DS Update: Brightline Trains Coming To Disney Springs

Walt Disney World and Brightline have announced that a train station will be constructed at Walt Disney World at Disney Springs! Brightline currently operates between downtown Miami Central Station and West Palm Beach and is constructing tracks from WPB to Orlando International Airport via Cocoa. They want to extend the construction to Lakeland and Tampa but the new announcement yesterday pertains just to an extension to Disney Springs!  There, Disney's existing bus transportation system would allow guests to transfer to any on-property resort and perhaps eliminate Disney's Magical Express bus service from the airport. More details in the Orlando Sentinel here.

PI Update: 10 Years Ago Today

These are the rumors we published exactly10 years ago today:

1) If you recall from the Blog's February 28th article, I reported on a possible water and light show that was being designed for Village Lake. It's purpose was to draw patrons to Downtown Disney where they could enjoy the free show but then stick around for dining and shopping. This was not a duplicate of the new World of Color show at Disney California Adventure but it would have involved intricate fountains nonetheless. Well, those plans are on hold as the Hyperion Wharf redo takes place instead. But the lake will be gaining 5 new water fountains that will have motion, but nothing like what was planned. Comment: None of this came to be, of course. We did see Disney test a 100+ coordinated drone show over the lake but it never became one of the offerings there. 

2) In that same article, I mentioned concept art that displayed a yellow trolley system operating at Downtown Disney. Apparently that plan is on and will use the same equipment that is planned for Disney California Adventure. The trolley track(s) will run along the edge of DTD along with a reworked parking lot. The track would be landscaped and there would be some walls; a fire lane would also coexist. They would love to have it run west to Old Key West Resort and north to Saratoga Springs Resort but the cost of including that length would probably prohibit it from happening. Comment: Oh wow, this sure never happened! 

3) In conjunction with a trolley system, the DTD internal boat transportation system would be eliminated. Boats would still operate between DTD Marketplace and some resorts to the north though. Comment: No trolley but we still have all the boats!

4) Rumors continue that House of Blues will be leaving Downtown Disney West Side and moving to downtown Orlando, possibly to Church Street Station. I previously reported from a different source that HOB was closing but this makes more sense that they would just be relocating. One question is whether Amway Center has any kind of non-compete clause with Live Nation for music concerts. Live Nation has owned the House of Blues chain since 2006. This would be a fantastic addition to downtown!
  Comment: This was actually more than just a rumor; numerous independent sources told us it was happening because of Disney's strict control over acts that could play at HOB. In the end, building all new construction elsewhere just wasn't worth the expense involved. 

5) Moving into a then vacant HOB building would then be another Schussler Creative concept; a motorcycle-theme restaurant. The Blog previously reported on Schussler's Backyard BBQ featuring Orange County Choppers restaurant coming to DTD but perhaps switching to the Harley Davidson Cafe brand allows the existing Orlando Harley store to operate in conjunction with a restaurant of the same brand. Comment: Nope Nope Nope!

6) Those poles around the new waterfront amphitheater are actually screens which can display old style posters during the day and videos at night. Comment: This rumor referred to the Hyperion Wharf concept art that we posted more than 10 years ago. Of course, Hyperion Wharf never happened. Disney went back to the drawing board and we ended up with Disney Springs.

7) They want to make Downtown Disney into more of a lifestyle center; a destination for locals and tourists alike rather than just a shopping center. Thus, expect more festivals and special events. Valet parking will be an important addition. There apparently is a big internal debate going on whether to charge everyone to park at Downtown Disney, just as CityWalk already does. Big thanks to the reader that contributed this information. We'll see how things play out!  Comment: Well we now know how things turned out. Disney Springs is a lifestyle center and were it not for covid19, we'd see more activities there. Multiple parking garages did end up getting built but they remain free. Indeed, Universal's CityWalk shopping potential is constricted by their paid parking situation although we did see them go to free parking for everyone after 6PM. 

Nothing like hindsight! The original article is here.

 

Club Reports: Chillers, Latitudes, Motorworks Brewing, Jungle Room, Independent Bar, Iron Cow

Saturday night ended with DJ duo Volkmann & Engels (D) playing Techno at the Iron Cow but there were 5 stops prior to there. Check out all the pics on sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

 

Club Reports: Independent Bar, Neon Beach, Monkey Bar, Elixir Bar

Check out all the pictures from Friday night downtown over on our sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

 

Friday Funny

EDC Update: Virtual Rave-A-Thon

As you know,  EDC-Orlando was supposed to take place this past weekend but was postponed until next year due to covid-19. Well this coming weekend, Insomniac is presenting an on-line music festival on Friday and Saturday nights. The lineup is posted on the flyer as you can see. The price is right too: FREE!

 

This Weekend In Techno Town

FRIDAY NOV 20

 DJ duo Bonnie x Clyde (USA)     Celine Nightclub     Heavy Bass / Dubstep

FRIDAY NOV 20

DJ Kyle Houser (USA)     Monkey Bar     House / Progressive House

SATURDAY NOV 21

It's Florida Classic weekend so many downtown venues may switch to Hip Hop.

SUNDAY NOV 22

DJ Jerry "The Reverend" Johnson     Ace Cafe     70's Hits

Downtown Update: Numerous Bars Fail Covid Protocol Compliance

Numerous Orlando area bars/clubs including many located downtown failed covid-19 protocol compliance inspections this past weekend. The downtown venues are reported to have been Elixir, The Basement, The Office, Saddle Up, Treehouse, Celine Nightclub, and The Attic. Gilt Concert Venue, which is out on Bennett Road near Orlando Executive Airport, also allegedly failed the inspection. The list also included several venues near the University of Central Florida campus.

In our opinion, it's clear that since the Governor of Florida is not allowing any local controls or penalties for not following protocols, bar owners find little reason to follow them. As covid rages across the state, the end result is going to be another shutdown unless people put aside the politics and use masks and social distance. And bar owners need to force it otherwise they're going to lose in the end!

The full story from Spectrum 13 can be found here.

The Demise Of Music Video Channels

We Americans like to reminisce about the old days when MTV actually played music videos. Well apparently the situation is similar in Canada. If you had cable TV up there in the great white north where MTV was not an option, there was a Canadian music video channel called MuchMusic. It was owned by the same group that owns popular Toronto radio station CHUM.

I rarely turn on the hotel television when I'm visiting Canada so I missed the rebranding of MuchMusic to just Much. Now owned by Bell Media, the channel has rid itself of most music video programming as it goes after the teen and young adult market with lifestyle shows and teen dramas. Like most Canadian radio and television channels, they're required to have a certain percentage of Canadian-made content.

Sadly, Germany's music video channel VIVA closed at the end of 2018.

MTV Europe still operates in several European countries but sadly too, music videos are scarce.

Concert Report: DJ Paul Oakenfold (Ace Cafe)

The legendary DJ Paul Oakenfold (GB) headlined last night's outdoor concert on the lawn at Ace Cafe. You can find all the pics on our sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

 

Concert Report: Sandi Drops An F-Bomb (Ace Cafe)

DJ Davie-D (USA) was one of seven DJ's playing at last night's birthday party concert at Ace Cafe and our sister website Orlando Entertainment News was there to get the pictures! Article here.

 

Friday Funny

 

DS Update: M&M Store Delayed To 2021

FILE PHOTO - NOT A CURRENT PHOTO

The M&M website reports that the opening of their new store in Disney Springs West Side will be delayed until 2021 as reported by the BlogMickey (LINK) website. This is not a surprise as we reported in September that we didn't think there was any way they could finish in time for the upcoming holiday season. Big thanks to Blog reader DJ Mad Man Ray for this information!

 

This Weekend In Techno Town

THURSDAY NOV 12

DJ 420 (USA)     Embassy Irish Bar     Breaks

FRIDAY NOV 13

DJ Sandy (USA)     Ace Cafe Outdoors     Breaks / Bass

FRIDAY NOV 13

DJ i_o (USA)     Celine Orlando     House / Heavy Bass

SATURDAY NOV 14

DJ Paul Oakenfold (GB)     Ace Cafe Outdoors     Trance / Techno

SATURDAY NOV 14

DJ Claude VonStroke (USA)     Gilt Concert Venue     Dirtybird House / EDM

 

SATURDAY NOV 14

DJ Greco (USA)     Elixir Bar     House

EDC Orlando Update: Hoping For 2021

As you know, the 10th anniversary edition of Electric Daisy Carnival - Orlando was supposed to take place this coming weekend. Like last year's amazing show, it was to take place across 3 days and nights, Friday through Sunday, with 7 (possibly 8) stages of music. Covid19 shut the event down like it has so many other events this year. Florida and in particular Orlando has had numerous other DJ concerts lately but nothing the magnitude of EDC. It was a wise move to postpone it until next year. Ticketholders will be able to use their passes next year which although not announced, will likely take place in November again. While some may question whether EDC is actually planning to return again, please note the banner above which was posted in multiple places on the grounds of Insomniac's recent Boo! Orlando mini-festival. See you there!

PI Update: What We Saw Is Not What We Got

When Disney published this concept art in 2013 about what Disney Springs was going to look like, little did we know that the Pleasure Island portion that we got was nothing like the Pleasure Island they published. Looking across The Waterfront to the Island and starting from left to right, we can see the No. 5 Bridge in the upper left corner and the balloon ride landing pad sticking out into Village Lake. Upon crossing the bridge to the Island, the building on the left (in a tan color) in the art looks nothing like the Maria & Enzo's / The Edison building we got. Also, the building on the right upon entering the Island looks to be made primarily of glass including a large glass atrium structure which is nothing like the STK restaurant that was actually constructed.  The Mannequins & 8TRAX buildings are clearly seen and to this day, their outsides do remain rather distinctive and the same as they once were. But in 2013 they likely did not know Morimoto Asia would be the new tenant and thus did not know what renovations would take place. For instance, the Morimoto kitchen extends into the 8TRAX space with windows not shown while the Mannequins building has a balcony that is actually used for seating. The awning-covered stairs leading up the side of Mannequins were removed long ago.  Looking out into Village Lake, curious submarine-looking boats are seen floating around but the closest we got were cars that move about like boats from The Boathouse. That restaurant, in the upper right corner, ended-up being far larger than the concept art projected. Finally, back along the Waterfront, the large and small structures shown nestled-up against the water were nothing like the Art Smith's Homecoming restaurant eventually constructed there. Just goes to show you that concept art is often significantly different than ends up being built. 

 

 

Club Reports: Independent Bar, Elixir Bar, Treehouse, Attic Nightclub, The Patio, Aero Bar

Las Vegas-based DJ Jeff Retro (USA) was at one of our Saturday night stops last night and you can see all the pictures on sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

Club Reports: Ann Teague's, Eden Lounge, Monkey Bar, Wall St Cantina, Aero Bar

We checked out a couple brand new venues last night before finishing up with DJ Cliff T (USA) at Aero Bar. Check out all the pictures on sister website Orlando Entertainment News here.

Friday Funny

 

Downtown Update: Unusual Club Names

One of the most unusual venue names downtown is Hanson's Shoe Repair. It's named for an actual shoe repair shop that occupied this address back in the early part of the 20th century. It's also a hidden speakeasy meaning you have to know where it is to find it and you have to call the afternoon of the evening you want to attend to obtain that night's password. It's one of the few speakeasys in this town that has remained successful. Sorry we can't tell you where it is!

Herman's Loan Office was another hidden gem but unlike Hanson's it did have a sign. It too was named for the actual business that existed in the front section of this building early last century. The clubs Backroom and Sound Bar were located in here but then completely gutted to become Herman's. Sadly, it didn't last long. However, an Alice In Wonderland-themed club is coming here soon!

Ann Teague's Lamp Supply is located in the spot where Suite B Lounge and Peek Downtown were located for years and the Celine Sports Bar lasted about a year. The beautiful bar you remember from Peek is still there and the place is crammed with antique lamps that are supposedly for sale. Interesting!