Okay, who's up for some fun?
In my Orange County Register column this week, I look at the shuttered businesses in Disneyland's Downtown Disney shopping district and declare that the best possible solution for what to do with the space where Disney has planned to build a fourth hotel is... to build more bars.
I'm riffing off one reader's suggestion that Disney would be best served by devoting the entire space to a massive expansion of Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar. While I am sure that a whole lot of Disney fans would endorse that idea, I decided that Trader Sam taking over the entire space would be a bit greedy. After all, Sam's a generous guy, right? Have we forgotten already his "give you two of his heads for one of yours" deal?
No, Sam needs more space... just not the whole west side of Downtown Disney. So why not turn that space into a collection of Disney-themed bars? We can call it "Disney's Wonderful World of Alcohol." Disneyland could couple Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar from Disney Springs with Trader Sam's and roll out a mini theme park of bars themed to supporting characters from its IP catalog.
C'mon, you know you want to drink with the Caretaker in a goth-themed Haunted Mansion bar. Or with Old Bill and his kitties from Pirates of the Caribbean. And how has Disney not opened a Heffalumps and Woozles bar already? Pour yourself a drink, because it's armchair Imagineering time!
Obvious concepts such as the soon-to-be-built Star Wars Cantina are off the table here. The Wonderful World of Alcohol is Disney's kingdom for bit players, like Jock Lindsey and Trader Sam. So who else deserves a place in the line-up?
And how drunk do we need to get a team of Disney executives to get them to green light this idea?
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I’ll show them my bill from The Edison if they need any convincing.
Why not mix with Disney's love of reboots and bring back the Adventurers Club.
They could recreate the bar from Kingsman, considering Disney's aquisition of Fox...
"Manners maketh man..."
I miss the adventures club, and if they don’t want bring it back then a well themed interactive restaurant/Desert Bar/ and or family oriented bar makes a lot sense.
Which space? Rainforest Cafe wants to return, but Disney aren’t talking to them according to OC Register. So could Disney be holding out for new plans? ESPN Zone is definitely vacant. Make a Drunk Mickey Bar and Grill.
SMART idea to truly expand Downtown Disney with social settings, i.e. bars and food.
If they have an animatronic bartender of the old drunk goose from the Aristocats with the voice and hiccups, I am in. What was his name? Uncle something or other...
They need to get back to "family" entertainment. It used to be fun. Now it's just a place for them to seek more money.
Heffalumps & Booze-les
The Hundred Lager Wood
Pink Elephants on Parade
The Fox and the Rounds
The Million Dollar Drunk
The Emperor’s Brew Groove
Treasure Slam-It
Bloody Mary Poppins
That Darn Cabernet!
The Little Barmaid
Boozy and the Beast
James and the Giant Peach Schnapps
Air Bud
The possibilities are endless!
Jack Sparrow's Pirate Rum
Malificent's Secret Potion
Snow White's Apple Martini
Hitchhiking Ghost Toast
They could theme each bar to a country. Maybe include a few shops and food stands along the way. Maybe host a festival or two throughout the year too. People could try to "drink around the world". Think that concept would catch on?
MK
Bibedi Babedi Booze-tique.
It's a booze boat after all.
Main Street liqueur parlor.
DHS
Indiana Jones unknown cousin bar.
The Dark Room adult bar.
Walt Disney presents; overlong movie previews and beer.
Epcot
Living with the Drinks.
The Imagination Bar (imagine there is actually a decent amount of alcohol in your mix drinks).
AK
Na'vi blue bar, see finally illuminated plants at night after these drinks.
Rivers of Light and longdrinks.
Yeti cocktail bar, not shaken, not stirred (blinking light included).
Or they could theme a section of Yak and Yeti. If you can take 50 shots and not die against an animatronic Sherpa, you are given a medallion which allows you a lifetime of fast passes in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom or the Indiana Jones attraction at DL. But I still prefer the bar run by an animatronic goose.
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Hear me out...
Barbossa's Guillotine Billet (If Jack owned it their would never be rum on hand)
Snuggley Duckling
Ravenwood's imported libations
Miricale Ice House (A hockey themed igloo bar)
Jack and Sally's