tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post3930586818869117468..comments2024-02-24T04:17:53.437-05:00Comments on Save Pleasure Island Blog: PI Update: Here's What's HappeningSave Pleasure Islandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04366746353299639785noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-17061241977082414542010-07-02T19:33:29.539-04:002010-07-02T19:33:29.539-04:00Zulemara, I wouldn't have even bothered with T...Zulemara, I wouldn't have even bothered with Tuesday nights unless there was a big convention in town or if Wednesday was a holiday. <br /><br />71Jason, I have no information yet on when the ultralounge might open. I'll let you all know when I hear something. You might actually hear something first.KingBobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-82550073694810868342010-07-02T19:01:07.120-04:002010-07-02T19:01:07.120-04:00There are all kinds of things they could have done...There are all kinds of things they could have done to increase revenue at all the clubs! They could have had VIP access for a premium each night, they gave up on merchandise which they never should have done, could have brought in good acts to guest DJ. There were plenty of things they could have done and didn't because they wanted it to fail. While I am sure MDP was very expensive to operate, I have a hard time believing that in its heyday, it wasn't profitable the majority of the time. I think they should have outsourced the clubs and only had them open tues-sat.zulemarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04441085809363061992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-17872734360450558542010-07-02T19:01:07.121-04:002010-07-02T19:01:07.121-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.EIO Profitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04476797948654407135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-21063439229693427022010-07-02T16:31:03.599-04:002010-07-02T16:31:03.599-04:00Hey Bob, any word on when "Club Celebrate&quo...Hey Bob, any word on when "Club Celebrate" (please don't let that be the name) is supposed to be up and running?71noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-13051483538044462962010-07-02T15:40:34.178-04:002010-07-02T15:40:34.178-04:00Anon at 0204pm: Well Mannequins is my favorite but...Anon at 0204pm: Well Mannequins is my favorite but realistically 8TRAX would have the best chance of success and at the same time could have the potential of being family-friendly. Ironically, they don't need a club like Motion because Disney already has that at ADH. Yet Motion is the one club with everything intact and could reopen to the public with little expense.<br /><br />Anon at 0835pm last night, great description of their equipment. It was an incredible array. I agree that the labor expense led to losses on some nights but they didn't need to be open every night.That was their decision and even CityWalk clubs do it currently. But Mannequins made LOTS of money over the weekend and the club was profitible overall.<br /><br />All you Anonymous posters, feel free to select a made-up name when you post so readers know when you're posting another comment. A real name is not needed. Instead of the Anonymous button below, select NAME/URL, enter any name and leave the URL field blank.KingBobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-67632373171082712192010-07-02T14:04:53.127-04:002010-07-02T14:04:53.127-04:00It all comes down to marketing and promotion. Dis...It all comes down to marketing and promotion. Disney gave up on PI and then blamed the economy for it. Instead of giving up why not have drink specials, give aways... other promo ideas to get the people into the clubs and promote the hell out PI. Maybe other clubs wont open but I still believe Mannequins and 8trax have a shot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-52445634652295528262010-07-01T20:35:00.083-04:002010-07-01T20:35:00.083-04:00Even though Mannequins was a beautifully executed ...Even though Mannequins was a beautifully executed venue, it was not marketed and targeted in a way to be profitable. The once weekly busy night hospitality crowd ($8-$14/hour) was not enough to sustain mannequins. This was a VERY high cost venue... the vast technical staff to operate the systems, the power required to push the massive lighting/sound systems/rotating floor/cryogenic effect systems; 20x50ish grid of par 56/64s? and 60+ aging intelligence fixtures, associated maintenance and lamp cost at $80+/lamp every 2000 hours, staff labor to maintain the fixtures, air conditioning to counter-act the crowd and about a half million BTUs generated by the lighting, ect. This caliper of a club can only be supported 3+ busy nights/weekly and a demographic comprised of young adults with a large disposable income... this is not characteristic of the hospitality crowd or orlando in general. The only way this venue would return is if disney considered the venue's impact on other business divisions and knowingly soaked up the loss for their benefit. (conventions for example)...<br /><br />Just giving my input from a business standpoint.. Im a nightlife venue consultant with a heavy tech entertainment background... I do not and have not worked for disney or consulted on any projects for disney. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-13626472412479804572010-07-01T20:08:42.299-04:002010-07-01T20:08:42.299-04:00There is really not enough to do a story on. One o...There is really not enough to do a story on. One of the Blog's roving reporters came across someone that said that the club conditions are not as bad as they are made out to be. This source said they're not coming down at all and will be reused.KingBobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-14706005030745888842010-07-01T17:49:49.390-04:002010-07-01T17:49:49.390-04:00So its been another day, lets hear the story on th...So its been another day, lets hear the story on the clubs notcoming down.......lolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-74258134635343445912010-07-01T10:00:37.283-04:002010-07-01T10:00:37.283-04:00You are right KingBob, it was hard to see anyone b...You are right KingBob, it was hard to see anyone but Spurrier in the driving seat here. But, with time people have come around and I think the same thing will happen at P.I. I'm with you on the fact that Disney is for some reason terrified to let people back in those buildings again. It's all very strange.Jeff - Gainesvillenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-80046206579107055492010-07-01T07:01:46.735-04:002010-07-01T07:01:46.735-04:0010:42, nothing people write ticks me off unless it...10:42, nothing people write ticks me off unless it's vulgar or hate speech, both of which get deleted. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and that's what the Comment areas are for. <br /><br />Jeff, GO GATORS! Which ties in nicely to this observation: When Spurrier left the Gators, he was a legend and no matter who replaced him, the guy would be hated because it would be impossible to live up to expectations. I think we have the same syndrome here. PI was a legend. No matter what replaces it, it will be hated.<br /><br />Joe, I agree. There is no greater (legal) revenue than an alcohol-selling entertainment business!KingBobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-65302521305727671592010-06-30T23:38:53.700-04:002010-06-30T23:38:53.700-04:00PI had lots of revenue and profit. In fact, they ...PI had lots of revenue and profit. In fact, they had a HUGE surplus at the end of the fiscal year 2008 which is why there were all the "PLUSSES" the last week: Live Entertainment at MDP, extra actors at AC, a HUGE fireworks display, etc.<br /><br />Disney just gave up on PI. On paper, it seemed like a better idea to go from a 9pm-2am operating day to something which was opened most of the day (more like West Side). Who even goes to the West Side?<br /><br />I personally thought PI lost lots of it's charm after the "ungating". I enjoyed a 1:45am street party, and then a post-PI trip to Perkins. I bet they lost lots of money.Joenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-65000838835915209942010-06-30T23:19:21.836-04:002010-06-30T23:19:21.836-04:00Well said KingBob. People do care and we want our...Well said KingBob. People do care and we want our Island to be up and running again - in some form at least. <br /><br />Thanks again for all of the great info!!!Jeff - Gainesvillenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-49538537107974070992010-06-30T23:18:35.727-04:002010-06-30T23:18:35.727-04:00i am Anon 10:42 AM
people I think want to see what...i am Anon 10:42 AM<br />people I think want to see what happens no that they will come back <br />I read this and I would come out to see when and if they do anything? if they do I will come to see but will not spend any money! like i said i am sure that most feel this way just don't want to tick you off? I am sure that most will not like the plan a b c d or e that might be PI everyone had the FAV club some liked to club hop! but for many to go to a new pi club and sit and wait for them to play your type o Music will not workAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-82674163789240589662010-06-30T21:38:35.819-04:002010-06-30T21:38:35.819-04:00Good discussion everyone. Keep it going. My respon...Good discussion everyone. Keep it going. My responses:<br /><br />Anon at 0823am: Good point. But again, as I understand it, this is just temporary.<br /><br />Anon at 0929am: PI was costing so much $ to keep open? Yes, there was a cost but there was also revenue. Lots of it. Multiple sources including Disney has stated that PI was profitable at the end. I believe 71Jason has stated that only BET and Comedy Warehouse were in the red at the end. The rest of your description certainly captures the history quite well. And as everyone knows, the Island was fine when it was exclusive because it was expensive and gated.<br /><br />Anon at 0938am: Your summary of the history of clubbing looks good too but I don't think we're in a down decade. Sure we're in a recession that has impacted everyone. But that's just a scapegoat for the incredible loss of revenue Disney has squandered on Pleasure Island. They may tell their bosses that it's the economy and the bosses will believe it. But they literally handed millions of dollars in revenue over to their major competitor. There's no down economy over at CityWalk. And let's not forget the absolute lack of promotion for PI after about 2002. <br /><br />71Jason: Celebrate Tonight did draw crowds at times but revenue was non-existent. I think they're experiments now are to draw people who will stay. But yes, the new things so far are from outsourced vendors, but hired by Disney. The ultra-lounge? I haven't heard.<br /><br />Anon at 1042am: Good points made.<br /><br />Anon at 1142am: I understand your point but 30,000+ readers of this Blog tune-in because we WANT to give Disney our business. We CARE what is happening on "our" Island. We WANT them to come through for us. It was a safe, friendly and fun environment. We are counting on Disney to deliver again. That many people read this stuff because that many people care about PI. Really care. <br /><br />Virtual Toad: I agree. A reopened comedy club, a reopened dance club. I just don't understand the resistance to that. 8TRAX used to allow kids and they didn't become delinquents because they saw a beer in someone's hands. This can be very family-friendly if done right.<br /><br />Jeff from GNV: Thanks!<br /><br />Anon at 0834pm: Church Street Station itself is a tenth of what it used to be. Bliss Ultra Lounge is part of what used to be the disco. There are several restaurants. But the Exchange is long gone. Lots of empty spots. There is hope that the new Magic arena which is on Church Street will liven things up. There are a lot of clubs further east on Church (Antigua/Chillers/RocBar/23/Mako's/Dragon Room) but they're not part of what was CSS.<br /><br />Anon at 0848pm: Exactly!KingBobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-50613959039869442642010-06-30T20:48:33.621-04:002010-06-30T20:48:33.621-04:00Its amazing all these people saying how the PI mod...Its amazing all these people saying how the PI model just won't work anymore. Hummm that must be why city walk is thriving. Spare me your lame explanation as to why city walk is different from PI cause it won't hold water. Disney made a huge miscalculation and lets hope they make it right.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-22567720138367706512010-06-30T14:27:14.497-04:002010-06-30T14:27:14.497-04:00Funny that some things are happening right as Harr...Funny that some things are happening right as Harry takes over at Universal. Maybe Lord V casted some sort of spell on the P.I. higher ups. Thanks for all of the highlights and info KingBob!Jeff - Gainesvillenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-19993282377298590972010-06-30T13:52:23.964-04:002010-06-30T13:52:23.964-04:00Toad, KingBob's article basically says that. P...Toad, KingBob's article basically says that. Plan B is being worked on and until that comes out, they are trying a few temporary fixes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-22517274411210074632010-06-30T13:24:48.676-04:002010-06-30T13:24:48.676-04:00Yeah, I know they're not the same demo, but wh...Yeah, I know they're not the same demo, but why would serious club-goers bypass other club experiences (Citywalk, downtown Orlando, etc.) just to go to an "outdoor ultra lounge" at an otherwise shuttered PI? This sounds like another band-aid, much like Celebrate Tonight. Throw something together outdoors and maybe they won't notice the closed clubs all around them? <br /><br />If they were serious about adult entertainment at PI then reopening a couple of clubs (BET and AC in addition to the outdoor lounge perhaps) would make sense. I think what they're doing is another desperate cheap fix to cover over the heart of the issue: PI is an enormous dead-zone with no concrete plan nearly *two years* after the clubs were closed. Pretty outrageous when you think about it. Lansberry made a sweetheart deal with Schussler Creative and when that fell through, well, this is the result.Virtual Toadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12601737654750795321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-40457295755317591112010-06-30T11:42:44.044-04:002010-06-30T11:42:44.044-04:00"You are so hostile to disney so why do you e..."You are so hostile to disney so why do you even read this web site."<br />response to the above:<br />because I want to see what stupid things Disney might do? and I want to try to get people NOT to go and spend money at Disney!!!!! that is why!!!!<br />and because Disney doesn't care about the locals!<br />and also about 7 years before they closed I was told be a cast member to watch what I do because Disney wants to kick out the locals. because we all had a pass and if you went every weekend Disney made very little off of us (you) but most of us got drinks so they made money off of us (you) !?<br /><br />the other reason I HATE Disney is the fact: Disney would not try to advertise and then maybe it could have picked up and still be open!?<br />they advertise all of the rest of the Disney CO. so why didn't they advertise PI?????? so to me that is just a SLAP in the face and to say that after all the money I spent there and they do this and not try!<br /><br />and I know (sure) that I am not the only one who feels this way!<br />just that most don't want to piss off the FAT RAT!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-6436866919938172392010-06-30T10:42:18.470-04:002010-06-30T10:42:18.470-04:00Absolutely 71 ! ..and lets hope WDW doesn't j...Absolutely 71 ! ..and lets hope WDW doesn't jump from the frying pan into fire with yet another disastrous decision. DTD and vacationing families are totally the wrong demographic to support an Ultra lounge type venue there. Likewise, local LBV workers are all hotel & food/beverage employees with the wrong hours for such a place. The only logical answer is WDW execs believe they can build such a great ultralounge experience that it'll attract both vacationing and local resident adults alike, just like PI did. That would take an over-the-top club experience with strong theming ..I simply don't see that happening in the current environment. I'm a born again optimist, but I fear WDW execs are loosing (have lost) direction and are now making decisions simply as knee-jerk reactions to successes they're observing elsewhere.<br /><br />"Attention crew, will the Captian please return to the wheelhouse to steer this boat"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-22605770937444487732010-06-30T10:14:58.680-04:002010-06-30T10:14:58.680-04:00People do realize there are HUGE demographic diffe...People do realize there are HUGE demographic differences between downtown Orlando and Downtown Disney, right? Not a whole lot of professionals looking for an after-work happy hour at DTD. <br /><br />Bob, I don't doubt you at all, but I do question your source's logic. I'm was no fan of Celebrate Tonight, but during busy times it could draw a crowd, and hold many of them for a half-hour. I don't see the living statues doing that. Dominic does alright, but again, his crowds were generally dwarfed by CT's. I don't see how this helps eat up the crowds during the holiday weekend.<br /><br />Now if you told me 2 living statues (non-Equity?) cost less than 2 DJs, 2 stilt-walkers and 4 party-activators...that I would believe.71noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-34432899064787753022010-06-30T10:12:19.261-04:002010-06-30T10:12:19.261-04:00Not sure they would have looked at the Ad Club as ...Not sure they would have looked at the Ad Club as a "companion experience" for an ultra lounge. Totally different clients.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-24929812751360921192010-06-30T10:02:34.945-04:002010-06-30T10:02:34.945-04:00Kind of makes you wonder what might have been if t...Kind of makes you wonder what might have been if they hadn't raided the AdvClub and sent most of its artifacts packing for Hong Kong. Reopening the Club might have been a quick and easy way to provide a companion experience to the new ultra lounge, breathing even more life into that section of the Island for the time being.Virtual Toadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12601737654750795321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900984237451420547.post-14391648544576003592010-06-30T09:38:26.067-04:002010-06-30T09:38:26.067-04:00Unfortunately, the poster above is right. And I&#...Unfortunately, the poster above is right. And I'll just add: Ultra Lounges are just another business model resulting directly from changing needs of businesses, clientele preferences and demographics. I've been around long enough to witness several music-entertainment movements and their close-in-pursuit business models: 70's disco, 80's newwave/punk, 90's grunge/folkrock and raves/trance, 00's house etc. The lounges attract (and more importantly for business models, cash in on) several types of customers; happy hour 20-60 yr old crowd (top 40), early evening 40-60(light rock/eclectic), nighttime 20-50 (pop/dance), late night 20-40(dance/house). They serve light fare food, keep the drinks strong, and offer convertindoor/outdoor heated/AC seating to keep customers coming back. Unfortunately, these "jack-of-all" business models are "master-of-none" and will dissappoint loyal followers after some time who fondly remember beautifully executed (but narrowly focused) uber clubs like "Studio 54", "Mannequins" etc. (fill in the blank). No worries. The only constant thing is change and the watered down ultra lounges will eventually leave enough patrons unsatisfied & wanting more that the dollar-chasing business model pendulum will swing back yet again to more focused clubs ..just as sure as rain on the horizon. The tragady here is PI with its diverse, focused, well executed clubs would have fit the bill perfectly, unfortunately its caught in a "down decade" of this club pendulum and Disney executives aren't will to weather it out because they must answer to their stock holders and financial analysts in real time. The good news in when WDW anounces a "brand new" exciting concept of a multi-nightclub entertainment complex for adults in 2020, most of the patrons by then will be too young to identify with, or care about the bitter taste their parents still have in their mouths from when "their" favorite nightclubs were shut down ..some place the folks used to call "Pleasure Island".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com