Disney Announces New Attraction, Sports Venue

Buoyed by surging attendance and other growth markers for its Central Florida theme parks, executives of Walt Disney World Co. outlined several new projects and initiatives Wednesday tailored to sustain momentum during tough economic times.

Not that everything's sunshine and buttercups - Disney's Pleasure Island nightclub venue, part of its Downtown Disney entertainment complex, is shutting down after Saturday night's performances.

Disney officials remain mum on what will replace the six nightclubs that debuted in 1989, but they insist the closing is more about a fresh change than the economic downturn.

"Guests tell us they're looking for a different experience," said Michael Griffin, vice president of communications for Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney World's attendance figures shot up 7 percent and per-guest spending was up a more modest 3 percent during its fiscal second quarter, which ended March 29, the Orlando Sentinel reported in May. The attendance figure was a year-over-year comparison.

Wednesday's mood was decidedly upbeat as officials enumerated plans for opening a new Magic Kingdom attraction to coincide with the Oct. 28 DVD release of "Tinker Bell." The attraction, set to open Oct. 24, will target young girls.

Coming sometime in 2010 is a 100-lane bowling alley to attract professional-level tournaments at the popular Disney's Wide World of Sports complex - soon to be rebranded ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

A recent addition to the complex, the 80,000-square-foot Jostens Center, features six full-size basketball courts.

Already the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves, the complex attracts 250,000 athletes a year, mostly youths, along with 1.2 million spectators, mostly relatives, said Ken Potrock, senior vice president of Disney Sports Enterprises.

Beefing up its sports venues makes sense, Potrock said, given considerable growth in youth sports, "Eighty-five percent of the people that compete would not have come to Disney or Central Florida without this business," he said.

Information courtesy of Orlando Sentinel

Downtown Disney & Pleasure Island Release More Information Regaring Upcoming Changes

Over the next year, the 120-acre entertainment-shopping-dining complex known as Pleasure Island will add a number of one-of-a-kind, immersive experiences for guests. Downtown Disney will even get its own iconic attraction, in the form of a giant, tethered balloon that will take guests 300 feet into the air to view the amazing vistas of Walt Disney World Resort. Other new experiences include:

In fall 2008, guests will enter a world of prehistoric creatures at T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure. The dinosaur-themed family eatery will serve up pizzas, pastas, seafood and more, and will feature life-size animated dinosaurs that dwell among bubbling geysers, waterfalls and a fossil dig site.

Also this fall, a design-your-own t-shirt store from Hanes will add to the growing collection of merchandise guests can personalize at Downtown Disney.

- E-brands Restaurants, an Orlando-based, multi-concept restaurant group, will premier its newest concept at Downtown Disney in spring 2009. The high-energy, casual eatery will feature authentic Central and South American cuisine, specialty drinks and live music along the waterfront.

- Guests also will enjoy a brand new mix of shopping and dining experiences at Pleasure Island as it is transformed over the next two years. To complement these new experiences, many popular Downtown Disney locations will undergo enhancements.

- Beginning this summer, Portobello Yacht Club will be transformed into a Tuscan Country Trattoria. The refreshed menu features authentic Italian dishes and signature favorites and a re-designed interior along with an outdoor dining space.

- This fall, Goofy's Candy Company will add a special new room that will enable families to host one-of-a-kind birthday parties at Downtown Disney.

- The Marketplace Stage will be completely replaced with a larger, covered stage this fall to welcome even more entertainment to Downtown Disney and serve as a new premier venue for Disney Magic Music Days.

- Fulton's Crab House will update its interior fixtures and furnishing and exterior in Spring 2009. The enhancements include a refreshed third floor deck dining area to offer additional Disney guests and larger private parties the traditional Fulton's experience.

- Next year, Wolfgang Puck Café will update its interior fixtures and furnishings and will feature an enclosed glass patio offering guests a year-round outdoor dining experience.

- These efforts come on the heels of recent enhancements at World of Disney, Wolfgang Puck Express, Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop, Earl of Sandwich and Cap'n Jack's Restaurant.

Information courtesy of DISBoards.com

Image courtesy of Orlando Sentinel