DTD Update: Disney Springs It Is!

We'll start this week's update with a visit to the new parking garage..

More than a few people have wondered whether Disney was really going to change the name of Downtown Disney to Disney Springs.  Most of the construction permits have carried the Disney Springs name on it but so far there had been no actual signs around DTD that carried the Disney Springs name.  Until now.  Concept art showing the new West Side Parking Garage is posted near the AMC Downtown Disney 24 Theaters and the sign does carry the Disney Springs name!

Here at the eastern end of the new garage, progress continues to be made.

That progress is most evident down on the western end where level 1 gets a ceiling by virtue of the level 2 getting its deck.

They want this garage open for the holidays and to make sure that happens, workers were doing their thing yesterday which was a Sunday.

In the Marketplace, construction continues on the new pedestrian causeway that will run from T-REX Cafe to Rainforest Cafe.

Equipment and supplies arrive nightly via barge.

The other new pedestrian causeway will link Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort with Downtown Disney Marketplace.  It's much longer and well-developed than what we reported a week ago.

Over on the West Side, concept art shows the new "highliner" trestle that will span one side of the sidewalk.  Designed to look like the former home of an elevated railroad track, the art shows partiers on and below the track.  We gotta hope there's something there to party with!

The Bongo's Lawn area is blocked off now for construction of the highliner.  Not sure if it will only exist along that lawn area or whether it will also extend towards Bongo's and House of Blues to the west and/or the new Starbucks to the east.  Stay tuned for more coverage.

Club Report: House of Blues (SIN)

There's only one place to be on a Sunday night in Orlando (besides asleep in bed) and that's at Service Industry Night at House of Blues!

Last night DJ Shal (Club V) was the opener, playing House and some Breaks while wearing a Phat Kidz t-shirt.  He made interesting selections; he did not play a song I recognized until 12:05am, lol!

The venue opens at 10:30pm but it doesn't get crowded until midnight.  That allows a large contingent of breakdancers to use the floor to show off their skills.

As the crowd builds from this around 11:30pm.....

.....to this around midnight!

Sunday night resident DJ Magic Mike taking over from Shal around 12:30am.

Oh no!  Not at HOB!  Say it ain't so!

Wall-to-wall people.  But actually not as crowded as many Sunday nights.

You can never go wrong with Go Go girls.  She was dancing here to The Chainsmoker's "#Selfie".

Music was nearly all House/Dance you hear on satellite and internet radio.

And a good time was had by all!  Tune in to Save Pleasure Island Blog Tuesday for fresh construction pictures from Downtown Disney West Side & Marketplace, and Wednesday from Pleasure Island!

Club Reports: The Dubliner, Don Jefe's, Vanity Nightclub, Independent Bar, Sound Bar

Well there once was a popular downtown dance club called Antigua that closed and was renovated to become Don Jefe's Tequila Parlour.  Now the latter has been renovated again and split into two, with half of it becoming The Dubliner Irish Social House and the other half remaining Don Jefe's.

In the booth making it happen is DJ John Campisano (The Groove, 180 Grey Goose Lounge, Lattitudes, Red Coconut Club) alternating between Irish, Downtempo and Top 40.

While over in Don Jefe's we found DJ Lyvwyr (Paradiso 37) playing Hip Hop. Haven't run into him since I saw him playing out on beautiful Pleasure Island!

The place has been renovated again and has numerous spots to chill.  Vestiges of old Antigua have been removed.  Few people in the place though but it was kind of early.

Vanity is one of my new favorites in Orlando.  Between the upscale decor and great music, it's an excellent place to spend the evening!

Arrived to find DJ Leony (Sirius/XM BPM, Red Coconut Club, Latin Quarter, RadioDanz) in the booth playing House/Dance!

Taking turns with DJ Freefall (Rok Room, Vintage Lounge) amid the lighting and smoke effects!

Like the rest of downtown last night, not overly crowded but hardly empty either.

With next weekend a mid-month payday weekend for many, this floor will be packed!

You can never go wrong with Go Go girls!

Spotted by the bar: Orlando power-broker CJ.

Heading over to long-time favorite club Independent Bar!

DJ Dem Rok (Thee Grotto) was in the booth with Lighting Tech Ernie!

The dance floor here too was not packed like it is a lot of the time.

Dancing to early to mid-80's Old Wave.

Spotted by the bar: Sandra, CJ & Ernie

Last stop of the night, another favorite of mine, Sound Bar.

In the booth, guest DJ Kleon Time (Stygma) at the rear and resident DJ Monsanto in the middle.

Small club with the big sound of Deep House music!

And a good time was had by all!

Concert Calendar

Here's a roundup of upcoming DJ concerts happening around Orlando:
13MAR  SOUND BAR     BORIS (USA) & LEO MONTOYA (USA)
13MAR  ROXY     ZEDS DEAD (CDN)
14MAR  TIER NIGHTCLUB    LOOKAS (USA)
14MAR  PLATFORMS (OCALA)    DJ ICEY (USA), DJ KJ
14MAR  VAIN NIGHTCLUB    DIRTY AUDIO
14MAR  THE ABBEY    80's NIGHT AT THE ABBEY
15MAR  FIRESTONE LIVE    JOHN DIGWEED (GB)
15MAR  HYDE PARK CAFE (TAMPA)    OSCAR G (CDN)
15MAR  SUITE B LOUNGE    PRIZM, MATRIX, BENI HILL (USA)
20MAR  ROXY    WOLFGANG GARTNER (USA)
22MAR  BACKSTAGE LOUNGE  NELSON FLUX, DJ EVOLV3(USA)
22MAR  SUITE B LOUNGE  MIMOSA REUNION  DJ DAVIE-D
04APR   AMPHITHEATRE (TAMPA)   AUDIEN (USA)
05APR   SUITE B LOUNGE   DJ TRASHY, DJKJ of K5 (USA)
12APR   AMPHITHEATRE (TAMPA)  BT (USA)
01MAY  ROXY     SEVEN LIONS (USA)

Club Report: The Silly Grape

The Silly Grape in Maitland is one of those fancy watering holes "where everybody knows your name" and the bartenders prepare your drink as soon as they see you walking in the door!

The other Beach Boys were not available last night so the Grape instead signed the Cocoa Beach Boys to play for the Parrothead Club of Central Florida which was meeting here! Margaritaville-inspired Trop Rock all the way!

Spotted celebrating her birthday: Nicole (Lafayette Girls) with Samantha. A good time was had by all!

Friday Funny

Spotted on the website of DJ Heavygrinder (USA), where she always has some of the funniest stuff!  Heavygrinder last played Orlando in June at club Syn so we're missing her.  She posed here for Save Pleasure Island Blog at Electric Daisy Carnival - Orlando.

DTD Update: Pollo Campero Through The Years

There was always a lot of scorn for guests who dared to spend one of their precious Disney vacation days at McDonald's. But whether it was familiar food for children, the quick-service or simply the cheapest food option around, fact is the McDonald's in Downtown Disney was always packed!  So it came as a huge surprise when they announced it's closure effective April 30, 2010.

The announcement came with news that it was going to be replaced with Pollo Campero, a Guatamalan-based "Latin chicken" restaurant.  It would take over 6 months to renovate the place and it finally opened in mid-November of 2010.

It opened with a Fresh A-Peel, a concept which would eventually close and be replaced with Bodie's All-American Burger.

Late that year the Blog did a taste-test and compared Pollo Campero to Latin chicken competitor Pollo Tropical. How did they fare?  See article here.

One year ago this month the Blog speculated that these would be closing.  See article here.

So it didn't come as much of a surprise to Blog readers when the demolition permit was filed last month with Orange County. The restaurant complex will close in two weeks so stop by soon for some Latin chicken!  Very soon.