This is a good weekend not to be in Orlando as not much going on:
FRI 10JUL ALFIE'S HIFI DJ Just Jason (USA)
FRI 10JUL CELINE DJ Morgan Page (USA)
SAT 11JUL QREATE COFFEE House & Coffee 8am-2pm
SAT 11JUL ELIXIR BAR DJ duo Tomi & Kesh (D)
SAT 11JUL SWIRLERY DJ Superfly Jeff (USA)
SAT 11JUL VANGUARD DJ Kai Wachi (USA)
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| The lines continue at Gideon's Bakehouse, located at "The Hub" at the bottom of Hill Street. |
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Meanwhile, construction continues at sister property 6 Ravens which is near the top of Hill Street. This adjacent to the bathroom complex at West End Plaza. |
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| An opening date has not yet been announced for the place but it's imminent. The latest edition of the Disney Springs Guidemap has it already listed and says "New!" After a two year gap, 6 Ravens replaces Art of Shaving in this location. |
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| Construction walls surround the Waterview Stage on Pleasure Island. |
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| Apparently they are constructing a roof to cover the concrete seating area facing the stage. We're told the project was supposed to be completed by the end of May but as of early July, it remains unfinished. |
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| We're on a European Vacation and got to hear some Techno music on our very first day. DJ Monokyma (A) was on the decks during our visit to Salzburg, Austria. The pics can be found on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE. |
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| Old photo but the message remains the same. No fireworks tonight at Disney Springs. |
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We're headed to Europe for a couple weeks so our Blog articles may not be daily and/or could post at odd times. We'll be posting some Trip Report articles along the way too. Planned Flights: DL MCO-DTW DL DTW-MUC W4 OTP-RMO RO RMO-OTP RO OTP-AMS DL AMS-BOS DL BOS-MCO |
Happy Independence Day Weekend
THU 02JUL WILL'S PUB DJ Young & Sick (NL/USA)
FRI 03JUL MORSE CODE DJ The Reverend (USA)
FRI 03JUL CELINE DJ Ranger Trucco (USA)
FRI 03JUL BROKEN STRINGS DJ Losman (USA)
FRI 03JUL VANGUARD DJ/Rapper Mike Posner (USA)
FRI 03JUL GOOD TIMES Abyss: DJ Lavidicus (USA)
FRI 03JUL HARD ROCK LIVE ROOFTOP Silent Disco 7pm-10pm
FRI 03JUL ALFIE'S HIFI DJ Just Jason (USA)
FRI 03JUL TACO KAT DJ Jacob Machin (USA)
SAT 04UL WALL ST PLAZA DJ Matroda (HR) & DJ J.Worra (USA)
SAT 04JUL TACO KAT DJ Dylan Payne (USA)
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We all know that Pleasure Island clubs closed for the last time the night of September 27, 2008. But earlier that year on June 27, 2008, Disney dropped the bombshell about the clubs closing in three months. Sadly, the link below the Orlando Sentinel article no longer is operational. The Party Is Over at Pleasure Island
On Friday, June 27th the news broke that PI was being closed entirely,
except for the few shops. The press announcement was late enough in the
day that we have to think Disney didn't want a lot of bad press. But
the Disboards website broke the news and the Orlando Sentinel.com posted
within minutes. There was a front page article in the Sentinel on
Saturday morning: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/orl-disney 2808jun28,0,2367595.story
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These were the Pleasure Island rumors we published in late-June, 2009:
Every few months the rumor mill cranks up again about Pleasure Island.
We're never really sure if old rumors are just recirculating or if these
are actually new rumors. Certainly all those buildings sitting empty
when they could be earning revenue, even temporarily, does lend itself
to speculation. So since it's been awhile since we've visited the
mill, I thought it would be a good time to do so.
1. The Adventurers Club reopening in some form (dinner show?) rumor is still floating around out there.
2.
The 8TRAX/Mannequins reopening in some form rumor is still out there.
We know the clubs have been gutted but that doesn't mean someone
couldn't put new, modern electronics in and reopen it. Supposedly the
dance floor in Mannequins is still there. The latest version of this
rumor had 8TRAX reopening again as a 70's Club and Mannequins reopening
with the dance floor but perhaps with a different music format. The
magic in Mannequins has always been that revolving floor!
3. A source says the rumor about Disney Quest shutting down to be replaced with an ESPN Zone is true.
4. Soundstage and Motion become restaurants under the latest rumors.
5. Sources indicated that there might be a PI announcement in July.
6.
Finally, and this is really whacky beyond belief....the Virgin
Megastore is going to house a display of gowns formerly owned by....get
this...Princess Diana. No, quit laughing! That's the rumor.
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| In response to Disney's ban on free transport between Disney Springs and Disney resorts, Universal says they have no plan to ban similar free travel between CityWalk and Universal resorts. While not quite the same thing, in a way, it is. |
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| Lineup for this year's Electric Daisy Carnival - Orlando has dropped and to us it's kind of heavy on the Dubstep/Riddim side and less on the House and Trance side. We are happy to see David Guetta (F) make the lineup this year along with Kaskade (USA) and Martin Garrix (NL). The festival takes place November 6-7-8 at Tinker Field and currently only 3-day passes are on sale HERE. Closer to the event we'll see them release day-by-day lineups along with single day passes. |
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| First it was back, then it was back but happening elsewhere. But now it's back and back where it belongs! The annual Labor Day Bash is happening at House of Blues at Disney Springs West Side on Sunday, September 6th. You can see the lineup on the flyer above. The usual suspects are playing again: DJ Icey (USA), DJ Magic Mike (USA), DJ Baby Anne (USA) and DJ Jimmy Joslin (USA). New this year are two legends: DJ Tony Faline (USA) and DJ Craze (USA). Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday) at 10AM EDT (1500 GMT) right HERE. |
The last weekend of June!
FRI 26JUN THE ABBEY Gimme Gimme Disco
SAT 27JUN BROKEN STRINGS DJ Huda Hudia (USA)
SAT 27JUN GRUMPYS DJ Shai Town (USA)
SAT 27JUN VANGUARD DJ trio Meduza (I)
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| Big River Grille and Brewing Works was a popular moderate-priced (for Disney) restaurant located along the boardwalk at Disney's Boardwalk Resort. But they permanently closed in January, 2024. |
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| That's nearly 2.5 years ago. But we noticed this past weekend that construction fences are up, renovation is in progress and something new is finally coming. We don't know details of what is going in there but Disney has stated it will be a quick-service restaurant. |
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| When Jellyrolls closed in April, 2025, Atlantic Dance Hall switched to operating every night. Not sure why but we guess it provided a nightlife option for guests staying at nearby hotels and resorts such as the Swan and Dolphin as well as Disney's Boardwalk Resort. |
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But that is no longer the case. ADH has switched back to being open only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. They open at 8PM and close at 1AM. |
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| It's not like Jellyrolls or its replacement Hurly Burly Jazz Club has opened but apparently being open on all those dead nights was not wise financially. Still, surprised they don't open on Thursday nights since many weekend guests arrive on Thursdays. |
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| LQ Nights at 480 Wine Bar in Winter Park Village has become a monthly thing and during our visit last night we found the legendary DJ Leony (USA) in the booth. All our Saturday night photos can be found on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE. |
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| Legendary DJ's Cliff T (USA) and Carlos Mendoza (USA) led last night's Zinc Bar Reunion show at Iron Cow and our sister website Orlando Entertainment News was there to get the pics.We also began the evening on Disney property at Atlantic Dance Hall. You can find the article HERE. |
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| WFTV Orlando channel 9 is reporting that interactive game room LEVEL99 will be opening on Monday, June 29th in Disney Springs West Side. Advance tickets will become available one week earlier, on Monday, June 22nd. Details HERE. Only time will tell whether the new attraction is any less ill-advised than what it's replacing, NBA Experience. |
Not a whole lot going on this weekend:
FRI 19JUN IRON COW Zinc Bar Reunion: DJ Cliff T (USA) & more
FRI 19JUN SWIRLERY Hidden 80's Gems: DJ Arcade Apocalypse (USA)
FRI 19JUN ALFIE'S HIFI DJ Numinous (USA)
FRI 19JUN BROKEN STRINGS DJ Slinkee (USA)
SAT 20JUN QREATE COFFEE House & Coffee: DJ Chino (USA) 8am-2pm
SAT 20JUN MORSE CODE 80's Night: DJ Rob Cokeless (USA)
SAT 20JUN 480N WINE BAR Latin Quarter Nights: DJ Leony (USA)
SAT 20JUN LUNA BAR DJ Mighty Shari (USA)
SAT 20JUN BARBARELLA Memento Mori: DJ Lavidicus (USA)
SAT 20JUN ALFIE'S HIFI DJ Brian Burnside (USA)
SAT 20JUN ELIXIR BAR DJ Slugg (USA) & DJ Flashdrive (USA)
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| Sources says that very soon, sometime before the 4th of July weekend, riding a Disney Transportation bus from Disney Springs to any Disney resort is going to require proof that you're staying in a Disney hotel. This is to prevent people from parking for free at Disney Springs and then going to a Disney resort hotel which is located near a desired theme park. Unknown if this will also be required for travel from Disney Springs to a Disney hotel via ferry boat transportation. |
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| We have one more article to publish about last week's trip to the upper peninsula of Michigan and our one night journey into Ontario, Canada. During our visit to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, we took a 2-hr boat tour of the Soo Locks that connect Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes. |
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| Lake Superior is the highest of the Great Lakes at 600ft above sea level. Both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are 577ft above sea level, a drop of 23ft. The St. Marys River connects Superior to Michigan/Huron and it's full of very visible rapids. To allow for ship movements, the Soo Locks were constructed. |
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| There is this single lock on the Canadian side and two locks on the American side with one more under construction. |
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| This Canadian lock is relatively small so the large lake freighters use the American locks in both directions. Our tour boat entered the lock on the lower Huron side of the lock. |
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| Once inside, the doors on both ends close and water is pumped into the lock to raise the boat. |
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| Once the level of Lake Superior is reached, the door opens and you can sail out. Our tour boat is the only one originating from the Canadian side. There are two Soo Locks tours originating from the American side and we encountered one coming in the opposite direction. |
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| We passed under the International Bridge which connects Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on the left with Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on the right. (Sault is pronounced Soo.) |
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| We then made a U-turn and headed towards the American locks, followed by lake freighter MV Indiana Harbor. At 1000ft in length, she's one of the largest boats on the Great Lakes and typically carries a cargo of taconite from Duluth to steel mills along the Great Lakes. |
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| Our tour ended shortly after we entered one of the American locks and were lowered back to Lake Huron level. Hundreds of miles away, the Welland Canal has 8 locks and lowers boats from Lake Erie down to the lowest lake, Lake Ontario. The locks lower ships gradually while the nearby Niagara River has a rather steep drop called Niagara Falls. |
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| DJ Mr. Nukem (UAE) and DJ Rossi (UAE/GB) played mostly Classic Trance last night at Iron Cow and the music was SO good. Saturday night pics can be found on sister website Orlando Entertainment News HERE. |
Another action-packed weekend coming up!
THU 11JUN IRON COW DJ Juan Buitrago (USA)
FRI 12JUN McQUEENS Shade: DJ Carlos Mendoza (USA)
FRI 12JUN BROKEN STRINGS DJ Talent Showcase
SAT 13JUN IRON COW DJ Mr. Nukem (UAE)
SAT 13JUN BROKEN STRINGS All Female Lineup ft. DJ Gruv Girl (USA)
SAT 13JUN VANGUARD DJ duo Adventure Club (CDN)
SAT 13JUN PALM TREE CLUB DJ Chino (USA)
SAT 13JUN ALFIES HIFI DJ Mark Gorbulew (USA)
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| You know you're in Canada when you come to these booths operated by Canada Border Services and you have to show your passport to gain entry. (This is the land crossing from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.) |
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| You know you're in Canada when you see Shoppers Drug Mart stores on every other street corner. (They are as ubiquitous as Walgreens and CVS in the United States.) |
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| You know you're in Canada when you see Tim Horton's instead of Dunkin. |
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| You know you're in Canada when you see Petro-Canada and ESSO gas stations. |
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| You know you're in Canada when you see Canadian Tire stores. They really have no American counterpart, selling not only tires and auto parts but also outdoor equipment such as kayaks and tents and some even sell groceries. |
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| You know you're in Canada when you see Bell telephone stores and payphone booths. A remnant of the former American conglomerate Bell System. Florida used to have Southern Bell and later Bell South. |
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| You know you're in Canada when you see Canada Post/Postes Canada branches. |
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| You know you're in Canada when you see Roots stores full of outdoor leisure apparel, much of it with Canadiana logos. |
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| You know you're in Canada when sporting goods stores such as Sport Chek are jammed with hockey sticks! |
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| You know you're in Canada when you see Dollarama stores. |
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| Last but not least, you know you're in Canada when there are A&W restaurants everywhere and you can stop and get some poutine (pictured here without cheese curds...yuck!) Bonjour au Canada, everyone! |
