Incredible doings

Recently, while working to get ahead on articles for the Gazette, I opened up a discussion in my Facebook status for ideas readers would like to have more articles on (an initiative for input that I would like to continue in the future). The one, and only, response I received asked for an article on the history of Downtown Disney. And while I love Downtown Disney, its history, and its intricacies, I am not what I would consider an authority on the subject.

However, fictional histories are something I do have information on. Therefore, today we are going to take a gander into another piece of the Pleasure Island puzzle. This time the plaque near the entrance to the former Rock ‘n’ Roll Beach Club, which began life as the XZFR Rockin’ Rollerdrome. While the clubs of Pleasure Island officially closed on 27 September 2008, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Beach Club actually felt the sting first, as its dance floor went dark on 3 February 2008.

As for the structure’s previous life, it housed a wind tunnel for testing aircrafts’ flight abilities. What type of aircrafts? Here is the posted information given to the curious public:

“XZFR ROCKIN’ ROLLERDROME
BUILDING X
1937

Island founder and UFO enthusiast Merriweather Pleasurebuilt his experimental “X-Thing” here. Pleasure himself designed this super amphibious aircraft that could harness the power of the wind. The “X-Thing” flew only once – September 1, 1940 – with Pleasure himself at the controls. The testflight is shrouded in mystery, but upon landing Pleasure began broadcasts to outer space. Beamed from the roof of this building, the international Morse Code messages repeated, “W-E-L-C-O-M-E.”

Further information on the incredible doings at Pleasure Island from 1911 to the present day may be found inscribed on the quasi-historical plaques at all Island entrances.”