket and ID checks still apply to the re-entry point. If you were to head to the main entrance to re-enter, you would have to wait in the line. Since the ability exists, the club managers at 8 Trax require the use of the upstairs re-entry to better spread out the Guests inside the club. So it's not so much that 8 Trax is an exception, it's more that it provides another means of getting the job of club admission done.

As for the reason for changing the policy, the response was more of the "straw that broke the camel's back" variety. Underage Guests sneaking into the clubs had been an issue for some time and, over time, many different measures were tried to take care of the problem. Unfortunately, the very nature of the old setup made keeping track of everyone very difficult. The fight was what ultimately led to the club managers to ask for more stringent admissions measures rather than accept small changes.



The liquor license is certainly a very important part of the admissions decisions made at Pleasure Island and I would be very surprised if it didn't play a part in this one. Although bar tenders inside the clubs do not serve Guests without wristbands, they may not think twice about serving someone who has a wristband because they expect the admissions Cast Members outside to have checked the wristband. The new way of doing things better ensures that this check will happen.

They will still find a way around the system. Bank on it.