Remembering "After" The Final Night

After the party ended on that sad Final Night, the Island was never the same again. At Mannequins the "Mannequins Dance Palace" signs that were on the marquee were removed and remained black.  It was not practical to remove the metal or neon signs so they remained.

The Motion sign was completely removed off the front of that club.

8TRAX was painted over but initially it was still possible to see the name through the black.

Paradiso 37 was under construction at the time of the club-closings and was coming regardless of the status of the Island.  It did not replace any clubs.

A look back the other way.  Pleasure Island was quite bleak after the clubs closed down.

DTD Update: Hidden Mickey At Food Truck Park!

At Downtown Disney West Side, there's been a change of plans regarding the food trucks.  The new sign refers only to "Food Trucks" and it's now opening "Fall, 2014".

The former sign called it a "Food Truck Park" and said it was opening this summer.

Our exclusive SkyCam view of the Food Truck Park shows this to be a hidden Mickey!

The lone section of High Line abandoned rail trestle adjacent Starbucks now has plants growing on it.

The underside has lighting and numerous speakers.  The old 8TRAX classic from Lipps, Inc., "Funkytown" was playing on them as I passed by!

Remembering My Mannequins Friends

Last night was the 6th anniversary of the Final Night at Mannequins so I went through all the pictures I took that night to pull out those of some of my favorite Mannequins friends. A few of them I've never seen again since that night but for the most part I've run into if not hung out with most of the people pictured! Long live Mannequins Dance Palace!

At Mannequins, a good time was ALWAYS had by all!

PI RIP - 6 Years

So here we are 6 years later and absolutely nothing has replaced our comedy and dance clubs on Pleasure Island.  Every one of them has either been demolished or kept empty.  However, for the first time in all these years there is some hope because since the 5th anniversary last year there has actually been construction happening on Pleasure Island!  While it looks like PI's new role as The Landing means it's going to become Restaurant Island, there is hope that they will offer various forms of adult nightlife later at night. So by the time the 7th anniversary hits next year, there should be a few things already open and we'll know how good or bad it is.  Stay tuned.

Glow Party On Norwegian Breakaway

Another night, another party on board Norwegian Breakaway!  This one was called the Glow Party which combined their older White Hot Party with glow features.

Another night with DJ Keith (RP) pumping out Top 40/Dance!

Plenty of little rascals around as this one is a family party!

Think this one was the most-crowded of the ones I attended back here in outdoor club Spice H2O.

Free shots as LMFAO's "Shots" played!

The party was scheduled to last one hour but it kept going and going!

The Breakaway's "animation team".  On a lot of ships I've been on the team starts the action off but then kind of disappears after a half-hour or so.  Not on this ship.  They stuck around and partied hard the entire event!

And after several strong double-sized drinks they offer on this ship, I fortunately remembered that the fish on the carpet would take me upstream to my cabin!

This Weekend In Techno Town

THURSDAY SEP 25
This will be a good one.  House and Deep House from some masters at it, DJ duo Chus & Ceballos (E) tonight at Tier Nightclub.  DJ Carlos Mendoza opens.  For real House heads.
($25-$35)

For those who prefer to take a selfie, Firestone Live has DJ duo Chainsmokers (USA) competing for your business tonight. Will no doubt attract a younger crowd than Chus.
($16-$30)

FRIDAY SEP 26
Is it the last weekend in September already?  Yes, and that means Trance at Bikkuri Lounge ft. DJ's Robb Blak and Agni and guest DJ Tien.  (FREE)

SATURDAY SEP 27
Another Tampa DJ who knows how to mix Top 40 and Dance to keep a dance floor moving, The Groove at Universal CityWalk has DJ Tone this Saturday night!
($7)

A great night of mostly Breaks coming to The Peacock Room this Saturday night with Geebo, Renato Guiro and more!
($10)

Well nothing is happening this Saturday night at Mannequins Dance Palace but it is the 6th anniversary of the Final Night at MDP and you might just go by the place and mourn.
(FREE) 

Comedy Warehouse and Adventurers Club fans should check out a night of original comedy from some of the Cast that used to work there!
Adventurers In Charity at the Holiday Inn - Lake Buena Vista on SR535. ($12 - $175)

70's Night On Norwegian Breakaway

Has there ever been a cruise that did not have a 70's Disco Night?

DJ Keith (RP) back at the helm pumping out Disco hits!

Good crowd on hand but not as crowded at the first two nights here at Spice H2O since tomorrow is our first port since leaving New York and most people just want off!

The crew was in the Disco mood!

Hits ranged from "We Are Family" to "Ring My Bell" to 8TRAX & Retro Room classic "Stayin' Alive"!

A good time was had by all!

Norwegian's Night Out

Second night on board Norwegian Breakaway headed to BDA. This was the night of their event called "Norwegian's Night Out".  It's another party for everyone and took place at their outdoor party venue Spice H2O located aft on Deck 16!

DJ Keith (RP) was back on the controls starting the night with two 50's songs, two 60's songs, a whole bunch of 70's and 80's before going contemporary.

And with around 40 cruises under my belt, the first time I've ever had a Cruise Director named Julie! (CDN) You have to be a bit older to get that reference.

The entire area becomes a dance floor and since you're partying with a bunch of people you're not likely to ever see again after this week, people really let loose.  Mixed drinks were around $7 and were double-sized and strong!

On this NYC-based ship, our own version of the Rockettes!

A good time was  had by all!