What
is the Adventurers Club?
The Adventurers
Club (AC) is one of the eight clubs at Pleasure Island
(PI), Walt Disney World's nighttime entertainment
complex. You will not find anything quite like the AC
anywhere else on the island. The AC presents an interactive
entertainment experience in a setting reminiscent of the fictional 1930's
gentleman adventurer clubs, as depicted in Hollywood films of that era.
What kind
of entertainment is presented at the Adventurers Club?
The AC
presents themed interactive entertainment. Think of the AC
as a theater that is presenting a play. In ordinary theaters, the audience
is seated while the action continuously unfolds on the stage in front
of them over a fixed, limited period of time. The AC,
however, is a bit like going to a theater at no special time, sitting
right on the stage -- one that encompasses the entire theater -- and
having the action sporadically occur all around you, even to the extent
of your functioning as an extra in the play.
You are
a visitor to the Adventurers Club on New Years Eve 1937, when
the Club holds an open house for the purpose of recruiting new members
(that’s you). You will be invited to become initiated as a Club
member and participate in the various activities that are held that
evening, such as casting your vote for the Adventurer of the Year.
 Will
I like the Adventurers Club?
The AC
is perhaps a little like the Enchanted Tiki Birds at the Magic Kingdom
in this respect: You'll either love it or dislike it -- not much middle
ground here. Because of its unusual nature, it is hard to predict which
camp a specific individual will fall within. It is fair to say, though,
that many of those who at least initially dislike the AC have
never really experienced what it's all about.
Using the
theater analogy, a brief visit to the AC is like arriving
at the theater a half-hour before the show starts and leaving after
only 15 minutes because nothing has happened yet. This does happen to
many people due to the way the AC is physically laid out as well as
the way the action unfolds. Just as entry to the Magic Kingdom was designed
to be a gradual process (to allow you to put the "real" world
well behind you before you walk down Main Street), you are drawn into
the world of the AC slowly.
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What is the
Adventurers Club like?
As you
enter the AC, you pass into a moderately large, somewhat
darkened room known as the Zebra Mezzanine. The center
of this room is completely open to the floor below (protected by a railing
all around). There is a small Maitre D's podium to the left of the doorway,
but there is usually no one there.
As you walk around to the back, you notice numerous old
captioned photos hanging on the walls; photos that document
the lives and travels of the fictional AC members.
Along the way, you may come across Graves the Butler (one of the resident
characters), all decked-out in formal attire.
Peering
downstairs over the railing, you notice people milling about in the
Main Salon on the lower level. It is a circular room
centered about a life-size bronze statue of a mythical god that is completely
encircled with comfortable seating. On one side is a small bar, and
doorways into the other rooms can be seen at various points around the
outer perimeter. Antique-looking chairs are scattered about. There are
all manner of artifacts mounted on the walls and even hanging from the
ceiling; the combined treasures and mementos of the Club's most daring
and adventurous members!
As you
reach the back of the Zebra Mezzanine, you walk down
the staircase which leads you to the Main Salon. You
enter, locate suitable seating, settle in and relax, perhaps ordering
a drink. Before long, one or another of the club members may pass through.
Perhaps it will be the frumpy Pamelia Perkins, Club
President, or the Club Maid (whose uniform
the gentlemen are sure to notice).
Every twenty
minutes or so an announcement is made in the Main Salon that
the next club activity is about to commence. You will then be directed
to the correct location. Some activities, such as the Club Initiation,
occur right in the Main Salon. Others occur
in the Mask Room, the Treasure Room
or the Library, all of which are just off the Main
Salon. Each of these four rooms have their own special Disney
magic. From walls that come alive in the Mask Room
to Fingers, the haunted organ, in the Library,
myriad strange occurrences punctuate the coming and goings of the slightly
daffy Club members.
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When is
the best time to visit the Adventurers Club and how long should I plan
on staying?
The AC's
doors open at 7 p.m. (Occasionally, the opening may be delayed due to
a private party.) The first activity is usually scheduled for 7:20 and
last starts about 12:40. You can arrive at any time and stay for as
long as you like, but experienced AC visitors will
stay most of the evening, perhaps ducking out to take in a Comedy
Warehouse show or the New Year's celebration,
both of which are just outside the AC's front door.
Although it can get a bit crowded inside at times, you should have no
trouble getting in to the AC, even during the peak
seasons.
Upon arrival,
simply proceed to the Main Salon and wait for the next
activity to begin. After each event, return to the Main Salon
and wait for next one to be announced.
The schedule
of activities and locations can be found on plaques near the
various rooms.
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What is the
cast of characters like?
 There
a number of "permanent" members that seem to show up each
night at the AC to mingle with other Club members and
visitors, as well as to participate in Club events:
Pamelia
Perkins - The fastidious Miss P., Club President, is usually available
to greet visitors, to initiate new Club members and to try to keep things
at the Club under control.
Otis
T. Wren - Club Treasurer and ichthyologist of sorts, Otis is perhaps
not really the adventurer he would like us to believe he is.
Graves
- Loyal Club Butler, the formally attired Graves is usually around and
about tending to the needs of the members.
The
Maid - She often passes through the Main Salon with her feather
duster, ready to keep all those old artifacts clean as a whistle.
Hathaway
Browne - The aviator of the Club and unabashed ladies man, Hathaway
cuts a striking figure as he dashes hither and yon.
Fletcher
Hodges - The slightly off-center Club Curator, Fletcher is the voice
of authority regarding the Clubs eclectic artifact collection.
Samantha
Sterling - This daring adventuress seems to have just returned from
safari, judging by her attire, and is always willing to share her stories
of adventure with other Club members.
Madame
Zarkov - This member of the AC often puts on a gypsy show in the
library on the nights that she visits.
Emil
Bleehall - bumbling but lovable member of the Adventurers' Club.
His innocent charm will keep you in stitches.
There are
also two characters to be found in the Main Salon who are permanent
club fixtures as it were--Babylonia and the Colonel.
If you linger in the Main Salon for a while, one or the other is bound
to animate the proceedings before very long.
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What are
the Library events like?
Major Club
events occur in the Library throughout the evening at intervals of approximately
45 minutes. Seating is primarily at small tables with comfortable padded
chairs. There is additional seating at the bar at the back of the room,
as well as on stools that have been placed along the two-story high
bookcase side walls. The action occurs on the small stage at the front
of the Library. The stage is dominated by the now-haunted pipe organ
console, known as Fingers, that has fallen through the second story
balcony above.
If you
want to be right in the thick of things, there is a bench on each side
of the stage that seats three to four people. Many people do not know
that they can sit here, so you may be able to get these seats even if
you are not first in line when entering. The row of tables just in front
of the stage offers an excellent view, but beware -- this is interactive
entertainment and much of the interacting is with the front row dwellers!
Although
the specific events and scheduled times may vary, the following list will
give you a feel for the kinds of things to expect:
Welcome
Party - generally the first library show on nights when the club
opens on time (when it doesn't they dispense with this show). Club members
greet their open house guests with a singalong.
Serial
Radio Thriller Broadcast - The AC is the site of this regular radio
broadcast put on by various Club members.
Balderdash
Cup Competition - This competition is for the Club member with the
best adventure story of the year, which, as we all know is just balderdash.
Second
Annual Radiothon Talent Show - The AC has to pay the rent and this
annual tradition is designed to raise money by showcasing the inimitable
talents of the Club members.
Adventurers
Cabaret - Some Club members actually can sing up a storm, most notably
Samantha Sterling, daring adventuress.
Maid's
Sing-A-Long - Join in with the Club Maid for a song-fest.
Bon
Voyage Hoopla! - The night is nearly over and this is a fitting
send-off for adventurers 'til next time.
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What's
in the Mask Room?
The Mask
Room is a cozy alcove just off the Main Salon which
serves as the repository for the Club's extensive collection of rare
and unusual native masks collected from around the world. And,
in the best Disney tradition, these masks have an attitude!
At different times throughout the evening, you will be invited in to
mingle with the masks. (Members of the Disney internet
group RADP can often be found in the Mask Room.)
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What's
in the Treasure Room?
A second
alcove off the Main Salon houses the Treasure
Room, which displays many of the Club's rarest
and most interesting artifacts. At different times throughout the evening,
you will be invited into the Treasure Room. Keep an
eye on the back wall and you will soon encounter the Club's
resident disembodied spirit.
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What kind
of refreshments are served at the Adventurers Club?
The AC
serves the standard range of mixed drinks and bottled beer,
as well as several special Adventurers Club mixed drinks
which are available with or without alcohol. Soft drinks can also be
purchased. The Adventurers Club does not serve any food.
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Is the
Adventurers Club suitable for children?
Children
may attend the Club and might enjoy some of the AC entertainment.
Be advised, though, that the entertainment at the AC
is often spontaneous and therefore can sometimes be rather adult in
nature, or PG-13 in movie terms. (As a general note, children under
the age of 18 are required to be accompanied by an adult at all
times when at PI after 7 p.m.)
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Where
is the Adventurers Club?
The AC
is located at Pleasure Island, just to the right of
the BET Soundstage and right across the West
End Stage plaza from the Comedy Warehouse.
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Is there
anything else I should know about the Adventurers Club?
The Official
Drink of the Adventurer's Club is the KUNGALOOSH!
Be sure
to participate in the new member induction!
Ask the
Colonel to teach you the Beer
Song.
The stools
at the Main Salon bar can be made to slowly rise or
fall at the whim of the bartender.
The illuminated
ship-in-the-bottle that is displayed on the wall behind the Library
bar doesn't always just sit there looking pretty. Keep an eye
on it after the storm.
If you
just can't get enough of the AC in one night and decide
to return a few nights later, don't be surprised if Otis T.
Wren has become Fletcher Hodges, or the Maid
has become Samantha Sterling: Cast members
sometimes take different roles on different nights. Also, there are
at least two different cast members available to take on each role.
Private
parties can be booked into the AC during the day or
early evening. These sometimes delay the opening of the club to the
general public.
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