If the questions were all that were discuss that would be a different story. If it were a true discussion it would be a different story.
All that has really gone on in this thread is a boiling down of the concept to its basic parts and then comparing those parts to a mall, as you have done.
It has gotten so bad that the poster who brought us some inside information is declining to post here any more.
That's not a discussion, that's b****ing and moaning about something that's not built yet.
While it was a bad decision for WDW to handle the closure of PI the way they did and they could have arguably "saved" the clubs with a serious investment, they are re-purposing this space with a different concept.
The success of this concept depends on several factors we simply don't have access to at this point.
Whether you personally like it or not has no bearing on the success or failure of Hyperion Wharf. The very small percentage of vacationer that make up the membership of this website are in no way a reflection of the general traveling public.
Some things never change. I don’t know your Disney Internet history, but here’s mine: Firstlurk on the Destination Florida boards and RADP (Class of 1995, post split), nowhere near an old timer.
The one constant is the “battle lines” that are drawn over operations at WDW. The divisions always seam to fall this way:
Doom & Gloomers
The Everything is Coming Up Roses Crowd
The Rodney King Folks (Can’t We Just Get Along)
The Hook Up and Bail Out Platoon (I’m outta this thread!)
If folks think the verbal fist fights of today are bad, they should search the Google Groups for RADP posts from the Deja News days. In the unmoderated Usnet groups things got REALLY nasty. (The RADP threads on the cancellation of the Poly Sunday services and Howies Angels spring to mind. Oh yeah, there was the infamous PaulT “Sheep” post!)
But, you're right we can’t make much of a call yet. The info from Disney, beyond the pretty pictures, is pretty generic and bland:
“New dining, shopping and entertainment experiences are in the works for Downtown Disney and today we’re sharing a first look at what to expect in the future for the 120-acre complex. Look closely and you’ll see that Pleasure Island will evolve into a vibrant waterfront district called “Heparin Wharf.”
The district will come to life with a nostalgic yet modern take on an early 20th century port city and amusement pier. By day, stylish boutiques and innovative restaurants will draw you in and by night, thousands of lights will transform the area into an electric wonderland.”
We’ve gotten better info from Raven, what I would call “backstroke/background to the concept.
Anyway,
Bold? - Can’t tell yet
New - Nah, different (IMHO)
Visionary - depends on whose eyeballs you look thru
So, in the interest of discussion and armchair Imagining, (remembering that ideas at WDI never die, they’re just moved to a higher shelf) for you consideration:
From a Wade Samson (aka Jim Korkis) interview at Mouseplanet with some one involved with the creation of PI:
“Samson: What were the original clubs planned for Pleasure Island?
Wilson: We wanted a TNG. Fridays (open 24 hours) where the Portable Yacht Club is today. We presented Marry [Skald] with a menu of 50 food, entertainment and retail ideas for Downtown Disney. There were a few Disney attractions in the mix that various teams had been playing with, including 'Do-It-Yourself-Disney' that became Disney Quest. The list included House of Blues, TNG.. Fridays, an old world family Italian restaurant thumbed after Tony’s from Lady & the Tramp, a 1940s era Hollywood Canteen (dance and supper club), All That Java (coffee mad jazz club), Villains—(a.k.a. Villains Volt) an "underground," haunted night club thumbed on classic Disney villains (this is before the villains shop in Disneyland), 100 Acres (a la Wine the Pooh) night time "day care" while adults shop and dine.
A wharf-side eatery that was internationally thumbed. It was like Rick’s Cafe in Casablanca, but the entrance was down a side street, through a metal door on a warehouse, with a single light bulb over the door. A beat up old metal sign on the wall by the door said P.M. Imports, Ltd. The place was to be called Pablo-McNair’s Shanghai Cantina Deluxe. This would be the Adventurers Club, with food! More characters, and a floor show with house band. I still intend to build that joint, maybe here in San Francisco. The key is the waterfront... with an old Chinese junk and/or Rusk Sub parked out back by the expansive dock (out door pub).
A 24-hour diner inspired by Orlando’s Bubble Room, but completely decorated (stuffed) with antique Disney memorabilia. From the outside it would be a classic, stainless steel American dinner with flashing neon sign. Inside, hearty dishes with the best Disneyana we could find, buy, and borrow including authentic Disney movie props. The name would have been “W. Elias.””
Wilson’s thoughts on the AC:
“Instead of closing it, I would expand it to include a restaurant and open it from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. We’d serve lunch and dinner and in the afternoon a hard ticketed Mystery Meal with food, cast, clues, and prizes. I always wished there was a deck, pier and boat launch to do Adventurers Cruises on Lake Buena Vista, every hour on the half hour. Short, 30-minute cruises with a special on board bar, snacks and a high-seas adventure (mini show that is only performed on the boat—the SS Merriweather). The Adventurers Club gift shop with adventure gear and souvenirs: passport to get stamped through out the club, boat, etc… pith helmets, khaki jacket with emblem, canvas adventure bags, totes, rucksacks, etc. (some of the gear that was in the original “Avigators” shop when PI opened). I still have my great leather bag from there.”
OK, I’m done. That was log winded enough, I can lurk for six months.:snore:
