So what the heck is going on at Pleasure Island?

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

A post from the Save Pleasure Island blog about the "new and improved" (??) Hyperion Wharf.  Click the links to the blog posts to view the actual plans posted...

Monday, March 21, 2011

Breaking News: Here Is What's Coming To The New Pleasure Island

A few weeks ago Disney filed plans with the South Florida Water Management District which showed in great detail the changes that are being made to Pleasure Island as part of the conversion to Hyperion Wharf. One of the Blog's readers passed this information on to us and it's being shared with you today. The 15-page document has so much in it that I've had to limit this article to the most important information contained within. You can click on these documents up to two times to expand them.

Tonight we'll look at the so called East End Package and tomorrow night the West End Package. Those of you who speculated in the Comments section that nothing exciting is coming are correct. There has been internet chatter from others who have seen the plans about all the grassy lawn that is to be installed down at the West End.  Little did we know that much of the East End has the same future!

Before we head over to the clubs, let's look closer at what's planned for the Fulton's Crab House area. We've previously posted photos of the rebuilt Lily Pad area but according to these plans, they're not done there yet. The circular area will have some sort of compass design added on to it, as you can see above. Meanwhile, the area directly along the shoreline of Village Lake adjacent the Empress Lilly steamship will have a wood deck over concrete boardwalk installed. That's a continuation of the same look already installed along the eastern portion of the new Number 1 Bridge from Marketplace.

One of the pages shows Rock'n'Roll Beach Club and Motion to be demolished. As we all know, that has already occurred. But it shows the detail involved in such endeavors.

This page shows so much detail that I've added my own letters to guide you through the discussion.  A) The waterfront Amphitheater is definitely coming. Notice the 6 magical columns that ring it.  :popo: This circular area appears to be the rumored kiosk-type bar/snack bar that will replace PI Live Bar.  C) Downhill ramp to make the Amphitheater fully assessable.  D) A curved wall adjacent Sosa Cigars appears to allow them to retain their outdoor side-seating area but takes away their current rear-seating area. However, the plans give no detail about that large rectangular area immediately behind them. One can still see the pathway back to the PI restrooms.  E) The new pathway heads back to where Motion used to sit and then makes the curve south into the former Raglan Road/Portobello service court. F) Unspecified retail  G) Raglan Road (existing).

This page shows the new pathway passing through that current service court. Notice that the pathway itself generally follows the side wall of Portobello while the opposite side will offer one or more retail establishments.

Now here's the saddest news in the entire plan. The Amphitheater and kiosk only take up about half the space that RRBC formerly occupied and none of the space that Motion occupied. So what's going onto that land? The rumored lighthouse restaurant? No. The rumored Schussler Creative Mahogany Bay Classic Old Boats and Great Food restaurant? No. The answer is: Seed & Mulch! A grassy knoll that leads from the pathway down the slope to the water. Yes PI fans, after nearly 3-years of promises of a bold new vision, we're getting grassy lawns!! And very little else.

BIG THANKS TO READER ENFILM FOR SHARING THE PLANS WITH US. VISIT HIS WEBSITE WHICH IS FULL OF DISNEY BLUEPRINTS AT:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/63631877@N00/sets/

http://savepleasureisland.blogspot.com/2011/03/so-whats-coming-to-new-pleasure-island.html

Here's the original 11/18/10 announcement post from the Disney Parks blog...

First Look: Waterfront District ?Hyperion Wharf? Among Plans for Downtown Disney

posted on November 18th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks

How about that? New dining, shopping and entertainment experiences are in the works for Downtown Disney and today we?re sharing a first look at what to expect in the future for the 120-acre complex. Look closely and you?ll see that Pleasure Island will evolve into a vibrant waterfront district called ?Hyperion Wharf.?

The district will come to life with a nostalgic yet modern take on an early 20th century port city and amusement pier. By day, stylish boutiques and innovative restaurants will draw you in and by night, thousands of lights will transform the area into an electric wonderland.

Taking its name from Hyperion, the Greek god of light, as well as the street on which Walt Disney built his first major animation studio, the wharf district will also feature a relaxing lakeside park and enhanced pedestrian walkways. And its diverse eateries will expand dining availability at Downtown Disney by more than 25 percent.

Along with the new wharf district, other projects are underway at Downtown Disney, including:

    * An extensive renovation of Lego Imagination Center, which will increase its overall footprint by nearly 3,500 square-feet and add new Lego exterior models featuring scenes from classic Disney movies.

    * Enhancements at AMC Theatres that will take the movie-going experience at Downtown Disney to the next level with new digital technology, a Concession Stand of the Future and Florida?s first Fork & Screen Theater; and?

    * Numerous new or renovated retail shops and merchandise vignettes, as well as additional atmosphere entertainment, throughout Downtown Disney.

Construction on the district begins immediately and it?s scheduled to be completed in 2013.

Pretty exciting, huh? Let us know what are you most looking forward to.

[http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/11/first-look-waterfront-district-hyperion-wharf-among-plans-for-downtown-disney//url]

[Avatab.... Steve 124]

Thanks Monique, great links.  100 respects for you!!  :heart:

I still cannot believe that this is the replacement for Pleasure Island.

Take away something fun and unique. Replace with more shopping and dining.....

Some of my best Disney memories are from the Adventurers Club, Mannequins and 8Trax with my friends.

:dance: :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2:

[Lou... 3,118]

I still cannot believe that this is the replacement for Pleasure Island

Things come and things go.

PI was a business and it had to make a profit while living up to the Disney image. I guess it wasn't doing either towards the end. Business was slow and some of the clientele was not what Disney wanted. It had run it's course.

Now if you want the clubs, Disney is willing to let others provide them.

Does anyone remember Church Street Station? In it's prime, it was a great place to party, and it disappeared once PI and City Walk were built.

[beccaewert 10]

good point magicbus! It's like everything at disney,....I am heartbroken that Snowwhite scary adventures is gone,...good childhood memories,...but Im excited for the new mine ride. Everything comes in stages in life....just hold on to the memories!

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

I still cannot believe that this is the replacement for Pleasure Island

Things come and things go.

PI was a business and it had to make a profit while living up to the Disney image. I guess it wasn't doing either towards the end. Business was slow and some of the clientele was not what Disney wanted. It had run it's course.

Now if you want the clubs, Disney is willing to let others provide them.

Does anyone remember Church Street Station? In it's prime, it was a great place to party, and it disappeared once PI and City Walk were built.

My first trip to Florida was a group of 20 something year olds. We spent two days in the Orlando area. The first day was Magic Kingdom. We had a lot of fun.  The second day we wanted to go to Church Street Station. Naturally we got lost so we stopped a sheriff's deputy to ask directions. he drawled " Nice young ladies like y'all don't wanna be going to that area of Orlando". We all answered in unison "Oh yes we do". I discovered rum that night. I know this is blasphemous but it was a lot more fun than a day with the mouse

[homebrew 14]

good point magicbus! It's like everything at disney,....I am heartbroken that Snowwhite scary adventures is gone,...good childhood memories,...but Im excited for the new mine ride. Everything comes in stages in life....just hold on to the memories!

Snow White is still there.....or at least it was last week.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Probably will be for a while at least.  The new Dwarf Mine Coaster was a late entry to the Fantasyland plans and latest rumors are that it might not be open until 2014.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

An update on the construction from Attractions Magazine...

Construction Update: Pleasure Island to Hyperion Wharf ? changes so far in 2011

Apr 72011 Filed under: Disney, Downtown Disney Posted by: Matt Roseboom

By Don Gworek

Let?s take a look at Disney?s progress so far in converting Pleasure Island to Hyperion Wharf. For more details on the project, Click Here.

On Jan 30, 2011, demolition was underway for two former Pleasure Island nightclubs.

On March 7, the structures were completely removed, including their foundations.

On April 2, a temporary grassy lawn was in place.

Eventually this view will be of a tiered amphitheater, as indicated by the blue arrow that has been added to the Hyperion Wharf concept art, below.

Work continues ?

http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/04/07/construction-update-pleasure-island-to-hyperion-wharf-changes-so-far-in-2011/

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

Some rememberances of the Original Pleasure Island!!

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Updates from WDW News Today...

The effort continues to keep Pleasure Island alive until Hyperion Wharf is finished

Some new views courtesy of demolition

That?s a lot of grass

You can actually see where they are carving in a new path to wrap around Portobello and cut the walk around Raglan Road

http://wdwnewstoday.com/archives/6988#more-6988

[mikeymouse1 25]

A post from the Save Pleasure Island blog about the "new and improved" (??) Hyperion Wharf.  Click the links to the blog posts to view the actual plans posted...

http://savepleasureisland.blogspot.com/2011/03/so-whats-coming-to-new-pleasure-island.html

Here's the original 11/18/10 announcement post from the Disney Parks blog...

[http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/11/first-look-waterfront-district-hyperion-wharf-among-plans-for-downtown-disney//url]

HOW COME THERE ARE NO SHAPELY(FAT) PEOPLE IN THE PICTURES????

I Can't see my self!

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Posted on WDW News Today...

Adventurer’s Club & BET Soundstage Coming Down as Hyperion Wharf Goes Up

Posted on June 11, 2011

That’s right, the Adventurer’s Club and the BET Soundstage buildings are about to come down at the former Pleasure Island. But what will be replacing them? For now, just grass:

“Seed & Mulch”, the same that can currently be found on the plots that were Rock ‘N’ Roll Beach Club and Motion. Now a new patch of grass will appear temporarily at the other side of the island. Fans of Comedy Warehouse will be happy to know that the building will remain in-tact and is labeled as a “Future Entertainment Parcel”.

You may recognize the photo above as the plaza and small elevated stage between Portobello and Fulton’s. Thankfully, this area is getting a new look as well:

A good portion of this project has already been completed (namely, the new bridge to Marketplace), but there is still a bit to go.

This layout shows the new park area on the waterfront between Paradiso 37 and the former Rock ‘N’ Roll Beach Club, as well as the new path that will allow guests to walk past the left side of Portobello directly into the heart of the island. Let’s take a closer look at the new park:

Expect to see much of this work begin very soon. The entire document with these plans can be found at this link. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we keep you updated on the transition from Pleasure Island to Hyperion Wharf!

http://wdwnewstoday.com/archives/7245

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

CRAP!!

[Otter Spotter aka Debbie 58]

I read the report about the Adventurer's Club being torn down and I swear there were tears rolling down my cheeks. This sucks.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Rumor and speculation from WDW Magic...

'Apricot Lane' and the future of Hyperion Wharf - what does it mean?

Jul 01, 2011

The news came in yesterday that the speciality boutique store "Apricot Lane" will be moving into the retail location recently vacated by Harley Davidson. This has a lot of people questioning why this is happening, and what it means for the future of Hyperion Wharf. Looking back to the released concept art, the retail location in question is right at the center of Hyperion Wharf, so why place another retail store there, when it appeared Harley Davdison was being moved out to free up this space to be used as premium dining space?

There are a couple of possibilities to explain this somewhat unexpected move. As we know from recent times, Disney have followed the retail trend of "pop up" stores, which can quickly move in to a space, and begin selling without a huge amount of work taking place in the store. If things work out, they can then be relocated into a permanent home elsewhere. This has been the case with both Ridermakerz and Little MissMatched at Downtown Disney, so could be the path that Apricot Lane is taking. The second possibility is that Apricot Lane is in fact a new permanent addition to this location, which then brings things onto the big issue. What is going on with Hyperion Wharf?

A lot of internet discussion on forums and blogs continues along the lines of Hyperion Wharf begin canceled. While it is certainly not moving ahead at a visible pace we were expecting, there could well be a very good reason for this, and something very different from it being canceled and the doom and gloom that is being talked about in so many places online. As with Fantasyland, and it's recent round of changes (ie. moving in the Snow White Coaster in place of the enhanced meet and greets), there is a real possibility that Hyperion Wharf is going through a redesign. As we know from Fantasyland, reworked designs can often bring a better final outcome. Disney are determined to make the new Downtown Disney a success, so let's see what comes in the next few months - perhaps a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised with how this new Downtown Disney develops.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From the Disney Parks blog...

Downtown Disney Update

posted on July 12th, 2011 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks

In November, we shared plans to re-imagine Pleasure Island and bring other new and compelling experiences to life at Downtown Disney. Today, we’d like to update you on our progress.

First, we’re excited that some of the new experiences we announced are already becoming favorites, like the newly expanded LEGO Imagination Center and AMC’s first Dine-In Theatre in Florida. The great news is there is more on the way.

Recently, Orlando Harley-Davidson opened its newly expanded 3,635-square-foot store at Downtown Disney West Side. The largest and most interactive Harley merchandise store of its kind, it draws guests in with a 40-foot tower and massive LCD/LED screens showing specially produced footage of motorcycles in action. Guests are also able to see and sit on some of the latest Harley-Davidson motorcycles and a brand new production studio lets guests be pictured in their favorite riding spot or transformed into real bikers. Guests can even design biker vests of their own.

Later this summer, Apricot Lane Boutique, a specialty retail store that offers celebrity-inspired branded apparel, affordable fashion jewelry, handbags and accessories, will open in the space the Harley-Davidson store previously occupied on Pleasure Island.

*This is an artist rendering and is subject to change.

This fall, construction will begin on Splitsville, a 50,000-square-foot upscale entertainment center that combines bowling with billiards, dining, music and nightlife. To make way for this experience, RIDEMAKERZ, currently located on the West Side, will move to the Marketplace.

Over on Pleasure Island, we’ve completed removing some of the buildings that aren’t part of our future plans. During the course of this site work, we identified opportunities to further refine our master plan and are pausing to evaluate them. What does this mean for you? While we’re moving quickly, it will admittedly cause a delay in construction. But we’re willing to bet that any delay will be worth the wait once we’re able to share details about the exciting work we’ve been doing.

Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more updates on Downtown Disney!

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

An update from The Daily Disney...

Disney's Pleasure Island makeover stalls By Jason Garcia, Orlando Sentinel 3:06 p.m. EDT, July 13, 2011

Walt Disney World's slow-moving makeover of Pleasure Island has stalled again.

The giant resort disclosed this week that construction of "Hyperion Wharf" — a dockside-themed shopping and dining area that was to replace Pleasure Island and its long-shuttered nightclubs — has been delayed indefinitely as the company reevaluates plans for the site.

The move comes barely half a year after Disney unveiled the Hyperion Wharf concept. The resort recently demolished some of Pleasure Island's clubs, all of which have been closed since 2008.

"During the course of this site work, we identified opportunities to further refine our master plan and are pausing to evaluate them," Disney wrote in an update to its company-run blog.

"What does this mean for you? While we're moving quickly, it will admittedly cause a delay in construction. But we're willing to bet that any delay will be worth the wait once we're able to share details about the exciting work we've been doing."

Disney didn't provide a new timetable for the project. It had previously said an amphitheater-style park would be ready by this summer and that the entire Hyperion Wharf project would be completed by early 2013.

Asked if Hyperion Wharf would still be built at some point, Disney World spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez said only: "We don't have anything specific to share today, but we look forward to sharing more details in the future."

Although it acknowledged Hyperion Wharf has been delayed, Disney also said Tuesday that it would make some additions elsewhere in its Downtown Disney retail complex. The most notable change will be the opening of "Splitsville," a 50,000-square-foot bowling alley and entertainment venue that will also include billiards, dining and music.

Disney said construction of the "upscale entertainment center" will begin this fall. It will replace the retailer Ridemakerz, which is currently housed in the former Virgin Megastore building in the West Side section of Downtown Disney. Ridemakerz will move to a smaller location in Downtown Disney's Marketplace section, which is on the other side of the former Pleasure Island.

In addition, Disney said a fashion store dubbed "Apricot Lane Boutique" will open later this summer in a storefront on Pleasure Island that had previously been occupied by Harley-Davidson. The motorcycle seller recently moved into a bigger location in Downtown Disney's West Side.

[email protected] or 407-420-5414

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From MousePlanet...

Downtown Disney adds bowling, but Hyperion Wharf derailed

While Downtown Disney has seen—and continues to see—a great deal of movement, enhancement and addition of shopping, dining, and entertainment, it appears that the Hyperion Wharf project at Downtown Disney has been (at least temporarily) derailed.

Dining locations such as T-Rex Cafe, Paradiso 37, and the Pollo Campero/Fresh A-Peel/Babycakes NYC venue have appeared in Downtown Disney Marketplace, and Portobello Yacht Club was reborn as Portobello on Pleasure Island.

Recent development in shops has included the expansion of the LEGO Imagination Center at the Marketplace, the move of Orlando Harley-Davidson from Pleasure Island to a new location on the West Side, and the new Dine-In Theatres at the AMC Downtown Disney 24. Later this summer, Apricot Lane Boutique will move into the Pleasure Island location vacated by Orlando Harley-Davidson.

The latest news is that Ridemakerz will be moving out of the former Virgin Megastore on the West Side to an unspecified location in the Marketplace to make room for Splitsville, an entertainment and dining venue that features bowling, billiards, dining, music and nightlife. The 50,000-square-foot venue will join the Splitsville chain's other locations in Tampa and Miami in Florida, and Fredricksburg, Virginia, and Fairview, Texas.

According to Splitsville's website, "We got rid of the old concessions stand to make room for a gourmet kitchen serving up everything from hand-cut steaks and hand-tossed pizzas to fresh rolled sushi, signature entrees and mouthwatering desserts." Bowling lanes are spread throughout the location in clusters, and billiards tables, bars, and dining rooms also help to divide the space.

The availability of bowling has not apparently killed the 100-lane venue still slated for construction at the Wide World of Sports Complex, though the opening of that project has now been pushed back to 2015.

As for Ridemakerz, since it appears that no current leasees are showing signs of wanting to leave, look for the make-your-own-car shop to move into one of the rooms within either World of Disney or Once Upon a Toy, since Ridemakerz has locations within Disney Stores, such as the flagship location in New York City's Times Square.

While shopping and dining changes move forward, largely at the Marketplace and the West Side, there has been a distinct lack of new construction on Pleasure Island where Motion and the Rock 'n' Roll Beach Club were demolished and the new Hyperion Wharf development was to take place. "During the course of this site work, we identified opportunities to further refine our master plan and are pausing to evaluate them," according to Vice President of Downtown Disney Keith Bradford. "While we’re moving quickly, it will admittedly cause a delay in construction. But we’re willing to bet that any delay will be worth the wait once we’re able to share details about the exciting work we’ve been doing."

This could well be another halt called by Disney Parks Chairman Tom Staggs, who had previously put the brakes on the New Fantasyland project to reassess and make some changes to the plan in order for the new expansion to be more attractive to all guests and not just princess-obsessed young girls. Those changes were met with enthusiasm from the core Disney fan audience. If this halt to a second ill-considered plan by former Disney Parks Chairman Jay Rasulo, perhaps some of the plans for converting the nightclub area of Pleasure Island into family-friendly shops and restaurants will also be pulled back. While Motion and the Rock 'n' Roll Beach Club buildings are down, the Adventurers Club, Comedy Warehouse, and Mannequins still stand. It will be interesting to see whether Staggs directs a U-turn on the plans or if the Hyperion Wharf project will just receive minor tweaks and continue forward. We'll let you know when we hear more.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From WDW Magic...

Props removed from Adventurers Club, signage removed from Bet Soundstage and Comedy Warehouse

Aug 29, 2011

It is all change at Downtown Disney at the moment, and the latest news from there is that more signage and props have been removed from the clubs at Pleasure Island. First up, the props, including the plane, have now been removed from the exterior of the Adventurers Club. Over at the BET Soundstage (view photos) and Comedy Warehouse (view photo), the exterior signs have all been taken down.

Photos by WDWMAGIC

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From WDW Magic...

PHOTOS - Adventurers Club signage removed from the building

Aug 30, 2011

The signage on the outside of the Adventurers Club has now been removed.. This follows the removal of all the interior, and most recently, the exterior props.

The area will be used for future Downtown Disney plans, but no information yet on whether this will require a partial or complete demolition of the building.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Attractions/Adventurers-Club/News/29Aug2011-PHOTOS---Adventurers-Club-signage-removed-from-the-building.htm

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From WDW Magic...

PHOTOS - Inside the new Ridemakerz location at Downtown Disney Marketplace

Sep 01, 2011

Here is a look at the new Ridemakerz store inside the Team Mickey location at Downtown Disney's Marketplace. The store moved yesterday from its previous location in the West Side's former Virgin MegaStore. That area will become home to the new Splitsville entertainment complex. It is expected that the current Ridemakerz location will be temporary, and that they will ultimately move to a dedicated space.

Share|

Photos by WDWMAGIC

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Shopping/Ridemakerz/News/01Sep2011-PHOTOS---Inside-the-new-Ridemakerz-location-at-Downtown-Disney-Marketplace.htm

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From WDW Magic...

PHOTOS - Construction walls now up at Splitsville and more details revealed

Sep 01, 2011

The changes keep coming at Downtown Disney, and today we have a look at the latest new development - Splitsville. Yesterday saw the moving of Ridemakerz to their new location in the Marketplace, which frees up the former Virgin MegaStore for redevelopment into Splitsville. The construction walls are already in place for work to begin, and some of the wall posters reveal a few interesting new details. Splitsville will feature 30 bowling lanes, live music, menus including sushi, and we now have an opening timeframe of Fall 2012.

Share|

Photos by WDWMAGIC

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Attractions/Splitsville/News/01Sep2011-PHOTOS---Construction-walls-now-up-at-Splitsville-and-more-details-revealed.htm

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From WDW Magic..

PHOTO - New format for Downtown Disney guidemap including all the latest changes

Sep 01, 2011

Downtown Disney has seen a number of changes recently and a new format guidemap has just been released. The map is no longer broken down by district, but instead by type (Attractions, Casual Dining, Table Service and Shopping). All the latest changes are now on the map, including the move of Ridemakerz yesterday, and the site for Splitsville, which is listed as opening Fall 2012. You can see a scan of the new map below.

Copyright 2011 The Walt Disney Company

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Attractions/Marketplace/News/01Sep2011-PHOTO---New-format-for-Downtown-Disney-guidemap-including-all-the-latest-changes.htm

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From MousePlanet...

The Splitsville bowling center at Downtown Disney, opening this fall, will offer hand-tossed pizzas, fresh sushi, and more on its menu.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/9857/Walt_Disney_World_Resort_Update

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From WDW News Today...

A Revised Look for Splitsville, Bowling and Dining Experience Coming to Downtown Disney

Mar 18, 2012 by wdwntadmin 3 Comments Posted under: Downtown Disney, Shopping

Disregard the concept art you saw previously on this site, we now have a much better idea what Splitsville will look like when it opens on Downtown Disney’s West Side this Fall. Here’s another recent rendering giving you an idea what it will look like during the day:

TBO.com writer Richard Mullins wrote a great story with a ton of new information on the project:

Splitsville’s location at Downtown Disney will take over the former Virgin Records store and span about 50,000 square feet. It will have 30 bowling lanes and about 750 seats.

The new Splitsville location will take over the former Virgin Records store and span roughly twice the size of the location — 50,000 square feet. That’s about half the size of an average Walmart store.

The newest Splitsville will be geared to the roughly 15 million visitors who walk along Downtown Disney’s main drag each year. While the theme will remain family-friendly bowling, the location is spurring changes.

Splitsville officials spent three years working with Disney to refine the theme, menu, prices, format and operating hours so the location would work with other new restaurants and attractions under construction in the area.

The Disney location will have two floors with a total of 30 bowling lanes and about 750 seats, including the pods where people sit while bowling. Its kitchens will serve everything from chicken fingers and wings to pizza and sushi — anything sharable — plus breakfast for tourists, Revelle said. Like the original Splitsville, the Disney location will be something of a combination bowling alley-restaurant-bar-party venue.

To make the bowling more friendly to families visiting the Disney parks, Splitsville dropped its typical format of selling a set number of games. Instead, guests will pay hourly for bowling.

“At a busy bowling alley, you might not know a lane will be open for a couple hours after someone finishes their game — whenever that is,” Revelle said. “At Disney, you’ll know your lane will be available at an exact time.”

Revelle’s company already oversees a series of the largest locations in Channelside, including the original Splitsville, Stumps Supper Club, Howl at the Moon and Tinatapa’s. Despite all of Channelside’s struggles, Revelle said his company’s operations have seen growth since last year.

In the roughly 10 years since opening the first Splitsville at Channelside, the company has opened locations in south Miami, north Dallas and Fredericksburg, Va. The company informally plans to open one new location a year for the next several years.

The project at Downtown Disney comes as Disney overhauls much of the popular tourist draw, with new restaurants and a new movie theater. At one point, Disney envisioned a new Hyperion Wharf area akin to a classic boardwalk, though some of those plans are on hold.

That makes Splitsville a major part of the renovations that remain, along with a new Harley-Davidson store, a new LEGO Imagination Center and other new restaurants.

“We are excited to have Splitsville coming on board,” said Disney spokeswoman Kathleen Prihoda. “It will be a great addition for our guests and a good fit for the lively area.”

If all goes according to plan, the new Disney location could open this autumn.

http://wdwnewstoday.com/archives/8973