Pleasure Island (Walt Disney World) facts for kids
The final logo of Pleasure Island.
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| Location | Walt Disney World Resort, Downtown Disney, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, U.S.A. |
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| Coordinates | 28°22′16″N 81°31′05″W / 28.371°N 81.518°W |
| Status | Closed |
| Opened | May 1, 1989 |
| Closed | September 27, 2008 |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company |
| Operated by | Walt Disney Parks and Resorts |
Pleasure Island was a fun entertainment area at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. It was part of the Downtown Disney shopping and dining district. It officially opened on May 1, 1989. In September 2008, all of its clubs closed, but some shops and restaurants stayed open. The area is now called The Landing and is a central part of Disney Springs.
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History of Pleasure Island
Pleasure Island was designed to be like Church Street Station in Orlando. That place was a very popular attraction. It let people pay one price to enter many different clubs.
Disney created a fun story about Pleasure Island's owner. His name was Merriweather Adam Pleasure. He was an explorer and businessman. He decided to move to Florida and start a company. His business made sails and built yachts on the island. He loved throwing big parties for his employees and friends.
Sadly, Merriweather was lost at sea. His sons couldn't run the company without him. Then, a big storm destroyed most of the island. The story says Disney found the ruins of his complex. They decided to build a nightclub area there. This was to keep Merriweather's fun-loving spirit alive.
Every night at midnight, Pleasure Island celebrated "New Year's Eve". This included a fireworks show. This special tradition lasted from 1990 until New Year's Eve 2005.
Changes and Updates (2006-2009)
In March 2006, Pleasure Island had big changes. This was to try and bring more visitors. Two main stages were closed and taken down. There was no longer an entry fee. So, the free shows on these stages attracted many local teens. Disney wanted a different kind of crowd.
Removing the stages opened up views of the lagoon. New docks were also built. These docks allowed boats to connect Pleasure Island. You could travel by boat to the West Side, Marketplace, and Disney resorts.
Starting in 2007, most dance clubs changed their rules. Guests had to be 21 or older to enter. Younger visitors could still go to the Comedy Warehouse and Adventurers Club. They could also visit the shops and restaurants.
In June 2008, Disney announced a big change. The six remaining nightclubs would close by September 28, 2008. This was to make room for more family-friendly fun. Disney said customers wanted more dining and shopping options.
September 27, 2008, was Pleasure Island's last night. Many former workers and fans came to say goodbye. The "New Year's Eve" fireworks show happened one last time. After that, Pleasure Island officially closed.
In 2009, a building that used to have shops became a new restaurant. It was called Paradiso 37. It served food from North, South, and Central America.
The Island's New Look: Hyperion Wharf and The Landing
On November 10, 2010, Disney announced a new name: Hyperion Wharf. The island would look like an early 1900s nautical warehouse district. New lights and a waterfront area were planned. However, Disney later decided not to use the name "Hyperion Wharf."
Instead, in April 2015, Pleasure Island reopened with a new name. It became "The Landing." This area is now the middle part of the Disney Springs shopping complex. The old dance clubs and jazz club are gone. Now, The Landing focuses on shops and restaurants.
One restaurant, Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar, connects to the old story. Jock Lindsey was a pilot from the Indiana Jones movies. He was part of a group called the Society of Explorers and Adventurers. It was later revealed that Merriweather Adam Pleasure, the island's founder, was also a member of this society. His Adventurers Club was like his own special chapter.
Places to Eat and Shop (Operating)
Restaurants
- Paradiso 37 — This restaurant is named for the 37 countries in North, South, and Central America. It serves dishes often sold by street vendors in those regions. It opened on June 4, 2009.
- Portobello Restaurant — An Italian restaurant that opened in 1989. It was once called Portobello Yacht Club. In the island's story, this building was the Pleasure Family Home.
- Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant — This Irish pub and restaurant opened in October 2005. It replaced an old food court and a jazz club.
Shopping
Over the years, many small shops were located on the island. Some closed in 2006, but Disney has brought back some stores.
- Curl by Sammy Duvall — A surf-themed clothing and gear shop. It opened in 2008.
- Fuego by Sosa Cigars — A cigar shop that opened in 2007.
- Orlando Harley-Davidson — A shop selling Harley-Davidson gear. It opened in 2005.
Former Attractions
Shopping (Former)
- Superstar Studios — A place where you could make your own video. It closed in 2008.
- Jessica's — A store featuring the character Jessica Rabbit. It was open from 1990 to 1992. A huge neon sign of Jessica Rabbit used to hang above the building.
- Avigators Supply — This store sold adventure gear and items related to the Adventurers Club and Indiana Jones.
- The Mouse House — A shop selling Disney T-shirts, stuffed animals, and gifts.
Restaurants (Former)
- Fulton's Crab House — A seafood restaurant that opened in 1996. It was originally the Empress Lilly.
- The Empress Lilly — This was a real-looking 19th-century paddle steamer boat. It was named after Walt Disney's wife, Lillian. When it became Fulton's Crab House, it lost its paddle wheel and smokestacks.
- Fireworks Factory — A restaurant with a fireworks theme. The island's story said Merriweather Pleasure made fireworks here. It closed in 1997 and became the Motion dance club.
- Merriweather's Market — A food court that operated from 1989 to 1993.
- Planet Hollywood — This famous restaurant was once on Pleasure Island. It moved to the West Side in 1998.
Entertainment (Former)
- 8TRAX — A dance club with a 1970s and 1980s theme. It closed on September 27, 2008.
- Adventurers Club — A club styled like a 1930s British explorers' club. It had funny characters played by actors. This club closed on September 27, 2008.
- BET Soundstage — A hip-hop and R&B dance club. It closed on September 27, 2008.
- Comedy Warehouse — A nightclub with an improv comedy group. The comedians made up shows on the spot. It closed on September 27, 2008.
- Mannequins Dance Palace — A multi-story dance club with a revolving dance floor. It had light shows and live performers. It closed on September 27, 2008.
- Motion — A dance club that played Top 40 music videos. It closed on September 27, 2008.
- Pleasure Island Jazz Company — A club with live jazz musicians. It opened in 1993 and closed in 2005.
- Rock 'n' Roll Beach Club — A rock-themed dance club with live bands. It closed on February 2, 2008.
- West End Stage — A stage used for events every night. It was taken down in 2009.
- AMC Pleasure Island 24 — These movie theaters opened in 1990 with 10 screens. They expanded to 24 screens in 1998 and became part of West Side.
Many famous performers played at Pleasure Island over the years. New Kids on the Block performed in 1989. Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch played in 1992. *NSYNC filmed a demo there in 1995. Christina Aguilera performed in 1999. On New Year's Eve 1999, Hootie & the Blowfish and Styx performed. Duran Duran played there in 2000.
Images for kids
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The cast of the Adventurers Club, ready for fun.
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A concert on New Year's Day 2012.
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Comedians in the Comedy Warehouse performing a musical number.
