Trip Report: Atlanta

Pleasure Island is closed. Now Disney Springs is closed. So we needed some filler material today leading to this Trip Report. Fares are currently really cheap and yesterday was the last day that Delta was using a widebody Boeing 767-300ER on the Orlando-Atlanta route. (It's usually used on the Orlando-Amsterdam route which is not operating.) So what better time than now to take a day trip to Atlanta!

Nothing to do there; pretty much everything is closed. Like Florida, Georgia has a Republican governor who refuses to issue a statewide travel ban.

The Boeing 767 holds around 250 passengers and there were about 100 on my flight to Atlanta. They had us all spread-out so no one was near another passenger unless you were traveling together. All Delta flights are wiped-down following each segment and are fumigated overnight. My return flight on the same aircraft didn't even have 25 passengers.

Airlines have parked their unused aircraft pretty much anywhere they can get space. This photo was taken from the climb out of ATL but there are similar parking lots scattered around MCO too.

Interesting way to spend an afternoon and a good time was had by all.

PI Update: Mannequins Now And Then

Now.

Then.
OK, if you want Asian food, maybe Now is better. But if you want fun, it's Then all the way!

DS Update: The Springs!

The springs of Disney Springs!  We often forget about them.

EDC & SMF Updates

Electric Daisy Carnival - Las Vegas is still scheduled for May 15-17 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. They will make a final decision on it no less than 30 days prior to the scheduled date. We support this decision as EDC is still more than a month away.

Meanwhile, Sunset Music Festival in Tampa is still on too. Scheduled for Memorial Day weekend on May 23-24, SMF issued this statement: 

Thanks for your support and love during this time. The Sunset 2.0 team is taking the global health situation seriously and is committed to your health and safety.

While the news changes daily, we are working closely with the City of Tampa and local health officials to ensure the safety of festival and our fans, artists and staff.

At this time, Sunset 2.0 is 100% a go for Memorial Day weekend. Please be assured that if anything changed, such as a cancellation or postponement, fans would have a choice of whether to keep their ticket or have it refunded.

We support this decision too as SMF is still nearly 2 full months away.

Friday Funny

Ouch!

DS Update: Ample Hills Files For Bankruptcy

Ice cream parlor Ample Hills Creamery was going to open in this spot in Disney Springs West Side where Something Silver used to operate. But apparently that isn't going to happen because Ample Hills Creamery and Ample Hills Holdings have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New York where they are based. 
And while those construction walls have been up for several months now, apparently very little work has been taking place behind them. Chapter 11 means that shedding debt and reorganizing could happen so we don't really know that they won't eventually open in Disney Springs. But bankruptcy can often take a long time to sort out and it would seem unlikely, in our opinion, that Disney would want to wait around very long in this prime corner spot next to the theater.
We'll keep you updated.

This Weekend In Techno Town

** The Governor of Florida has ordered all bars and clubs closed.
** Orange County mandated a 11PM to 5AM curfew nightly.
** Effective tomorrow night, Orange County under a mandatory "stay-at-home" order.
Needless to say, there will be no DJ events this weekend.

Here is DJ Pete Haynes (USA) from 8TRAX with his:

Retro Social Distance Dance Party Taking You Way Back In Time!

DS Update: Disney Springs Closed!

We know that all Disney owned and operated venues within Disney Springs were closed down due to the Coronavirus. But non-Disney owned venues were given the option to be open or closed.

But according to the Disney Springs website, everything is now closed.
"All locations at Disney Springs are temporarily closed." 
We'll let you know when we hear more.

DS Update: Beatrix Progress

As you know by now, a Chicago-based Beatrix restaurant is going into the spot where Bongos Cuban Cafe once stood. We peeked over the wall to check on progress.

And there you have it.

Downtown Update: Architecture Of Orange Avenue

As we wander the downtown streets at night from bar to bar, we have no idea of the history that we are often passing by. Orange Avenue is filled with architectural gems that are invisible in the darkness of the night. The Kress Building is an art deco beauty that had once housed a Kress "Five and Dime" store.

Adjacent Wall Street Plaza and now home to Finnhenry's and a Subway shop on the ground level, the Angebilt office building at one time was a downtown hotel.

At the corner of Orange Avenue and Central, the former title "State Bank of Orlando and Trust Co" is still visible. Apparently an office building now, it's a dead zone at night with perhaps a hot dog vendor or two outside on the sidewalk.

Diagonally across the same intersection, this building was recently the home of Banco Popular but the ground floor was opened up and Embassy Irish Bar is on the corner and there is a Jimmy John's sub shop further down the street.

Another former bank building along Orange Avenue. There are many newer structures downtown as well, of course. But there are many well-preserved historic buildings there too yet we just don't notice them after dark.

Downtown Update: Friday Night Bleakness

Friday night in downtown Orlando. With bars and clubs ordered closed, parking garages were barricaded.

And parking meter spaces which are free after 6PM were ample.

A small number of eateries are open for take-out only but the 11PM mandatory curfew in Orange County was looming.

Celine Nightclub: CLOSED

The Crow: CLOSED

Attic Nightclub and Treehouse: CLOSED

Shots Orlando: CLOSED.  The only people I saw wandering around were several downtown residents walking their dogs and the numerous homeless.

Bullitt Bar and McQueens: CLOSED

Tier Nightclub: CLOSED

Sideshow: CLOSED

Wall Street Plaza: CLOSED

Aero Bar and The Social: CLOSED

Independent Bar: CLOSED.  It does not take long to realize that hundreds and perhaps thousands of downtown workers are now unemployed and their lack of spending ability will ripple its way through other businesses. And it's like this all over.

DJ Magic Mike would not be playing his Friday night gig at Ember.

DJ Jimmy Joslin would not be playing his Friday night gig at Bar B.

There's always a party at The Patio.....until there wasn't.

But Orlando has weathered a crisis or two in the past and we've always survived. 
We will do so again.  
Please be safe.

DS Update: Lululemon Coming

Finally, a replacement for Trophy Room: A new Lululemon store.  The outlet of the Vancouver-based chain will open this summer, allowing Ladies to finally be able to purchase yoga pants in Disney Springs!

This Weekend In Techno Town

All bars and clubs are closed.

DS Update: Closed!

Sad times at Walt Disney World as the coronavirus pandemic has not only closed the theme parks and resorts but also much of Disney Springs.

Disney closed all their owned and operated stores and restaurants effective yesterday. They didn't even have time to make signs to place in their entrances; they simply didn't reopen on Tuesday morning including their flagship World of Disney store.

Disney Pin Traders - CLOSED

Once Upon A Toy - CLOSED

No shows at the Waterside Stage.

No nightlife at the Waterview Stage.

Disney O&O attraction and shop NBA Experience is closed.

For non-Disney operating participants, each can decide whether they want to stay open or stay closed. The Earl of Sandwich was open yesterday, House of Blues was not.

Columbia Sportswear - CLOSED

Free People - CLOSED

Sephora - CLOSED

Levi's Store - CLOSED

Lego Store - CLOSED
If you're headed to Disney Springs for a specific shop or restaurant, it would be wise to call ahead to see if they're open.