Jello Shots and Mickey Ears - Disney's Pleasure Island (*Updated September 2008)
Written: Jul 20 '04 (Updated Sep 26 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A nice change of pace from the theme parks, clubs feature a nice variety
Cons: Very crowded in the street area, expensive for a night of clubbing
The Bottom Line: Definitely worth a visit, but I don't think it is probably worth it to pay the admission for very young children.
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| chelledun's Full Review: Pleasure Island, Walt Disney World |
***UPDATE - sadly, the booze will soon be running dry at Pleasure island as all nightclubs and many of the shops will be closing by Septembe 28, 2008. For more information, see http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/entertainment/entertainmentDetail?id=PleasureIslandEntertainmentPage.
Although I had attended Pleasure Island on previous trips with my family, this was my first visit as a proud member of the over 21 crowd, which makes the experience considerably different and more enjoyable. We attended on a Saturday night in July.
What is Pleasure Island?
Pleasure Island is a large entertainment complex with a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and various types of night clubs. Admission costs approximately $20 for adults, but is included in some multi-day theme park tickets. As a result of a recent policy change, visitors are only required to have tickets to access the night clubs, but tourists can wander the grounds and enjoy the free entertainment, shops, and restaurants without a ticket. This seems to have resulted in greater crowds and more families with young children. Pleasure Island is flanked on either side by Downtown Disney, which features more shops, restaurants, and facilities such as Disney Quest. Downtown Disney will not be discussed in this review.
The Clubs
Comedy Warehouse
This is my absolute favorite at Pleasure Island, and practically worth the price of admission alone except for the short duration of the program. The improv comedy show features a cast of four comedians who take audience suggestions to form the plots of their skits and subjects of the songs they make up on the spot. The show takes place in a small area with risers and bar stools. I recommend going to an early show and getting in line about ten minutes early. Late arrivals often get into the show, but are seated in a second row of bar stools with a much obscured view.
The Adventurer’s Club
This silly show is loved by some and hated by others. Guests enter a large two story building filled with various artifacts covering the walls and ceiling. Some of these stuffed animal heads and exotic masks may actually talk to the guests, and at some point an elaborately dressed ‘Adventurer’ will come out and begin teasing the guests in the room. This is funny and worth listening to, but it is important to know that this is all a preview to the main attraction. Every hour or so, guests are escorted into a large library full of tables for a funny show which is a fake telethon to raise funds for the adventurers clubs. Quite a few children attend this presentation, and while some of the humor is a little risqué for Disney, those jokes seem to go over their heads.
8 Trax
This gaudy and psychadelic club features 70’s and 80’s music. While the music here is my favorite genre of all the clubs, when I visited here it was early in the evening and it seemed a rather subdued crowd with few people dancing. Children are allowed in 8 Trax.
BET Soundstage Club
This club features R&B and Hip Hop favorites. We did not visit this club because you must be 21 to attend and my 17 year old sister was accompanying us.
Motion
This club features huge video screens and top 40 music. It holds a lot of appeal for the younger crowd, and probably not that much for the older group. This is a typical club, although cleaner, and doesn’t really offer any special Disney touches as far as I was concerned. We did not spend much time here.
Rock and Roll Beach Club
This club also reminded me a little of spring break, although the beach atmosphere is certainly a little more fun than the atmosphere in Motion. The dance floor is on the main floor, and is constantly crowded. The upstairs features a balcony and wooden chairs that surround and overlook the dancing, for those who don’t want to jump around. However, the dancing crowd tends to be on the younger side, primarily high school and college. We enjoyed this club the most for ordering a drink and people watching.
Mannequins Dance Palace
This is essentially Motion for the adult crowd, as it has an age requirement like BET Soundstage. The music is techno, and the floor moves with the beat, and the overall experience is completely overwhelming even without drinking alcohol! However, for all you techno freaks out there, this will probably be your favorite club!
Final Thoughts…
Pleasure Island can be a blast. However, it is not for everyone. The more people you can go with, the more fun it will be. Even those who do not normally enjoy dance clubs will find plenty to do with the Comedy Warehouse, Adventurers Club, and live entertainment and shopping. Very young children, however, will likely find little to amuse them. Keep in mind that this is a nightclub atmosphere, and there will be drinking and drunk people. It's up to you to evaluate what your children can handle. Overall, Pleasure Island will provide a fun opportunity to get dressed up and do something besides running around the parks during your Disney vacation!
*Pleasure Island's biggest competitor is Universal Studios CityWalk which is also lots of fun!
If this was helpful, check out my other Disney Reviews!
Hotel Reviews
Beach Club: http://www.epinions.com/content_147743018628
Coronado Springs: http://www.epinions.com/content_100521381508
Grand Floridian: http://www.epinions.com/content_175155351172
Attractions
Stitch's Great Escape: http://www.epinions.com/content_175365852804
The Living Seas (Finding Nemo Update):http://www.epinions.com/content_175503478404
Peter Pan's Flight: http://www.epinions.com/content_148621332100
Dinosaur: http://www.epinions.com/content_147863932548
Theme Parks
Blizzard Beach: http://www.epinions.com/content_150122565252
Magic Kingdom for Adults: http://www.epinions.com/content_173013175940
Recommended:
Yes
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