Mouse Extra

So what is Disney is planning now that they have announced that Pleasure Island will close for good in September. Disney has released some hints as to whats coming with this concept art. There is not a lot of big spoilers there but some interesting things can be gleamed from it. First of all, we can see some of changes planned to the places not being replaced such as Fulton’s and a renamed Portobello. There will be a new T-shirt shop operated by Hanes.

Perhaps most intersting is the observation balloon called the Aerophile. It is an apparent copy of a similiar attraction at Disney’s Paris parks. I have long maintained that Disney should have a ferris wheel at Disney’s Boardwalk. To me, it would be perfect for the theme and, placed where the Atlantic Dance Hall is, would provide terrific views of Epcot and the Stuidos. I would assume that is no accident that a few days before Disney’s Pleasure Island announcement, a developer unveiled plans for a huge ferris wheel in Orlando. It usually takes something like this to get Disney to respond.

I still would prefer a wheel at the Boardwalk. Its a better spot for an observation attraction but the balloon will be interesting and will take a lot of the appeal away from the ferris wheel that was announced. After all, that wheel will be a distance from the parks. As dribs and drabs of the new offerings at Pleasure Island do come out, I hope they are at least as interesting as the balloon.

Today’s report is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra.