The Final Kungaloosh
Written September 26, 2008
On the eve of Pleasure Island’s final night, as I sit here at my computer wistfully listening to Oh I Lobster but Never Flounder, a warm smile comes to my face. I’m contemplating the thought of Walt Disney World without Pleasure Island, and the thought is bittersweet. The Island holds many happy memories - my twenty-first Birthday celebration; over two hundred visits; and souvenirs ranging from cassettes from Superstar Studios to Yakoose Mugs from the Adventurers Club.
When I first walked into the Adventurers Club some ten years ago, I wasn’t exactly sure about what was in store. It was my first visit to Pleasure Island, back in the days when crowds gathered to count down the New Year at the West End Stage and the Funmeister’s friendly face shone brightly in the sky.
My friends and I went in on a whim, quizzical looks on our faces as Graves welcomed us with a friendly Kungaloosh. As we ventured into the Main Salon and mingled with the Club Members, our perplexed facial expressions were quickly replaced with smiles. I still have vivid memories of my friend standing on the stage holding Bessie, slowly rotating on the stage “like a big Dairy Queen sign” while Emil Bleehall, decked out in his finest plaid suit, offered words of encouragement - only thirty seven more verses to go.
Throughout the years I returned to the Club on every visit to the World. I saw Club Members and costumes come and go, however somehow the place hasn’t changed. Inside, it was perpetually Open House, 1937, and the great unwashed continued to walk through the doors. Sadly, those very same doors will close forever tomorrow night.
It is with that thought I leave you; not with sadness or regret. Instead I express my heart-felt gratitude and everlasting adoration to Club President, Pamelia Perkins; Club Aviator, Hathaway Brown; Club Treasurer, Otis Throckmorton Wren; Club Curator, Fletcher Hodges; Adventuress Extraordinaire, Samantha Sterling; Adventurer of the Year, Emil Bleehall; The many merry Maids; Club Butler, Graves; Club Gleemeister and Security Chief Colonel Critchlow Suchbench; the mysterious Madame Zarkov; the Great Stone Goddess, Babylonia; Arnie and Claude and the menagerie of masks; Beezle; Fingers Zambezi; and yes, even the Yakoose. You are, now and always, my close and dear friends; and I will forever hold you close to my heart. Kungaloosh.
Marching Along, an Adventurer now and forever,
Eric Freilich
Written September 26, 2008
On the eve of Pleasure Island’s final night, as I sit here at my computer wistfully listening to Oh I Lobster but Never Flounder, a warm smile comes to my face. I’m contemplating the thought of Walt Disney World without Pleasure Island, and the thought is bittersweet. The Island holds many happy memories - my twenty-first Birthday celebration; over two hundred visits; and souvenirs ranging from cassettes from Superstar Studios to Yakoose Mugs from the Adventurers Club.
When I first walked into the Adventurers Club some ten years ago, I wasn’t exactly sure about what was in store. It was my first visit to Pleasure Island, back in the days when crowds gathered to count down the New Year at the West End Stage and the Funmeister’s friendly face shone brightly in the sky.
My friends and I went in on a whim, quizzical looks on our faces as Graves welcomed us with a friendly Kungaloosh. As we ventured into the Main Salon and mingled with the Club Members, our perplexed facial expressions were quickly replaced with smiles. I still have vivid memories of my friend standing on the stage holding Bessie, slowly rotating on the stage “like a big Dairy Queen sign” while Emil Bleehall, decked out in his finest plaid suit, offered words of encouragement - only thirty seven more verses to go.
Throughout the years I returned to the Club on every visit to the World. I saw Club Members and costumes come and go, however somehow the place hasn’t changed. Inside, it was perpetually Open House, 1937, and the great unwashed continued to walk through the doors. Sadly, those very same doors will close forever tomorrow night.
It is with that thought I leave you; not with sadness or regret. Instead I express my heart-felt gratitude and everlasting adoration to Club President, Pamelia Perkins; Club Aviator, Hathaway Brown; Club Treasurer, Otis Throckmorton Wren; Club Curator, Fletcher Hodges; Adventuress Extraordinaire, Samantha Sterling; Adventurer of the Year, Emil Bleehall; The many merry Maids; Club Butler, Graves; Club Gleemeister and Security Chief Colonel Critchlow Suchbench; the mysterious Madame Zarkov; the Great Stone Goddess, Babylonia; Arnie and Claude and the menagerie of masks; Beezle; Fingers Zambezi; and yes, even the Yakoose. You are, now and always, my close and dear friends; and I will forever hold you close to my heart. Kungaloosh.
Marching Along, an Adventurer now and forever,
Eric Freilich
