PI Update: The Year In Review

 

When it comes to Pleasure Island, 2012 was truly a bust.  Not only did nothing happen, there weren't even many rumors to spread!  Hopefully 2013 will be "Lucky 13" and Disney will finally announce something!  Here are links to our top articles from this past year:

We began the year with the latest rumors about PI plans.  Article
In February the Blog was first to officially declare Hyperion Wharf dead.  Article
Later that month, the Blog's first ever 8TRAX Reunion!  Article
In March the AC cast put on a private show for travel agents.  Article
For April Fools, we changed our name to the Save Hyperion Wharf Blog!  Article
We reported Disney copyrighting the AC characters in April.  Article
In May the Blog was the first to report Curl moving.  Article
In June, shocking exclusive photos from inside Adventurers Club!  Article
Later that month, President Obama visited and told Disney to reopen PI!  Article
The latest Mannequins rumors hit in July.  Article
Followed by rumors about MDP and CW reopening!  Article
A triple-sized Downtown Disney would get new ramps from I-4.  Article
Mad T Party supposedly coming to PI (but it never happened)!  Article

As the year draws to a close, Save Pleasure Island Blog has surpassed over 433,000 readers since it was created shortly after the club-closings were announced.  That's a lot of people all waiting to see how the Pleasure Island situation turns out. That's a lot of people who care!  Happy New Year!

Club Reports: Independent Bar, Vixen Bar, Suite B Lounge, Senso Supperclub

Checking out downtown clubs on this final Saturday night of 2012, beginning with Independent Bar.

Up in the booth, Lighting Tech Ernie (left) and DJ Indie John surround local trendsetter CJ.

Wasn't sure if people were going to come out with New Years Eve just two nights away.  But it was crowded.

The Saturday night format is early to mid 80's New Wave.

I-Bar is celebrating their 28th Anniversary tonight with free admission and free drinks; tomorrow night for New Years Eve they're holding their annual Prom night!

 CJ sending a "wish you were here" pose to her main squeeze!

Over to Vixen Bar, the small club that always manages to stay packed!

Ill DJ Chris B on the boards playing mostly Breakbeats.

He always attracts a crowd when he plays here.

A few people on the dance floor getting into it.

Like I said!

Next stop Suite B Lounge.

Legendary DJ Rob-E spinning House/Progressive House.

He had performed at last Saturday's huge event at Firestone and was wearing the t-shirt to prove it!

Suite B was nicely crowded with lots of people dancing!

This venue continues to deliver great EDM music every night of the week!

Last stop Senso Supperclub, another EDM-only venue.

For DJ Nicole Moudaber (GB)!!

She's in there somewhere!

The place is not all that large anyway but it was packed!

The music: Techno!  Real Techno.

Nicole spent much of this past summer working with DJ Carl Cox at Club Space in Ibiza!

And a good time was had by all!

PI Update: Getting Ready For NYE

Light rain came to normally beautiful Pleasure Island this morning, helping keep the grass green and the mulch brown where Motion and RRBC used to stand.

They really ought to admit that there are no fireworks at Downtown Disney any night.  Not just tonight.

I found this fascinating.  I always thought the colorful 8TRAX logo was painted over back in August, 2011 when all the other club logos were painted over or removed.  But in this morning's brisk winds, that panel was actually "flapping"!  Which means it's just a vinyl sheet up there, covering, perhaps.....the 8TRAX logo?

Numerous drink huts are planted around DTD.  They ain't selling Coca Cola folks; this one has sparkling wine, beer and a $24 "share-a-mojito" bowl!  Not that I'm complaining.  I just don't think Disney should hide behind a "family friendly" moniker for Pleasure Island when clearly alcohol sales are behind much of what they do.  Whether it's a "shark bowl" from Motion or a "mohito bowl" from Paradiso, kids are going to notice.  And they couldn't care less!  (Click on photo to read the sign.)

Early morning lineup for Splitsville, the perfect activity for a rainy day.

Another outdoor hut, this one adjacent Bongo's.  This one has food too.

The Disney gift shop truck is now adjacent the No. 4 Bridge from Pleasure Island, as is yet another drink hut.  Not pictured, the lobster food truck and the taco food truck!  The rain will clear out later today and a beautiful NYE is promised for Orlando.  Make it a fun one! And thanks for reading the Save Pleasure Island Blog, the world's leading source for PI news and rumors!

Club Report: Splitsville

We continue to keep an eye on developments at Splitsville, Downtown Disney's new club & restaurant that also happens to offer luxury bowling.  Save Pleasure Island Blog roving reporter Thommy on the scene last night!

He says what started as a few on the dance floor.....

.....quickly turned into many!  And this was before the DJ came on!  Thommy also reports some new lighting fixtures installed above the dance floor.  We remain optimistic!  Thanks for the report and photos, Thommy!

Club Report: Vixen Bar

Blog reader Duane shares with us these body painting photos of girls at Vixen Bar last week.  Vixen is living up to its name!

Nothing like a little partial frontal nudity!  I asked him who the DJ was up there and he said he didn't get a chance to notice.  (Just kidding!  He said it was Jimmy Joslin.) He also said that a good time was had by all!  Thanks, Duane!

Britney Is Back

During my Chicago visit earlier this week my rental car did not have satellite radio so I was forced to listen to regular FM radio.  Between the crappy music and constant commercials, I thought I might have to shoot myself to end the misery but fortunately the trip came to an end.  I did discover one song that I had not heard on satellite radio though.  With kind of a Dutch House/Electro sound to it, it's will.i.am and Britney Spears doing "Scream & Shout".

This New Years Eve In Techno Town

Here's the Blog's annual roundup of New Years Eve events to consider.  Refer to individual websites for full details and advance ticket orders.

DOWNTOWN ORLANDO
The NYE's party at Tier Nightclub combines Top 40 & Dance from premier local DJ A-Rock and DJ Nova.   ($40)

More of a Hip Hop slant for partiers at Vain Nightclub with Glen Davis and Daphne Joy.  ($20 until 12, $40 until 12 with open bar, $60 with open bar all night.)

Suite B Lounge has House music all night with DJ's Andre R, Jhon Alvarez and Cheyenne M.
(Until 11:30pm $10, After $15)

Wall Street Plaza is the place to get 9 venues for the price of one although there is only dancing in a few of them.  This usually sells out.
($25)  

Independent Bar is having their annual 80's Prom Night and admission is half price if you dress in prom attire!  ($10)

House and Dance music from DJ's Justin Faze and Adam Flurk at Vintage Lounge on Orange Avenue.  ($10)

Another multi-venue event takes place on Church Street and includes admission to Chillers, Big Belly Brewery and Lattitudes.  Unfortunately, the closed Antigua is no longer there.  Also, home of the Orange Drop at midnight!
(Click on flyer to see the numerous admission/drink packages offered.) 

The Attic has increasingly gone EDM and Saturday night resident DJ Bingoballs returns on NYE for more of it!  ($40)

At 180 Grey Goose Lounge atop Amway Center admission will get you unlimited drinks, hors d'oeuvres and a private fireworks show.  As most of the fun is outside, check the weather first!   ($75)

INTERNATIONAL DRIVE
B.B. Kings Blues Club will give you a table and feed you a 3-course meal for their NYE package ft. their All-Star blues band.  
($80 Package; Standing Room with no meal is $40)

Down the road at the Rosen Plaza Hotel's Backstage Night Club they are having a Roaring 20's Party ft. a live band and DJ LaPause.
($10 Advance, $20 Door)

WALT DISNEY WORLD
BOARDWALK
The most crowded night of the year at Atlantic Dance Hall is their NYE party ft. DJ Tony Z (Planet Hollywood).  (Advance tickets at (407) 934-7639 cost $39 GA and $85 VIP.)  The latter gets you upstairs with dessert and a view of EPCOT fireworks.

EPCOT CENTER
At least 4 dance parties at EPCOT with one in Future World and three in World Showcase.  The big fun is outside China with DJ Dominick Morrison (Mannequins, Vintage) spinning Top 40/Dance and outside Italy with DJ Mark Sanchez (Club V, Firestone Live) spinning House/Dance! There's a Latin dance party outside America.
(Disney Admission Required)

DOWNTOWN DISNEY
At Downtown Disney Marketplace the Andre Caram Band ft. Drey-C will be playing Top 40/Dance songs at the Waterside Stage.  DJ Andrew Michael will be spinning the same between band sets.  
(FREE)

Outside Wetzel's Pretzels at Downtown Disney West Side, DJ Lon (PI Live, Celebrate Tonight, Retro Room) will be spinning Top 40.  (FREE)

Admission at DisneyQuest gets you unlimited games, 2 DJ dance parties and a fast food dinner choice.  8pm - 1am. Sells out.
(SOLD OUT)

Splitsville will be 21+ upstairs beginning at 10pm and they're offering meal/bowling packages starting at $100.  Top 40/Hits music. All ages downstairs. 

For the fourth year in a row, Pleasure Island clubs will be dark.  No fireworks.
(FREE)

UNIVERSAL CITYWALK
A walled-off event in the CW clubs includes live band REO Speedwagon outside.  Inside you'll find DJ PopRoXxX at The Groove, DJ Leony at Latin Quarter and DJ Smooth at Rising Star.  Admission includes full all-you-can-eat buffet meal.
($145)

TAMPA
The revolving dance floor still spins at Amphitheatre and Gabriel & Dresden (USA) will be there to usher in the new year.  Resident DJ DOCO opens and DJ Suzy Solar will be there too!    ($15)

If you're in Tampa and want to celebrate New Year's twice, head over to the Hard Rock Cafe at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino for the 2am to 6am afterparty featuring DJ Baby Anne (USA).  At 3am ring in the new year again on the U.S. west coast!
($25 advance on-line, $40 door)