DS Update: Fox Blocks

Ten years ago this month we reported on the construction of a new Disney Springs building made of Fox Blocks. These are Lego-like building blocks that are heavily insulated. We wondered at the time why someone would go to that expense to build such a heavily-insulated building.

We quickly learned that this would be the new Coca-Cola Store which would include a mostly-glass exoskeleton along much of the outside. Since a glass exterior could get seriously hot in the sun, especially in summer, it was necessary to insulate the building itself from that heat. 

The more you know.

This Weekend In Techno Town

Twas' the weekend before Christmas and all through the town.....

THU    18DEC     OLIV BAR     DJ Swagkerr (USA) 

FRI      19DEC     CELINE     KPop Night: DJ Chen (USA)

SAT     20DEC     ELIXIR BAR     DJ OMRI. (IL)

SAT     20DEC     THE OTHER BAR     DJ Jimmy Joslin's (USA) Birthday Party 

SAT     20DEC     AXE TRAP     Memento Mori: DJ Lavidicus (USA)  

 

PI Update: Our Dear Cheryl

Spotted at the Boardwalk in December, 2010 (15 years ago!), our favorite Disney crime fighter and former Pleasure Islander, Cheryl. When she left Disney Security after many years, she drove for Disney's Mini Van Service and was most recently spotted working at EPCOT. 

 

PI & CW Updates From 2008

We drove the "Wayback Machine" this morning to revisit an article we posted in December, 2008. This is about 3 months after Pleasure Island closed. Here's what we posted:

News You Can Use

Out at DTD Westside construction is underway on the new docks that will be the home of the new tethered balloon ride.

Rumor has it that a lot of the lighting equipment that was in Mannequins is now being used at the new American Idol show in Disney Hollywood Studios. 8TRAX is being stripped right now.

Coming in 2009 to the upper level of Universal's CityWalk: BK Burger Express, Moe's & Panda Express. 

 

 WOW!

 

Club Reports: Morse Code, Elixir Bar, Rayn

Downtown Winter Park is known for its haughty shopping and restaurant scene but when it comes to nightlife, well, they kind of roll-up the sidewalks after 10PM. But one place you can count-on for nightlife on weekend nights is Morse Code.

We arrived around 10PM to find DJ Shaun Kerr (USA) on the decks playing House. Apparently he operates under his real name when playing House and under the DJ Swagkerr alias when playing Breaks.

He had a large crowd on the dance floor.

While we've seen larger crowds here, it was hardly empty either.

DJ Johnny Park (USA) came on shortly after we arrived.

His set a mix of Classic Dance, EDM and even some Disco.

Dance floor stayed busy.

We ran into so many peeps from the local music scene.

Team picture. The boys from P.M. Entertainment struck a pose. We were informed of numerous upcoming events that are in the works but we're sworn to secrecy.

That look you get from great music!

A good time was had by all.

Morse Code is located in DTWP along Morse Blvd. Now whether Morse Code is named after Morse Blvd or whether Morse Blvd is named after Morse Code, we really can't be sure. But it does seem to be more than just a coincidence.

Headed next to downtown Orlando and House music favorite Elixir Bar.

We arrived just before midnight and spotted the evening's headliner about to come on.

DJ Technasia (HK/F)

We had first met him in 2016 when he played at Eve Nightclub.

And we last saw him in 2022 when he played at Celine.

A lot of vocals in his selections last night which we would describe as mostly Tech House.

The dance floor, located outside on the famous Elixir patio, was absolutely mobbed.

Technasia was originally part of a Hong Kong-based DJ duo. After parting ways, he was able to retain the name and tour on his own now based in Europe.

Upcoming shows at Elixir include DJ Locklead (NL) tonight, OMRI. (IL) next Saturday night December 20th and DJ Marco Strous (P) on December 28th. Advance tickets on DICE. 

A good time was had by all.

We woke up Saturday morning with an announcement of an overnight Breaks event happening at midnight at Rayn Nightclub located inside the Opal Resort, Altamonte Springs. This is the former Why Not Lounge space. So we wanted to check it out.

Closer to 1AM, we found DJ Beni Hill (USA) in the booth when we arrived.

Mostly Breaks during our visit.

Not sure if this is going to be a weekly event or monthly event but not many here given the "last minute" nature of the announcement. There were a half dozen people inside at the bar, another half dozen outside on the patio and these two on the dance floor. We'll update you once we get more details. A good time was had by....these two, at least.

Club Reports: Alfie’s HiFi, Sessions, The Robinson, Palm Tree Club

Always great to be back in Orlando and last night we began the evening at Alfie's HiFi where we found DJ Juan Sanchez (USA) alternating with Grammy Award winning DJ Tracy Young (USA). You can find all of last night's pics on Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Friday Funny: The Homeless Of Disney Springs

Disney Springs is a quaint little lakefront town but a few years ago we reported on the homeless problem you might spot while visiting there. Here is a link to that article. (This is obviously parody.)

Trip Report: Ka De We (Berlin)

We'll be back in Orlando this weekend for our usual club reports but we'll fill today's article with a couple final photos from Berlin. The building above is home to Berlin's famous department store, Kaufhaus Des Westens, called Ka De We by everyone. It's the largest department store in continental Europe and the second largest in Europe overall after Harrod's in London.

Department stores in the United States continue to struggle although 4th Quarter results so far appear promising. Ka De We (literally Department Store of the West) was absolutely jammed with customers during two visits this past Saturday and Sunday. (Sunday was one of just four "Shopping Sundays" that German law allows each year.) Check out the food hall on the 6th floor. A very impressive stop for any tourist visiting what at one time was West Berlin, the island of freedom surrounded by communist East Germany.

This Weekend In Techno Town

Thanks for reading This Weekend In Techno Town!

THU   11DEC     OLIV BAR     DJ J-ROK (USA) 

FRI     12DEC     CELINE     DJ Kompany (USA)

FRI     12DEC     PALM TREE CLUB     DJ duo Sparrow & Barbossa (E)

FRI     12DEC     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Tracy Young (USA)

SAT    13DEC     VANGUARD     DJ duo Atliens (USA)

SAT    13DEC     QREATE     House & Coffee:  DJ Chino (USA) 8:30AM-2PM

SAT    13DEC     MORSE CODE     DJ Johnny Park (USA)

SAT    13DEC     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Frankmatik (USA)

SAT    13DEC     ELIXIR BAR     DJ Technasia (HK/F)

SUN   14DEC     ELIXIR BAR     DJ Locklead (NL) 

 

 

 

Downtown Update: It Looks Like Christmas Downtown Too!

Yesterday we showed you Christmas decorations in Disney Springs. Today we show you that decorations are now up in downtown Orlando too!

 

DS Update: It's Beginning To Look A Bit Like Christmas

Christmas decorations are up at Disney Springs!

 

Concert Report: World's Smallest Disco (Berlin)

Last Saturday night we visited the World's Largest Disco which is in Buffalo, New York. Last night we visited the World's Smallest Disco which is in Berlin, Germany. And as you can see, it's in a phone booth! We've posted the photos over on Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Trip Report: German Christmas Markets (Berlin)

Grüße aus Berlin. Spending Friday in the "new" downtown of the city; an area where the Berlin Wall once created a no-man's land between free West Berlin and communist East Berlin. And the beloved Ampelmännchen figures, once part of pedestrian crossings in East Berlin, survived the merger and still exist throughout the city. Don't cross.

OK to cross.

Germany and numerous other European countries are famous for their Christmas markets. And a city as large as Berlin has several locations including this larger one at Potsdammer Platz. 

Made up of wooden kiosks and often rides, they are a popular gathering place at night for both locals and tourists.

Temperatures around 35F° yesterday are typical.

Lots of sweets available including Gingerbread. Some kiosks sell Christmas souvenirs such as ornaments and nativity scenes, often handmade in Germany.

Beer and wine, particularly heated Glühwein, are popular in German-speaking countries.

A variety of hot wursts, wings and fresh pommes frites (french fries) are available. None of this is particularly cheap but it's an annual tradition and you can likely be satiated for around €20. 

Ice skating at this location.

And a train ride! 

Moving to West Berlin on Saturday, an even larger Christmas market.

 

Kathe Wohlfahrt has a branch here. The brand appears at Christmas markets worldwide including in the United States. They specialize in handmade wooden Christmas products and real glass ornaments.

And plenty of hot Glühwein assures that a good time is had by all.