Monday, January 31, 2022

DS Update: Fat Man Squeeze

The so called "Fat Man Squeeze" area in Disney Springs West Side remains in effect between the former locations of Something Silver and Bongos Cuban Cafe. Supposedly there is construction taking place inside the former Something Silver location that will transform it into a Salt & Straw ice cream parlor. Nothing is happening in the barren Bongos space though. Ground work was under way to build a Beatrix restaurant when covid19 hit in early 2020 and nothing has happened that we can see in the two years since then.

Sunday, January 30, 2022

Club Report: Atlantic Dance Hall

DJ Mynd (USA) led the dance party last night at Disney's Atlatic Dance Hall and our sister website Orlando Entertainment News was there to check it out. All the pictures can be found here.

Saturday, January 29, 2022

Club Reports: Monkey Bar, Barbarella, Elixir Bar, Celine Nightclub

DJ ACRAZE (USA) was the highlight of Friday night downtown and our sister website Orlando Entertainment News was there. You can find the article here.

Thursday, January 27, 2022

DS Update: Popcorn Buckets?

Someone recently posted on Facebook a picture of 1-hr plus long line at EPCOT of people waiting to purchase a Disney popcorn bucket. Well they have them at popcorn carts at Disney Springs too.....with NO LINE!

 

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

This Weekend In Techno Town

THURSDAY JAN 27
               DJ Pacho Berrocal (USA)     McQueens     Techno / Tech House

FRIDAY JAN 28
                    DJ Acraze (USA)     Celine Nightclub     House / EDM
FRIDAY JAN 28
                    DJ Virtual Riot (D)     The Vanguard     Dubstep / Heavy Bass
SATURDAY JAN 29
                  DJ Lil Texas (USA)     The Geek Easy     Hardcore / Hard Dance
SUNDAY JAN 30
          DJ Chad Andrew (D/USA)     Sundown Sundays @ The Patio     Techno

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

PI Update: The Day The President Visited Pleasure Island

He was only expected to give a tourism speech in front of Cinderella's Castle at Disney's Magic Kingdom that day, but President Obama also made an unexpected stop at Pleasure Island in January, 2012, ten years ago this month! The short, impromptu speech was made in front of a surprised crowd and members of the press corp where he stated Pleasure Island dance and comedy clubs should reopened. He was pleading to top Disney management when he exclaimed, "Chairman Iger, tear down this wall!"  He said he wants to see Motion rebuilt, would like to hang out with the Colonel (Adventurers Club) sometime and hopes to take a spin on the revolving dance floor at Mannequins before his second term ends. Sadly, none of that ever came to be.

Monday, January 24, 2022

PI Update: Chilly Island

Today on the Blog we go back 10 years to 2012 to visit our beloved Island on a coincidentally chilly evening. 

The Andre Caram Band (USA) featuring singer Drey-C was putting out Top 40/Dance hits from their usual spot which on a makeshift stage at West End Plaza which had been temporarily renamed Celebration Plaza. As you might recognize, this was outside the Comedy Warehouse building.

This really irked us because the CW building was "open" for all the electrical equipment to be plugged into, yet it sat idle as everyone had to stay bundled up outside to watch the show!

But who said there's no dancing on Pleasure Island! A good time was had by all.

Sunday, January 23, 2022

Concert Report: DJ Seth Troxler (Elixir Bar)

It was 48F° out there when the show began but that did not deter a huge crowd from gathering to see the legendary DJ Seth Troxler (USA) at Elixir Bar last night. Our sister website Orlando Entertainment News has the pics here.


Saturday, January 22, 2022

Club Reports: West End Trading Co, Imperial at Washburn Imports, Manikins Lounge (Sanford)

Some of the mannequins at Manikins are quite real looking! Friday night our sister website Orlando Entertainment News visited downtown Sanford. The pics can be found here.

 

Thursday, January 20, 2022

DS Update: Cheap Snack?

Because it's tucked into an alley behind the theater and beside the bowling alley, you might forget about Everglazed, the donut shop in Disney Springs West Side.

But with large donuts priced around $4.75 and seasonal specialties priced at $5.75-$6.50, Everglazed might be the cheapest snack in the Springs!

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

This Weekend In Techno Town

FRIDAY JAN 21
        DJ Jeff Jefferson (GB)     Discothèque @ Barbarella     House/Nu Disco

FRIDAY JAN 21
 DJ duo/trio Cheat Codes (USA) / DJ Morgan Page (USA)     The Vanguard     EDM
SATURDAY JAN 22
            DJ Seth Troxler (USA)     Elixir Bar     Techno / House / Tech House

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Trip Report: Montreal, Quebec

Several people mentioned that they wanted to see more pics from my Montreal trip than just the one of me standing in the snow that I posted on Facebook. So here it is. We began the day at Orlando International Airport for the early morning nonstop service on Air Canada Rouge.

Heading up into the blue Florida sky as downtown Orlando passed by.

And then three hours later coming out of the clouds to THIS!

Of course they know how to deal with snow in Montreal and plows kept the runways and tarmac pretty clear.

Welcome to YUL - Montreal.

If you're connecting here just follow the "Correspondances" sign. If you're staying, follow the sign for "Arrivees" and clear Immigration Canada. Single, male passengers can often get the third degree questioning as to why you're there but the officer asked me one question and then I was on my way. Currently Canada requires a covid19 PCR test within 72 hours of departure of your flight plus completion of the ArriveCAN app.

The Montreal airport still is not connected by rail to the city centre but the STM 747 bus is only C$10 (about US$8) for an all-day transit pass and there's a bus every 10-15 minutes. Tickets are purchased at a kiosk in the airport's arrivals area.

The bus does goes into the downtown core but my destination was closer to Metro Station: Peel so I departed the bus at it's first stop Metro Station: Lionel-Groulx and went the rest of the way via train.

I was soon along Rue Ste-Catherine, the main shopping drag and home to Canadian brands such as Roots, Garage, Hudson Bay Company and favorite Dollarama.

Canada Goose has a branch here too but I doubt it's cheaper than the United States since there is a steep 14.975% federal and provincial sales tax here!

I had hoped to have lunch downtown but under current covid19 guidelines, all restaurants are take-out only and since I did not have a hotel or car to eat in, there was nothing for me.

So it was  soon time to take the 747 bus back to the airport.

Where there fortunately is an exception to dining-in rules and I had the meal that Montreal is famous for: Steak & Frites!

My purpose for flying to Montreal was to attend Night 1 of Igloofest but I was aware it was cancelled from about a week in advance of the trip. I came anyway to keep my Air Canada/Star Alliance elite status for another year.

And after a 10 minute deicing bath, we were on our way back to Orlando!

Monday, January 17, 2022

DS Update: The Sprinkles Cupcake ATM

It's been several years since we've seen lines like this at Sprinkles in Disney Spring Town Center. Several new venues for "sweets" have opened since we took this file photo.

Nonetheless, one of the attractions here is buying your cupcake for their unique cupcake ATM!

Although I'm convinced that there really is an employee on the other side of the ATM who takes your selection and places it in the ATM door for you, regardless of what is displayed on the video screen. But with around 4 dozen locations around the country including some that are ATM-only, maybe it really is completely automated!

Sunday, January 16, 2022

Concert Report: DJ Talla 2XLC (Ace Cafe)

DJ Talla 2XLC (D) was the highlight of last night's show at Ace Cafe Orlando and our sister website Orlando Entertainment News was there to experience it. All the pics are here.

Saturday, January 15, 2022

Concert Report: DJ Felix Da Housecat (Barbarella)

The legendary DJ Felix Da Housecat (USA) played Orlando last night and our sister website Orlando Entertainment News was there for the pictures. Check out their article here.

 

Thursday, January 13, 2022

DS Update: Drey-C Back At Advent Waterside Stage

It's been close to 10 years ago since we posted this picture above of the Waterside Stage event marquee which at the time featured singer Drey-C. Except back then, he did not appear alone but with a band that went under the name Andre Caram Band ft. Drey-C.  But we haven't seen him (or them) lately and they were curiously not in the NYE lineup for Disney Springs either. But taking a look at this week's entertainment lineup for Disney Springs and he (or they) feature prominently! So come check him (or them) out this week at the Advent Health Waterside Stage in Disney Springs Marketplace between 6:15pm to 10:00pm. Check marquee for exact set times.

  • Sunday: Drey-C
  • Monday: Motown and More(6:15pm-9:30pm)
  • Tuesday: Southbound
  • Wednesday: La Calle
  • Thursday: Drey-C
  • Friday: Drey-C
  • Saturday: Drey-C 
  • Wednesday, January 12, 2022

    This Weekend In Techno Town

    DJ Felix da Housecat (USA)     Discothèque@ Barbarella     House

    FRIDAY JAN 14
                    DJ duo Lost Kings (USA)     The Vanguard     EDM / Heavy Bass
    SATURDAY JAN 15
                                         DJ Talla 2XLC (D)     Ace Cafe     Trance
    SATURDAY JAN 15
                           DJ Nitti Gritti (USA)     Gilt Concert Venue     Heavy Bass
    SUNDAY JAN 16
                                       DJ Avision (USA)     Elixir Bar     Techno