FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

1. Pleasure Island

Eisner's competitive approach also saw him set his sights on Church Street Station, a popular nightspot in Downtown Orlando. It frustrated Disney's CEO that guests at Walt Disney World were leaving the site at night to go and party elsewhere. Disney made the decision to build its own nighttime entertainment district: Pleasure Island.

Adventurer's Club

Image: kgbarrett, Wikipedia

When it opened in 1989, Pleasure Island was not an instant success. However, things improved when Disney introduced a cover charge that enabled entry to all of its clubs. These included the likes of the Comedy Warehouse improv show, the Neon Armadillo country music venue and the legendary Adventurer's Club (styled around a 1930s-era British explorers' club). In addition to its range of nightclubs, the area also offered street parties, live music and free-flowing cocktails, proving popular with locals as well as resort guests.

In September 2008, Disney shuttered Pleasure Island's clubs, claiming that guests were demanding more family experiences in their place (and refuting rumors that the success of Universal Orlando's CityWalk had led to a decrease in attendance). Then, in November 2010, it announced plans to convert Pleasure Island into a new area dubbed Hyperion Wharf.

Hyperion Wharf

Image © Disney

Disney fans were underwhelmed. The plans were put on hold, and ultimately scrapped.

Disney Springs

Instead, Disney announced that the entire Downtown Disney area will be transformed into a new shopping and entertainment district dubbed Disney Springs by 2016. Disney plans to double the number of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues in the district, boosting the total to more than 150 establishments.

 
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Comments

In reply to by Visitor (not verified)

Regardless of what a state says, I just thought that always sounded like a good thing to avoid. But there were a lot of things done in the 70's and even 80's that we'd never do now, amazing how we all survived. ;)

Wish they would open river country just as it was

In reply to by Visitor (not verified)

I was so disappointed when we checked into fort wilderness to find river country closed. I they are not going to open it back up they need something for the guests thar stay there and want a break from the crowds at the water parks to open something for the people that stay at Fort wilderness.we have stayed there quite often but now are thinking a hotel that has the water facilities that may not be on Disney property maybe more economical and fun for the kids when they just don't feel like going anywhere. Just so you know I am an annual passholder.

Part of the reason River country and discovery Island were closed were because of parasites the water it's not a widely known or publicized thing because disney doesn't want to freak anybody out, there are parasites in the water that are harmful to humans, Lakeland the river can make you verry sick, and they had a very large crocodile boom about 10 years ago the urban explore was lucky wasn't eaten he swim across the lake, and just so you know I get my information directly from the source I have a friend who is a cast member in animal kingdom and used to work at both River country and sometimes moonlights over at the new waterpark.

In reply to by Eric (not verified)

This was the longest sentence I've ever read.

View More Comments

Add new comment

About Theme Park Tourist

Theme Park Tourist is one of the web’s leading sources of essential information and entertaining articles about theme parks in Orlando and beyond.

We are one of the world’s largest theme park guide sites, hosting detailed guides to more than 80 theme parks around the globe.

Find Out More About Us...

Plan Your Trip

Our theme park guides contain reviews and ratings of rides, restaurants and hotels at more than 80 theme parks worldwide.

You can even print them.

Start Planning Now...