Friday, August 1, 2008

Is Disney Reconsidering?

On Thursday evening a contributor named Cheshire Figment posted the following message on Disboards:

When I was in California a few weeks ago I heard (from reliable sources) that upper level people in Disney Corporate were concerned about the number of complaints referring to the notification that the PI clubs are closing.

Also, I have been dealing with a hotel on Hotel Plaza Blvd for an upcoming convention and I was told by my Sales Manager there that the on-site Disney Rep had officially asked the Director of Sales if they have lost groups and/or rooms because of the PI closing, and needed a count with detailed information. The SM told me that had lost a few conventions because of it. Also, it appears that it is being asked of all the non-Disney resorts on property.


If true, this brings hope to all of us. Those letters and e-mails are making an impact. More important, apparently Disney may now be recognizing that there is an impact beyond just revenue at Pleasure Island. Disney World and Orlando compete with other cities for meetings and conventions. Conventioneers want evening activities. Las Vegas is always #1 because of the tremendous amount of things to do when the meetings are over. When you take away Pleasure Island, what else is there? Most conventions take place at the Orange County Convention Center or in hotel meeting space in the Attractions corridor. Without Pleasure Island being there, Disney has ZERO to offer for those looking for evening activities. So it appears that some of these meetings are being lost to other cities. When that happens, there are fewer hotel rooms sold, fewer airline tickets sold, fewer restaurant meals sold, fewer theme park tickets sold AND of course no alcohol revenue at Disney clubs. Perhaps the latter was taken into account, but not everything else. The ramifications are huge!

If Disney is really reconsidering closing everything, August is critical! Please....if you've not already sent an e-mail (or better yet, a real letter via the real mail), please do so now. Be polite but tell them how important Pleasure Island is to you and to the local economy. The addresses are in the posting below. Thank you!

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