Save Pleasure Island

Club Reports: Excalibur, Sound-Bar, Spybar, Enclave (Chicago)

2012-01-28T12:55:00.000-05:00

Taking care of business in Chicago on a Friday in January so why not check out a few clubs too. After all, House music was more-or-less invented in the Windy City. First stop Excalibur, a club that caters to tourists since they offer a free admission coupon in the This Week In Chicago tourist mag. The place is located in what appears to be a former church, very-much like The Castle in Tampa!

This was my first stop and it was early so no dancers to the downstairs DJ playing mostly early 90's hits. Does anyone remember Lisa Lisa? But there had to be more to this huge building so I was sent upstairs.

Another huge room upstairs designed a lot like Icon in Orlando. The DJ up here was playing an awesome progressive House mix that kept going and going.

There were actually some people up here dancing and I'm sure it would get crowded later on. Excalibur is located on West Ontario Street at Dearborn Street.

A few blocks west along Ontario Street is Sound-Bar. There are actually dozens of night clubs in this area of Chicago called River North, just above the Chicago Loop.

There are several venues within Sound-bar; downstairs in the basement this DJ was playing mostly Hip Hop mixed with Top 40.

In a small room on the main level a different DJ was playing Chill and House and the main room was to be all House music but had not opened yet.

Directly across the street is Spybar, a place I visited last year during a Chicago trip. Unlike Eye Spy in Orlando which at least uses its "spy" theme, Spybar does not; it's just a name.

The early DJ's playing more House/Progressive House before 16-Bit Lolitas were to come on.

Some of the early dancers in this narrow basement club. An annoyance in Chicago and other northern clubs is the mandatory coat-check policy at most clubs; $3 here, $4 there. Adds up if you're club-hopping.

Last stop of the night was Enclave, another large venue built into a former warehouse and entry is via the loading dock. Yes, that's snow falling.

DJ Roger Sanchez (USA) was the guest DJ last night putting out an awesome mix of....House, of course!

Everyone was really getting into the music!

Unlike the other venues, Enclave was packed!

While it was crowded though, people weren't very vocal. I mean, there wasn't a lot of cheering when a really good song would get played.

There is definitely no longer a shortage of Electronic Dance Music in Chicago with multiple clubs playing House and competing for concerts by the bigger-name DJ's.

Good to see Roger Sanchez. House has come home!

DJ Markus Schulz Coming To Orlando

2012-01-27T10:52:00.000-05:00

If you saw him at Electric Daily Carnival - Orlando last summer you know he blew the Saturday night crowd away. Well he's coming back! The #9 DJ in the world (per DJMag readers), DJ & Producer Markus Schulz (D) returns to Orlando on Thursday, February 16th at Roxy. Tickets are now on sale at the club website for $15.

Club Report: Tier Night Club Coming Soon

2012-01-26T08:08:00.000-05:00

It doesn't take long for a new club to try out space vacated by another club! New entry Tier Nightclub is coming to the space formerly occupied by Icon, just east of Orange Avenue on Central. It will be interesting to see what direction they take Tier, whose name refers to the two tiers (levels) in the venue. In the end Icon was exclusively Hip Hop on the weekends although at times they had EDM DJ's playing in there. Tier has DJ Ross One (Liv/Miami) booked for Friday, February 10th. I believe the actual opening date is one night earlier, but for invited guests only.

This Weekend In Techno Town

2012-01-25T06:55:00.000-05:00

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 25
The weekend begins early if you've got the time with Rehab Night at Suite B Lounge. Guest DJ Jimmy Joslin joins Chris Fade and Aggrocrag for House, Breaks & Top 40 Remixes.

THURSDAY JANUARY 26
A new weekly event at Backbooth is called Boombox Thursdays and it's presented by HTG so you know it's going to be great! First 100 guests free. By the way, big announcement coming Wednesday from HTG. Will it be a big name DJ concert or details on EDC-Orlando?

FRIDAY JANUARY 27
A little more than a year ago he played at The Beacham; last year he jammed House of Blues; and now, Avicii (S) is going to fill UCF Arena! His real name is Tim Bergling and he's put out some songs under Tim Berg, but his fame has zoomed through the roof under the now-famous Avicii name! When he plays his monster hit "Levels" (featuring the late singer Etta James), the roof is liable to blow off!

Also on Friday night is the grand reopening of Venue 13, the every Friday night celebration of all things Goth. Now in a new location at Chakra Ultra Lounge on University at Dean Road, just a block east of the TOLL 417 interchange. DJ Paul Vaine (Visage) controls the mood!

SATURDAY JANUARY 28
Suite B Lounge is the place to be on Saturday night for their next Groovin To The Beat night featuring DJ's J13, Sisco, Jeni Marie and Cygni. Free before 11pm and then $5. Great drinks; ask for Lisa. House, Progressive House & more.

SUNDAY JANUARY 29
Still looking for more, don't miss Service Industry Night at House of Blues with DJ Sandy and guest DJ Richie Rich. (The Beacham) Free with ID from any service industry job; $8 for others. Doors open at 10:30pm but don't expect the DJ until close to midnight. All House and Top 40 Dance.

PI Update: 8TRAX Fans Reunion Coming Too!

2012-01-24T06:45:00.004-05:00

Fans of the former Pleasure Island club 8TRAX will be happy to hear that there's going to be an 8TRAX Fans Reunion on two nights, Friday, February 24 and Saturday, February 25 at the new club Retro Room on US 192. Mark your calendar and stay tuned to the Blog for full details! Former 8TRAX DJ Pete will be spinning 70's Disco & 80's Classics, just like you remember them at PI. **UNOFFICIAL EVENT** RETRO ROOM AND SAVE PLEASURE ISLAND BLOG ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY. 8TRAX IS A TRADEMARK OF THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY AND IS USED HERE TO PUBLICIZE AN EVENT FOR FANS OF THE FORMER NIGHT CLUB.

PI Update: Pleasure Island Reunion Coming

2012-01-23T08:39:00.000-05:00

Commemorate 3.5 years since PI clubs closed and 2.0 years since we last held a reunion by coming out to a Pleasure Island Reunion to be held at Atlantic Dance Hall on Saturday, March 24th! Free. 9pm-2am. Details at: http://www.facebook.com/events/339637382727666/ Thanks to Blog reader Clubmaster for alerting us to this event!

Club Reports: Prickly Pear, The Abbey, Suite B Lounge, Vixen Lounge, Independent Bar

2012-01-22T11:16:00.000-05:00

A beautiful warm January night in Orlando last night and what better way to spend it than searching for EDM. The Prickly Pear is a restaurant/bar over in Orlando's Eola Square district.

And on Friday/Saturday nights DJ The Reverend (Peacock Room, Bandwagon Roadshow, Funky Monkey) puts out an eclectic mix of music for the diners as well as patrons at the upscale bar.

Rather empty during my visit but two large groups had just walked out as I approached. Beautiful facilities worth checking out for dining or chilling.

I had been reading about The Abbey for some time but had never gotten the chance to check it out but it's right around the corner from Prickly Pear so I had to see it! It's a mixed-use facility that can be used for parties, theater productions, bands, etc.

Last night the venue was rented-out for a private party who brought in their own DJ.

A beautiful set-up with awesome lighting and sound systems from HTG.

A full-service bar completes the location which was just beginning to get crowded. Pretty impressive.

Suite B Lounge is always on my list when searching for EDM and good drinks!

In general most Fridays here seem better than most Saturdays as far as crowds go, as last night there was just a dozen patrons in the place with no one dancing. The music by the three DJ's taking turns was a very Hard House mix.

Another club committed to Electronic Dance Music is Vixen Lounge.

A nice surprise was DJ Andy Hughes (Electric Daisy Carnival - Orlando, Peacock Room) in the cockpit!

And people were dancing on the small floor beneath the booth to his House mix.

Pretty good crowd in attendance.

Saturday night.....downtown.....I-Bar.

The dynamic duo of DJ Indie John and Lighting Tech Ernie putting out 80's New Wave & Classics!

The club was really buzzing last night!

The floor was filled wall-to-wall.

Spotted: CJ visiting with Ernie!

Club Report: Venue 13 Returning To The Scene

2012-01-21T11:22:00.000-05:00

We're pleased to report that the recently departed Venue 13, which had been operating on Friday nights out of 11/12 Lounge on Lee Road, has found a new home! Beginning next Friday, January 27th, Venue 13 will operate from Chakra Ultra Lounge on University Blvd at Dean Road. The location features a large bi-level dance floor, lasers and fog, plush leather couches and even a stripper pole. The Venue 13 format is a mix of 80's Alternative, New Wave, Industrial, Synth, Goth and more, all under the auspices of DJ Paul Vaine (Visage). There will be $2 drafts, $2 shots, 2 for 1 mixed drinks till midnight and more. Usually a Hip Hop club and located just a few miles from UCF, should be interesting to see how this mix comes together when the unexpected come in!

Dance Singer Nadia Ali Coming To Orlando

2012-01-21T11:15:00.001-05:00

Grammy-nominated Dance singer Nadia Ali is finally coming to Orlando, performing on Saturday, February 4th at club Roxy! Best known for her 2001 hit "Rapture" which she did as part of duo iio, she had a tremendous 2011 in which she was nominated for a Grammy for her vocals in DJ Morgan Page's remix of "Fantasy". Her current hit "Pressure" (with DJ Alex Kenji) follows two other hits this year, "Call My Name" (with DJ's Sultan & Ned Shepard) and her own re-do of "Rapture". Her 2009 smashes "Love Story" and "Fine Print" went to #1 and #4 respectively on Billboard's Dance Club Play Charts. She is pictured above during my visit to Toronto last June when she opened for DJ David Guetta.

Club Reports: Atlantic Dance Hall, Jellyrolls

2012-01-20T07:25:00.003-05:00

I went "down the shore" last night to visit the boardwalk back behind Disney's Boardwalk Resort. First stop Atlantic Dance Hall, the place where just like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get!

DJ Tony B was on the boards putting out Top 40/Dance music videos for the masses. Tony is also the Tuesday night DJ at The Groove and is a veteran of many Pleasure Island venues.

Unfortunately the masses consisted of just a few dozen patrons. At least many of them did dance!

The staple "Cupid Shuffle" always jams the floor at ADH.

Directly across the boardwalk is Jellyrolls, a dueling piano bar that I always walked past but decided to drop in this time to see how they're doing.

It actually was jammed with around 250 people!

One of four dueling piano bars in the Orlando area, it is one of the more consistently popular entertainment options for adults on Disney property. (Outside the theme parks, there really are few options since Pleasure Island clubs were closed.)

Once part of a chain, this is the only remaining Jellyrolls. I had previously visited their Atlanta and Tampa locations but both closed years ago. But with the crowd singing in unison to the songs, a visit to Jellyrolls is almost a religious experience! And a lot of fun!

This Weekend In Techno Town

2012-01-19T06:48:00.002-05:00

THURSDAY JANUARY 19
The number #25 DJ in the world per DJMag readers, DJ Arty (RUS) comes to Orlando for the first time ever, at club Roxy. CANCELLED

Tonight is also 80's Night at The Groove with 80's Classics by request. Crowd-wise Thursdays are hit-or-miss with rain or cold weather holding the crowd back. Perhaps feeling some pressure from new club Retro Room, TG has been squeezing in a few more 70's Disco songs than they used to. Located at Universal CityWalk.

SATURDAY JANUARY 21
Club V is located onboard the Victory Casino Cruises ship sailing from Port Canaveral at 7pm sharp. The January special event is called "Rock The Boat" and features ill DJ Chris B, Josh Money, Justin Faze, Seth Vogt and Flurk, among many more too!

Beginning at noon on Saturday and running until 6am on Sunday morning, Ocala Dance Festival 5 returns to the Shrine Hall on SE Mericamp Road and features dozens of DJ's including Rob Analyze, Dan D'Mantra and Brad Clark. The group that puts this together tries really hard to create a first rate event.

PI Update: Obama To Skip Pleasure Island Visit

2012-01-18T05:52:00.002-05:00

President Barrack Obama is coming to Orlando tomorrow to visit Walt Disney World but apparently will not have time to drop by Pleasure Island during his short stay. The Orlando Sentinel reports that he will be flying into Orlando International Airport late Thursday morning aboard Air Force One and then head straight to the Magic Kingdom via motorcade. He will then give a speech in front of Cinderella's Castle unveiling a new policy for promoting tourism. I personally think standing in front of the Adventurers Club building would have made a better backdrop for a tourism promotion speech but the castle is probably a bit more-widely recognized.

PI Update: Stroller Rental Moved To No. 2 Bridge

2012-01-17T16:31:00.000-05:00

Save Pleasure Island Blog roving reporter William was on the Island last night and reports that Stroller & Wheelchair Rental has been moved to this new location in front of the Number 2 Bridge, adjacent former Ticket Booth 2.

There might not be comedy or dance clubs on Pleasure Island anymore but there didn't used to be stroller rental either. So the Island really does continue to get better!

Club Reports: House of Blues, Pleasure Island

2012-01-16T10:19:00.000-05:00

The biggest party in the Orlando area on Sunday nights is Service Industry Night at House of Blues, located in Lake Buena Vista at Downtown Disney West Side.

There is a different DJ at HOB each week but holiday weekends nearly always means DJ Magic Mike!

And the place gets absolutely packed to the rafters!

Magic Mike was in a hip-hoppy mood last night, much more so than the last time I saw him play here when the set was mostly House, Dance and Dubstep.

But no matter what he plays he keeps the music moving fast with short segments of each song merging quickly into the next song. There was a lot of cheering as popular songs came on!

House of Blues has some awesome lighting equipment installed in here!

Music videos accompany each song in the mix.

Spotted: DJ Richie Rich (House of Blues, The Beacham) who will be playing House and Dance here at HOB on the January 29th edition of Service Industry Night.

Spotted: DJ Shal (Club V, Suite B Lounge)

Spotted: Resident DJ Sandy (House of Blues, Electric Daisy Carnival - Orlando) posing with Shal's wife.

Spotted: DJ Tony Z (Atlantic Dance Hall, Planet Hollywood, Paradiso 37)

Who says there's no dancing on Pleasure Island! Can't visit HOB without a stop here!

The foyer to Mannequins was all lit-up and looking spiffy. Open the doors, Mickey!

8TRAX was dark though.

Adventurers Club overgrown but standing firm!

Club Report: Stagger Inn

2012-01-15T10:32:00.009-05:00

A new venue in downtown Orlando is called the Stagger Inn!

DJ Donny (Young Entertainment) was playing country music initially, something I've never heard in downtown Orlando since :08 (8 Seconds) closed a few years ago. He said it was a country crowd but that he'd be switching over to Top 40 shortly. There's a pretty good lighting system in place on the small stage but it's in the corner.

The place was actually packed, a nice surprise for such a new place. Club type lights do not spread to the rest of the club as this may be a lighting system the DJ brings in with him; I forgot to ask. I've seen a similar system over at Dexter's in Lake Mary on Thursday nights that the resident DJ brings in.

Only one cowboy hat in sight though! Their Facebook page indicates that Country music is going to be a regular feature here. For instance, Solo Cup Sundays. Stagger Inn is on Central at Magnolia.

Club Report: Vain (DJ Icey)

2012-01-14T12:00:00.002-05:00

Club Vain downtown on a Friday night, Orlando's only 3D nightclub! (whatever that means?)

DJ Icey in the house. I've seen him play numerous times now and he never fails to exceed expectations!

Icey opened with 100% Breakbeats, a music genre he is famous for helping to create.

Icey came on about 12:30am this morning and played a 2-hour set.

Huge crowd in the club really getting into the music.

Awesome Mannequins group in the VIP. Happy Birthday Shelley Lyn!

More Mannequins!

Another perspective on the huge crowd!

As it got later Icey began to play more of what I call Florida Breaks, a Rap sound played to a faster break beat.

The floor had gotten some space on it but this brought everyone back and it jammed up again.

One of two Go Go girls in the house.

A couple back-to-back Mannequins songs got my group excited!

Multiple CO2 cannons brought back more Mannequins memories.

Spotted: DJ Baby Anne

Spotted: CJ

A good time was had by all. DJ Icey and Baby Anne play tonight at club Rome in West Palm Beach.

Bikini Barista

2012-01-13T18:30:00.003-05:00

OK, this is not a club but I just had to report that Bikini Barista has opened on Lee Road very close to the old 11/12 Lounge. Featuring bikini and lingerie-clad baristas working the walk-up and drive-up windows, I'm told they sell coffee. Big thanks to colleagues Justin & Chris for the reconnaissance mission!

Club V Update

2012-01-12T19:35:00.002-05:00

Club V is a lounge located on board the Victory Casino Cruises gambling boat that sails out of Port Canaveral each evening at 7pm. On Friday and Saturday nights it becomes an actual dance club with DJ's pumping out various types of music. And once per month on a Saturday night they bring in bigger name DJ's! Last September DJ Icey performed at Club V and in November it was DJ Baby Anne!

Resident DJ Big Norm gets credit for bringing this idea into reality and when he unexpectedly passed away last fall, there was a lot of doubt about whether Club V would continue. But it has under the good direction of DJ Shal (Suite B Lounge) and the special monthly events have continued too.

On January 21st they're having a "Rock The Boat" event featuring Chicago's DJ Curtis B, Orlando's ill DJ Chris B (Icon, Firestone Live, EDC-Orlando) and ten others! On February 25th DJ Mark Sanchez (EPCOT Italy NYE) will be the featured DJ. Club V is free as you only have to pay the ship's standard $10 boarding fee which includes parking! Help support great music. And by the way, there's a casino on board too!

This Weekend In Techno Town

2012-01-11T18:00:00.001-05:00

THURSDAY JANUARY 12
Popular local DJ Irene Pardo joins up with a number of other local jocks including DJ Prime Minister at Bliss Ultra Lounge on Thursday night. Expect a mix of Dubstep, Bass, Electro & House. $15.

FRIDAY JANUARY 13
Orlando's most famous local DJ is none other than Icey and he returns to his hometown for a night of Breaks and House at club Vain this Friday night! Sure to be packed! $10 entry with $2 PBR's all night and $5 Geese. DJ Big Makk will be playing upstairs. (For those of you in the WPB area, Icey plays down your way on Saturday night at club Rome. And DJ Baby Anne will be playing alongside him!!)
DJ Icey's latest hit is a return to the sound he's most famous for:
Get It - DJ Icey

SUNDAY JANUARY 15
House of Blues Service Industry Night is always crowded on Sunday nights but when Monday is a holiday, it's downright crazy-packed in there. And this holiday weekend brings back DJ Magic Mike for a night of mostly Electronic Dance Music! Free for anyone showing a pay stub or business card for any service job, not just hospitality industry!

Flamingo Crossings Update

2012-01-10T19:36:00.001-05:00

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE When Disney announced the Western Way Development back around the time Pleasure Island closed, there was speculation and rumors among some that Disney would use the distant space to build a PI 2.0 complex. Made sense; serve the huge number of adult guests seeking nightlife but put them in a place far away from families. But the development, located just west of TOLL 429 at the Western Way interchange and later named Flamingo Crossings, has turned out to be a real bust. Even in a down economy, nearby I-Drive and US 192 have seen a good number of new restaurants added over the past several years. But Flamingo Crossings has remained deader than even Pleasure Island after 10pm. And with new hotel construction likely requiring room rates well over $100/night to break even, hotel developers haven't exactly been chomping at the bit either to compete with Disney's lower-priced value offerings.Well something finally is coming to Flamingo Crossings! Website Stitch Kingdom reported recently that a Walgreen's is coming to the intersection of Western Way & Flamingo Crossings Blvd.

That website also reports that a Flamingo Crossings masterplan was filed with Orange County in October that bans bars and tattoo parlors (something both found in Universal's CityWalk complex) along with liquor stores and other adult-only entertainment. So for those of you hoping, we most certainly will not being seeing a PI 2.0 at Flamingo Crossings! (But maybe we'll get a CVS instead!)

PI Update: Hyperion Wharf Apparently Is Not Dead

2012-01-09T20:15:00.004-05:00

There has been an absolute dearth of information and rumors lately about what may be coming to Pleasure Island. You'll recall that in November, 2010 Hyperion Wharf was announced as PI's replacement but then in April, 2011 those vague plans were put on indefinite hold. There were well-sourced rumors that indicated that third party operators could reopen the former clubs as clubs, as long as they used a different name and a different concept. But that was months ago with zero progress towards that end.

PI fans got excited in December when a one time only party for longer-term Disney Cast Members featured original Adventurers Club performers, characters and props and shortly thereafter original CM's from Comedy Warehouse returned to reprise CW at Disney Hollywood Studios. All those shows had standing room only crowds. But other than those glimmers of hope, it's been silent until last week's rumor that it's going to be at least a couple more years before anything happens out there!

This weekend while scouring the internet for any chatter at all I came across these entries off WDWMagic's© Forums. I would call these postings news:

WDW Administrator: There are some plans that include demolition of the AC building.

WDW71FAN: Indeed... Actually.. of the 3 proposals for reinventing Hyperion Wharf that I've seen.. 2 include the removal of the AC and Soundstage structures.. The 3rd one removes the soundstage only, but renovates the AC building into an administrative facility.. Containing offices and a small computer datacenter for DtD.. This would allow for relocation of two other facilities in the DtD complex into the solitary location... It's important to note ,that this would included the demolition of the midway level structure of AC, not the ground levels... 'capping' the building off, if you will. I can tell you, that no matter what.. AC will never reopen .. (you can read that as 'in that location'.. but I am not informed that it would be built again anywhere). I can also tell you that the name 'Hyperion Wharf' is not dead... nor is the project..

But I liked this entry much better from Jason71, a reader and poster here on the Blog:

71JASON: The news lately is that major stockholders are pressuring Disney to quit making major capital investments in the parks. This only makes a revived PI make more sense. It would cost tens of thousands, at most, not tens of millions, yet would bring headlines, tons of free PR, and a lot of good will among guests (including locals). Re-opening PI is about the only thing I can think of that will rival the Potter Land expansion for buzz, but it can be done for a fraction of the price. (And will pay for itself within months.)

If only Jason! If only. (CLICK ON CONCEPT ART TO ENLARGE)

Club Reports: Suite B Lounge, Bliss Ultra Lounge, The Beacham, Independent Bar

2012-01-08T12:30:00.001-05:00

It had been 5 weeks since I was downtown on a Saturday night! Time to get back into my routine. First top Suite B Lounge, a place you can always count on for EDM all nights of the week.

When I came in DJ U4-E-Ahh (left) had just finished his set of mostly Progressive House.

And Jacksonville-based DJ Dan D'Mantra stepped-up to take over.

His House and Progressive set was an excellent mix of music that had the then limited number of patrons up and dancing. When I asked about one of the songs he played, he handed me the CD to keep!

DJ Brad Clark took over next as he continued the vibe of the night. Would not get to see the star of the night, Tampa's DJ Rob Analyze as it was time for movin' on! Many of these guys will be playing at the upcoming Ocala Dance Festival.

Spotted: DJ Andy Hughes (Electric Daisy Carnival-Orlando), enjoying the music mix!

Over to Bliss Ultra Lounge for the best music mix in Orlando on Saturday nights!

Because on Saturday nights it's DJ Mickey Bono (Beat Thrillerz, K5, RadioDanz.com, Party95.com) putting out Top 40/Dance and House.

The club was thoroughly jammed with an all-hit format of Dance songs you'd recognize.

Difficult to move around in there!

Meanwhile the shooter girl was getting into the music and literally dancing her way through the masses!

They no longer offer the $1 drinks until midnight but $3 wells ain't too shabby either.

The Bliss go-go girls were dancing up on the bar Coyote Ugly-style!

Haven't been back to The Beacham in several weeks so had to check out their Swirl Saturday Night!

The night belongs to DJ Richie Rich (House of Blues) as well as Shelly from 102JAMZ.

The Saturday night format is mostly Hip Hop and Rap but some Top 40/Dance gets mixed in too. Richie will be spinning House and Dance on Sunday, January 29th at HOB!

Shelly JAMZ!

You can count on The Beacham to always be jammed on Saturdays!

New year, new sign? Not yet.

DJ Dem Rok putting out 80's New Wave at Independent Bar.

These pictures were taken a bit later in the evening when it had already started to thin-out a bit.

But it had been a full house in here as well.

And one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you!!

DJ Danny Tenaglia Coming To Orlando

2012-01-07T12:42:00.000-05:00

DJ Danny Tenaglia (USA), one of the best known American DJ's in EDM history, comes to Orlando on Wednesday, February 22nd doing a 3-hour set at The Beacham! Early tickets are $20 and are on sale now at Ticketfly. Local DJ's Carlos Mendoza and Elias R open. Another great event for Techno Town!

DJ Arty Coming To Orlando

2012-01-07T10:11:00.001-05:00

Trance DJ Artem Stolyarov (RUS) better known as Arty will be coming to Orlando and performing on Thursday, January 19th at club Roxy. Recently voted by DJ Mag readers as the #25 DJ in the world, he was also nominated at this year's International Dance Music Awards for best Breakthrough DJ although that was ultimately awarded to DJ Afrojack (NL). Early tickets are just $10 at Ticketfly.

PI Update: Chilly Island

2012-01-06T06:49:00.001-05:00

First visit to beautiful Pleasure Island for 2012 and it was pretty darn crowded out there! Appears that not everyone here for the holidays has gone home yet.

The Andre Caram Band featuring singer Drey-C was putting out Top 40/Dance hits from their usual spot. The band performed on NYE at the Waterside Stage in Downtown Disney Marketplace.

Good crowd on hand watching although most were staying seated and bundled-up in the chilly night air.

But who says there's no dancing on Pleasure Island!

The human statues continue to pose on the Island as well. We understand that current Island entertainment options are contracted to perform into October so no real changes expected at PI anytime soon. Prior rumors to the contrary have come and gone. In fact, sources say it could be a couple more years before anything actually happens out there. But we sure hope something will at least be announced way before then!

Electric Daisy Carnival - Las Vegas Tickets Now On Sale

2012-01-05T06:46:00.000-05:00

Tickets for the 2012 Electric Daisy Carnival - Las Vegas are now on sale at the EDC website here. Last summer's event drew over 230,000 fans over 3 nights watching DJ's on 6 stages! The event at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be held this year June 8-10th.

Meanwhile, Jeff Kenney from HTG tells the Blog that Electric Daisy Carnival - Orlando will be back for a second year but the exact dates won't be announced until the end of January. Held last year for 2 nights over Memorial Day weekend, the largest DJ-event in Orlando history took place on 4 stages outside the Citrus Bowl stadium. DJ's performing here last year included Tiësto, Ferry Corsten, Afrojack, Gabriel & Dresden, Benny Benassi, Skrillex, Paul van Dyk and dozens more! Stay tuned for details.

Blog Mission Statement and Disclaimer

2012-01-04T19:16:00.002-05:00

As we begin 2012, it's time for my twice-annual Blog Mission Statement and Disclaimer:
The original goal of the Save Pleasure Island Blog was to rally support to reverse the decision to close Pleasure Island. There were Save Pleasure Island and Save The Adventurers Club petitions and letter/e-mail campaigns. Unfortunately, all that fell on deaf Mouse ears.

The current mission is to keep you informed about what is happening with the clubs on our beloved island. Factual information is provided when available but most of what is printed on here is rumor-based. Please understand that rumors by their very nature are very unreliable. Even if a rumor was true, it's possible that things change and it never becomes true. Thus, readers should consider the information on this Blog to be fiction and opinion and not rely on any of it in any way. Do you have any inside tips? Please email them to me at: king bob of the north at gmail dot com.

With PI closing so many people kept asking me where I would be hanging out. Thus, this Blog also evolved into reporting on nightclub alternatives and DJ concerts. Permanent club listings in a format based on the PI clubs can also be viewed at sister Blog www.orlandoclublist.blogspot.com. Thanks for tuning in!

Retro Room Schedule Posted

2012-01-03T18:01:00.001-05:00

Retro Room, the club that most-emulates former Pleasure Island club 8TRAX, has released their weekly schedule as shown above. Take note of Fridays and Saturdays when DJ dance parties are featured. They've been drawing good crowds on weekends to the 70's Disco/80's Classics formatted club that includes DJ Pete from 8TRAX. Great music and great fun, RR is located on US 192 west of Kissimmee and east of US 27 and just a few miles from Disney's Animal Kingdom.

PI Update: Spotted: Clinta

2012-01-02T18:07:00.001-05:00

Blog Roving Reporters Thommy and William spotted former Pleasure Island bartender Clinta out at Disney's Polynesian Resort this past weekend! Clinta is supposedly the only bartender that worked the Island the entire time it was open, helping open XZFR Rockin' Rollerdrome and then migrating over the years to Neon Armadillo, Rock'n'Roll Beach Club and finally helping close Motion. Always great running into Pleasure Island cast members still working on-property! You'll recall the Blog spotting former PI bartender Dawn last July as shown here.

Club Report: EPCOT Italy

2012-01-01T16:45:00.003-05:00

Lots of New Years Eve party pictures posted today from around the world....Disney World! First stop Italy at EPCOT Center!

And Italy on NYE of course means DJ Mark Sanchez!

The music is 100% House and Progressive House including some current Top 40/Dance songs amid a lighting and sound system Disney must keep in storage the rest of the year but belongs in a dance club!

Lasers stream across the sky as the Italian piazza was jammed with dancers!

And it was one incredible song after another all night long!

And the crowd was going absolutely crazy!

Mannequins Dance Palace people!

Some nearby party people!

Come on Mark, do we need to wait another year to hear more of this? We need you playing some downtown clubs!

No Hip Hop in this mix; the peeps want Techno!

Like I said, jammed!

The events at EPCOT come to a temporary halt around 11:43pm for Illuminations, a show I personally have no use for. But the crowd came back after the new year rang in and the party continued to about 1am. 240-minute waits for Soarin' be damned, EPCOT is the place to be on New Years Eve!

Club Report: EPCOT China

2012-01-01T16:05:00.003-05:00

New Years Eve means a huge dance party on the patio outside China at EPCOT!

And that means none other than DJ Dominick Morrison (Mannequins, Vintage, Vixen, SkySixty) putting out what Disney describes as World Beat but what I simply call Top 40/Dance!

The plaza was jammed wall-to-wall with dancers!

Flame-shooters lit the sky and warmed the sometimes chilly air.

Top 40 is now made up of mostly House and Dance songs compared to just a few years ago.


The smoke-belching dragon brought back memories of Mannequins CO2 cannons!

Afrojack's 'Take Over Control' brought the crowd into a temporary frenzy! Dance is in with those in their teens and 20's!

Older people like it too!

Dominick's music format was similar to what he plays inside Vintage on Saturday nights.Check him out!

Club Report: EPCOT American Gardens Theater

2012-01-01T15:37:00.001-05:00

New Years Eve at EPCOT at Walt Disney World featured music formats in several of the country pavilions.

At the American Gardens Theater the band Latin Wave performed to a jammed house!

It was difficult to move around the place for this popular event!

But they had it well-organized keeping people arriving on one side and those heading out on the other side.

It was loud and crazy and kind of reminded me of Blue Martini this past Thursday night. Just louder and crazier!

Club Report: Atlantic Dance Hall

2012-01-01T13:55:00.021-05:00

Disney's biggest dance party of the year takes place at Atlantic Dance Hall on New Years Eve. And it's apparently the only event inside ADH that ever gets advertised. To increase efficiency, they tried an electronic reservation system this year featuring prepaid bookings through Disney Dining. When you arrived, you only had to show your ID to get your wristband. (CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)

Resident DJ Tony Z (Planet Hollywood, Paradiso 37) was on the boards pumping out various segments of music ranging from mostly Top 40 to House/Dance, 80's, Hip Hop and even a bit of Swing early on.

While Atlantic Dance Hall is hit or miss (with a lot of misses) throughout the year because of the lack of advertising, not so on NYE when the place is thoroughly jammed! This year's $35 price tag including tax was a nice reduction from last year's $40 plus tax. The result was a much-bigger crowd!

Partiers!

An absolutely stunning art deco facility, check out ADH on Tuesday through Saturday nights with free parking and free entry. A good time was had by all last night!

Club Report: Family Party at Disney's Boardwalk

2012-01-01T13:31:00.002-05:00

New Years Eve parties everywhere last night including on the main lawn outside Disney's Boardwalk Resort. This family-oriented party featured DJ Tony B. (Atlantic Dance Hall, The Groove, Motion, Rock'n'Roll Beach Club, PI Live) playing mostly current and old Top 40 hits!

And the lawn was jammed with dancers of all ages proving again that places to dance are needed on Disney property and not just on New Years Eve!

Of course no dance party is complete without.......

.....the "Cupid Shuffle"! A good time was had by all during this incredible Orlando weather! Those of you up north should be planning your Presidents Day, Easter and Spring Break visits to O-town now.

Club Report: Comedy Warehouse (Final Night)

2012-01-01T13:02:00.008-05:00

The ghosts of Pleasure Island came to life this past week as original cast members from PI's Comedy Warehouse performed a week's worth of live shows in the ABC Theater at Disney Hollywood Studios. The mostly "holiday-themed" shows drew standing room only crowds for every performance!

Fan-favorite Carol Stein on the keys!

An episode of Schmepardy, this one poking some fun at the Little Mismatched store in Downtown Disney. Big thanks to Blog Roving Reporter Thommy for this report and photos. He also says that DHS VP Dan Cockrell was greeting departing guests at the theater door! Expect more Comedy Warehouse shows in the same location during Easter and other peak weeks. (CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)

Club Report: Venue 13 (Final Night)

2012-01-01T12:54:00.007-05:00

Our New Years weekend coverage begins with a club closing; Venue 13 at 11/12 Lounge on Lee Road. Supposedly the building has been sold which brings to an end this Friday night event.

Prior visits to the club showed that patronage had been waning. But that was hardly the case for the finale' which drew well. DJ Paul Vaine (Visage, Lyrica) hopes to find a new location downtown for his Goth-themed events. For now, we'll have to make due with Saturday nights at Independent Bar.

Big thanks to Blog reader Brian for providing the coverage and photos! (CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)

PI Update: The Year In Review

2011-12-31T09:54:00.000-05:00

As 2011 comes to a close, the Save Pleasure Island Blog thanks you for tuning in for the latest news and rumors We also thank those insiders who have provided secret information. There is no advertising on the Blog; this is all done for the love of the Island. And you read it because of that same love. Let's hope we finally see some action during 2012! We have so many newer readers so here's a look back at some of this year's top Island stories as covered by the Blog:

JANUARY - MOTION DEMOLISHED The demolition began the prior month but finished-out in January. See the debris!
FEBRUARY - ROCK'N'ROLL BEACH CLUB DEMOLISHED The demolition crew then moved over to next-door RRBC and took it down too!
MARCH - SAVE PI SKYCAM WAS INTRODUCED The Blog went into the sky to give you unprecedented views down onto beautiful Pleasure Island!
MARCH - WHAT'S COMING TO PLEASURE ISLAND (Part 1) The Blog discovered the actual plans filed with the Water Management District showing which clubs were coming down and what was planned at least initally for the Island!
MARCH - WHAT'S COMING TO PLEASURE ISLAND (Part 2) Continued coverage. These two articles set new records for viewers to the Blog!
APRIL - IHOP TO REPLACE MANNEQUINS Our annual April Fools article!
APRIL - HYPERION WHARF POSTPONED OR CANCELED! The Blog is the first to report that plans for Hyperion Wharf are being rethought and further demolitions were not going to occur!
MAY - COLONEL PUT UP FOR SALE AT PROPERTY CONTROL The Colonel from Adventurers Club was put for sale at Disney Property Control! And then removed before being sold!
MAY - PI RUMOR UPDATE The latest update on Club rumors!
JULY - ORLANDO SENTINEL INTERVIEWS BLOG Jason Garcia from the Orlando Sentinel interviewed KingBob for an article about Pleasure Island!
AUGUST - NEW PI CONSTRUCTION PERMITS FILED Permits filed for all the clubs. Little did we know that the construction entailed only removing existing club name signs!
AUGUST - MANNEQUINS SIGN REMOVED Coverage of the Mannequins sign removal.
SEPTEMBER - ALL REMAINING CLUB SIGNS REMOVED Coverage of all the other signs.
SEPTEMBER - CLOSING ANNIVERSARY - 3 YRS OF NOTHING An article commerating the 3-year anniversary of the closing of Pleasure Island!

Club Report: Blue Martini

2011-12-30T07:47:00.005-05:00

First visit to Blue Martini in many years and definitely the first visit since PI closed. Located beside Macy's at The Mall at Millenia, the club is as upscale as the mall.

Out on the front patio as you come in, DJ Jr. was putting out Top 40, Dance and Reggaeton!

Blue Martini competes directly with Latin Quarter on Thursday nights but there are at least three times as many patrons in here compared to LQ. But no free drinks here for the Ladies.

A large crowd was dancing in the outdoor but covered area.

And there was no shortage of nice scenery.

But it was pure mayhem as you went inside!

A band was playing Latin hits from behind the bar until 11pm after which a different DJ took over.

Thursday night is Latin Night at BM and it was packed to the rafters! It was next to impossible to move through the place and people were not only dancing on the actual dance floor to the side of the stage but pretty much anywhere.....including pathways, doorways, entrances, bathrooms....

Blue Martini employs its own fleet of go-go girls who dance up on raised platforms!

By midnight the line stretched well-down into the parking lot, all eager to pay their $10 cover charge to get in. Blue Martini rakes it in on Thursday nights!

PI Update: Comedy Warehouse Shows Drawing Capacity Crowds!

2011-12-29T06:48:00.001-05:00

Original Comedy Warehouse cast members Lisa, Mark, Mary & John were photographed together by the Blog during a PI Reunion gathering on the Island in September, 2009 on the one-year anniversary of the closing. Original CW CM's are together once again this week only at Disney Hollywood Studios and we're told every show so far has been standing-room only! A video has finally been posted:

PI Update: More Memories (1995)

2011-12-28T20:16:00.004-05:00

A YouTube video we've not posted before shows Pleasure Island during the mid-90's. The place was pretty amazing during its peak!

Spotted: Duck Sauce & Red Hot Chili Peppers

2011-12-27T19:07:00.004-05:00

Lots of celebrities apparently in town for the holidays. Spotted Duck Sauce and Red Hot Chili Peppers at Publix tonight! Also spotted Black Eyed Peas down another aisle but did not get a picture.

New Years Eve Options

2011-12-26T20:15:00.035-05:00

Here are just some of the dozens of NYE options out there for this Saturday night. Click on flyers to enlarge but visit club websites for full details.

DOWNTOWN

VINTAGE & VIXEN: Vixen is free all night but $10 admission at Vintage will get you illDJ Chris B, Justin Faze & Adam Flurk.
WALL STREET PLAZA: It's the annual block party where $25 gets you 9 venues including Slingapours Dance Club, One Eyed Jack's & Waitiki while an outdoor stage features resident DJ Digital.
BLISS ULTRA LOUNGE: Click on flyer for progressive pricing options. DJ Jay Mac from XL106.7 will be playing Top 40/Dance.
CHURCH STREET ENTERTAINMENT: Click on flyer for progressive pricing options at CSE clubs Antigua, Lattitudes, Chillers & Big Belly Brewery. Home of the Orange Drop at midnight, DJ Jimmy Joslin will be spinning from the rooftop!
INDEPENDENT BAR: It's prom night at I-Bar with $10 admission. But dress in your prom outfit and get in for half price. 80's New Wave from DJ Indie John or Dem Rok!
BACKBOOTH: It's the Doomsday End of the World Party; Free before 11pm then $5.
SKYSIXTY: Another rooftop party will be at Skysixty on Orange Avenue with $15 admission getting you DJ's Chad Andrew, Leo Montoya and others. Celebration at midnight.
BIKKURI LOUNGE: Finish your year in a Trance as Orlando's "Lost In Trancelation" holds a special NYE finale. Upstairs inside Bikkuri Sushi on Colonial Drive. Free.

AROUND TOWN

ENZIAN THEATER: The Enzian in Maitland is hosting a James Bond party with a showing of Dr. No at 7pm followed by a live DJ at 10pm. Come dressed to kill. $25 at door, $20 advance.
WHY NOT LOUNGE: The Why Not in Altamonte Springs is packaging drinks, dancing, food and hotel rooms with music from DJ Chino. Now when someone tells you to "get a room", you easily can!
ROXY NIGHT CLUB: Click on flyer for progressive pricing options. Packages include a balloon drop at midnight, party favors and a free etched champagne flute to take home with you.
PARLIAMENT HOUSE: The draw at P-House is a live performance by the always hip 80's singer Tiffany who still looks pretty damn hot.
ICE BAR: Limited to just 250 guests, Ice Bar on I-Drive charges $59.95 for admission to Fire Lounge, drinks, midnight dessert buffet and entry to the famous Ice Bar including coats and gloves! Book online before it sells out as VIP is already gone.
CUBA LIBRE: This venue in Pointe Orlando charges $20 for DJ Jordan Acosta in the main room playing Tropical Latin, Latin House and Top 40. Live band too.
RETRO ROOM: Pretty much a regular Saturday night at RR with a DJ spinning 70's Disco & 80's Classics and no cover charge on NYE! There will be a champagne toast at midnight and some snacks. On US 192 west of Kissimmee, just east of US 27.
WORLD OF BEER/DR PHILLIPS: Live music by Bryan Malpass & Dr. List; champagne toast at midnight; 25% off Drafts for Loyalty members and 50% off for SIN members. Thanks Nicole!
UNIVERSAL CITYWALK: Special ticket required for this fenced-in NYE festival that otherwise blocks access to most of the clubs. The price is $139.95 + tax for a gourmet food buffet including filet mignon and jumbo shrimp, midnight champagne, club access plus live concert artists Smash Mouth and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The clubs will feature resident bands and DJ's.

DISNEY WORLD

WATERSIDE STAGE: For a family-oriented good time come out to the Marketplace for DJ Lon spinning Top 40 and Classics for everyone to dance to. Free.
ATLANTIC DANCE HALL: After seeing price increases each year for the past few years, Disney drops it back to $35 including tax this year for Top 40, Dance, Hip Hop and Classics being spun by DJ Tony Z. Party 8pm-2am. This is as crowded as you'll ever see ADH and for most guests on-property looking for a party, this will be it! PREPAID RESERVATIONS NOW ON SALE AT DISNEY DINING, (407) 939-3463.
PLEASURE ISLAND: PI dance clubs will be dark this year for NYE but you can catch various musical groups performing at the Lily Pad and in the West End Plaza. Otherwise, move along please as nothing is happening here. No fireworks.
EPCOT CENTER: If you're into dance music this is the place to be on NYE as a number of DJ's will be pumping out the hits from 7:15am until 1am, interrupted only by Illuminations and the NYE countdown. Normal entry prices apply.
FOUNTAIN STAGE: DJ Scooter - Top 40, Hip Hop & Classics
CHINA PATIO: DJ Dominick Morrison - Top 40 Dance
ITALY PATIO: DJ Mark Sanchez - House & Techno
USA AMERICA GARDENS: DJ Indio Davila/Other - Latin & Top 40

TAMPA

AMPHITHEATRE: This venue gets a NYE mention because Orlando's DJ Baby Anne will be spinning there plus they have that revolving dance floor that reminds me of someplace else! With DJ Trashy. Just $15 for men, free for women.

ADDITIONAL CLUB OPTIONS WILL ADDED ABOVE AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. ACCURACY IS NOT GUARANTEED SO PLEASE CHECK CLUB WEBSITES FOR THE MOST ACCURATE INFORMATION AVAILABLE INCLUDING TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

DJ Icey Coming To Orlando

2011-12-26T07:23:00.000-05:00

Well he lives here actually, so the title may be a bit misleading. What I meant to say is that he'll be performing here! The date is Friday, January 13th, at downtown club Vain. Ticket info pending.

Christmas Gifts

2011-12-25T13:49:00.001-05:00

Blog reader Ian shares this video he took in 2007 of the reading of "Twas The Night Before Christmas" as can only be done by the crew from the Adventurers Club. Thanks, Ian! AC always offered up special Christmas shows.

Blog reader DJ Madmanray shares this video of a house in Idaho where the lights flash in unison to Skrillex! Thanks, Ray!

Finally, Blog reader Kristin shares this video of the Very Merry Christmas Party fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. Thanks, Kristin!
Hope everyone is having a nice holiday. Tune in tomorrow for our annual listing of options for New Year's Eve!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T14:08:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone has a nice holiday. Thanks for tuning-in to the Save Pleasure Island Blog.

Club Report: The Beacham (Houp-la!)

2011-12-23T20:06:00.032-05:00

Take over 20 local DJ's and give them just 15-minutes each to wow an audience and you have the makeup of last night's Houp-la at The Beacham. I didn't get there until about 10:30pm so I missed some of the early action. (CLICK ON ANY ONE PHOTO TO ENLARGE ALL)

But even when I got there the crowd was pretty spartan for DJ Nick Fury (EDC-Orlando, Party95.com) who was playing a lot of Dubstep.

First time seeing DJ Habbit perform and apparently he has quite a following as the dance floor got about half-full. His fans were quite vocal and animated for more Dubstep!

This DJ whose name I missed was also into Dubstep as the crowd continued to slowly build. A lot of the early DJ's all seemed to be trying to out Dubstep each other; that was my impression.

The floor was pretty full for DJ Big Makk playing a more progressive music mix.

This DJ goes by the name of "B" but nothing else please, not even "DJ B". But that's fine because his set of more popular House songs really got the room moving!

Fun on stage with Kaylee from DatAzzGear.com performing with a lighted hula hoop, quite perfectly I might add! And DJ Davie Z incognito!

And Davie Z without mask. Around 1am the crowd in the room began to wane and I thought that was about it for the night. But not so.

Spotted: Lighting Tech Alisa. (Mannequins, Atlantic Dance Hall, Disney Quest NYE 2011, EPCOT China NYE 2010)
Spotted: DJ team Paradox Brothers (The Social, Bikkuri Lounge)

With me having to be at work at 7am this morning, I finally had to call it quits before the bigger local names took their turns. But close to 1:30am you can see that the late night crowd had moved in and it was more crowded than ever. Fun time and hope to see them do this again in the future as it was a great sampling of a lot of DJ styles, all compressed into short segments. Big thanks to JeffHTG for photo courtesies!

PI Update: Comedy Warehouse Shows Begin Sunday

2011-12-22T13:16:00.003-05:00

The Comedy Warehouse crew returns to the stage at last beginning this Sunday, Christmas Day, at the ABC Sound Studio (aka Sounds Dangerous Theater) in Disney Hollywood Studios. Shows will take place at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 3:45pm, 4:45pm and 5:45pm throughout the week with Saturday, December 31st as the final date. With a huge number of Guests expected this coming week and long lines in the parks, the official purpose of bringing CW back is to create a temporary Attraction that will give people another thing to do. But it will also draw a lot of former fans who used to frequent Comedy Warehouse at Pleasure Island! This is sure to be a popular! Universal is bringing back Fear Factor Live for the same reason although sources say it's return will be permanent. (Photo by Marco - thanks Marco!)

This Weekend In Techno Town

2011-12-21T20:00:00.002-05:00

THURSDAY DEC 22
For something completely different, take at least 16 local DJ's and let them each play a 15-minute set to impress you. Presented by HTG. DJ's Tooltime, Shal, Cheyenne M, ATM and many more. Free to 11pm and then $5. At The Beacham!

FRIDAY DEC 23
It's a combined Visage / Electric Avenue Reunion at 11/12 Lounge on Lee Road featuring 80's & 90's Alternative with original DJ Paul Vaine. Just $5 with great drink specials promised.

Also Friday night, DJ Oscar G (Club Space) returns to Orlando for another great night of House/Progressive House, Miami style! I got to see him last January in Chicago at Spybar and it was a great set of dance music as shown here. This will be at Senso downtown and tickets are $12.50.

SATURDAY / SUNDAY DEC 24-25
Have a Merry Christmas!

PI Update: The Name Lives On

2011-12-20T21:24:00.012-05:00

It's famous around the country and around the world. PI. Pleasure Island. But would Disney actually eliminate the Pleasure Island name when they finally decide what they were going to do with the Island?

When Disney announced last fall that Pleasure Island would become Hyperion Wharf, there was little doubt that a name change was coming. Management wanted those two hallowed words eliminated from the Disney lexicon! AMC Pleasure Island 24 became AMC Downtown Disney 24 to support what was to come. But when vendors failed to line-up behind what Disney had in mind, Hyperion Wharf quickly became the two words no longer spoken.

Right now the Pleasure Island name is very much alive. It's still in the Guidemap, it's on new signage place alongside various spots in Downtown Disney and it's still all over the place on signs throughout Disney property. The cost to change everything would cost millions of dollars ; speculation on changing the huge sign atop Mannequins was $5M alone! The Pleasure Island name is a huge asset that should be featured, not eliminated. Given the recent resurgence of the name, there seems to be a very good chance that it will live on! LONG LIVE PLEASURE ISLAND!

PI Update: From The SkyCam

2011-12-19T19:29:00.002-05:00

It's been awhile since we deployed the official Save Pleasure Island Blog SkyCam so let's take to the air and visit our beautiful Island! Looking down onto the West End Plaza, we get a great view of Laffers Cantina and Comedy Warehouse buildings. I've been invited inside CW and it is basically untouched; the foyer is being used to provide electrical plug-in's for the entertainers playing on the two stages. They could have this place up-and-running with just a few weeks notice. Pics here.

Soundstage Club (formerly BET Soundstage Club) was gutted of sound and electrical equipment and was slated to be demolished per plans obtained by the Blog earlier this year. (Click Here) But with the Hyperion Wharf concept on hold or canceled, the building remains idle. We're told that those vendors interested in possibly opening something in there would rather pay lower rent on existing space than higher rent on new construction. But the question is when?

Adventurers Club was also gutted although last we heard a couple artifacts were still mounted. Technically the same building as Soundstage next door, this too was slated for demolition but that is on hold.

The Curl by Sammy Duval store lies side-by-side with awesome 8TRAX. The latter was gutted of sound and electronics but otherwise remains intact. It was never slated for demolition.

Here's Mannequins Dance Palace. The massive 3-story structure is really too huge to support anything but a dance club. We're told the revolving dance floor is still inside. There's really no reason that a Top 40/Dance venue couldn't reopen in here to serve the Disney-guest market. It would be incredible! The building was not on the demolition list either since the power grid to the entire Island is based here.

This past year began with clubs Motion and Rock'n'Roll Beach Club being demolished, replaced with Seed & Mulch which turned into Grass & Mulch. Plans for an outdoor amphitheater near the bottom of this photo were either shelved or postponed and the quite visible pathway which was to make the turn into the current service area between Portobello and Raglan Road never happened either.

Other than the Hyperion Wharf plan being quashed, the only real good news this year was the announcement of Splitsville coming to the former Virgin Megastore space on the West Side. Many are hoping that the evening entertainment line-up will include dance music. Early Splitsville advertising makes that appear quite promising! If you're in Orlando for the holidays, be sure to pay a visit to beautiful Pleasure Island!

Club Report: Retro Room

2011-12-18T12:31:00.024-05:00

(CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE ALL PICTURES) New club Retro Room held their grand opening last night to a huge crowd of partiers! Featuring 70's Disco and 80's Classics, the venue is off to a quick start to success.

For the big night they brought in the local 80's band Switch whom we've seen a number of times at 80's Night at The Groove in Citywalk. During the band's set people were dancing on the floor adjacent the band stage.

But when the band ended it was Disco time! And to make sure the music was authentic, it was none other than DJ Pete (8TRAX) in the control tower overseeing the action!

The main dance floor quickly filled-up. Between the Disco classics, 80's New Wave, music videos, "YMCA" at midnight, Disney employees (above, lower right) and DJ Pete on the boards, the place was authentically 8TRAX all-the-way!

Spotted: DJ Lon (PI Live, Motion, 8TRAX, Celebrate Tonight) along with Joe (PI). Joe would later sing an encore set with Switch!

DJ Pete pumping out the hits; posing with DJ Boston (Retro Room).

Retro Room has a Clermont address but is actually nowhere near that town. It's located on US192 in what I would call West Kissimmee, a half-mile east of US27 and about three miles west of TOLL 429. Easily assessable from I-4, watch for an 8TRAX Reunion during January! The place is so much fun!

Club Reports: Why Not Lounge, Venue 13, Vixen

2011-12-17T13:06:00.001-05:00

A beautiful Friday night in the mid-60's following a day in the low 80's, a far cry from the freezing temps experienced the prior Friday night in Atlanta. First stop, the Why Not Lounge. You know the place has to be legendary when they include that word in the name!

Arrived to find a live band performing current and classic Top 40 songs. Only a few takers on the dance floor though until the band took a break and.....

.....DJ Javy came on. He began with a few Top 40/Dance songs which immediately filled the floor. He was also spinning a few well-known Latin dance tunes.

The Why Not Lounge is located in the Howard Johnson's Hotel on Semoran Blvd at I-4. (Did you know that Semoran is short for Seminole and Orange counties, which the road travels through?) Anyway, the hotel was the Magnusson Grand, the Clarion and the Holiday Inn-Altamonte Springs before HOJO.

Heading two exits south to Lee Road, the 11/12 Lounge is a restaurant/sports bar that becomes Venue 13 on Friday nights. Parking is ample and drinks are cheap.

DJ Paul Vaine (Visage) plays music that you heard at Visage back in the day as well as current music you'd here in Visage today if Visage were still around! He even played the main song from the Mannequins Medley last night!

Usually quite a few Saturday night I-Bar people in the place.

But it never got that crowded last night but definitely better than my prior visit. The club is kept very, very dark although my flash did a good job lighting up things on the wall that are impossible to see otherwise.

Continuing a few more exits south on I-4 to Vixen Lounge on Orange Avenue.

DJ Dominick Morrison (Mannequins, EPCOT, Vintage, Sky 60) was in the booth playing Progressive during my visit. Dom is the New Years Eve DJ at China in EPCOT and I wanted to see if he had anything new to report. He says he'll be spinning outside beneath the smoke-belching dragon from 7:15pm to 1am that night. I've included a picture below from last year's event!

PI Update: Island Tour

2011-12-16T18:42:00.015-05:00

(CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE ALL PHOTOS) It recently occurred to me that many of the Pleasure Island pictures here on the Blog are club-focused and often do not show the other aspects of life on the Island. You may live across country or across the globe and don't have the luxury of exploring PI as often as I get to. Even most locals have better things to do with their lives than apparently I do! So today's article will wander the streets of PI and just take a look around. We begin in front of the Number 2 Bridge looking at one of the two main ticket booths which still greet visitors. Crossing the bridge takes us to imposing Mannequins, revolving dance floor intact awaiting another turn!

Moving further along, we come to The Hub and the now permanent construction wall where The Hub Stage and Rock'n'Roll Beach Club and Motion used to stand. The latter met the wrecking ball this past January. Directly opposite is PI Live Bar which is still in business. Ironically, the iron tower behind it now sports the Apricot Lane store sign. You'll recall two years ago when the PI Live DJ booth and the lighting bridge were demolished they realized the iron tower couldn't come down too because Harley Davidson had their sign hanging from it. I guess it's going to remain up until they decide what to do with the Island!

Heading up Hill Street we pass Paradiso 37 on the right, the only new thing that has opened on Pleasure Island in the 3.25 years since the clubs closed. The building used to house Avigators Supply, Missing Link Sausage Company, DTV and a number of other shops over the years. And at the top of the hill is none other than the Adventurers Club, becoming covered quicker than a Cambodian jungle.

8TRAX remains along the left side of the street. Beside it are the stairs that so many times was home to dozens of people waiting in line to get inside the downstairs entrance doors!

Adjacent is Soundstage Club, the only remaining club building that still has a logo sign up! (Likewise in the Downtown Disney Guidemap, it's the only club with a logo.)

Finally, a look across the West End Plaza (formerly Celebration Plaza) to Comedy Warehouse and a look at the newer Number 1 Bridge from Marketplace.

PI Update: Adventurers Club One Night Stand

2011-12-15T19:33:00.004-05:00

The Blog has already reported about the upcoming Comedy Warehouse shows that will be performed during the week between Christmas and New Years at Disney Hollywood Studios. Well another event just took place that has raised the eyebrows of Pleasure Island fans as well. And that event was the performance of a number of Adventurers Club skits including a "Hoopla" show last Thursday night at the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular theater, also at DHS! The performance was for longer-term WDW cast members only and supposedly was a one-time only event. But it sure makes you wonder!

These are pictures taken by Jillian D. and posted on her Facebook and are used with her permission. Thank you very much, Jillian!

Even the Colonel made an appearance! I wonder if this was the one that was briefly available for sale at Disney Property Control earlier this year?

Big thanks to reader Paul C. for hooking us up with the photos of this hopefully-not one time event!

For AC fans that have not already seen this video posted to YouTube, here is the "Hoopla" show! It's hard to believe it's been this long but we are approaching 3.25 years of nothing on Pleasure Island. Thanks to reader DJMadManRay for sharing this video!

This Weekend In Techno Town

2011-12-14T06:41:00.000-05:00

THURSDAY DEC 15
Tomorrow night it's DJ Skrillex at House of Blues in Lake Buena Vista. The #1 DJ in America per DJMag readers, MTV's EDM Artist of the Year, Multiple Grammy nominations; SOLD OUT. Skrillex hair not required.

FRIDAY DEC 16
It's Footloose 80's Video Night at Back Booth downtown including New Wave, Michael Jackson & Fraggle Rock! Free. Cheap drinks. Midnight.

SATURDAY DEC 17
It's the Retro Room "grand opening" night featuring former 8TRAX DJ Pete, pictured here in the 8TRAX booth with comedian Wayne Brady. It's 70's Disco & 80's Night also featuring DJ Boston and the 80's band Switch (The Groove) playing live! Free. Come on out to celebrate Orlando's only Disco format!

Club Report: St. Pete Times Forum (DJ David Guetta)

2011-12-13T18:33:00.002-05:00

Blog reader DJ MadmanRay was out at St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa this past Sunday night for the Jingle Ball put on by radio station 93.3FLZ. (WFLZ Tampa) The big draw was the number 1 DJ in the world, David Guetta (F)! Madman Ray has posted several videos to YouTube including the one above of Guetta performing the song that really catapulted him to fame, "When Love Takes Over" featuring Kelly Rowland.

Apparently they had a "meet & greet" too and Ray was able to get a number of close-ups of Guetta. Unfortunately still no Guetta visits to Orlando for the time-being. If we're lucky, perhaps for Electric Daisy Carnival next year! I was fortunate to get to see him perform this past June in Toronto as posted here. Big thanks to DJ Madmanray for sharing with the Blog!

Club Report: Pulse

2011-12-12T19:52:00.001-05:00

Our "roving reporter" Thommy visited club Pulse this past Saturday night. Located in Orlando's SODO district (south of downtown), the club attracts a predominantly LGBT crowd but draws a lot of other people too.

Here's Thommy visiting with DJ Scott Robert who plays a Top 40/Dance format earlier which becomes more House-oriented as the night gets later.

The club had quite a dent put on it during the 1+ year reign of competing club Mr Sisters, but with that now apparently out of business permanently, the masses have returned to Pulse and it gets packed! I need to do a repeat visit here to check it out. Thanks for the report, Thommy!

Club Reports: 8TRAXX & Andrews Entertainment Complex (Atlanta)

2011-12-11T20:38:00.000-05:00

In Atlanta this weekend so I spent an hour trying to find the club I couldn't find when I was up in early September for Zombie Prom: 8Traxx Disco. Well, I found the sign!

Unfortunately the sign above the door led to bad news from a maintenance working locking up for the day. The Atlanta version of 8Traxx ain't no more! He said a new venue called Czar Bar will be replacing it.

Located in a three-level building called the Andrews Entertainment Complex, the other places appear to still be operational including East Andrews Cafe Bar.

Cellar 56, a restaurant and bar.

Only Stout Irish Sports Pub was open during my daytime visit and it was crowded with Atlanta Falcons fans watching their NFL football game.

And the complex's main dance club called Andrews Upstairs which was immediately adjacent to 8Traxx is also open on weekend nights featuring DJ's and Top 40/Dance. The venues are located in Atlanta's trendy Buckhead area, an area once known for nightlife but which now is far more subdued.

DJ Irie Playing at The Groove Tonight

2011-12-10T09:39:00.000-05:00

Save Pleasure Island Blog roving reporter Thommy reports from CityWalk that Miami-based House/Hip Hop DJ Irie will be spinning tonight (Saturday) in The Groove! Other than the annual Techno DJ night over Labor Day weekend, it's been rare for The Groove to feature any outside DJ's. DJ Jazzy Jeff recently performed at Red Coconut Club. Interesting direction they're going here. Check it out!

Club Reports: Dexter's, Independent Bar

2011-12-09T14:17:00.000-05:00

I like to drop in to Dexter's in Lake Mary / Heathrow every few months to see how they're doing.

They're actually doing pretty good, thank you for asking!

On Thursdays only DJ Michael Knight brings in his pretty sophisticated DJ equipment including lasers, fog and awesome speakers and puts out a mostly Dance mix that includes 80's, Disco and current Top 40.

Always plenty of good scenery made up of locals from the area and visitors from the nearby business hotels.

Dexter's is located just west of I-4 at the exit with CR 46A. An Irish pub across the street does good business too but the Senor Frogs that was there has gone out of business!

Knight likes to tell me during my visits that he's not allowed to play Hip Hop but he then promptly plays a Hip Hop set, lol!

Which does crowd the dance floor!

Haven't been to I-Bar on a Thursday night in a long time so needed to check that out too.

The Thursday night music is 180-degrees different than Saturday nights as resident DJ Smilin' Dan puts out what I would describe as Hollister music, Indie Pop and Indie Rock.

Similar to Saturdays, Thursdays are packed!


But different than Saturdays, the crowd is much younger. I'd say 25 and under wouldn't be far off. I didn't recognize any of the music but I could tell many there did. But this song below stopped me dead in my tracks and I had to go back up and ask Dan what it was. This is the Magician remix of "I Follow Rivers" by singer Lykke Li (S). This Trance/Dance song was supposedly huge this past summer in Europe although I never ran into it.

PI Update: Will NYE Announcement Be About Pleasure Island?

2011-12-08T07:01:00.000-05:00

This past Tuesday the Disney Blog revealed that 2012 was going to be called The Year of More Magic. And they said this about that: "From exciting seasonal events and brand-new attractions to immersive new experiences and a special surprise announcement on New Year's Eve…there's a lot more than just Leap Year to celebrate throughout Walt Disney World® Resort in 2012." Okay.

There are certainly a thousand things that the surprise announcement could be about. But imbedded within the same blog article they said this: At the Downtown Disney area, you'll find unique shopping, delicious dining, live music and even incredible, new nighttime entertainment.

We know that last spring the Hyperion Wharf conversion was either canceled or postponed to be reworked. Could the reworking ideas now be complete and an announcement made about what's coming? We can hope! It's certainly overdue. Read the complete Disney Blog article here.

DJ Avicii Coming To Orlando

2011-12-07T18:47:00.002-05:00

DJ Tim Bergling (S), better known as Avicii, returns to Orlando for the third time in a year on Friday, January 27th as his popularity soars following his Progressive House hit "Levels". Few knew who he was during his first visit to town, performing at The Beacham downtown. He returned a few months later to a near sell-out at House of Blues in Downtown Disney West Side. Now apparently he's big enough to move even further up, this time to the UCF Arena at the University of Central Florida. Tickets go on sale at 10am this Friday. I got to see a one hour set of his when he made a surprise visit to Studio 54 in NYC back in October. The energy was incredible! Other hits include "Seek Bromance" & "My Feelings For You". Thanks to Blog reader Thommy for reporting this to us.

DJ Fedde Le Grand Coming To Orlando

2011-12-07T18:19:00.000-05:00

DJ Fedde Le Grand (NL) will be playing in Orlando this coming Tuesday night, December 13th, at Roxy Night Club. The House music producer is best known for his song "Put Your Hands Up For Detroit" which circulated the world with numerous cities substituting for Detroit. The song played in Mannequins was often "Put Your Hands Up for Miami"; never heard an Orlando version. He was recently rated the #14 DJ in the world by readers of DJ Mag.

PI Update: Comedy Warehouse Shows Coming For Christmas!!

2011-12-06T18:12:00.002-05:00

Former cast members of Comedy Warehouse are apparently being asked to perform some family friendly shows over the Christmas holidays! The shows are to take place in the Sounds Dangerous! Theater in Disney Hollywood Studios, not on Pleasure Island! The performances will take place 12/25-12/31/11 although one other source is reporting that these will take place the last 2 weeks of the year. Show times are being reported to be at: 1230, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630pm. Perhaps this is the fruition of the previously-posted Blog rumor about some clubs reopening for the holidays. Expect each CW show to be packed to the rafters! More details will be posted once they're announced! Please note that someone on Twitter has posted that former Adventurers Club cast members will also be doing AC shows that week but there is no verification of this and it could erroneous. Why are they doing CW shows? The official line is that they expect such huge crowds that week that they need activities for people to do when they reach capacity. The official line is that this is not a prelude to Comedy Warehouse actually reopening! (Thanks to reader RichK for contributing to this report.)

PI Update: Was 8TRAX Gutted?

2011-12-05T19:28:00.002-05:00

This is what 8TRAX looked like on the outside, just a few years ago!

This is what 8TRAX looked like on the inside, just a few years ago!

And after the club closed, this is what 8TRAX looked like on the outside.

And after the club closed, this is what 8TRAX looked like on the inside.

A Save Pleasure Island Blog representative had been invited inside and found that it was being used solely for storage. But nearly everything was in place exactly as it was on the night it had closed, even decorations on the wall. Sound and lighting equipment had been removed though. More pics here.

During August of this year, all of the clubs finally had their decorative exteriors covered over. Clubs that still had their names posted had those removed or plastered over. Supposedly this was to help outside vendors better be able to envision their own operations in the empty spaces. And Downtown Disney apparently had some extra money left over in the budget.

Now according to a Pleasure Island source, shortly after the repainting, whatever was still inside that was connected to 8TRAX was gutted. To me that would mean the remaining wall decorations, the colorful floors and walls, etc. Speculation here but the metal bars that surrounded the different levels would have had to remain for safety purposes but, if the source is correct, they would have lost their funky pink/purple color they had. Long live 8TRAX! Likely the most profitable club on Pleasure Island!

Club Reports: Vixen Lounge, Independent Bar

2011-12-04T12:04:00.003-05:00

Looking for electronic dance music in downtown Orlando you can always count on the club-pair of Vixen Lounge and Vintage Lounge. And while DJ Dominick Morrison (Mannequins) was spinning Top 40/Dance in Vintage, it was a Mannequins mini-reunion over in Vixen!

DJ Tooltime (Suite B Lounge, P.M. Entertainment) was on the boards initially in Vixen playing House, Progressive House and Breaks.

While my "spot" in Mannequins was always the near corner, there was a large contingent of "far corner" Mannequins people out last night!

Mannequins people everywhere!

Vixen was as jammed as I've personally witnessed!

DJ Sandy taking over from DJ Tooltime.

DJ Sandy (House of Blues SIN , Electric Daisy Carnival-Orlando) was playing one song after another that I recognized from Sirius/XM Satellite Radio's BPM!

Small dance floor was packed throughout.

Spotted: OMG, it's former Mannequins club manager Brad! He reports still working for the Mouse! Please put in a good word for reopening our favorite club!!

More Mannequins people!

With time running out, had to get my weekly fix of Independent Bar too!


DJ Dem Rok was on the controls......when not distracted!

Spotted: DJ Tony Frazier (Frazier Experiment) with his sister. I-Bar was jammed too.

Spotted: DJ Stefan (Rage Room at 11/12 Lounge). Hey girl, you got Skrillex hair!!(See Nov 22nd Blog)

Vote Now For 2012 International Dance Music Awards

2011-12-03T08:25:00.000-05:00

Winter Music Conference in South Beach is just 3 months away and you can help choose the winning 2011 songs and DJ's for the International Dance Music Awards! Simply go to the Ballot, complete it and submit it. It is not necessary to enter each category. During this initial phase it is a completely open ballot so choose your favorites. After the deadline the top vote-getters will be announced for the final ballot at which time you will be invited to choose only from those selections listed in each category. So help choose the next set of IDMA winners. Check it out!
NOTE: You do have to provide your email address for your choices to count. You will not receive spam; the only thing you will receive are future invitations for voting and for attending Winter Music Conference.

Club Reports: Retro Room, Atlantic Dance Hall

2011-12-02T07:04:00.004-05:00

Checking things out on a chilly Thursday night in Orlando. Return visit to new venue Retro Room located along US192 in the Four Corners area near US27.

DJ Pete (8TRAX, Motion, WPYO 95.3Party, Pat O'Brien's, The Groove) was on the boards last night playing 70's Disco during my visit. The club uses several DJ's but only Pete has that connection back to Pleasure Island!

One of the club's owners said they had about 250 patrons last Saturday night! Last night only had about 15 people in there with no one dancing. Their grand opening will be on Saturday, December 17th which the Blog will try to cover! UPDATE: DJ Pete will be doing Th-F-Sa nights for at least the next three weeks including for the grand opening on 17DEC!!

They continue to add new features to the club such as new lounge furniture and the ability to text messages to other patrons which will post on their television monitors. Pictured above, a game where patrons can choose a lighted disk on the bar as theirs and the computer than flashes all the lights and the patron with the disk that flashes the winning color at the end gets a free drink! Definitely embracing the latest in technology.

Then on to Disney's Boardwalk Resort.....

..... and Atlantic Dance Hall, the only Disney-operated dance club remaining since PI closed.

DJ Tony B (The Groove, Motion, Rock'n'Roll Beach Club, PI Live) was playing requests from the spartan crowd. I think there were more people in Retro Room than in ADH.

Some 80's New Wave for this bachelorette party group was ordered. ADH totally depends on whether there are convention groups at the adjoining Swan & Dolphin hotels and apparently last night that was not the case! DJ Tony B reports that DJ Tony Z will be returning for this year's New Years Eve party at the Dance Hall. That's always the year's most jammed event at ADH.

PI Update: Take A Real Pleasure Island Survey

2011-12-01T11:51:00.002-05:00

Do you remember back in June, 2008 when Disney announced that they would be closing all the comedy and dance clubs on Pleasure Island in three months? And the stated reason was because surveys showed that guests were wanting more dining and shopping options rather than clubs. Speculation at the time was that there really were no Pleasure Island surveys, or if there were surveys, the only people being surveyed were moms pushing strollers across the Island during the day rather than any guest in any club at night.

Well here's your chance to take a real Pleasure Island Survey. Yes, this form may date back to the early 90's but surely Disney's desire to know how their guests feel never expires.
* Print the form at: http://www.mediafire.com/?9vb2vy0zsk6w9kz
* Print extras for your PI friends.
* Complete survey, fold it twice to create a letter-sized mailing, then address it-stamp it-send it.
* The Blog recommends constructive criticism. We also recommend that you use your real name and address so they know you are real and can respond to you if they want to.
* Send to:
- Keith Bradford VP Downtown Disney Walt Disney World Company P.O. Box 10,000 Lake Buena Vista FL 32830
Thanks to the Save the Adventurers Club Facebook group for sharing this!

PI Update: Will Island Remain In Limbo?

2011-11-30T06:46:00.002-05:00

Earlier this week Disney announced that it was not going to build a stand-alone hotel at the property it purchased at National Harbor just outside Washington DC back in 2009. According to Orlando Sentinel reporter Jason Garcia* who specializes in the financial end of the Walt Disney Company, investor pressure is on the company to cut-back on its capital spending as soon as it finishes current capital commitments such as the second new cruise ship, Shanghai Disneyland, the Fantasyland expansion, AvatarLand and the stand-alone but problematic Aluani Resort on Oahu, Hawaii.

But what does this have to do with Pleasure Island? Well we know that whatever was planned for the Island after the clubs were shut-down in September, 2008 never happened. There were no takers for more restaurants and shops, at least at Disney's asking prices. One year ago Disney tried to jump-start interest by unveiling the Island's conversion to a place to be called Hyperion Wharf. That plan was shelved or at least indefinitely postponed this past Spring, to be reworked. A well-sourced rumor at the time indicated that outside vendors would be allowed to reopen the former clubs as clubs, just with different names. Yet that hasn't happened and here we are right now with a lot of unused buildings.

With Disney apparently facing scrutiny for any large projects, Hyperion Wharf can't happen for years as it's way too expensive. The simplest solution is to proceed with allowing outside sources to reopen some of the Island's clubs and start paying rent. No serious renovations would be needed to reopen Mannequins, 8TRAX, Soundstage and Comedy Warehouse. In fact, new state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems would be cheap outlays in Disney-terms and could be generating revenue within months of a green light. The prior rumor had new vendors operating under Disney's blanket liquor license, something allowed under Florida law. So that's not a stumbling block either. Disney needs to get on with this. Because if they don't, we're looking at many more years of nothing on Pleasure Island.
See the full Orlando Sentinel article here: Jason Garcia
*JASON GARCIA INTERVIEWED KINGBOB EARLIER THIS YR FOR A SENTINEL ARTICLE.

PI Update: The Tale of the Funmeister

2011-11-29T06:44:00.000-05:00

Little is know of the whereabouts of the original wooden Funmeister that used to adorn its own totem pole on beautiful Pleasure Island. It was originally discovered by Merriweather Adam Pleasure in 1911 as he steamed through the Florida Barge Canal System looking for the ideal place to create his new home. When he spotted it on the shores of what would later be named Village Lake, he knew this was the spot to build his Pleasure Island. He is the one who named the totem Funmeister.

The Funmeister was ultimately replaced with a metal and glass model and even this stood over the Island until late 2010 when it was finally removed more than two years after the fun had departed. The complete story of the Funmeister and the history of Pleasure Island can be found on Mouse Planet as retold by their writer Wade Simpson: http://www.mouseplanet.com/8653/The_Pleasure_Island_New_Year_Story
Thanks to reader Ian for sharing this story with us!

PI Update: Remembering Celebrate Tonight

2011-11-27T17:12:00.026-05:00

The night of September 28, 2008 was an unusual night on beautiful Pleasure Island. It was the first night that there were no clubs open, it was off-season and it was thus mostly empty. Those traversing the Island reported an eerie feeling. Crickets could be heard chirping. An unanticipated development of the club-closings had immediately surfaced; the silence was scary! Something had to be done. And that something was a spin on Disney's 2009 Celebrate Today! advertising theme: Celebrate Tonight! (CLICK ON ANY ONE PHOTO TO ENLARGE ALL PHOTOS)

The initial set-up (above left) in April, 2009 and what it looked like later, complete with hut. West End Plaza became Celebration Plaza.

DJ's and dance staff were hired. Initially the process involved stopping passers-by and asking them, on microphone, "What are you celebrating?" Invariably most people weren't celebrating anything and the conversations often went nowhere. It was excruciatingly painful to watch. During the 14 months of Celebrate Tonight's existence, the spiel evolved into games, music and dancing. There could be decent crowds in-season and on peak nights.

Of course stiltwalkers were mandatory at such events.

Celebrate Tonight took place on cold days in winter as well as the hot sweltering days in summer. There were cancellations only for rain (and once for snow!)

A variety of DJ's were on the Celebrate Tonight staff in order to keep this operating every evening. There were usually two on duty during each celebration with one up in the booth and the other working the plaza. DJ Willie (The Groove) & DJ Talie (Atlantic Dance Hall)(with J.B. from Mannequins) are among those pictured above.

The Save Pleasure Island Blog was the first to mention the possible shut-down of Celebrate Tonight when it noticed that CT was no longer listed in the Downtown Disney Guidemap. Sure enough, the celebration came to an end in June, 2010 with DJ G-Clef (Red Coconut Club) closing it out.

Club Reports: Ember, Dragon Room, Bliss Ultra Lounge, The Beacham

2011-11-27T13:20:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the picture quality in this article but my new camera slipped into a weird mode that I could not recover from without the owner's manual. But on with the show! First stop Ember which is an inside restaurant and an outdoor courtyard. Popular place where you might spot an Orlando Magic player or two.

In this kind of weather the courtyard is where it's at as happy hour merges into later hours. DJ Adam Wells had the outside duty mixing Top 40 and House/Dance.

Music during my visit include some Classic Dance songs such as Snap!'s Rhythm Is A Dancer to the more recent Bounce by DJ Calvin Harris.

And the city skyline towers over the location.

First visit to Dragon Room in nearly two years!

DJ Freefall was on the boards spinning mostly Top 40/Dance although he says it becomes a lot more Hip Hop as it gets later. Freefall is the Thursday/Friday night resident DJ at Vintage Lounge.

But there didn't seem to be any objections to his House set as people were dancing in a number of different places!

But for the best Saturday night Dance music downtown you have to go to Bliss Ultra Lounge!

DJ Mickey Bono (Beat Thrillerz, K5, RadioDanz.com, Party95.com) is the Saturday night resident DJ playing 100% House and Dance.

During my visit the club went from busy.....

.....to packed!

With dancing on the main floor and up in the VIP area.

Alas Saturday nights are no longer AAHZ nights at The Beacham. :-(

But DJ Richie Rich (House of Blues) packs them in nonetheless!

The music is mostly Rhythmic Contemporary including Rap, Hip Hop and some Top 40/Dance too.

Saturdays are sponsored by Daytona/Orlando radio station 102JAMZ (WJHM) and a good time was had by all!

My Favorite Female DJ's: What's New?

2011-11-26T14:37:00.000-05:00

Here are updates on some of my favorite female DJ's. Sorry guys, you just can't compare!
DJ Baby Anne has a new downtempo mix show every Sunday night at 9pm on Party95.com. Don't miss this coming Sunday night when she plays a special tribute to the AAHZ boys!

DJ Jennifer Marley now has an every Saturday night gig at club LevelZ in West Melbourne. See flyer at left for specials. And don't miss her A.D.D. Tripp show weeknights at 6pm on Party95.com.

DJ Bella has done well with her new song "Got What Ya Need" along with husband and collaborator DJ Agent K. The Electro-Breakbeat song is available at Beatport. A new mix CD called "Hybrid Bass" will be out soon!

Have not heard from "Davie Angel" DJ Heather Collins in awhile. She's been working with Pure Cash Magazine but I've not seen her spinning since this past summer. Always great Classic Dance sets from Heather!

DJ Talie continues her sessions at Disney's Atlantic Dance Hall every Tuesday night into December. Check her out sometime as the holidays approach as she plays mostly Top 40 & Dance! And the Cupid Shuffle at midnight!

West coast based DJ Heavygrinder has been touring Texas lately and seems to have been sticking with venues over in the other half of the country. Shown here posing for the Blog during her Orlando visit at Electric Daisy Carnival, she's way overdue for a trip to O-Town!

And last but not least, my other favorite is Trance specialist Sandra Collins who hasn't played Orlando since she opened for Paul Oakenfold at Destiny Night Club and then returned a few months later for her own show. She seems to stick with Vegas and the west coast and DJ's a lot down in Mexico. Come on back to Orlando, Sandra! She was totally wasted when she signed that autograph for me in the Destiny booth!

PI Update: A Lifetime of Memories

2011-11-25T17:27:00.006-05:00

There was a time when some people purchased a Disney Vacation Club unit at the sprawling Saratoga Springs complex because of it's proximity to Pleasure Island. The purchase of a unit along the waterfront facing Village Lake not only put you within walking distance of the PI complex (no drinking and driving) but also gave you a view of the nightly New Years Eve fireworks show which took place out on the lake. With the removal of the turnstiles, the Island became open to everyone and it became a hangout for undesirables. To make it a less-attractive place to congregate, the shows on the West End Stage had to be eliminated along with the nightly fireworks. The unraveling began and with the Island's demise in 2008, Saratoga Springs retained its proximity to Downtown Disney but it lost its advantage for anyone interested in Pleasure Island's now mostly non-existent nightlife. A lifetime of past memories but no new ones being made. Does anyone even remember Pleasure Island? You know they want you to forget about it.

Club Report: AAHZ Reunion III

2011-11-24T11:13:00.029-05:00

Returned to AAHZ last night in the venue where it used to happen....The Beacham! CLICK ON ANY ONE PHOTO TO ENLARGE ALL.

The original Wizards of AAHZ were in attendance recreating Orlando's biggest club night ever including the invincible DJ Dave Cannalte (Mannequins).

DJ Chris Fortier was in the house as he was for this past summer's AAHZ Decade.

And back from his summer tour of southeast Asia, the one-and-only DJ Kimball Collins!

Spotted: DJ Andy Hughes (Electric Daisy Carnival-Orlando), DJ Leony (Sirius/XM BPM, Latin Quarter, RadioDanz.com) with Dave Cannalte (Mannequins) & DJ The Reverend (Peacock Room, Bandwagon Roadshow)! Also, a closeup of Leony's awesome t-shirt.

Spotted: Lots of people I know were in the house including the above!

And a few others too. This had to be the largest crowd of the AAHZ Reunion events as the demand for EDM continues to increase. And a good time was had by all!

This Weekend In Techno Town

2011-11-23T15:13:00.000-05:00

For most people in the USA, the weekend begins tonight!

TONIGHT WEDNESDAY
Return to AAHZ with DJ's Kimball Collins, Dave Cannalte (Mannequins) & Chris Fortier and relive the classic Dance music of the 90's. The Beacham downtown.

THURSDAY NOV 24
Top 40, Hip Hop & House from DJ Nova (Antigua, The Groove) at this weekly event at club Vain 3D.

FRIDAY NOV 25
Attention Space Coast; don't miss world-famous DJ Icey spinning Breaks & Dance in your neck of the woods at LevelZ in West Melbourne. World-famous DJ Jimmy Joslin opens for him!

SATURDAY NOV 26
The best House and Dance music in Orlando on Saturday nights can be found at Bliss Ultra Lounge featuring DJ Mickey Bono (Beat Thrilleerz, RadioDanz, Party95.com, FloridaBeatRadio.com, Kiss98.5-Buffalo). 2 For 1 Drinks.