PI Update: Fashionistas

Whether it's camouflage from the Army or bell-bottoms from the Navy, fashion has often borrowed (or stolen) ideas from the military. It's a slow news day on the Island today so we LINK to this article on the subject as seen in Army Times.

 

PI Update: Last Man Standing

Pleasure Island's club signs were removed in two stages. The first group were removed immediately after the Final Night and the rest of them a couple years later during the event we called the "Putsch". But curiously, the sign at Soundstage Club was the last sign standing. Well not these two signs out front facing West End Plaza. Those did come down early.

No, we're talking about this rear-facing sign along the back of the club. No one could ever explain to us why it too wasn't removed earlier. It did not come down until the entire building was razed during the conversion over to Disney Springs.

Club Reports: Daylite Love Fest @ Elixir, Grumpys Underground, Iron Cow

Daytime House music parties are now all the rage, including here in Orlando. Yesterday morning we headed out to a Valentines-themed House party at Elixir Bar. Saturday day and Saturday night pictures can be found on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Club Reports: Broken Strings Brewery, EVO @ Good Times Bar & Grill, Bikkuri Lounge

We had a daytime House music event today so the link to our article about Friday night was delayed. The above group was just some of the DJ's we saw last night around Orlando. You can find all the pics on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Friday Funny

Are you a member of any of these hated groups?

 

DS Update: Right Before Everything Closed

We were out at beautiful Pleasure Island in mid-February, 2020, right before the shit hit the fan with the Covid-19 closures. At that moment, we just had no idea.

 

This Weekend In Techno Town

Another big O-Town weekend ahead:

THU   12FEB     OLIV BAR     DJ Kris Kokopelli (USA) 

FRI     13FEB     GOOD TIMES     Evo: DJ Rob Bates (USA)

FRI     13FEB     IRON COW     Jungle Love 2: DJ Circle K (USA)

FRI     13FEB     CELINE     Galactic Circus: DJ Sloth (USA) 

FRI     13FEB     BROKEN STRINGS     Galentines: DJ Ms MF (USA)

FRI     13FEB     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Romano Arcaini (D/USA) 

FRI     13FEB     BIKKURI LOUNGE     Devotion: DJ Mighty Shari (USA)

SAT    14FEB     ELIXIR     Daylite Love Fest: DJ Chino   10am-4pm 

SAT    14FEB     VANGUARD     DJ Getter (USA)

SAT    14FEB     GRUMPYS     DJ Darcii Darka (USA)

SAT    14FEB     ATTIC      Satisfaction: 2010 to 2017 EDM Bangers 

SAT    14FEB     GRAPE & GRAIN     DJ Alex Chang (USA)

SAT    14FEB     ANTHEM     Who Killed Cupid: DJ Edil Hernandez (USA)

SAT    14FEB     SOUTHERN BOX     DJ Frankmatik (USA)  6pm-9pm 

 

CW Update: John Lennon Room Atop Hard Rock Live Is Open

The John Lennon Room atop Hard Rock Live in Universal CityWalk is now open to the public on Friday and Saturday nights. There's a bar up there, a DJ spinning and impressive views of the CityWalk complex. As indicated, open 9PM to midnight on those two nights. This is typically rental event space so can't wait to check it out and report back.

 

Uni Update: Horror Make Up Show To Be Refreshed

My favorite attraction at Universal Studios is the Horror Make Up Show. I could sit through it multiple times in one visit to the park and never get bored. But one of our readers reported that the attraction is going to be closing.....but probably just temporarily.

Not sure if it's considered an expensive attraction to operate. There are two main actors for each show, a Tech and usually one or two lobby people. The actors are presumably well-paid; we've seen many of them over-and-over again during multiple years so they seem to be doing well.

 

So supposedly this is just going to be refreshed. We hope that's all it is because as corny as the gags are, it's one of a kind and so funny. If you typically walk right by this place, give it a try.

Concert Report: DJ Kaskade (Universal Studios)

The Mardi Gras concert series for this year kicked-off last night at Universal Studios and our sister website Orlando Entertainment News was there to see it. Pics are posted HERE.

Club Reports: 480N Wine Bar, Abyss @ Good Times Bar & Grill

DJ Cub (USA) and DJ Mighty Shari (USA) delivered a mix of 70's Disco and Nu Disco last night at the grand opening of 480N Wine Bar in Winter Park Village. Friday night photos can be found on our sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

Friday Funny

 

DS Update: Pop Gallery?

When we came across this kiosk in Riverboat Square back in the summer of 2021, we forgot to ask whether the owner was the same young woman that owned the original Pop Gallery located in Downtown Disney West Side. That location, in an alley between the theaters and the bowling alley, was larger than this kiosk but not by much. The original location is now home to doughnut specialist Everglazed.

 

This Weekend In Techno Town

Quite a few events to choose from this weekend:

FRI     06FEB     CELINE     DJ duo Ship Wrek (USA)

FRI     06FEB     GOOD TIMES     Abyss: DJ Lavidicus (USA)

FRI     06FEB     480N WINE BAR     Studio Rouge: DJ Mighty Shari (USA)

FRI     06FEB     MCQUEENS     DJ Franklyn Watts (USA) 

FRI     06FEB     PALM TREE CLUB     DJ Jack Swoon (GB) 

SAT    07FEB     UNIVERSAL STUDIOS     DJ Kaskade (USA)

SAT    07FEB     IRON COW     DJ Jane.Doe (USA)

SAT    07FEB     VANGUARD     DJ Timmy Trumpet (AUS)

SAT    07FEB     ELIXIR BAR     DJ Loofy (USA) 

SAT    07FEB     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Jask (USA) 

 

SW Update: View From Above

It's been more than a decade since we've visited SeaWorld Orlando but we flew next to it this morning on my Frontier Airlines Atlanta to Orlando flight. You'll find it in the above photo in the middle, center right. We really need to get back out there again; it's a unique product in this city of theme parks.

 

DS Update: SNOW!

Come on out to Disney Springs this morning (or any morning) and you will spot some snow atop T-REX Cafe! 

 

Concert Report: Lioness (Melbourne)

When they said it would be an all female DJ lineup, we knew we had to be there. That was the "Lioness" show last night in Melbourne, a fundraiser for a local women's charity. Pictured: DJ Medley (USA) and DJ ZZ (USA). Saturday night photos are on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

Club Reports: Swirlery Wine Bar, Celine, Palm Tree Club

DJ Austin Millz (USA) was the headliner last night at our third and final stop of the evening. You can find all of our Friday night photos on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Friday Funny

 

Lioness This Saturday Night!

"Lioness" roars its beautiful head this Saturday night in downtown Melbourne, featuring an all-female DJ lineup on two stages. There is no admission charge but donations to support the Women's Center of Brevard are appreciated. The event is taking place at Nomad's Canteen. The event begins at 2PM and runs until midnight.

 

This Weekend In Techno Town

One month down, eleven more to go!

THU   29JAN     GOOD TIMES     Disco Night ft. DJ Michael Knight (USA) 

FRI     30JAN     CELINE     DJ duo Black V Neck (USA)

FRI     30JAN     PALM TREE CLUB     DJ Austin Millz (USA)

FRI     30JAN     IVANHOE PK LAGER HOUSE     Toga Party ft. DJ Misty (USA) 

FRI     30JAN     SWIRLERY WINE BAR     DJ Arcade Apocalypse (USA)

SAT    31JAN     NOMAD'S CANTINA     Lioness: All female DJ lineup 

SAT    31JAN     VANGUARD     DJ Noizu (USA)

SAT    31JAN     ALFIES HIFI     DJ Frankmatik (USA) 

SAT    31JAN     ELIXIR BAR     DJ Bassel Dearwish (E)

SAT    31JAN     IRON COW     DJ Jane.Doe (USA) 

SUN   01FEB     SOUTHERN NIGHTS     DJ Robby Clark (USA)

SUN   01FEB     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Medley (USA) & DJ Meaux (USA) 

 

CW Update: Cursed Coconut Club To Return

The Red Coconut Club at Universal CityWalk is morphing into Cursed Coconut Club in time for Mardi Gras. Opening night is Saturday, February 7th which is also the night of the first Mardi Gras concert series event featuring DJ Kaskade (USA). Sister website Orlando Entertainment News plans to visit both. Maybe we'll see you at one or both events!

 

PI Update: Were You At Mannequins On The Final Night?

Were you at Mannequins on the final night? The night it got so crowded that the weight of all the patrons on the revolving dance floor caused it to come to a stop? The night the "Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)" encore played by DJ Peapod (USA) and DJ Dave Cannalte (USA) was heard by the hundreds there and thousands around the world via the internet? Today we reminisce about that night by linking you to our article about from the Final Night as posted back in 2008. LINK

 

Club Reports: Proper, Allure, The Vanguard

All that hair could only mean one person: DJ Nicole Moudaber (LEB/GB). We saw her at our third club stop last night and all the Saturday night pics can be found on our sister website, Orlando Entertainment News HERE.

 

Club Reports: Great Southern Box, Morse Code, Anthem, Celine

We made the rounds last night with just one of the many highlights being DJ duo Tinzo + Jojo (USA) at Celine. Friday night club pics can be found on sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

 

Friday Funny

The most-seen article in this Blog's history is one that dates back to 2012, near the beginning of the current electronic music boom. It's called "Zedd vs Zed's Dead" and at the time it tried to explain, in a humorous way, the difference between DJ Zedd (D) and DJ duo Zeds Dead (CDN). Back then, there was confusion in the marketplace as to whether they were different people. If you Google the article title, that article comes up. As we go to press, it's been viewed over 36,000 times. Here is the LINK.

 

PI Update: Heading Down Hill Street

Let's cross this bridge one more time to beautiful Pleasure Island.....in January 2010.

Arriving onto the Island and Celebration Plaza, the "Celebrate Tonight" show would take place on sunny afternoons and evenings.

Having reopened after the PI closures, the Laffers Cantina building hosted DJ's upstairs and a full bar downstairs.This was razed during the conversion to Disney Springs and STK now stands roughly in this spot. The Laffers name arises from the Comedy Warehouse club which also stood in this area.

Across the walkway, the Adventurers Hut also operated here in front of the still-there but closed Adventurers Club. AC was subsequently renovated to become The Edison.

Heading down Hill Street, Orlando Harley-Davidson occupied the spot at The Hub. Lots of memories on beautiful Pleasure Island.

This Weekend In Techno Town

Loaded with events on Friday; not much on Saturday:

FRI     23JAN     ANTHEM     DJ Tracy Young (USA)

FRI     23JAN     SO BOX FOOD HALL     DJ Frankmatik (USA) 6pm-9pm

FRI     23JAN     CELINE     DJ duo Tinzo & Jojo (USA)

FRI     23JAN     BROKEN STRINGS     DJ Brighton (USA)

FRI     23JAN     MANGOS     DJ Gustavo Dominguez (YV) 

FRI     23JAN     MORSE CODE     DJ Dave Cannalte (USA)

SAT    24JAN     VANGUARD     DJ Nicole Maudaber (LEB/GB) 

SAT    24JAN     PROPER     Old School Party: DJ Stevo (USA) 

SAT    24JAN     ALFIE'S HIFI     DJ Frankmatik (USA)

SAT    24JAN     IRON COW     DJ Miraxy (USA)

 

Trip Report: Boston & Providence

Don't have any exciting photos to post from this past weekend's trip to Boston and Providence. No touristic endeavors this trip; was in the area for a birthday party. This is my rental car. For unknown reasons, much of the Hertz fleet in Boston carry Florida tags. They must get a deal in Florida.

Just like in Florida, U.S. 1 is a major thoroughfare but I-95 carries the bulk of traffic.

Hotel window view on Sunday morning. A few inches had fallen overnight.

Rental cars up north come with a combination ice scraper and snow brush. The latter was much-needed.

 

Rental car fill-up at Gulf.

Hotel window view on Monday morning after another 5".

The aircraft required deicing before we could head back to sunny Florida. Hope to be more of a tourist next visit.

DS Update: Francesca’s Reportedly Closing

One of the original stores to open in Disney Springs in May, 2016, Francesca’s is reportedly closing their Disney Springs Town Center store as part of a nationwide closing of over 400 locations. We don't yet have a closing date but it supposedly imminent. As part of a shopping mall, these things are to be expected.

 

DS Update: House Of Mouse Expo Is Back!

The 4th edition of the House of Mouse Expo is returning this year and the announced dates are Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 2. And it will be taking place at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista, a short walk from Disney Springs. The first edition had a Pleasure Island Rewind too! More information to follow and we'll keep you updated.

DS Update: Disney Springs Entertainment Schedule

I know we published this back in 2017 but not sure if we published it more recently. If you're ever wondering the entertainers playing on the various stages in Disney Springs or you're going to be out there and want to know who will be performing that night, there is a weekly schedule published and you can find it HERE.

 

Friday Funny

 

UNI Update: 2026 Mardi Gras Concert Dates Announced

Universal Studios has announced their 2026 Mardi Gras concert lineup and it's pretty impressive. 

• Kaskade: Saturday, February 7, 2026
• Portugal. The Man: Saturday, February 14, 2026

• Ivy Queen: Sunday, February 15, 2026
• Joey Fatone & AJ McLean: Saturday, February. 21, 2026
• Rupaul (DJ Set): Saturday, February 28, 2026
• Shaggy: Saturday, March 7, 2026
• Tyler Hubbard: Friday, March 13, 2026
• Bebe Rexha: Saturday, March 14, 2026
• Zedd: Sunday, March 15, 2026

• Barenaked Ladies: Saturday, March 21, 2026
• The All-American Rejects: Saturday, March 28, 2026

 

Anyone with an annual pass can attend these concerts for free as can daily ticket holders that don't have blackout dates. The concert stage is located within the Universal Studios theme park where Mardi Gras themed parades will also be taking place along with numerous New Orleans-themed food kiosks.