For almost 20 years there has been an entire section of Disney dedicated to nightlife, known as Pleasure Island. Pleasure Island was a stretch of land between Downtown Disney Marketplace and Downtown Disney West Side housing numerous clubs and bars. From Rock & Roll, Techno, and Top 40 to Comedy and 80’s Music there was something for everyone. 

Pleasure Island used to be closed off and required a ticket to get in. A few years back that changed and anyone could walk through Pleasure Island but you required a wristband to get into the bars and clubs. On Pleasure Island it was New Year’s Eve every day. Each night at the West End Stage the countdown to midnight would begin and end in a fireworks display. 

All that is now over. According to Disney, “We are taking the Downtown Disney experience to the next level for a few reasons. It’s consistent with our commitment to regularly evaluating and refreshing our product to ensure it is relevant to our Guests and providing them with new and exciting experiences they can only have at Walt Disney World Resort. In addition our Guests are telling us they want additional shopping and dining experiences at Downtown Disney and we want to position Downtown Disney for long-term success.”

On September 28th, 2008 six remaining bars (Adventurer’s Club, Comedy Warehouse, 8 Traxx, Motion, Mannequins and BET Sound Stage) on Pleasure Island had last call for the last time. Although it will reopen it will not reopen as Pleasure Island. It will be themed differently and focused on family friendly shopping and restaurants. Sounds kind of like an extension of the current Downtown Disney, something to better join the Marketplace and West Side. 

While Pleasure Island has become a thing of the past there are still nightlife options at Disney. The Downtown Disney West Side has the House of Blues and the Boardwalk has ESPN Club for the sports enthusiast, Atlantic Dance Hall, and Jellyrolls Dueling Piano Bar.

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