In 1986, Disney announced plans for a new area adjacent to the Marketplace called Pleasure Island. Inspired by the popularity of Church Street Station in downtown Orlando, the concept aimed to create a vibrant nightlife district for after-hours guests, Cast Members, and locals. The area would feature themed bars, clubs, and entertainment venues—something entirely new for Walt Disney World.
Pleasure Island officially opened in May of 1989, offering a mix of ticketed entry, live performances, and themed nightclubs. To enter, guests purchased tickets at booths located at the entrance—these booths were actually repurposed train cars from the Fort Wilderness Railroad, a clever reuse of retired infrastructure that added a rustic touch to the industrial theming.
From 1990 to 2005, Pleasure Island celebrated New Year’s Eve every night, complete with a fireworks show visible from nearby hotels. This nightly celebration became a hallmark of the area, drawing crowds with its countdown clock and festive atmosphere.
In 2006, Disney began a series of renovations aimed at boosting attendance. The admission fee was eliminated, and the West End and Hub stages, which had offered free entertainment, were dismantled. These changes were partly in response to large groups of local teens gathering nightly, which Disney considered disruptive to the guest experience. Around the same time, the iconic Jessica Rabbit figure was removed from the “Pleasure Island Tonight!” sign—an act that quietly marked the end of the area’s more irreverent branding.
In June 2008, Disney announced that it would be closing all clubs to make way for new shops and family-friendly entertainment. Just three months later, a farewell ceremony was held, including one final New Year’s Eve celebration, as the clubs made their last calls and closed permanently.
In 2009, Disney briefly reopened three venues—Motion, Soundstage, and the beloved Adventurer’s Club—for private event rentals, fueling speculation that the clubs might return. However, by March 2010, these venues were shut down permanently, ending the era of Pleasure Island nightlife.
🧱 Repurposed Elements and What Remains
- The Fort Wilderness Railroad ticket booths were removed during the 2010–2012 demolition phase, but one of the cars was rumored to be stored backstage near Cast Services.
- The Adventurer’s Club building remained intact for several years and was used for corporate events and training sessions, though its interior was eventually gutted.
- The Mannequins Dance Palace turntable floor, famous for its rotating dance platform, was reportedly salvaged and stored by Imagineering for potential reuse.
- The West End Stage area was transformed into a pedestrian bridge connecting to the West Side, improving sightlines and guest flow.
- The Jessica Rabbit figure, once a beacon of neon glamour, was quietly retired to storage—though rumors persist that it was briefly displayed at Team Disney Orlando before being removed again.
Today, the former Pleasure Island space is part of The Landing at Disney Springs, home to restaurants like The Boathouse, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, and Wine Bar George. While the clubs are gone, sharp-eyed guests can still spot architectural remnants and subtle nods to the area’s nightlife past.
