Listen to the Episode:
Welcome to Episode 89 of the RetroWDW Podcast: Pleasure Island Part IV – We appreciate your support and hope you have been enjoying each and every episode. Be sure to check out some of our previous shows from over the years. We have visited multiple parks, resorts, and just about everything else in between.
Listener Mail
We open the mailbag monthly and are ready to hear from you. Be sure to reach out with questions, stories, memories, and more. You never know if your letter will be read on a future episode: podcast@retrowdw.com
- Our first letter from Jarrod involves something we have seen before on eBay. The cap he is referring to has popped up from time to time and we have some rough history on this. Check it out here, as the auction has ended. We also discussed the video JT did with World of Micah, so check that out.
- We got a voicemail on the Retro Line! Laney called in to tell us more stories and personal experiences from the Walt Disney World Speedway. Thank you! Reese also shared some footage from back when the speedway was up and running with some great clips of the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Thanks Reese!
- Slyvia reached out about some drink stirrers her parents have collected over the years. How gives us some insight into these amazing pieces from the past. We also answer some questions Sylvia has about future events and gifts.
- Adam wrote us with some photos from the Disney-MGM Studios, showcasing the Nightmare Before Christmas. This was an amazing exhibit back when movies were featured frequently at the studios.
- Paul wrote in about Episode 88 and the old Hill Valley set where they filmed Back to the Future. The Twilight Zone also did an episode on the same set, which was on Season 1, Episode 1.
- Patrick is our last letter for now, and he wants to know what Pleasure Island was like. We get into the evolution of the ‘Island’ and hopefully we give you a good picture of what it used to be like.
Main Topic
For the main topic this month, we head back to Pleasure Island for more fun and excitement. This is Part IV and if you haven’t enjoyed Part 1, Part 2, or Part 3, we highly recommend you take a listen back as these were recorded years ago! How gives us a little recap of how each episode went in the past.
The story on this episode though is changes. How gets us into each club and how they changed after a few years, including themes and names. These include Cage, The Wildhorse Saloon, 8-Trax, Planet Hollywood, Motion, Fulton’s Crab House, BET Club and more. We go through our memories of each of the various iterations and also what we thought of them over the years. The interesting aspect we get into here with Pleasure Island is that it evolved frequently and for the most part, was done to keep people attending and trying to find that club that hit.
This episode also has us reflecting on fads of the era from Wine Coolers, The Chicken Dance, Zima, Planet Hollywood, and line dancing.
Even though this area has come and gone, we discuss where it went and how it went out. Many of us have memories of the big changes in the end and we even discuss the unused concept of Hyperion Wharf. Pleasure Island was a fun concept that worked in many areas and did not work in others. How has promised us a Part V episode about Pleasure Island, so make sure you message him if you are interested in hearing even more history on ‘PI’. Thanks for listening!
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