Club Report: Spice H20 (Norwegian Epic)

Reported earlier this week about Bliss Ultra Lounge, the indoor dance club aboard the cruise ship  Norwegian Epic.

There is also an outdoor club onboard, Spice H2O located aft on Deck 15.

A small adult-only swimming pool by day.....

.....it turns into a dance floor at night! Events this week here have included "Party Under The Stars", the "Rewind & Remix 80's Party" and a 70's inspired ABBA Party!  Thursday night was NCL's awesome "White Hot Party"!  Guests are encouraged to dress completely in white and if that's not possible, at least a white shirt.  The ship's logo store sells the official WHP t-shirt for those interested.

DJ Jeph (RP) played Top 40/Dance, some EDM and a lot of the line dances.

The crowd was mostly a sea of white!

"Cupid Shuffle" in international waters!

 Cha Cha Slide!

And as the ship sailed from St. Thomas to Nassau, a good time was had by all!

Friday Funny

From Records to CD's to MP3's.  What's next?

DJ Duke Durant - Need U 100% (Skream Remix)

Ran across this song a couple weeks ago and wanted to share it with you because it just does an incredible job fusing late 70's Disco, early-80's Funk and maybe even some early 90's Eurodance.  Very retro sounding, yet new.  The retro video itself is also great! From DJ/Producer Duke Durant (GB) and remixed by Dubstep gone House DJ/Producer Skream (GB).

This Weekend In Techno Town

THURSDAY APR 18
"Ignition Thursdays" at Firestone Live continues to bring in some of the bigger names in Electronic Dance Music.  This week it's Crizzly (USA), a Dubstep producer and DJ.
($10)

FRIDAY APR 19
First time Orlando visit from DJ duo CLMD (N), made up of  DJ/Producers Carl Louis and Martin Danielle, performing at Vain 
Nightclub.  Like they advertise here on Norwegian Cruise Line, "Party Like A Norwegian!"
(FREE - $10)

Club Report: Sailaway Party, Bliss Ultra Lounge (Norwegian Epic)

Greetings from megaship Norwegian Epic!  Of course every cruise is going to start with a Sailaway Party, this one on the pool deck as the ship sailed out of Miami.

With DJ Franco (RP) on the boards playing line dances to get the crowd into a partying mood!

The Epic's animation team leading this week's flock!

Dead pretty much everywhere else, "Gangnam Style" was very much alive on this ship, lol!  No one was complaining though.

The dance club on board this ship is Bliss Ultra Lounge, a carryover from NCL's Jewel Class ships except this one is much larger than the other ships I've been on.  It has the same velvet covered beds and furnishings but just a lot more space.  And a bowling alley!

DJ Franco here too spinning Top 40/Dance and Hip Hop.

Visited here 3 times during the week and there was always a crowd except when a competing event was taking place at the ship's outdoor club, Spice H20, where they're having an ABBA-themed 70's Party tonight. It can't get much better than that!

Dance floor at Bliss was typically packed into the wee hours and nearly everyone was dressed up rather than the slobs we typically see on cruise ships!

This ship has Blue Man Group shows on board and it was interesting and funny but now that I've seen the 90-minute show for free, glad I did not spend $80 for it at CityWalk in Orlando!

And was typically the case at the ship's Bliss Ultra Lounge, a good time was had by all!  Thanks to DJ Franco for the shout-outs!

Breaking News: Fuego Is Closing

Island sources tell the Save Pleasure Island Blog that Disney is not renewing the lease of Fuego by Sosa Cigars.  It will be closing when its lease expires this September.  Fuego, pictured above in early 2011 just before Rock'n'Roll Beach Club (at the rear) was demolished, is a premium smoke shop and cigar bar and has always had a late evening following.  It's doubtful anything else is moving in; expect it to be demolished.

Heading Out To Sea!

The Blog will be running a few preprogrammed articles this week as I finally get to take my Spring Break.  If you've read the Blog for awhile you know that cruising is in my blood so today it's embarkation for my 43rd cruise!  If you've never cruised before, you need to try it.  

Norwegian Epic is probably the ugliest ship out there, but only on the exterior.  Inside the ship has Bliss Ultra Lounge, Howl at The Moon, Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams and the Second City improv troupe.  But most important, buffalo wings available 24/7.  Will be providing club reports from onboard when I can and preprogrammed articles when I can't.  Rest assured you won't miss any PI news; while I'm vising the islands of St. Maarten and St. Thomas, our roving reporters will be watching the island of St. Pleasure!

Friday Funny: Mozart vs Skrillex

Who can Rap better, Mozart (A) or Skrillex (USA)?

PI Update: The Calm Before The Storm

Thursday afternoon at the happiest place on earth!  The two exit signs towards the rear will both have to be replaced because they mention the names Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island.

A little breezy out there which means the Characters In Flight tethered balloon ride had to stay grounded.  Would be interesting to see what their operating percentage is.

BET Soundstage is on the chopping block per Disney's concept art.

All those missing window panes are an indication they really didn't care if the rain poured inside which is an indication that it's coming down soon.

At Marketplace, there are still construction walls surrounding parts of Rainforest Cafe however the active volcano appears to have been completed.

Back on the Island, PI Live Bar lives on as a memory from the good old days.  This venue closed with the clubs but was called back into duty shortly thereafter because the Island at night had become so eerily dead.  

Marvel at Disney.  T-shirts for sale at D-Street on the West Side.

And out beyond the West Side, the first of many construction office trailers has been planted in the Q-Lot. Demolition of Downtown Disney as we know it and the construction of Disney Springs will be directed from back here.  Have a great weekend!

PI Update: Downtown Disney's DJ Elliot

The Blog recently caught up with Disney's DJ Elliot, pictured here on a cold night last month in Downtown Disney Marketplace doing one of his dance parties. He says to get ready for a big Star Wars Weekend (Disney Hollywood Studios) announcement, coming soon!  In the meanwhile, you can not only find him spinning at DTD but also at Stitch's Club 626 Dance Party in the Magic Kingdom. And here's a great medley he put together of Disney sound effects.  Listening is like a quick visit to Disney World!   

This Weekend In Techno Town

THURSDAY APR 11
Tomorrow night at Roxy Nightclub is a first time visit from R3HAB (NL).  I got to see him put on a great House music show last year at EDC-Puerto Rico and he's sure to fill up the club here too!
($20)








FRIDAY APR 12
Friday night at Vain Nightclub you'll find Luminox, a Dubstep/Electro DJ who also has a knack for fusing Hip Hop into EDM!  ($10) 

It's time for 80's Night at The Abbey!  This month live band Simulcast will be playing 80's classics on stage while a DJ spins more 80's between sets.  (FREE)

For those of you on the Space Coast, DJ Jennifer Marley (Party95.com, Suite B Lounge, Davie's Angels, Thee Grotto) will be playing Breakbeats and Bass at County Line in Melbourne.
($10)

SATURDAY APR 13
Thee Grotto has world famous DJ AK1200 onboard this Saturday night along with many others!  Drum & Bass. ($5<10pm>10pm)

Check out this lineup!  DJ's Tony Faline, Trashy, Junglebot and the nationally famous DJ KJ are all together this Saturday night at Fusion Ultra Lounge in Longwood.  Thanks Duane for the tip about this one!
($12)

Alternating between Vegas clubs and South Beach clubs, Tier Nightclub has DJ Jessica Who? spinning Top 40/House this Saturday night.  The club is sure to be wall-to-wall!
($10-20)

Last but hardly least, it's the 2nd Saturday night of the month which can only mean the NLP DJ group is serving up Breakbeats and more at Vixen Bar.  Always a Do Not Miss party frequented by the Mannequins crowd!
(FREE)

PI Update: Remembering 2009

A little more than a month ago we posted pictures of memories from 2010.  Today we return to Pleasure Island, circa 2009.

When the clubs closed in September, 2008, the building that had at one time housed Avigators Supply, Missing Link Sausage Company, DTV and other shops had already been completely gutted and rebuilt.  Shops were never put back inside though and instead it was gutted and rebuilt a second time to become the future home of restaurant Paradiso 37.  This is how it looked in April, 2009.

The imposing Rock'n'Roll Beach Club still dominated The Hub corner while Disney's rolling plantars blocked access to club Motion.

Looking back the other way gave one a view of the PI Live DJ booth along with the lighting catwalk and entertainment tower.  To this day, That patio behind Sosa Cigars remains blocked off by a construction wall.

2009 prices at Characters In Flight, the tethered balloon ride which was opening within a few weeks of this picture being taken. 

Later in 2009 the rear stairway to the 2nd floor of Mannequins was removed, along with that door.  On many a crowded night this entrance was used in lieu of the front door.  During Final Weekend in 2008, this door would see one last use on the Thursday Castmember night.

Mid-2009 brought us Celebrate Tonight, the celebration dedicated to celebrating, here with a big crowd for DJ G-Clef (BET Soundstage, Motion, Red Coconut Club, CityWalk Plaza Dance Party). And a good time was had by all.

PI Update: Carpe' PM

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE  Back during Disney's last major advertising campaign for Pleasure Island in the early 2000's, the Downtown Disney brochure had a 2-page spread about PI that featured their advertising slogan "carpe' p.m. - seize the night". Those were the days before the Island was ungated and a cover charge (or Park Hopper Plus ticket) was needed to enter at night. It's in this brochure that Mannequins is mentioned as voted #1 dace club in the United States."  Not sure where this vote took place and was published but I certainly support the idea that it was.  Those were the days!

Club Reports: Suite B Lounge, Loft55, Independent Bar

Skies cleared, the rain disappeared and it was a beautiful Orlando evening looking for EDM.  First stop Suite B Lounge for "I Love Florida House".

DJ Fusion (The Edge, Firestone Live) was on during my visit.  One typically hears nothing but Progressive House and Breakbeats in Suite B but this guy was pumping out an awesome Vocal House mix with huge buildups and drops!

With considerable light show activity down on the dance floor.

Over to new club Loft55, located on the 2nd floor of the 55 West condo building and the replacement club for Bliss Ultra Lounge.  It's taken some months but this place is now jammed on Saturday nights.

Over in the main booth, DJ Mario Peters spinning Eurohouse!  Wow, no one is playing this in Orlando and it reminded me of my visit to Club Space in Miami.

Dance floor was pretty jammed.

Another booth right above the dance floor with DJ Magic Mike (House of Blues SIN) taking turns, playing more of a Top 40/Dance mix of music.

With lasers cascading out among the dancers!

Late night arrival to Independent Bar.

DJ Indie John in the booth playing the Saturday night format of 80's New Wave/Old Wave.

Dance floor was jammed here too.

Admission is free until 11pm, then $5 Guys and $3 Girls.

Spotted: DJ Rob (I-Bar) with Ninja Kitty & Friend.

Spotted: Aubrey (OrlandoClubNights)

And a good time was had by all!