Friday, September 27, 2013

PI RIP - 5 YEARS

Exactly 5 years ago tonight Pleasure Island as we knew it ceased to exist.  The doors of the comedy and dance clubs were closed sometime before 3am and never opened again.  The original plan was to lease out all the spaces to third party operators but there were no takers so it never happened. A couple years later a concept called Hyperion Wharf was announced but it too was met with yawns and the project was subsequently cancelled after Rock'n'Roll Beach Club and club Motion were demolished.  Earlier this year Plan 3.0 was announced, the conversion of Pleasure Island to something called The Landing and the conversion of all of Downtown Disney into something called Disney Springs.  But six months after it was announced, not a single tenant name has been released and there is speculation that they're having a problem filling the spaces for this too.  We certainly hope not as we've been waiting way too long already.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Still and absolute joke. Why did Disney destroy such an amazing, fun packed Island full of poeple laughing, having a great night out, creating a lifetime of happy memories....?

Anonymous said...

You should do a follow up, on all the management folks in charge when they shut down... sort of a "were are they now..." hopefully more than a few have been nicely "let go"

zulemara said...

several took buyouts in the 08 crash. Lansberry is wrecking havoc on departments as a bean counter. He was over reservations when they started cutting back CM dining hours and I forget where he is now. He's an SVP of something having to do with cutting costs

Anonymous said...

Regrettably, Meg Crofton has been promoted twice, and is now in change or all US and France theme park operations

Jeff - Gaiensville said...

Not clearly understanding the comment thread here. Walt Disney World is a private business. One who does not need to announce anything really, unless required by law. They are doing what they are doing in the best interest of the business. Any individuals on this thread that owned a business who sought a better opportunity would in most scenarios follow up on venues that would promote such advancement. Sure, dollars have been lost with the closing of my beloved Mannequins. But the company only sees how many more dollars will be made with the institution of new and fresh venues. Pleasure Island will not likely exist again. What will replace it is the question and answer to this debate.

zulemara said...

Meg's "Promotion" is viewed by many as the place Disney execs go to retire. We can only hope...

Anonymous said...

Hopefully they'll bring Meg Crofton back.
Because she might be able to bring back the adult night life at P.I.
P.S. Just hope things get straightened out over there.

KingBob said...

Zulemara, I believe that Kevin Lansberry is currently Chief Financial Officer of Disney Domestic Parks and Resorts. Not sure if he's currently wrecking havoc or not.

Jeff, you are correct about Disney being a private (albeit stockholder-controlled) corporation and as such has a mission to maximize profits. And yes, the company is looking to the future for a profitable DTD venture. But there is little doubt that what they (certain people) did with PI was a financial and public relations nightmare.

Anon, there is little evidence to suggest that Meg Crofton ever supported the idea of adult nightlife on Disney property.