PI Update: Amphitheater & Mannequins Updates

Save Pleasure Island Blog reader Bill R. writes us to say that the so-called AMC Stage saw its last performance this past weekend.  He says that Dominic, who plays the didgeridoo instrument there, announced it during one of his sets this past weekend. This is a complete surprise because just a month ago an AMC Downtown Disney 24 Theaters manager had relayed a possible plan to turn their outdoor patio area into something similar to what was happening outside Splitsville.  Thanks again, Bill R.

Where will the live evening entertainment move to?  We don't know yet but it can't move to this suspected outdoor amphitheater that is under construction on Pleasure Island because it's clearly not ready.

And is it really even an outdoor entertainment amphitheater? It certainly has the look of one but with very limited levels to support seating.

Outside Mannequins Dance Palace construction continues on what appears to be a service corridor and fire escape route.

Concept art shows what appear to be shops going in the area that is now brown dirt.  Rear doors for case members and deliveries connect to the new corridor.  Nice view of 8TRAX in this shot too, taken from our Save Pleasure Island Blog SkyCam!

Notice that the "smokers patio" doors to Mannequins connect to this corridor as well.

Ground level view of this new area on beautiful Pleasure Island.

DJ's Of The Bahamas

Travel day today so a little filler material to keep the Blog alive until we return to normal tomorrow.  This past Friday was Labour Day in the Bahamas and downtown Nassau was filled with one parade after another coming down Bay Street.

The various labour unions were out in force in the parades but what impressed me was each section of the parade began with a "float" featuring a local DJ.

The music varied from float to float.

Reggae dominated and there was no EDM or Hip Hop.

But there was some traditional Bahamian Goombay.

And Soca.

Calypso.

And some Rake and Scrape.

And the Bahamas biggest DJ bring up the rear of the first parade!

Meanwhile at Señor Frogs, music more familiar to Americans.

Party music of course!

And with the Bahamian drinking age what it is, a good time gets had by all!

PI Update: Action at West End Plaza

Lots of activity taking place in the area once known as West End Plaza and later Celebration Plaza.  One remnant of the days when this was home to the West End Stage remains standing. Memories of live bands on the stage (including some big ones!) and New Years Eve was celebrated every night at midnight.

Something circular going in?

Some digging going on. Remember that this section of the Island is raised and there is a ground floor below it that once housed cast member facilities and offices. 

In this shot one can see the drop-off to the lower level. 

The construction of what is presumably a new shop facing the upper level roughly where Curl by Sammy Duval recently stood.

It apparently has a massive lower level which of course could be a different venue.

Another look at that new building, with 8TRAX behind it and a new front to the 8TRAX building.  Concept art appears to show that would be a new shop too, not part of what is going into 8TRAX.  However, it would be kind of nice if it was a new foyer to a 70's/80's dance club called......8TRAX.  Couldn't get more family friendly than that and everyone of every age knows the words!

Club Report: Dancing Under The Stars On Vision Of The Seas

My last cruise on Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas featured a "white party" out on the pool deck.  This time the pool party was simply themed as "Dancing Under The Stars".

DJ Amir (PA) was in the corner initially playing line dances such as the "Cupid Shuffle" but then moved the music to all Top 40/Dance/House!

As is often the case, the dance floor opened with only the girls out there.

Even members of the ship's animation team tried to coax the boys out onto the floor!

It just took more time (and alcohol) for that to happen!

And soon enough the floor between the pool and the pool bar was jammed!

A little on the humid side but overall not a bad night to be partying on the high seas between Nassau and Little Stirrup Cay (aka Coco Cay), Bahamas.

The poolside party was supposed to end at midnight and then reconvene upstairs in the Viking Crown Lounge.

But sensing that he'd lose half the crowd by moving, DJ Amir asked if everyone would like to continue the night right there by the pool?

And with voters affirming, the party continued in place and DJ Amir blowing things up with the party song of Summer, 2014, Lil' Jon's "Turn Down For What"!

The music also turned into Classic Hip Hop from around ten  years ago.

And a good time was had by all!

Club Report: 70's Night On Vision Of The Seas

Sorry for the delay in getting my cruise pics posted but I could not get my laptop to connect to the internet at all and the ship's computers would not allow uploads.  Anyway, has there ever been a cruise that did not include a 70's Night?

Not that I know of and such was the case on Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas this past weekend on a 4-night sailing to the Bahamas.  We were honored to have none other than the Village People performing on board!

Taking place in the ship's atrium, a handful of dancers rocked to their 70's Disco hits!

Their medley included "In the Navy" as well as their biggest hit.....

"YMCA"

And a "Love Train" passing through!

As this was my second cruise in as many months on the same ship, it was fun seeing familiar crew members again including the Vision's official event photographer Tatsiana (BY) and bar server Kabrin (AL)!

The Viking Crown Lounge is this ship's disco.

With more than 40 cruises under my belt, it was also great finding that DJ Amir (PA) was still on the ship as he's one of the best that I've encountered at sea!

Only problem on the ship's first night was that no one knew the party was up here!

But an hour long House/Dance set was appreciated by the crowd on the floor!

And a good time was had by all!