Saturday, August 21, 2010

PI Update: New Bridges & New Hats


CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
Save Pleasure Island Blog roving reporter William was on the Island early Friday morning and reported construction work had begun on the PI #1 Bridge. As you'll recall from earlier photos, the bridge consists of 3 sections; a main deck bridge in the middle flanked on both sides by arch truss bridges. During Friday morning construction, the entire truss closest to Fulton's was completely removed and it looks like fresh concrete poured. We'll see if the truss on the other side is also removed. My guess is they're making one wide bridge. And in reality, given those 3 culverts under there, it appears the bridge is really more for show than for function.

At Celebration Plaza, rubber pads were recently added on the ground to the two areas where bands and other entertainment acts perform. Behind each area there were also some background inserts installed. I believe these help absorb sound which would otherwise echo off the metal buildings. Also, as you may have noticed from yesterday's photos, Disney's finest (aka our men and women in blue) are sporting new "Smokey" style hats. It's news like this that you can't get anywhere else!

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

also as you can see, the island is still pretty damn empty!

BTW- I'm in Miami right now. Went to see Kaskade at LIV nightclub. If you want to see a lighting and sound rig that comes VERY close to what Mannequins had THIS is the place to be.

Please be warned, it's NOT cheap to get in, you have to dress up and most if not ALL of the folks who went to PI would not likely get past the door guy.

But for those that do... my god what a club!

zulemara said...

anon is it techno every night? I've been lookin for a reason to get down to Miami

KingBob said...

Anon, island was empty because it had been evacuated. Thanks for the report about LIV. I checked their website and it looks awesome. Although you mention their door policy, I would have to guess that anyone buying an advance ticket for a DJ concert would be able to get in.

Zulemara, does not appear to be techno every night. For that you want Club Space downtown Miami which is only open F/Sa and IS techno!

Anonymous said...

Space is closing labor day weekend, for about 3 months to remodel. But, in MIA you will not have much of a problem finding techno. It's a pretty happening town for dance music and clubs.

Jeff - Gainesville said...

KingBob - What do you think is behind all of these littel projects that are popping up, like taking down the old ticket booth and now work on the bridge? Do you think it's all part of a bigger plan that is just now taking shape or just somthing to make htem look busy?

KingBob said...

Jeff, one of the rumors on the Island is that Motion is coming down and a new main pathway from Marketplace will come that way. Ticket booth was in the way and there will be just one wide #1 bridge. Path would then head into the current backstage area behind Raglan/Motion and then cross directly into Funmeister Plaza.

Don't know if that will actually happen. If I owned Raglan Road, I'd be pretty upset since currently everyone must pass by Raglan but with the new pathway, a lot of the flow would be directed around Raglan.

Anonymous said...

Hum - Interesting. Seems like they are really going th long way around things. I just can't understand why they are putting so much into the new Fantasy Land expansion when there are unfinished things else where. Thanks for staying on top of things!

Jeff - Gainesville said...

That last one was my anonymous post - over joyed with the ENTER key tonight!!!

Anonymous said...

Plans? perhaps but hopefully they'll be in our favor.
The clubs reopenig maybe? There still needs to be some nightlife down there at P.I. so the people can dance and party.

Anonymous said...

there is a big meeting this week from what i have heard with cali people coming to orl..not sure what day but rumors are flying. i can tell you there has been heavy talk of making some serious decisions once and for all. the plan will be short term and long term. i say with confidence that we will see 2 clubs open next year. one starts with m and other a number. rrbc is done, motion done and advent will not return as same. rrbc will be the last decision

KingBob said...

WOW.....hope you're right. We'd love it! Makes sense to reopen things in the very building that cannot be torn down. The revenue to Disney would be incredible.

Anonymous said...

Anon 11:59
your getting some people hopes up yet again it will NOT happen! get over it! please stop!
there where (are) a lot of us that loved PI but it is gone Disney will NOT put the money into the buildings that need to be rehab it would cost way more than what it worth!
until Disney puts out a news press that they are going to it will NOT...
one person says that they "heard" this the other person "heard" that
so until Disney says......
even if IF IF IF they do it will be a substandard Club! the lights will be crap the floor in M will stay motionless (and should be renamed as such) and I think the old PI people will NOT be happy with it and not go after a few times. I know I will NOT!

Jeff - Gainesville said...

I'm not so sure that things will sit idol for much longer. Some signs are there that something might be brewing. I've sided with KingBob on the fact that no definite plans have been established but it is just a matter of time before they have to take some action - there is just too much heat coming from a few miles North on I-4. Will it be the same as before - personally I don't think so but at least there is some news of progress. Maybe there could be new memories and fun times ahead. I am resolved to keep an open mind and see what happens..... Cheers to all P.I. Fans and to KingBob for keeping us up to date!

Anonymous said...

Until a building is torn down, there is always a chance that it could reopen. And to the person who says he will not go, don't. Don't need someone with so much hostility.

Anonymous said...

The Hats are the same ones they wear in Disneyland CA. A lot fo influences comming from the West coast to Florida, To include shtting down the "FUN" at PI.

Anonymous said...

"And to the person who says he will not go, don't. Don't need someone with so much hostility."
I am NOT filled with hostility. I am just not happy with Disney CO. for crapping on us after all ALL the years I (we) went out and spent money there and to just give up? why? if they would have tried to keep it open and then it failed OK! I know they don't care about you me US! so I say don't let them win! and what I am saying is Disney CO. will DO this again to you! when and where they want. after they have your hard earned MONEY! well then go do it! it just sends Disney the message that we are going to give up our money no matter what so when we ask them to reopen something they closed they will just not and will not care? Disney learned that we will give in EASY!

KingBob said...

Anonymous above, Disney is a business. They have stockholders. They have to do what is best for them. Meeting customer needs is important for a business to be successful. Ultimately they have to do what they feel will maximize profits. No business "craps" on its customers and stays in business. If they feel that reopening a club venue or two is in THEIR best interests in the long run, they will do it. Otherwise, not. The thousands who read this website obviously think they should do it.

Jeff - Gainesville said...

I have to back KingBob up here.. Disney is a company and can do what ever they want - when ever they want to do it. But, we as patrons must understand this before ever setting foot on their property. History has stated that in certain circumstances they are willing to listen to what people have to say and reinstate certain things. I am under the impression that this is what the blog is for - to raise awareness and make a call to action. Whether WDW officials choose to act on those outcrys is their business. But, we've done our part! I say, let's wait and see what happens. I miss the way it once was just as much as anyone, but the focus now should be on getting our message across and let's see what happens next.

Anonymous said...

and as a "business" you don't want to tick off your money bank! and this is why i said this Disney doesn't care about you! they care about Money and if that means ticking off few oh well!!!!!
and as a customer I will NOT go and I have to believe I am not the only one who feels this way! Just that most will not say so!
Like I said before Disney did not try to keep it open. they did not advertise the "business" and that is why I say they failed and or closed PI

I still think it's funny how you have over 21,000 readers and yet nobody was going out to keep it open so I say they will not keep it open now? some would WILL go if it reopens but will just do the same and stop going.

truth is PI was Michael Eisner's baby! Disney never really wanted PI! I would have to say the only reason it stayed open was they all ready had it open and didn't wan t empty buildings but it just cost to much to keep open! in the end.

as i was told by Disney Management was they DO NOT advertise PI? (I saw advertisement for PI)

Anonymous said...

Disney can "crap" on us and stay in business they have done it before and will do it again! so if they reopen the clubs this will prove me correct because you will go!
Jeff of course you back up KingBob
you don't want make him mad he might not be happy with you! Like I am sure he is not happy with some of us that post stuff like this?
I say this and you tell not to go to PI because I don't like Disney!

Jeff - Gainesville said...

Anon 5:24 - I back up KingBob because he makes sense, not because I am concerned with my social status in the Downtown Disney circle.

Anonymous said...

Jeff why does he make sense? just because he "has" inside people? I know some that know the inside and you and most don't think i am telling you something that might be true! oh I sorry what disney told them! this is what disney wants to have a bunch of misinfo out there so nobody has the real truth!
I think Bob doesn't like some of us who post things that we have heard that don't go along with his disney people insiders?
is my point! it not just you Jeff! there are more that will go with what ever bob says! not to tick him off! so he will not try to make you look crazy so some will not believe .......

KingBob said...

Anon, I don't get ticked off by what you and others write. If I did, I'd simply delete your entry. And as you can see, that has not happened. I don't think anyone including myself has access to a lot of REAL information. We don't really know what is going on out there. People are just posting rumors. It's why I publish a disclaimer twice per year.

Mark said...

Those new hats for the men in blue look more like Caribbean Joe Daley do smoky!