What's up at DTD / PI?

[goofyjoe]

I've been noticing over the past few years that Downtown Disney / Pleasure Island has become increasingly populated by non-Disney stores and attractions. For instance, one CM told me that Raglan Road, the new Irish restaurant and pub, is not owned or operated by Disney. I've also heard tell that most, if not all, of the Pleasure Island nightclubs (not including Adventurers Club and Comedy Warehouse) will eventually be operated by outside companies - perhaps sooner rather than later.

I'm not completely sure of the history of the area, but there seems to be a trend towards the Mouse as landlord rather than operator of attractions in the area. It's not necessarily bad, as Raglan Road is a good place to go.

Does anyone have any thoughts or insights about this?

[SWTexasBelle]

I hate that they are losing the Pleasure Island storyline - it's basically completely gone at this time. You can see remnants in the Adventurer's Club, but really that's it. Merriweather Pleasure, RIP.
I know PI and DTD is getting more traffic than back in the day, so I'm sure Disney is doing better with it from a financial standpoint. I remember when it was Lake Buena Vista, it had a bookstore, and you could go eat on the Empress Lily!

[Whazzup]

There was a rumor going around that PI was going to become a new park called Disney's Dark Kingdom, open in the evening hours, with various interactive attractions like ziplining through a canopy of tropical trees, stuff like that. The entrance would be through Adventurer's Club.
That would entail a complete redo of PI. Part of the rumor was that it would be a high-cost experience, aiimed at the folks who stay at the deluxe resorts. Doesn't sound very Disney-ish, does it? But again, it might be just that - a rumor that somehow got started. There have been a lot of those rumors over the years.

[mechurchlady]

Originally there was the market area on one side and Pleasure Island. Pleasure Island was themed around being owned by Pleasure. Over time the area grew into a major shopping mall which made the theming of PI not fit any more. Disney can make more profit off of landlord than running a shopping mall.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

There was a rumor going around that PI was going to become a new park called Disney's Dark Kingdom, open in the evening hours, with various interactive attractions like ziplining through a canopy of tropical trees, stuff like that. The entrance would be through Adventurer's Club.
That would entail a complete redo of PI. Part of the rumor was that it would be a high-cost experience, aiimed at the folks who stay at the deluxe resorts. Doesn't sound very Disney-ish, does it? But again, it might be just that - a rumor that somehow got started. There have been a lot of those rumors over the years.

Interesting, I wonder if they were going to expand on the Disney Villains theme? It has gotten to the point, that after the last trip, DW and I decided to cut out that part of going there, as we can do the "shopping" either at the resorts, the parks, or at DLR close to home!

[SWTexasBelle]

I shop at World of Disney only cause of the AP discount! I do love the Earl of Sandwich and their teamondade.

PI is in the midst of renovations - isn't T Rex going to be open soon?