JUNE 27, 2008: Walt Disney World
Resort will be completely "re-imagining" Downtown Disney,
with new shopping, dining and other experiences including a completely
re-imagined Pleasure Island. Also planned are numerous enhancements
to popular Downtown Disney locations, as well as additional theming
and storytelling brought to life by Walt Disney Imagineers. Over
the next year, the 120-acre entertainment-shopping-dining complex
will add a number of one-of-a-kind, immersive experiences for guests.
Downtown Disney will even get its own iconic attraction, in the
form of a giant, tethered balloon that will take guests 300 feet
into the air to view the amazing vistas of Walt Disney World Resort.
Other new experiences include:
--
In fall 2008, guests will enter a world of prehistoric creatures
at T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure. The dinosaur-themed
family eatery will serve up pizzas, pastas, seafood and more,
and will feature life-size animated dinosaurs that dwell among
bubbling geysers, waterfalls and a fossil dig site.
--
Also this fall, a design-your-own t-shirt store from Hanes will
add to the growing collection of merchandise guests can personalize
at Downtown Disney.
--
E-brands Restaurants, an Orlando-based, multi-concept restaurant
group, will premier its newest concept at Downtown Disney in spring
2009. The high-energy, casual eatery will feature authentic Central
and South American cuisine, specialty drinks and live music along
the waterfront.
To
make way for the new offerings, all of the clubs currently on
Pleasure Island will close on September 27, 2008. Other locations
on Pleasure Island, including Raglan Road, Fuego by Sosa Cigars,
Curl by Sammy Duval, Orlando Harley-Davidson and outdoor food
and beverage locations, will remain open during the transition.
To
complement these new experiences, many popular Downtown Disney
locations will undergo enhancements.
--
Beginning this summer, Portobello Yacht Club will be transformed
into a Tuscan Country Trattoria. The refreshed menu features authentic
Italian dishes and signature favorites and a re-designed interior
along with an outdoor dining space.
--
This fall, Goofy's Candy Company will add a special new room that
will enable families to host one-of-a-kind birthday parties at
Downtown Disney.
--
The Marketplace Stage will be completely replaced with a larger,
covered stage this fall to welcome even more entertainment to
Downtown Disney and serve as a new premier venue for Disney Magic
Music Days.
--
Fulton's Crab House will update its interior fixtures and furnishing
and exterior in Spring 2009. The enhancements include a refreshed
third floor deck dining area to offer additional Disney guests
and larger private parties the traditional Fulton's experience.
--
Next year, Wolfgang Puck Cafe will update its interior fixtures
and furnishings and will feature an enclosed glass patio offering
guests a year-round outdoor dining experience.
 Pleasure
Island is
the night-time entertainment district at Downtown Disney.
It consists of themed nightclubs, restaurants and shops.
HOURS
- Pleasure Island is open 7 p.m. until 2 a.m.
As
of August 15, 2004, Pleasure Island extended its "open gate"
policy, which means that entry to the island is free -- you only have
to pay if you wish to enter one of the nightclubs.
NOTE: If you wish to dine at one of the restaurants on Pleasure
Island and not go into the clubs, you do not
have to pay admission.
Age
Requirements: As of January 1, 2007, you must be 21 or older
to enter BET Soundstage, 8TRAX, Mannequins Dance Palace, Motion and
Rock 'n' Roll Beach Club. Those under 18 will no longer be admitted to
these clubs. The Adventurers Club and The Comedy Warehouse continue to
be open to everyone, but children under the age of 18 must be accompanied
by an adult.
ADMISSION
TICKETS - Current prices are (as of 1/07):
MULTI-CLUB admission is now $23.38 (includes tax) -- unlimited admission
to all the clubs on Pleasure Island for one night. (Both children and
adults.)
SINGLE CLUB admission $11.66 (includes tax) -- admission to only
ONE club on Pleasure Island.
(Both children and adults.)
NOTE:
The Single Club Ticket is ONLY good for: Rock 'n' Roll Beach Club, BET
SoundStage Club, Mannequins Dance Palace, Motion or 8TRAX. This EXCLUDES
the Comedy Club and the Adventurers Club. You can only purchase Single
Club Tickets at Pleasure Island or Downtown Disney Guest Services.
The
Pleasure Island Annual Pass is now $59.59 (includes tax) and
renewals are $45.95 plus tax ($48.94).
A
new Pleasure Island Annual Pass Plus Guest allows a Pleasure
Island Annual Passholder to bring one guest. Price of this Annual Pass
is $99 plus tax ($105.44). The renewal price is $84 plus tax ($89.46).
Pleasure
Island admission is included with Magic Your Way Tickets that include
"plus options."
Upon paying admission, you will be given a wristband that indicates
paid admission and therefore club entry.
5 for
5 Special: Offered seasonally -- You can convert one night's Single-Day
Ticket into 5 more consecutive nights for $5!
Discounts
are available for holders of Annual Passes and the Disney Dining Experience
Card.
- DINE
AND DANCE - Offered Seasonally: Guests who dine at a full-service
restaurant at Downtown Disney may present their receipt at a Pleasure
Island Ticket Booth for a 20% discount off that night's admission.
PLEASURE
ISLAND ANNUAL PASSHOLDER BONUSES - Bring a guest for FREE
every Friday night before 9pm.
Disney Dining Experience Card holders may purchase Pleasure Island
admission at a discount.
Military
personnel may purchase tickets in advance at Shades
of Green for a discount.
Cast
Members - Sunday through Thursday nights are free for you, just
show your valid ID.
Pleasure
Island has these clubs:
 The
Adventurers Club -- A 1930s explorers' club, this is certainly
the most Disney nightspot on Pleasure Island. The club is decorated with
many "treasures and artifacts" brought back from far off expeditions.
Many of the artifacts are not as inanimate as they seem and often come
to life throughout the evening. Official club officers and members make
the rounds to regale you with their stories and introduce you to the club's
customs and activities. Check out the Adventurers
Club FAQ for more info.
 Comedy
Warehouse -- The Comedy Warehouse features "The Who, What and
Warehouse Improv Company." Each show is an improvisation, where the
players take audience suggestions to create jokes and skits right on the
spot. No two shows are ever the same and are guaranteed for a good laugh,
especially for those seated next to the telephones! And if you ever wondered
whatever happened to all the old Disney World/Disneyland signs, you'll
love the decor here!
 8-Trax
-- Complete with disco ball, '70s decor and (eek!) fashions, you'll
think you stepped into a time warp. This club is a haven for the disco
freak as the DJ spins popular tunes from the era of Saturday Night Fever,
the Village People, and very large shirt collars. Seventies line dances
such as the Hustle are the norm here, finally culminating at 12:30 a.m.
with the Village People's "YMCA." Be sure to check out the wall
displays of 1970s memorabilia.
 Raglan
Road Irish Pub and Restaurant opened
in October 2005. (Click HERE for more
photos!) The new venue, located on the site of the former Pleasure Island
Jazz Company, will offer traditional Irish fare prepared with a "modern
flair." Menu items will include: rack of lamb on Irish stew consommé,
Sea Leek (oven-baked fillet of sea bass served on a fondue of leeks),
and Kevin's Kudos (oven-roasted loin of bacon served with braised cabbage
and creamed potato). The restaurant, which will hold 600, is decorated
with custom furnishings designed and built in Ireland by Irish craftspeople,
as well as with Irish antiques and "bric-a-brac." Pleasure Island
club admission will not be required for entrance to Raglan Road. Located
where the Pleasure Island Jazz Company used to be.
 Rock
'n' Roll Beach Club CLOSED FEBRUARY 3, 2008!
No future plans for the location have been announced as yet..
Classic rock 'n' roll that plays to the beat of the past and produces
images of sand and surf at the Rock 'n Roll Beach Club. The stage is set
for the best hits of yesterday to the top recordings of today. Live bands
bring back the classic hits -- the illusions are as real as the memories.
The club features three levels of entertainment and a large dance floor.
(Usually opens at 8 p.m.)
Mannequins Dance Palace - opens at 9
p.m.
From a WDW Press Release: "Mannequins Dance Palace With Bold New
Look -- High-tech lighting and a state-of-the-art sound system pumping
out the hottest techno and progressive beats await guests at Mannequins
Dance Palace. One of the premier nightclubs in the U.S., this award-winning
nightclub has proven to be THE place to go in Central Florida. Slick and
stylish have new meaning on the revolving dance floor when DJ's play the
latest modern dance music accompanied by state of the art lighting effects."
 BET
Soundstage Club - Dance in a one-of-a-kind nightclub featuring the
best in high-energy Hip-Hop, Reggae, Old School and R&B dance music!
(Usually opens at 9 p.m.)
Motion -- Nonstop energy of youth and put it to the beat of Top
40 music. (Usually opens at 9 p.m.)
Pleasure
Island
clubs open and close on a staggered basis.
- Adventurers
Club show times Tuesday-Sunday 7 p.m. - 1 a.m.; Monday 9 p.m. -
1 a.m.
- Rock
'n' Roll Beach Club
opens 8 p.m.
- Comedy
Warehouse
show times: Sun-Wed at 8, 9:05, 10:15 p.m. & 11:45 p.m.;
Thurs-Sat at 8, 9:05, 10:15 p.m., 11:45 p.m. & 12:45 a.m.
- 8-Trax
Opens 8 p.m.
- Mannequins
Dance Palace 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.
- Motion
opens 9 p.m.
The times
above are subject to change. Frequently clubs open later because of
private functions that are taking place.
Pleasure
Island features a variety of street entertainment. Starting at 7 p.m.,
PI Live begins its broadcasting night. Live DJs spin tunes and
music videos all night.
What shops
are on Pleasure Island?
Pleasure
Island is
undergoing a series of renovations, starting in
March 2006.
Harley-Davidson
merchandise shop opened in late March 2005 -- now located adjacent
to Raglan Road.
Fuego
by Sosa Cigars -- opend June 2007: Cigar connoisseurs can now savor
a smoke and enjoy other tobacco products in an intimate lounge setting.
Premium wine, beer and spirits, plus specialty coffees and other non-alcoholic
beverages are served daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. The new lounge is
a tribute to four generations of the Sosa family with pictures of family
members decorating the walls. The gathering place blends contemporary
furnishings and high-tech with old-world charm. Pendant-style light
fixtures adorn the room while a hand-crafted glass bar top resembles
a floating block of ice. The back bar is illuminated with silhouettes
of tobacco leaves and is backlit with images of fire. Custom-designed,
hand-crafted wooden humidors hold more than 100 facings of hand-rolled
premium cigars -- from the legendary Fuente Fuente Opus X to the highly
rated house-branded Sosa cigars. An expanded terrace offers guests outdoor
seating as well.
Changing
Attitudes -
was trendy clothing and accessories. Closed
April 1, 2006.
DTV
- was the official Disney shop on Pleasure Island. Closed
March 19, 2006.
Reel
Finds - Closed
April 1, 2006.
Zen
Zone - Closed March 19, 2006.
Is there
any place to eat on Pleasure Island itself?
Raglan
Road, the
new Irish pub that opened in October 2005, serves a full menu of sandwiches
and other pub fare. There is also an outside window, Cooke's
of Dublin, that serves carry-out fish and chips.
The Missing
Link Sausage Company Closed March 19, 2006.
On the Marketplace side of the island are Portobello
Yacht Club and Fulton's Crab
House. On the West Side end is Planet
Hollywood.
 What's
the most popular club?
The
answer depends on who you talk to. Mannequins Dance Palace is
the busiest club on the island and a favorite of many of the local Orlando
residents. There is usually a line waiting for entrance. For those who
like comedy, Comedy Warehouse is very popular. It's a
good idea to get in line for a Comedy Warehouse show
at least a half-hour before show time. The Adventurers Club is
also very popular for those who just want to sit and bask in the uniqueness
of the club and its entertainment.
When are
the busiest times?
If
you can get to Pleasure Island before 8:30, you'll probably
be able to club hop fairly early. Things really start to pick up after
9:30 p.m.
Thursday
nights are always crowded on Pleasure Island. This is
Cast Night, when Disney employees come out in full force. 8-Trax
becomes '80s Trax where the club relives the music and fashion
of the 1980s. Be prepared to party hard on Thursdays, but also be prepared
for the crowd crunch.
Are there
ever waits to get in?
The
biggest lines occur at the Comedy Warehouse and sometimes Mannequins.
At Mannequins
lines tend to form quickly and last quite a while due to limited
space in the entrance elevator. At Comedy Warehouse, lines for
the next show begin forming as soon as the previous show begins.
At the
other clubs, you can pretty much come and go as you please, but it may
be very crowded inside. The Adventurers Club and the Rock
'n' Roll Beach Club can hold a good number of people comfortably
because of their multi-level setup. 8-Trax can become very packed.
Where
can I see live bands?
Live
bands play at the Rock 'n' Roll Beach Club.
What
kind of transportation options are there?
Disney
World Bus: From any Disney resort, take the bus marked Downtown
Disney. From Fort Wilderness, the Downtown Disney bus operates from
the Outpost Depot. There is no direct bus transportation serving Downtown
Disney from any theme park or from the Transportation and Ticket Center.
Check at your resort to see what time the bus for Downtown Disney operates.
In general, the buses stop running one hour after closing time at Downtown
Disney, which for most of the clubs on Pleasure Island is 2 a.m.
By
Boat: If you're at Old Key West or Port Orleans, you have the option
of taking the boat route to the Pleasure Island/Marketplace area.
(Be sure to check times of the last boat back to your hotel, sometimes
these end early.)
On
Foot: Only the resorts in the Downtown Disney area and Saratoga
Springs are close enough for a reasonable walk.
By
Car: Pleasure Island is located on Buena Vista Drive, not far from
I-4. From the Magic Kingdom Resorts: Follow World Drive south to Epcot
Center Dr. Heading east on Epcot Center drive, follow it to Buena Vista
Drive and head east. You'll pass Typhoon Lagoon and Pleasure Island
will be on the left. From the Epcot Resorts: Exit your resort onto Buena
Vista Drive and head east.
What about
Parking?
Pleasure
Island has a large parking lot adjacent to the grounds. Parking
is free. (There is no longer valet parking service.) You could also
park in the Downtown Disney Marketplace lot and walk over to
Pleasure Island. Parking can be very difficult in the evenings.
Is Pleasure
Island Wheelchair Accessible?
All areas
are wheelchair accessible and all clubs have elevators. Wheelchairs
can be rented at Guest Services at the Downtown Disney Marketplace
or West Side. See our Wheelchair/ECV
FAQ for rates and details.
Is There
an ATM (Automated Teller Machine)?
For some
quick cash, you can find an ATM under the stairway
to the Rock 'n' Roll Beach Club.
What is
the smoking policy?
All clubs
are now NONsmoking! Smoking is allowed in the open areas throughout
Pleasure Island.
What are
the "not to be missed" events at the Clubs?
Do not
miss the Adventurers Club -- you never really know what will
come your way (unless you read the FAQ!). And try to see at least one
show at the Comedy Warehouse -- sit by the phone if you dare!
Note that the later shows tend to be more adult humor than the earlier
shows.
Anything
else I should know?
PI used
to have a "Designated Driver program." It has been discontinued.
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