Members emeritus

Members emeritus
Ryan P. Wilson

This morning, we have a small, but imaginative, group sitting around the Gazette’s Roundtable. Pleasure Island, in its heyday, offered a variety of experiences for every guest who ventured out into the night. There is, perhaps, no one club that is looked back upon more fondly or well remembered than the Adventures Club. With most of Pleasure Island still sitting vacant, is it any wonder that we dream of what tomorrow could be like on the Pleasure compound? That is exactly what Chris Fore invited us to do when he presented the question below. If you have your own ideas, please feel free to post them in the comments!

Roundtable Topic: What would you like to see as a follow-up setting (time period, character type, theme, decor, etc.) for a new Adventurers Club?
Roundtable Guests: Matthew Sedlar (The geekTicket), Chris Fore (Yet Another Disney Blog), Greg Grimsley (The Disney Obsession), and myself.

Greg – Interesting question. One thing that struck me about the Adventurers Club in it previous incarnation was that it was a place that adventurers came to once the adventure was complete to tell of their exploits. What if the club was actually situated in the adventure; meaning why not place it among the lush rainforests, or on a tea plantation in Ceylon during the British Colonial era. In terms of Walt Disney World, this would place it somewhere near the Jungle Trek. Though the trek would incorporate a few Asian Elephants into the mix.

The club would be large and full of open spaces, especially on the tea plantation. Carpets, tropical vegetation, rattan furnishings, with an interior of dark woods and polished white marbles. Yes, there may be a library, but books would be scattered all about and within easy access. Drapes are gently moving to a light breeze. And, owing to its proximity to the jungle, a few animals and birds will be among the guests.

Hathaway, Pamelia, Samantha, et al, will continue to stop by and share of their days adventure; either tracking elephant, tigers, and so forth, but we may well finds the likes of a Hemingway type or perhaps some chap named Quartermain. Either way, with these gentlemen, the hunt is the thing, and they are sure to make a gift of some recent conquest to the head of the household. And who knows, with adventure just outside on the verandah, it may easily find itself inside with the blink of an eye.

The beverage of choice, why, cognac of course. “Remy, everyone!”

Matthew – Charles Muntz's Spirit of Adventure airship from Up. The time period would be while Muntz is still a world-renowned explorer. Two reasons for this: It would be impossible to get dogs as the wait staff, and Muntz's years spent in Paradise Falls might be a little too dark and creepy. The Muntz character could be charming and witty, but still show a little bit of the madness that later settles in. I could actually see Disney using a theme like this. They're always looking for ways to use successful Pixar properties inside and outside the parks.

Chris Fore – The time is 1947. We find ourselves on a small island in the Adriatic Sea, still trying to find it's place in post-war Europe. Although the local population has always done decent business playing host to a variety of local sea-pilots, recently the island became a port-of-call for cruise ships. These ships are bringing a never-ending parade of fresh faces (and money) to this once-sleepy island community.

Our setting for this evening is an American-style cafe - a favorite watering hole for both the cruise guests as well as an eccentric mix of ex-pat's, former G.I.'s, musicians, entertainers, entrepreneurs, and others. Some of these lively characters have stories to tell; tall tales of adventure, improbable anecdotes, or perhaps even a business proposition for those who are willing to seize the opportunity.

Our ship leaves port in the wee hours of the morning - but until then, why not stick around? The food is good, the libations are flowing, the music is lively, and the conversation even more so...

Ryan – I would love to see something in the vein of Rick's Café Américain, a place full of mystery, romance, and vultures everywhere. Live music, such as the works of Duke Ellington, The Andrews Sisters, Fats Waller, or Vera Lynn, could be performed throughout the main rooms, with smaller stories, including an ill-fated romance, shifty underworld dealings, or even a thief being conned by a better thief, taking place in the distant corners and tuck away rooms. For real entertainment, guest could venture in to the gambling room where, as it turns out, there isn’t any gambling going on at the moment, but there is a spectacle taking place that is sure to attract the attention of every person in the room. And what better way to end the evening, than with a raid, and closure of the Café, by the police.