Tuesday, June 5, 2012

PI Update: Is The PI Announcement Imminent?

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE  Is the announcement about what will replace Pleasure Island finally about to happen?  There is some internet chatter about that once again but we've heard nothing specific other than someone saying that "a big announcement is coming soon."  Of course, it's not uncommon to hear that, given we're approaching 4 years since the PI clubs closed. 

So not much was thought about it until scanning through Orange County's website we discovered a "Notice of Commencement" filed by Walt Disney Imagineering for work on "Downtown Disney's PI Directional Sign". We assume this has to be referring to the large Pleasure Island sign out on Buena Vista Drive across from the Hess station.  General maintenance-work would not need such a filing so this has to be something bigger.  And the key to it may be the Contractor listed on the Notice:  Sign Producers, Inc.

This is not your neighborhood "100 signs for $100" company!  Looking at their website, they make incredible theme park signs such as the ones above that they made for Universal.  Are they making the new sign for Pleasure Island's replacement?  That may be the case!  And if a Notice with Orange County was just filed last week, perhaps the new sign is ready to install in conjunction with an official Announcement from the Mouse. We know Hyperion Wharf is out, as first reported by the Blog

So what concept is going to replace PI?  Will it be Patriotic, Mardi Gras or something entirely new?  Watch for a sign! 

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

maybe IT means they are taking DOWN? for good! seeing that PI has been closed for allmost 4 years!! OK the clubs that is!! still my POINT is I am sure Disney is sick of being asked when does PI clubs open? so that will say that PI clubs are gone! and will NOT reopen!

Anonymous said...

they got to take down the old one to put up the new one

FN said...

Heheheh... Apparently Disney knows how to keep a secret. To kick off a whole new concept by erecting a huge and splashy sign would be a great way to signal that consensus has been reached and funding has been secured. Imagine how many times the new signage will be photographed and how many news and blog stories it will spawn. I'm looking forward to it.

Oh, and one more thing... Bring back the Adventurers Club and a couple of dance clubs. How about it, Imagineers and executives?

Anonymous said...

I hope that this new announcement is some good news for once.
We all can hope and dream that finally Disney will wake up, and find out what they did four years ago might not have been so smart.
P.S.
All of us PI'ers hope to see some of the clubs reopened.

Anonymous said...

There's no way Disney is going to replace a sign advertising something that stop existing for one that doesn't exist yet. If they are putting in a new sign, I highly doubt it is for anything "new"

Anonymous said...

@FN!! I have been saying that all along!! that Disney will NOT tell us what they are doing!!

KingBob said...

It's possible the permit is only to take down the existing sign. But that huge sign atop Mannequins is still there and no permit was filed to take it down. So taking out the road sign alone seems pointless.

But we shall hopefully hear something soon.

FN said...

Makes ya kinda wonder though -- which of the current signs can be removed without leaving a "gap" in the property markers. The current signs are still helpful to direct new folks to the parking lot entrances. So my guess is that this will be a modification to an existing sign if it's not an outright removal. Reminds me of the time they took down the old classic "Disneyland" sign in Anaheim and replaced it with a very cool and splashy behemoth sign. It was a huge improvement.

FN said...

@KingBob: I agree. Mentioning the name of the fancy sign company in the permit seems to point to something new coming. I'm very curious... I have to be in Orlando for a rehearsal on Sunday, maybe I'll stop by and take a look, maybe take a couple of pics.

KingBob said...

FN: If you see anything good, send us a report!

Anonymous said...

Today there were 3 cherry pickers parked very close to the sign across from Hess. Not sure if it would be related. Maybe work will start this week?

KingBob said...

Did the trucks have a name on them?