DS Update: Is Beatrix Axed Or Isn't It?

It's a tradition at Disney World to put "what's coming" signs on their construction walls. For example, Salt & Straw is coming in 2022 to this spot in Disney Springs West Side where Something Silver used to be.

But at this other West Side spot where Beatrix restaurant was supposedly going, the lengthy construction wall has no "what's coming" signs.

And nothing happening on the other side of the walls either. Makes you wonder if Beatrix got axed.  In an online article last year on the WDWNT website, they reported the project was indeed cancelled but Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants responded that it was delayed, not cancelled. Yet now nearly a year after that article, here we are.

Club Report: Omnia Nightclub (Las Vegas)

The No. 2 DJ in the world, Martin Garrix (NL) headlined last night's show at Omnia Nightclub inside Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Our sister website Orlando Entertainment News was there. LINK

Club Report: Zouk Nightclub (Las Vegas)

When we travel, we like to visit the local clubs. Last night we only got one of the DJ's that makes up the duo called Louis the Child (USA) but Zouk Las Vegas was impressive. The pictures are here.

Friday Funny

DS Update: Balloon Goes Up And So Does Its Price!

We just did an article about the tethered helium balloon ride at Disney Springs but we were shocked to find out yesterday that the price of the ride is now up to $25.00!

This Weekend In Techno Town

THURSDAY FEB 24 - SUNDAY FEB 27

                         Dirtybird CampInn Festival at Wyndham Orlando Resort       

FRIDAY FEB 25

                      DJ Deborah De Luca (B)     Celine Nightclub     Techno

SATURDAY FEB 26

                    DJ Lane 8 (USA)     Orlando Amphitheater     House / EDM

SATURDAY FEB 26

                    DJ Jimmy Joslin (USA)     Heist Lounge     Old Skool Breaks

SATURDAY FEB 26

                  DJ Blanke (AUS)     Gilt Concert Venue     Dubstep / Heavy Bass

DS Update: Characters In Flight?

A lot of people still call the tethered helium balloon ride at Disney Springs "Characters In Flight" but that's not been the name for years. When the current "blue" balloon took to the skies, the ride name had become simply, "Aerophile, The World Leader in Balloon Flight". 

 

This balloon model featuring Dumbo the flying Elephant was actually the second balloon at Disney Springs operated by Aerophile.

The first balloon featured Mary Poppins. In June, 2012, a tethered balloon ride of similar manufacture as this one sprang a leak at a non-Disney theme park in Hong Kong, causing a quick loss of altitude and injuries. The Mary Poppins balloon at then Downtown Disney was immediately grounded and replaced in September, 2012 with the new design shown in the middle picture.

Club Reports: Two Places I-Bar is NOT Going!

There are tons of rumors going around about where Barbarella aka Independent Bar aka I-Bar is moving to. Some make more sense than others so this weekend we checked out two venues. This first one is this building on Church Street just west of Exploria Stadium. Stonewall Bar recently operated here. In many ways its an ideal spot because inside it's a dead ringer for Barbarella. It's very dark, it's DJ booth is upstairs overlooking the dance floor, it has television monitors along the walls. It also has the bonus of an upstairs room and an outdoor patio. So this would be a great spot, except it's not. The property is still for sale on Realtor.com. If this was the place, one would expect renovation activity and moving activity to be taking place in the middle of the day but not a creature was stirring. SO THIS AIN'T IT.

 

Another popular rumor was that Barbarella ownership was going to take over the lease of Iron Cow over in the Milk District. But again, one would expect renovations to be taking place or moving activity to be seen in the middle of the day but it wasn't. Plus, we've heard that current ownership plans to reopen the venue soon. SO THIS AIN'T IT EITHER. OEN will continue to keep our eyes and ears open! Stay tuned!

Concert Report: Breaks Academy (Ace Cafe)

Johnny Dangerously & Storm are the Brothers of Funk (USA) and they were among the headliners at last night's "Breaks Academy" concert at Ace Cafe. The pictures are on sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

 

Club Reports: Grumpys Underground, Violet Rose, Barbarella

Goths come out at night! Check out Barbarella last night on our sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

 

Friday Funny

Never thought about it that way.....but it's true! Or maybe even 1700's.

Will Disney's New Ship Have A Nightclub?

Disney Cruise Line's new cruise ship Disney Wish has been delayed several months due to construction delays at the factory in Europe. But in our review of the ship's website, there is no mention that the ship will have a nightclub. Disney's prior cruise ships have offered nightclubs for adults because not everyone on board is a child or is traveling with a child. We will await further information about the ship as the maiden sailing date approaches. One impressive thing the ship will have is this Star Wars-themed bar called the Hyperspace Lounge. PHOTO CREDIT: WALT DISNEY CORP.

The website reads: "Coruscant. Tatooine. Batuu. Watch worlds drift by at this stylish space bar boasting stellar views, where you can sit back and sip on some out-of-this-world concoctions while being transported throughout the Star Wars galaxy.Families are invited to experience this interstellar watering hole during the day, but at night, the lounge jumps to lightspeed and becomes a haven for adults only, offering interactive tasting experiences and signature beverages inspired by the hit films."

This Weekend In Techno Town

FRIDAY FEB 18

                      DJ Rob (USA)     Barbarella     Dark Wave / Industrial

SATURDAY FEB 19

          DJ Scratch-D (USA)     Breaks Academy @ Ace Cafe     Breaks / Electro

SUNDAY FEB 20

               DJ Eskuche (RUS) & Mihalis Safras (GR)     Elixir Bar     Techno

PI Update: Sniff

Sniff.

Club Reports: What's New Downtown?

It's been awhile since we updated you on some of the new stuff coming to downtown Orlando. Let's begin on Church Street where the people that once operated the Joysticks game room on Pine Street are renovating this spot and will open a new game room later this year. This is the spot that most recently housed Danny & Pats lounge & Schumann's Jager Haus before that. It most famously was home to the club Dragon Room. Most recently signage on those doors indicated that Seychelles Sea Food & Steak House was coming here but that was more than a year ago and it never happened. If the new game room is as popular as Joysticks was, we may finally see more pedestrian traffic on Church Street!

Also on Church Street but west of the tracks, this large building known as the Bumby Arcade is being renovated into a Food Hall with numerous venues within it. As home to Church Street Station and Rosie O'Grady's Good Time Emporium, the building has sat largely idle this past decade and longer. We'll see if this is just a daytime place or will it also be open in the evening?

 

We're excited to report that this long-vacant building on Pine Street west of Orange Avenue has been renovated and opened as The Violet Rose. We'll do a Club Report from here soon.   Most people know this place as Blue Room back in the 90's but subsequent to that its been Red Velvet, Blue Room (again) followed by Voyage, Deja Vu Ultra Lounge, Zen Exotic Lounge, Liquid and most recently the very short lived Club Ice. They plan to differentiate themselves by offering live bands, something not seen much anymore downtown. There will be a DJ between band sets.

Lastly, this spot on Orange Avenue that once housed Finnhenry's will reopen as Parlay, a sports bar. We believe it's owned by Court Street Concepts, the company that also operates Eden Bar, Elixir Bar & Tier Nightclub. Have not seen an opening date.

Club Report: Ode To IBar

The number of days remaining for Barbarella aka Independent Bar are waning. While not as traumatic as the final days of Mannequins and Pleasure Island, it's still sad that Barbarella will no longer be part of my downtown exploits. Last night was one of my final visits and the pics are on OEN here.

Concert Report: Dua Lipa (Amway Center)

Last night our sister website Orlando Entertainment News checked out the Dua Lipa (RKS/GB) concert at Amway Center and she was pretty amazing. The pics can be found on OEN here.

 

Friday Funny

                                        Right?

Trip Report: Sad Day At CocoCay

Little Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas is a private island leased by Royal Caribbean for their ships to use as a beach destination for passengers. In the past they marketed it as CocoCay and in 2019 following extensive renovations they began calling it Perfect Day at CocoCay.

We visited CocoCay twice during the past week and they were first visits following the renovations.

Some of the improvements we liked. We liked that there is now a pier for up to two ships to dock at the same time. This used to be tender port with all of the hassles associated with going to and from the island using ship tenders. This is much, much better.

There is also trams stations and trams scattered around the island in case you get tired of walking. We like this too.

 

But the island has become one big cash cow for Royal Caribbean. There are cabanas for rent.

There are day beds for rent.

There is a helium balloon ride. This costs $75 to ride whereas it costs just $20 for an identical one at Disney Springs.

There is a water park with water slides, this one reportedly the tallest and largest in North America. The only things you get free on the island are a beach chair with umbrella and your lunch.

The zip lines cost extra too.

Pretty much anything natural (besides the beach) has been obliterated to make room for all the theme park-like attractions. I really miss this old nature trail which traversed the spine of the island as shown in this 2014 photo.

There were signs along the way describing the native flora.

Such as sea grapes.

And an actual native Poison Wood tree!

Touch it and the sap would burn you!

The pathway was rough but it was natural.

We did find a few short remnants of the old trail during this visit.

But sadly you're not supposed to use it.

And you can no longer walk around the island anymore either. So some will call this progress and some will like the new "attractions". Do come visit and take advantage of what's here. But with much of what made this a natural Bahamian island now gone, it is, in my opinion, a Sad Day At CocoCay.