Downtown Disney
 

Getting away from the kids and staying at Hotel Royal Plaza in Downtown Disney. Planning to go to Paradise Island for some nightlife. What would be the best places to go for fun(early 40's--don't want to party with the 20's group, necessarily). Also, do the folks in DD get the same early entry opportunities as staying at the Disney Resorts? Has anyone else stayed at this hotel?

Unless you are planning to fly to Nassau for the night, you mean Pleasure Island. Two of the best places there are The Adventurers Club and the Comedy Warehouse. They are great fun. The dance clubs are where you will find the drunken 20-something crowd. From what I understand while the Royal Plaza is on Disney property, it is not considered a Disney resort. Thus, some of the same privileges don't apply. You may want to verify this with either the hotel or Disney central reservations, because that is only what I've been told. I stayed there about 16 years ago, and from what I remember, it was very nice.

Marsha, I'm sure you meant Pleasure Island. It's a lot of fun, but it is full of the younger crowd from 20-30 years old. Once you get into the "Island" right in front of you is the Bahama Beach club which is pretty nice, to your left if Manicans, it has a revolving dance floor. Turn down te road to the right is a country dance bar Wildhorse, just like the one in Nashville, that's only if your into country music, although at times they do change the music a little it can be a lot of fun. Now turn left down this little road and straight ahead is the West End stage, everynight is New Year's Eve. That's kinda fun with everyone danicng in the street and all, on your way towards the West End satge is a 70's bar 8-tracks which plays just that 70's music. Like the previous person mentioned the 2 I think BEST places on the Island are the Comedy Warehouse (try to sit by a phone if at all possible) and the Adventures Club. You'll have a real good time in there. To actually answer your question (I know I rambled on a bit but wanted you to get a good feel f the place) I don't think they allow the early admitance into the parks for stating in DD. Try to get into one of the All-Star Resorts (Music, Sports, NEW Movies) I've been down there many times and stayed at the All-star and have never paid more then $89 a night. Very nice hotel just your typical bed and shower nothing too extravagant but it's very good. Take the Disney transportation EVERYWHERE within Disney that you wanna go. Hope this helps and if you have any further questions just drop me a line. Take Care <BR>Mike

My family and I have "done Disney" every year for the past 8 years, and even as a 20-something found Pleasure Island a bit much. Perhaps you would consider one of the Resorts as a good alternative. The Polynesian has a lovely cafe (ask for a window seat facing the water) and you can watch the lighted parade while you enjoy a drink/appetizer. For just good old fun,Downtown Disney/Marketplace offers many, many good sites. No-one is more friendly than the bartender at the Rainforest Cafe, and the guests around the bar make great conversation as well. I agree with the previous reply: All Star Resorts are by far the best deal in the World! All the perks, at a great price. We've stayed at other resorts, but chose All Stars for the past 4 years. No matter where you go, though, you'll have a great time! Enjoy!

Another alternative for the evening is going to Disney's Boardwalk. It is in walking distance of Epcot and is modeled after 1920s Atlantic City. I'm planning my 18th trip to Disney and am full of ideas, so please feel free to email me if you want more information. Whatever you decided to do, you will have a great time.

For our night out, we went to Victoria and Albert's for dinner and then Pleasure Island. Even though it was offseason, the place was jammed with people and we only spent about an hour there. The highlight of our night was definitely Victoria & Albert's (in the Grand Floridian Resort), though it was very pricey. If money is not an object and you want the best and most romantic meal of your life, try it.

My husband is 45, I am 29, and we both had a great time at Pleasure Island last year. You don't have to be a "20-something" to enjoy it! There is every kind of music imaginable -- country, 70's disco, techno, rock, 50's & 60's, plus the comedy club everyone has mentioned. In addition, there is a large center stage with a live band at one end of the area, and a smaller stage at the other end. If you enjoy music and people-watching, it's fabulous -- don't let people talk you out of it. Once we went there, my husband wanted to go back every night. It's also nice because, once you pay your cover charge into Pleasure Island, you can club-hop to all the different clubs. If you get tired of one club, or it gets too crowded, move on to another! Have a great time!

Try our Hosted Forum -- the topic is Walt Disney World. Our expert Karen Cure is sure to have some suggestions!

No one has mentioned the Boardwalk's Jelly Rolls!! This is a dueling piano bar which is loads of fun and is usually a more "mature" audience -- they play 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's rock -- it's my favorite

Dear Marsha, <BR>hope you will email if you need help have been to disney so many times I've lost count. I agree that the boardwalk & a wonderful place called Jelly Rolls would be ideal. Pleasure Island is great fun, for the young or young at heart. At west side (downtown disney) there is a house of blues offering a great gospel brunch. There is a cuban restaurant called Bongo's for music and food. You will enjoy Pleasure Island for the excitement, fun,shopping & food.Where else can you shop the worlds largest Disney store. Also there is a comedy club & jazz club, so dont worry, go & have a magical time...

Greetings - <BR> <BR>I don't want to rain on the parade of those who like Pleasure Island but given your comments, I don't know if you would like it. I'm mid 30's and found it to be one big headache. <BR> <BR>Keep in mind, I love music and love to dance but I don't drink. And that's what most people are doing. Getting falling down drunk. That's entertainment to a certain extent but the music was so loud it gave me a big headache. <BR> <BR>You can walk by the entrance and listen and look past the gate. If it looks good, go in. Frankly, I'd go over to Fulton's Fish and have king crab legs. Excellent! <BR> <BR>:-)

We just stayed at the Royal Plaza this past weekend, it was ok at best. We switched rooms to the tower because the original room the gave us near the pool was horrible. Try and get a room that is away for I4. It was raining so hard that water was coming through the ceiling in the lobby and the light fixtures. So hopefully you have better weather. Pleasure Island is much less crowded mid week, so you can actually move around.

<BR>it's been 20 years sence I've been down to Church Street Station, I believe it's downtown but it's worth the trip. there's it least 2 differet "Family oriented" bars there; meening Granparents and kids will enjoy it as well as Mom & Dad. one is a Ninty's style bar....1890's. the other that i know of is County Western and I've seen live conerts there on TNN.

I like Pleasure Island, and I am old enough to have protested the Vietnam war. The Explorers Club is really fun and it's not a dancing kind of place. Between that and the comedy club and the jazz club, that's enough for the night. Alternatively, do Disney's West Side. PI has a gate charge; after that you pay just for drinks---no extra cover. West Side has covers for every club. Depending on the night, the House of Blues could be fun. See Cirque du Soleil, the Montreal-based high-tech no-animals circus that now has a home there. It's really great. And more sedate.

I LOVE the Adventurer's Club in Pleasure Island. It has some of the best shows, great fun for all ages. Check out the web sites, esp/ Deb Wills' WDW Information Guide at www.wdwig.com, there is ALL the specific info there you could want, and a schedule for the AC shows. You can start there at 7 PM & move on to other places.