Friday Funny

I never understood the fuss; they had some good songs!

DS & CW Update: Both Remain Closed Tonight

Because of the passing of Hurricane Ian, Disney Springs will remain closed today and tonight. As the resort is closed, Atlantic Dance Hall will also remain closed tonight.

Universal Orlando theme parks also remain closed today and tonight along with the CityWalk clubs. They expect to reopen on Friday.

This Weekend In Techno Town

Hurricane Ian has begun to impact some events and we'll post anything we learn of below. Check with your club or promoter before venturing out. Also, independently verify cancellations.

THU   29SEP     CELINE     DJ Julian Jeweil (D/F)     Appears Cancelled

FRI     30SEP     CELINE     DJ Hayden James (AUS)   Postponed to 14OCT

FRI     30SEP     SKYLOUNGE     DJ Bart Skils (NL)   Postponed 

FRI     30SEP     PLAZA LIVE    Bonobo (DJ Set) (GB)   Postponed

SAT    01OCT    VANGUARD     DJ Saymyname (USA) x DJ Nitti Gritti (USA)

SAT    01OCT     ELIXIR BAR     DJ CID (USA)

RIP PLEASURE ISLAND

Tonight.....14 years ago.

PI Update: Mannequins Reunion?

After many years of discussion, we might just have a Mannequins Reunion event early next year. All we can say right now is that we're working on it.

 

Club Reports: Orange Avenue Makeover

We found DJ Chino (USA) in the booth at Parlay last night. Parlay is just one new venue which is bringing a much-needed makeover to downtown Orlando. See the discussion over on our sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

 

Club Reports: Elixir Bar, Chunk's Lounge

Orlando's new hit radio station Fly103.1 has a new Friday night weekly event downtown and that's where our sister website Orlando Entertainment News began the night. The photo article is here.

 

Friday Funny

Actually, I stopped long ago.

 

PI Update: Dinner In Mannequins

We recently had dinner in Mannequins Dance Palace. It was a great feeling to be down on the revolving dance floor again! The vertical pillars are still there, just like in the PI days. One can easily see where the DJ booth used to be as well as the light wall and stage above it.

The filet mignon arrives sliced along with a bowl of sticky rice and Szechuan sauce. It is absolutely wonderful and better than any steak over at STK. Give it a spin....at Mannequins!

This Weekend In Techno Town

Activity picks-up a bit this weekend!

THU     22SEP     CELINE     DJ Wuki (USA)

FRI       23SEP     CELINE     DJ Shiba San (F)

FRI       23SEP     CHUNK'S BAR     DJ Losman (USA) & DJ Amber Jane (USA)

FRI/SAT 23/24SEP   MADDOX RANCH  Heaven On Earth Concert

SAT      24SEP     VANGUARD     DJ Noizu (USA)

SAT      24SEP     GILT CONCERT VENUE     DJ duo Bonnie x Clyde (USA)

SAT      24SEP     ELIXIR BAR     DJ duo Volac (RUS)

SUN     25SEP     ELIXIR BAR     DJ Cristoph (GB)

SUN     25SEP     THE PATIO     DJ duo Volkmann & Engels (D/USA) 

SUN     25SEP     MONKEY BAR     DJ Dack (USA)  [6pm-10pm]

SUN     25SEP     MCQUEENS     DJ Max Chapman (GB)

Orlando Weekly Announces Best Dance Clubs

Orlando Weekly has announced the winners of this year's "Best Bars" category for 2022, as chosen by OW readers. There's close to four dozen categories but we will concentrate on the Best Dance Clubs category:

1. Southern Nights

2. Cowboys Orlando

3. Barbarella 

You can read all the categories and all the winners in the Orlando Weekly article here.

Trip Report: 10 Interesting Things About Canada That You Likely Didn't Know

Just back from Canada, thought we would share 10 interesting things about our neighbor to the north. First of all, you probably used to receive a Canadian penny in your change every once in awhile but not lately. The Canadian penny was eliminated in 2012 and they operate without it. Credit card transactions still use the denomination but if you're paying cash, the price is rounded up or down to the nearest nickel. They keep talking about doing this in the U.S. but it seems unlikely because we love our pennies!

In the United States you'll find a Walgreens or CVS on all major intersections but in Canada it's all about Shoppers Drug Mart stores (called Pharmaprix in Quebec). I think there's more than 1300 of them across the country.

In some U.S. cities there is a Dunkin Donuts on every other block but in Canada it's all about Tim Hortons! Canadian's can't live without their fresh donuts and hot coffee. If you're a fan of the latter, you can now find Tim Hortons coffee at Publix and Winn-Dixie!

In Canada the word "aspirin" is still a brand name owned by Bayer. In the United States, Bayer lost their copyright to the name "aspirin" and any company selling aspirin can call it that. For competitors in Canada, they can only call their product acetylsalicylic acid or ASA but never aspirin.

In the United States, Exxon-Mobil was only allowed to use the Esso name in several eastern states so instead they rebranded all their gas stations nationwide to the Exxon brand. However, outside the United States including in Canada they can and do use the Esso name. Esso is how you would pronounce the initials S.O. which stands for the iconic name Standard Oil.

In Canada, all products have bilingual labeling in French and English.

While some stores in Canada do sell milk in plastic jugs you're familiar with here, most milk in Canada is sold in plastic bags. Users keep a pitcher in the refrigerator and pour the bag contents into the pitcher.

Lays potato chips come in many flavors they don't sell in the United States.

You can buy M&M's in Canada but Canadians love their Smarties!

In the United States the former Bell System used to operate nearly everywhere and dominated most local telephone service. Antitrust action broke them up into many separate companies and with the exception of Cincinnati Bell, you will no longer see the name used. If you're old enough, you may recall Southern Bell and later Bell South. In Canada, Bell Canada still operates (BellAliant in the Atlantic provinces) in competition with other names such as Rogers and Telus. And those are 10 interesting things about Canada. Vive la difference!

Club Reports: Barbarella 2.0, Bikkuri Lounge, Fixtion, The Robinson

It was great to be back in Orlando last night where we visited new club Fixtion and returned to reopened club Bikkuri Lounge. All the pics are on sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

 

Club Reports: Silent Nights @ Vibe, 80’s Rock-N-Glow Party @ Magic Atrium (Carnival Magic)

The decades parties aboard Carnival Magic varied from the 90's Party which was a bust to the 70's Party which was a lot of fun. But the best of them was the 80's Party and we've posted the pictures over on Orlando Entertainment News here.

This Weekend In Techno Town

Another slow weekend in the city!

FRI     16SEP     VANGUARD     DJ Seven Lions (USA)

FRI     16SEP     BARBARELLA 2.0     Memento Mori: DJ Lavidicus (USA)

FRI     16SEP     IRON COW     DJ Ed Abisada (USA) 

SAT    17SEP     BIKKURI LOUNGE     DJ Suzy Solar (USA)

SUN   18SEP     ELIXIR BAR     DJ Honey Luv (USA)

Club Reports: Vibe Nightclub, Mega Deck Party (Carnival Magic)

Although the first night onboard Carnival Magic was kind of a dud, things improved after that. Here we see DJ Renzo (YV) leading the Mega Deck Party. All the pics are on sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

Club Reports: Sail-Away Party, Alchemy Bar, Play It Again Piano Bar, Vibe Nightclub (Carnival Magic)

The first night on the Carnival Magic ship including their 90's Party was kind of a dud. We've posted the pictures over on our sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

 

Trip Report: Carnival Magic

We'll be traveling this week on Carnival Magic on a 7-nt cruise from New York City to Saint John, NB, Sydney, NS and Halifax, NS. We'll be posting some club reports from the ship along the way.

 

Friday Funny

 Guilty. Sorry about that.

CW Update: Citywalk Clubs Update

Our friends over at Theme Park Shark have provided us with an update on what is going on with the clubs at Universal CityWalk. We've posted the pics and info over on sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

 

This Weekend In Techno Town

After a holiday weekend with a tremendous number of DJ shows, things slow down a bit:

FRI     09SEP     IRON COW     DJ Three (USA)

SAT    10SEP     IRON COW     DJ Duke (USA) & Derek Fereal (USA)

SAT    10SEP     VANGUARD     DJ Kaivon (USA)

SAT    10SEP     ELIXIR BAR     DJ Lucati (USA)

SUN   11SEP     SUNDOWN SUNDAYS AT THE PATIO     DJ Wally Lopez (E)

SUN   11SEP     ELIXIR BAR     DJ duo Cocodrills (USA)

TUE    13SEP    ELIXIR BAR     DJ Oscar G (USA)

DS Update: Rides At Disney Springs

If you want rides then you need to go to a theme park! Nonetheless, there are a few ride options at Disney Springs too. There is the Aerophile Balloon Ride which takes you up to 400ft above Disney Springs with some impressive views. ($)

There are the Amphicar rides at The Boathouse. A professional captain will "drive" you around Village Lake. There are some waterside views of Disney Springs but this ride is not so much about seeing as it is about being seen. Tourists who have never seen anything like this will gawk and point at you. We've never tried it; it's really just for the rich. ($$$$$)

You can see the same waterside views from Disney Springs water taxi service. Unfortunately, the transport system that runs from the West Side to Pleasure Island to Marketplace and back to West Side  remains closed post-covid-19. Service has restarted on the Marketplace to Old Key West Resort, Marketplace to Saratoga Springs Resort and Marketplace to Port Orleans Resort routes.You don't need to be a resort guest to use the service and the price is right. (FREE)

Concert Report: Labor Day Bash (House Of Blues)

The famous Sunday Night SIN was reprised at House of Blues last night featuring DJ Magic Mike (USA), DJ Icey (USA), DJ Baby Anne (USA), DJ Kimball Collins (USA) and DJ Jimmy Joslin (USA). Our sister website Orlando Entertainment News was there with full coverage. Click here.

 

Concert Report: DJ Deadmau5 (The Vanguard)

The Vanguard was packed last night for DJ Deadmau5 (CDN). All the pics can be found on our sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

 

Friday Funny

Sorry, we're a day late this week with our Friday Funny.

Trip Report: Margaritaville At Sea Paradise

This is the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, docked at Port of Palm Beach. Every other day it offers 2-night cruises to Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas. This article is a summary of the ship and the trip, for those wondering about the experience. The ship previously operated as Grand Classica for Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and previous to that as Costa Classica for Costa Cruises. With the conversion to the Jimmy Buffet theme, it has been extensively refurbished. 

The port has a modern cruise terminal that can accommodate just one cruise ship per day.

The ship can carry around 1600 passengers and we were told there were 1300 on our sailing this past Thursday. The Labor Day sailing today is sold out. On the sailing prior, there were just 400 guests. So if you're looking for a party ship, pick a weekend sailing but if you're looking for peace and quiet, a sailing that departs on weekdays is your best bet. The Embarkation Desk was fast and efficient. If you're vaccinated, Covid-19 testing is no longer required. If you're not vaccinated, you must present a fresh Covid-19 negative test result.

After you get your boarding card, various kiosks offer drink packages and premium dining packages. I purchased the $99 drink package that got a special wristband good for 10 alcoholic drinks on board. This is a pretty good value compared to what that many drinks on board would cost.

There's nothing like that feeling when you reach the final gangway and the ship is just steps away!

You arrive in the ship's Deck 5 atrium, rethemed to the Margaritaville vibe. The ship's Reception Desk is located here along with the SHOREX Desk.

On this ship, it's not 5 o'clock somewhere, it's 5 o'clock everywhere!

While the ship is old and one can spot a few areas that are dated, it has been extensively refurbished including all the cabins.

I did not eat any meals in the MDR. My food home was the Port of Indecision Buffet where there was a carvery serving roast beef or roast pork.

Being a meat and potatoes kind of guy, there's no time for appetizer service, salad service, soup service, main course service, dessert service, after dinner coffee drink service, etc.  Many people like that and more power to them, but while they're doing that, I can go back for another slab of meat!

The buffet is also open late night for sandwiches and desserts to soak up that alcohol.

The 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar was a popular place to grab a drink near the buffet.

The ship does have a full casino.

There are slots and table games. Please be aware that since Hurricane Dorian, Grand Bahama Island no longer has a land-based casino so this one on the ship is it.

One area lacking on this ship is free pizza. Every cruise ship I've been on has offered free pizza, often available 24/7. On Margaritaville at Sea, Frank & Lola's Pizzeria has pizza but you'll have to pay for it. You can get it boxed to go or eat it in their seating area where a robot will deliver it to your table.

The ship has two outdoor pools.

In the ship's prior life that observatory was home to the ship's dance club Crow's Nest Disco. It is not currently in use except as a game room.

The ship does have a late-night dance club in the Oasis Room.

Here we found DJ Chippy (RP) aka DJ 12 Volt leading the festivities.

He had the dance floor packed!

Euphoria Lounge is another home to live activities.

On the first night they had a Decades Party with live band playing music from the 70's, 80's & 90's while on the second night we saw the Quest game taking place in here! Adults only.

Welcome to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas.

The ship offers numerous excursions at pretty decent prices. I took the shared taxi service to Port Lucaya, a shopping area. The ride is $6pp one way/$12 roundtrip. Since it's nearly a half hour drive from the port, it's a good value. There are a couple dozen shops and restaurants open for business but sadly, many remain shuttered post-Dorian. There is also a straw market and it's home to UNEXSO, the Underwater Explorers Society where you can "swim with the dolphins".

High rise hotels line the beach, sadly all still closed. But there is beach access just a little ways down so it's possible to come here via shared taxi and not have to purchase an excursion.

If another cruise ship is in port such as Carnival Elation yesterday, there is a festival marketplace over there that features numerous shops and bars including a Señor Frog's. But again, they only open if another ship is in port and it's about a 20-minute walk over there.

So that's our summary of Margaritaville at Sea. Please note that since this is a closed loop cruise, U.S. citizens can either use a passport or an original birth certificate with raised seal + Drivers License. It was a fun trip and exceeded expectations. For more about the entertainment onboard, see our OEN article here. Come check it out for yourself!