The Party Is Over At Pleasure Island

We all know that Pleasure Island clubs closed for the last time the night of September 27, 2008. But earlier that year on June 27, 2008, Disney dropped the bombshell about the clubs closing in three months. Sadly, the link below the Orlando Sentinel article no longer is operational. 

The Party Is Over at Pleasure Island

On Friday, June 27th the news broke that PI was being closed entirely, except for the few shops. The press announcement was late enough in the day that we have to think Disney didn't want a lot of bad press. But the Disboards website broke the news and the Orlando Sentinel.com posted within minutes. There was a front page article in the Sentinel on Saturday morning:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/orl-disney
2808jun28,0,2367595.story

 

 

PI Update: The Rumor Mill Seventeen Years Ago

These were the Pleasure Island rumors we published in late-June, 2009:

Every few months the rumor mill cranks up again about Pleasure Island. We're never really sure if old rumors are just recirculating or if these are actually new rumors. Certainly all those buildings sitting empty when they could be earning revenue, even temporarily, does lend itself to speculation. So since it's been awhile since we've visited the mill, I thought it would be a good time to do so.

1. The Adventurers Club reopening in some form (dinner show?) rumor is still floating around out there.

2. The 8TRAX/Mannequins reopening in some form rumor is still out there. We know the clubs have been gutted but that doesn't mean someone couldn't put new, modern electronics in and reopen it. Supposedly the dance floor in Mannequins is still there. The latest version of this rumor had 8TRAX reopening again as a 70's Club and Mannequins reopening with the dance floor but perhaps with a different music format. The magic in Mannequins has always been that revolving floor!

3. A source says the rumor about Disney Quest shutting down to be replaced with an ESPN Zone is true.

4. Soundstage and Motion become restaurants under the latest rumors.

5. Sources indicated that there might be a PI announcement in July.

6. Finally, and this is really whacky beyond belief....the Virgin Megastore is going to house a display of gowns formerly owned by....get this...Princess Diana. No, quit laughing! That's the rumor. 

CW Update: No Travel Bans At CityWalk

In response to Disney's ban on free transport between Disney Springs and Disney resorts, Universal says they have no plan to ban similar free travel between CityWalk and Universal resorts. While not quite the same thing, in a way, it is. 

 

EDC-Orlando Lineup Has Dropped

Lineup for this year's Electric Daisy Carnival - Orlando has dropped and to us it's kind of heavy on the Dubstep/Riddim side and less on the House and Trance side. We are happy to see David Guetta (F) make the lineup this year along with Kaskade (USA) and Martin Garrix (NL). The festival takes place November 6-7-8 at Tinker Field and currently only 3-day passes are on sale HERE. Closer to the event we'll see them release day-by-day lineups along with single day passes.

 

Friday Funny

 

DS Update:The Labor Day Bash Is Back!

First it was back, then it was back but happening elsewhere. But now it's back and back where it belongs! The annual Labor Day Bash is happening at House of Blues at Disney Springs West Side on Sunday, September 6th. You can see the lineup on the flyer above. The usual suspects are playing again: DJ Icey (USA), DJ Magic Mike (USA), DJ Baby Anne (USA) and DJ Jimmy Joslin (USA). New this year are two legends: DJ Tony Faline (USA) and DJ Craze (USA). Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday) at 10AM EDT (1500 GMT) right HERE.

 

This Weekend In Techno Town

The last weekend of June!

FRI     26JUN     THE ABBEY     Gimme Gimme Disco 

SAT    27JUN     BROKEN STRINGS     DJ Huda Hudia (USA)

SAT    27JUN     GRUMPYS     DJ Shai Town (USA)

SAT    27JUN     VANGUARD     DJ trio Meduza (I)

 

 

WDW Update: New Restaurant Is Finally Coming To The Boardwalk

Big River Grille and Brewing Works was a popular moderate-priced (for Disney) restaurant located along the boardwalk at Disney's Boardwalk Resort. But they permanently closed in January, 2024.

That's nearly 2.5 years ago. But we noticed this past weekend that construction fences are up, renovation is in progress and something new is finally coming. We don't know details of what is going in there but Disney has stated it will be a quick-service restaurant.

 

ADH Update: Revised Days Of Operation

When Jellyrolls closed in April, 2025, Atlantic Dance Hall switched to operating every night. Not sure why but we guess it provided a nightlife option for guests staying at nearby hotels and resorts such as the Swan and Dolphin as well as Disney's Boardwalk Resort.

But that is no longer the case. ADH has switched back to being open only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. They open at 8PM and close at 1AM. 

 

It's not like Jellyrolls or its replacement Hurly Burly Jazz Club has opened but apparently being open on all those dead nights was not wise financially. Still, surprised they don't open on Thursday nights since many weekend guests arrive on Thursdays.

Club Reports: Morse Code, 480N Wine Bar, Elixir Bar, Luna Bar

LQ Nights at 480 Wine Bar in Winter Park Village has become a monthly thing and during our visit last night we found the legendary DJ Leony (USA) in the booth. All our Saturday night photos can be found on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Club Reports: Atlantic Dance Hall, Ice Bar Orlando, Zinc Bar Reunion

Legendary DJ's Cliff T (USA) and Carlos Mendoza (USA) led last night's Zinc Bar Reunion show at Iron Cow and our sister website Orlando Entertainment News was there to get the pics.We also began the evening on Disney property at Atlantic Dance Hall. You can find the article HERE.

 

Friday Funny

 

DS Update: LEVEL99 To Open This Month

WFTV Orlando channel 9 is reporting that interactive game room LEVEL99 will be opening on Monday, June 29th in Disney Springs West Side. Advance tickets will become available one week earlier, on Monday, June 22nd. Details HERE. Only time will tell whether the new attraction is any less ill-advised than what it's replacing, NBA Experience.

 

This Weekend In Techno Town

Not a whole lot going on this weekend:

FRI     19JUN     IRON COW     Zinc Bar Reunion: DJ Cliff T (USA) & more

FRI     19JUN     SWIRLERY     Hidden 80's Gems: DJ Arcade Apocalypse (USA) 

FRI     19JUN     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Numinous (USA) 

FRI     19JUN     BROKEN STRINGS     DJ Slinkee (USA) 

SAT    20JUN     QREATE COFFEE   House & Coffee: DJ Chino (USA)   8am-2pm

SAT    20JUN     MORSE CODE     80's Night: DJ Rob Cokeless (USA)

SAT    20JUN     480N WINE BAR   Latin Quarter Nights: DJ Leony (USA)

SAT    20JUN     LUNA BAR     DJ Mighty Shari (USA)   

SAT    20JUN     BARBARELLA     Memento Mori: DJ Lavidicus (USA) 

SAT    20JUN     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Brian Burnside (USA) 

SAT    20JUN    ELIXIR BAR     DJ Slugg (USA) & DJ Flashdrive (USA) 

 

DS Update: Bus Tickets?

Sources says that very soon, sometime before the 4th of July weekend, riding a Disney Transportation bus from Disney Springs to any Disney resort is going to require proof that you're staying in a Disney hotel. This is to prevent people from parking for free at Disney Springs and then going to a Disney resort hotel which is located near a desired theme park. Unknown if this will also be required for travel from Disney Springs to a Disney hotel via ferry boat transportation.

 

Trip Report: Soo Locks

We have one more article to publish about last week's trip to the upper peninsula of Michigan and our one night journey into Ontario, Canada. During our visit to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, we took a 2-hr boat tour of the Soo Locks that connect Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes. 

Lake Superior is the highest of the Great Lakes at 600ft above sea level. Both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are 577ft above sea level, a drop of 23ft. The St. Marys River connects Superior to Michigan/Huron and it's full of very visible rapids. To allow for ship movements, the Soo Locks were constructed.

There is this single lock on the Canadian side and two locks on the American side with one more under construction.

 

This Canadian lock is relatively small so the large lake freighters use the American locks in both directions. Our tour boat entered the lock on the lower Huron side of the lock.

Once inside, the doors on both ends close and water is pumped into the lock to raise the boat.

Once the level of Lake Superior is reached, the door opens and you can sail out. Our tour boat is the only one originating from the Canadian side. There are two Soo Locks tours originating from the American side and we encountered one coming in the opposite direction.

We passed under the International Bridge which connects Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on the left with Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on the right. (Sault is pronounced Soo.)

We then made a U-turn and headed towards the American locks, followed by lake freighter MV Indiana Harbor. At 1000ft in length, she's one of the largest boats on the Great Lakes and typically carries a cargo of taconite from Duluth to steel mills along the Great Lakes.

Our tour ended shortly after we entered one of the American locks and were lowered back to Lake Huron level. Hundreds of miles away, the Welland Canal has 8 locks and lowers boats from Lake Erie down to the lowest lake, Lake Ontario. The locks lower ships gradually while the nearby Niagara River has a rather steep drop called Niagara Falls. 

Club Reports: Broken Strings Brewery, Palm Tree Club, Iron Cow

DJ Mr. Nukem (UAE) and DJ Rossi (UAE/GB) played mostly Classic Trance last night at Iron Cow and the music was SO good. Saturday night pics can be found on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Labor Day Bash Announcement Coming Soon

Bigger and Better Than Ever. Announcement Coming Soon!

 

Friday Funny

 

This Weekend In Techno Town

Another action-packed weekend coming up!

THU   11JUN     IRON COW     DJ Juan Buitrago (USA)

FRI     12JUN     McQUEENS     Shade: DJ Carlos Mendoza (USA)

FRI     12JUN     BROKEN STRINGS     DJ Talent Showcase

SAT    13JUN     IRON COW     DJ Mr. Nukem (UAE)

SAT    13JUN     BROKEN STRINGS     All Female Lineup ft. DJ Gruv Girl (USA)

SAT    13JUN     VANGUARD     DJ duo Adventure Club (CDN)

SAT    13JUN     PALM TREE CLUB     DJ Chino (USA) 

SAT    13JUN     ALFIES HIFI     DJ Mark Gorbulew (USA)