TBT: Disney’s Pleasure Island offered shops, dining, nightclubs

From 1989 to 2008, locals and tourists could enjoy an evening of music, food, entertainment and fireworks at the Walt Disney World Village.

By Amy Quesinberry
| 1:00 p.m. July 21, 2016

Pleasure Island officially opened May 1, 1989; its last night was Sept. 27, 2008. It is now called The Landing and is the middle part of Disney Springs. Remember the Empress Lilly, in the foreground?

West Orange Times & Observer
History

In 1986, the Walt Disney World Resort announced plans for a new shopping, dining and entertainment complex called the Walt Disney World Village.

The West Orange Times printed details of the project, which was slated to open in the spring of 1988 but actually opened in 1989.

Michael Eisner, chairman and chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, called Pleasure Island “a totally refreshing and innovative concept” and was excited about the diversity of entertainment — “from high-tech dancing to roller skating, from jazz to a comedy warehouse.”

Club plans included the Adventurers’ Club, the Zephyr RockinRolladrome, Mannequin Dance Theater, Comedy Warehouse, Videopolis Café and Blooms Jazz Garden. Coming restaurants include a seaside saloon and crab house, an international barbecue restaurant and a “restored” home family restaurant.

Every night at midnight, "New Year's Eve" was celebrated with a fireworks show. This tradition lasted from 1990 through New Year's Eve 2005.

Pleasure Island’s last night was Sept. 27, 2008.

Disney reopened Pleasure Island in April 2015 as The Landing, a part of the new Disney Springs shopping area. There are no longer any clubs there.