The Pleasure Has Left The Island

Pleasure Island, for those who aren’t familiar, is a section of the Downtown Disney district in the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. Pleasure Island featured various nightclubs and some adult-only venues that offered the grown up kids-at-heart a place to go and have fun after their day at the theme parks. There were various nightclubs offering a good range of entertainment; there was something for everyone.

Whether you want to dance the night away on the spinning dance floor at Mannequins Dance Palace, spend the night experiencing the improv comedy at the Comedy Warehouse, bust a move to classic 80′s music at 8 Trax, or immerse yourself in the one of a kind experience known as the Adventurer’s Club, there was always a good time to be had at Pleasure Island.

Normally, I don’t get excited about nightclubs at all. In fact, for the most part, I can’t stand them. But when it comes to Pleasure Island, I always loved going out and spending one or two nights at the clubs whenever I was on vacation. It was just the natural thing to do at the end of the day. And now that they are leaving, it feels as if part of my favorite place is being amputated and taken away from me.

It also saddens me to see PI close because over the years I’ve met many people who have since become good friends. I knew that every time I went, I would run into more than one friend and spend the evening catching up and enjoying each others company.

Perhaps the most important person I met at PI over the years is Kevin.

The site of our first meeting was Pleasure Island. Mannequins Dance Palace to be precise. And I still remember the night like it was yesterday. Every time we’ve gone back since, we’ve always taken a moment to remember that first meeting. It’s always been nice to visit that spot and remember how far we’ve come.

And now we can’t.

When we were there a couple weeks ago for the final time, it was really hard not to start crying. Not only is an important part of my vacation experience being taken away, but an important part of his and my history is being bulldozed to make way for generic dining and shopping opportunities.

Good work, Disney. I really appreciate it.

So, tonight, in honor of Pleasure Island’s final last call, I say “Kungaloosh!” to all the Adventurers out there.

The glow-in-the-dark drinks just won’t be the same without the spinning dance floor.