PI Update: The Year In Review

When this article was written one year ago today, 2012 was called a bust and hope was offered that 2013 would be "Lucky 13" because Disney would finally announce something for our Island.  And that did turn out to be the case this year with the announcement of Disney Springs replacing Downtown Disney.  Whether they're really going to change the name of the place remains to be seen but the announcement did lead to concept art and club demolitions finally resumed again. Curiously, demolition of 8TRAX began and quickly ended with only a front portion removed.  Demo on the Mannequins building was limited solely to the removal of the outparcel shop Apricot Lane.  Exclusive photos provided to Save Pleasure Island Blog showed fresh interior photos of both Mannequins and 8TRAX.  What will 2014 bring?  Hopefully some announcements about what is coming to Disney Springs.  The lack of any announcements brings concern that Disney Springs is going to be another Flamingo Crossings or Hyperion Wharf.  So here are quick links to this year's top Blog stories:

PI & DTD NEWS
JAN Tom Wolber's arrival at Downtown Disney brings hope for PI.  Link
FEB  Are Pollo Campero and Bodie's Closing?   Link
FEB  Disney Springs Announcement   Link
MAR Disney Spring Concept Art Leaked   Link
MAR Logo boards with possible store names for Disney Springs leaked.   Link
MAR More Disney Springs Announcements   Link
MAR Disney Springs Officially Announced   Link
APR Fuego is closing.   Link
MAY Demolition walls went up around CW & Laffers   Link
JUN Sad days on the Island.   Link
JUN  Demolition wall extended to include 8TRAX!   Link
JUL  Demolition wall extended to Mannequins!   Link
JUL  Demolition of Comedy Warehouse begins   Link
AUG Comedy Warehouse demolition photos   Link
AUG Exclusive Mannequins interior photos!   Link
AUG Exclusive 8TRAX interior photos!   Link
AUG Laffers Cantina demolition begins   Link
AUG Disney Springs 3D concept model video   Link
AUG Construction Permit for Mannequins building   Link
AUG Curl Demolished & 8TRAX coming down!   Link
AUG Island bypass bridge taking shape   Link
SEP  8TRAX Demolition halted!   Link
SEP  Changing Attitudes/Apricot Lane building demolished   Link 
OCT After lots of demolition, finally some construction!  Link
OCT Disney Springs concept art appears on DTD demolition walls   Link
NOV Exclusive SkyCam views behind the demolition walls!   Link

Stay tuned......the story ain't over yet!

PI Update: Magicians On The Island

Do you remember when there were magicians on Pleasure Island?  When the clubs closed at the end of September, 2008 the Island overnight went into ghost town status.  People still used it to crossover to the opposite sides of Downtown Disney but at night during the then off-season it was mostly deserted....eerily so, some said.  The former clubs were dark, Paradiso 37 was not yet open and with the PI Live DJ booth also closed, no music. This was an unanticipated outcome by management.  The solution around March, 2009 was to install one or two magicians on the Island to create clusters of nighttime entertainment. The one pictured above was stationed near Adventurers Club and sometimes another was stationed at The Hub near Fuego. The magicians were temporary though and by April, 2009 a new evening entertainment format was unveiled. We'll talk about this exciting development later next week.

Concert Report: DJ ATB (Roxy Nightclub)

It's been a few months since I last visited Roxy but a concert from ATB was a great reason to return!

DJ Phoenix Jagger had opening duties from 11pm to 1am and did a great job getting the crowd excited for what was to come.

The opener has the tough job of being good....but not too good.  He did just that though with a mostly House set mixed-in with some Dubstep and Trap near the end before returning to House.

And the dance floor was crowded early for his set.

Finally coming on at 1am, DJ Andre' Tanneberger (D) doing business as ATB.

By now Roxy was packed to the rafters!

ATB wasted no time, opening with monster-hit "Ecstasy"!

The German contingent was in the house showing their love!

Confetti and icy cold CO
2 spraydowns!

ATB's set last night was all Trance, mostly with vocals.

Giving some kandi to the DJ!

He's currently ranked as the #33 DJ in the world per DJMag readers.

Short people needed a boost to be able to get a better view!

He sang one song completely through and was very animated all night.  Lots of crowd interaction which is something not possible at huge raves such as EDC-Orlando last month when he played on the first night.  And you can't get any closer to the DJ's than at Roxy.

ATB toyed with the crowd, several times playing the first few notes of his biggest hit "9PM (Till I Come)" and everyone thought that's what he was going to play during his encore.  Instead he played "Now or Never" off his upcoming "Contact" album.  Pretty good song that has hit potential!

With the encore he played until 2:40am. He was probably paid for a 90-minute show but unlike some DJ's, he didn't watch the clock.  Great show! A good time was had by all!

DJ Dash Berlin Coming To Orlando

Currently ranked #10 DJ in the world, Dash Berlin (NL) returns to Orlando on Saturday, January 18th at Roxy Nightclub!  Known as a Trance DJ, he also played a lot of House hits during his set last month at Electric Daisy Carnival - Orlando. His DJ name and the fact that the video for his first big hit  "Till the Sky Falls Down" was filmed in Berlin leads many to believe that he's actually German!  But his real name is Jeffrey Sutorius and he hails from Den Haag (The Hague) in the Netherlands. Tickets here.

Club Report: Atlantic Dance Hall

Friday night visit to Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney's Boardwalk Resort, expecting a big crowd since after all this is a holiday week and this is Walt Disney World.

DJ Willie (8TRAX, Celebrate Tonight, The Groove) on the boards playing various Top 40 hits!

I don't know where everyone was last night but it wasn't here.

Of course this coming Tuesday night the place will be packed for their NYE party featuring DJ TonyZ!  It's the only night of the year that the upstairs is open.

Spotted: Favorite ADH bartender Fernando aka DJ FerB (PulsFM Berlin)!  His EDM mixshow plays Sunday mornings at 0200 CET, 0100 GMT and Saturday night at 8pm EST.

Great views of the EPCOT fireworks from here too!

Friday Funny

New Years Eve Options

Welcome to Save Pleasure Island Blog's annual roundup of New Years Eve dance club options at the Attractions as well as in the city of Orlando. Visit venue websites for more details.  In many cases it's cheaper to buy an advance ticket than to just show up.  Additional venues will be added throughout the week as information comes in!
ATTRACTIONS AREA
PLEASURE ISLAND:  For the 6th year in-a-row the Pleasure Island dance clubs will be dark on NYE.  Paradiso37 is taking reservations for their black tie NYE party that includes a 5-course dinner. Raglan Road has Irish bands with free champagne at 7pm and midnight!
DOWNTOWN DISNEY: DJ Lon will be performing on the Waterside Stage as well as the new music stage near Cirque. There will be no NYE fireworks this year.
ATLANTIC DANCE HALL: Big NYE party featuring DJ TonyZ; Top 40. Details.
EPCOT CENTER: DJ's playing Dance music at 4 countries and at Future World, huge NYE Illuminations fireworks show and they have some rides too. Best NYE party in town!  Details.
DISNEY HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS: Great EDM from DJ Elliot!
MAGIC KINGDOM:  DJ Miles spinning Top 40 & Line Dances in front of Cinderella's Castle!
SEA WORLD:  They've got music and fireworks on NYE but not aware of any dance party.
UNIVERSAL CITYWALK: It's a pricy event but it includes a dinner buffet with filet mignon and shrimp and then dance music in all the clubs!  The Groove has DJ's Ernie Biggs and M-Squared. I believe there's a soft opening of new Mexican restaurant Antojitos. Orlando's largest dance floor will be open outside adjacent the Plaza Stage!  Details.

I-DRIVE
ICEBAR: For $125 you get an open bar for two hours, midnight champagne inside the ice bar itself and a dessert buffet.  DJ dance music in the Fire Lounge.
BACKSTAGE LOUNGE: Pretend you're attending a 50's era Oscar Award party as that will be the vibe of the night at this NYE party inside the Rosen Plaza Hotel.

ORLANDO DOWNTOWN & CITY
CHURCH STREET:  New York drops an apple and Orlando drops an orange.  Numerous party and drink packages offered.  Downtown's largest party.   Details. 
WALL STREET PLAZA:  Another large NYE party this year is at Wall Street Plaza.  There are 9 venues within the complex including two DJ's playing inside and out.
EMBER: No cover or packages required.  Drink specials.  Party at your own pace!
FIRESTONE:  Dark. Unfortunately the show with Nicky Romero (NL) fell through.
TIER NIGHTCLUB: DJ Sinatra returns for a night of Top 40/Dance/Hip Hop.
ROXY:  Perhaps Orlando's only Dubstep NYE party as DJ ƱZ (USA) is in town.
PARLIAMENT HOUSE: Dance singer Kimberley Locke & DJ Scott Robert.

TAMPA
AMPHITHEATRE:  How better to kick-off a new year than with DJ Baby Anne (USA)!  With resident DJ DOCO and others!
HARD ROCK CAFE:  DJ music inside and out with Blaze and Just Steph in the lounge and then outside in the "Breaks Garden" they have Agent K & Bella, Tony Faline, Sharaz and more!
JACKSON's:  Our favorite DJ Mondo spinning EDM at this Harbor Island club.

MIAMI/SOUTHBEACH
SPACE:  DJ Paul van Dyk (D) & Paco Asuna (USA).
LIV:  Tiesto (NL)
FONTAINEBLEAU:  Afrojack (NL), Pharrell (USA)
WALL at W HOTEL:  Dirty South (SRB)
MANSION:  Deadmau5 (CDN) (on January 1st)

This Weekend In Techno Town

THURSDAY DEC 26
Deadmau5 (CDN) has vowed to never play in Orlando but he does play Tampa!  Tonight beside Raymond James Stadium. ($45)

FRIDAY DEC 27
House and Progressive House Friday night at Suite B Lounge with DJ's Dank, Sisco and the legendary Fusion.
(FREE until 11pm, then $5)

SATURDAY DEC 28
The world's greatest Trance DJ's continue to visit Orlando and we're fortunate to have the return of ATB (D) this Saturday night at Roxy Night Club. And you can't get closer to the action than at Roxy!
($20-$25)

Underground Sound also returns to Orlando this Saturday night with local Rob Rest, South Carolina's DJ Spindle and then headliner DJ Jade. Mostly Breakbeats from this crew at Suite B  Lounge.
(Free until 11:30pm, then $5)  

Also on Saturday night Winter Springs' own DJ Chad Andrew returns from a club residency in Ibiza to lead the House movement at new favorite Sound Bar!  ($5) 
SORRY-NYE ARTICLE DELAYED UNTIL TOMORROW!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Club Report: Dick's Last Resort

Orlando has nearly 1 of everything so it was only a matter of time before Dick's Last Resort came to town.  Today marks one week since the venue opened on Vineland Avenue in Lake Buena Vista adjacent the expansion of the Orlando Premium Outlets.

Patrons are required to wear adult bibs and wacky paper hats.  The staff is intentionally obnoxious to the customers similar to Ed Debevic's in Chicago.  (Isn't there someplace at WDW that does that?)  The cuisine is rustic Southern so if you like House of Blues, you're sure to like Dick's. But don't ask for napkins.

70's Disco such as Sister Sledge's "We Are Family" was streaming out of the place when I arrived so I had hoped that DJ's were part of the offering but such is not the case.  They do have live bands on the weekend though.  (Note to Dick's: DJ's are cheaper and more reliable.)

A small bar inside and a huge outdoor patio provide sports-viewing options.

And they do serve wings!  But The Blog does not cover restaurants so our story ends here. Big thanks to reader Jason71 for the heads-up about Dick's.

Club Report: Sound Bar

Visiting Sound Bar early yesterday morning around 2am.

Did not want to miss a first O-town visit for DJ Bella Sarris (AUS)!

The small club was jammed for her Tech House/Deep House set!

No room to move on the dance floor!

Had hoped to chat with her but it was just too crazy in there. Sound Bar is hidden behind a parking lot in an alley off Pine Street but it's worth the search!

She was quite animated with the crowd!

And a good time was had by all!  READERS, TUNE-IN FRIDAY FOR OUR ANNUAL ROUNDUP OF NEW YEARS EVE OPTIONS!

Concert Report: Leaders Of The True School 2.0 (Firestone Live)

Firestone Live is Orlando's leading club for electronic music concerts and that was the case again last night for Leaders of the True School 2.0, a Future Sound of Breaks event.

 This always takes place the Saturday night before Christmas.

With a whole assortment of old Breakbeat dogs on the main stage including DJ D-Xtreme onboard when I first arrived!

Not empty but not particularly crowded around 11:30pm, yet.

Over in the Den, DJ Supagroover (NLP) was pumping out the hits!

Spotted: Jen hiding in the booth!

Spotted: DJ Funkbaby (NLP).  I had unfortunately missed her set by a few minutes.

Outside on the Terrace we had DJ duo Security and Rob E. (Fundamental Breakz Collective)

With night time temps in the mid-70's, there was a good crowd out here!

You can never go wrong with Go Go girls!

 Back inside on the main stage, Dynamix II taking over at midnight.

  He performed at the AAHZ Reunion a couple years ago.

The club was packed now!

People were dancing in all the corners!

  Spotted: Mannequins!

Spotted: Mannequins!

That's the spirit!

The usual suspects.

Around 1am the hairy DJ Freq Nasty taking over on the main stage.

Another Breaks legend from back in the day, this is the first time I encountered him!

One more trip back outside and finding DJ's Agent K & Bella on the controls! I recently heard the Chemical Brothers play one of her songs on their radio program.

At all locations in Firestone last night, a good time was had by all!