Downtown Disney

Pleasure Island (Hyperion Wharf)

The 6-acre Pleasure Island complex, once home to an array of clubs and bars (all of which shut down in 2008), is currently in the end stages of a major redesign, with a completion date set for 2013 and a new name of Hyperion Wharf. Re-imagined in an effort to widen its appeal, in order to attract more than the 21-and-over clubbing set, the island now offers an array of themed restaurants, upscale shops, unique attractions (including Characters in Flight, a tremendous tethered balloon ride), a multiscreen movie theater (with an ETX theater, the first of its kind in the U.S.), a high-end surf shop, and a Harley-Davidson shop. The dining scene saw the addition in 2009 of T-Rex Cafe -- think Rainforest Cafe with a prehistoric twist -- and Paradiso 37, an upscale eatery with a menu that reflects the 37 countries of the Americas (North, South, and Central). Other notable eateries include Raglan Road ; Fulton's Crab House; Portobello, once known as the Portobello Yacht Club; and Planet Hollywood, which is just a few steps way, adjacent to Disney's West Side. Additional updates and enhancements are in the works, ensuring that those in search of an exciting, though more family-friendly, night on the town will not be disappointed. Guests can walk the grounds and enjoy the sights, sounds, and surroundings, making their way from one end of Downtown Disney to the other (all the way from the Marketplace to Hyperion Wharf to the West Side) with ease -- and without having to worry about bringing along the kids.

For more information on Downtown Disney, call tel. 407/939-2648 or go to www.disneyworld.com. Pleasure Island's existing shops and restaurants are currently open daily from 11am to midnight or later (and will remain operational throughout the reconstruction). There's free self-parking, but as the evening wears on (generally after the parks begin to close) spots can become very hard to find.

The Luck of the Irish -- The Great Irish Pubs of Florida, Inc. (the company that created the Nine Fine Irishmen pub in Las Vegas's New York-New York Hotel & Casino), brought the luck of the Irish to Downtown Disney in the form of Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant. The pub is an impressive and inviting member of Disney's collection of unique eateries, immersing guests in a wholly Irish environment that includes custom-made furnishings direct from the Emerald Isles, incredibly high ceilings, rich woodwork, and leaded glass. The spirited atmosphere, where singing, dancing, and clapping are all encouraged, is enhanced by the live nightly entertainment. And the food's pretty good, too, thanks to the culinary creations of Kevin Dundon, one of Ireland's most celebrated chefs. Main courses at dinner are $15 to $30. Pub food is also plentiful and runs $8 to $18.

Not Your Ordinary Circus

Lions and tigers and bears? Oh, no. But you won't feel cheated.

Disney's partnership with Cirque du Soleil, the famous Montreal-based, no-animals circus, is located in Downtown Disney West Side. The eye-popping La Nouba (derived from the French for "to live it up"), set in a custom-built, state-of-the-art theater, is a Fellini-style amalgam of live music, dance, theater, and acrobatics that will have your jaw dropping. Highlights include a cyclist who does things with a bicycle that would make an X-Gamer jealous, a spectacular coordinated trampoline performance, and a pint-size troupe of Chinese acrobats who do tricks with diabolos (Chinese yo-yos) that bring the house down. I rank this one just beneath Las Vegas's Mystère, though the comedic interludes in this production are the best of all the permanent Cirque shows.

That said, though La Nouba is a ton of fun, it's also one of the priciest shows in town, so you need to decide if your budget can take the hit. Ticket prices vary according to location (don't feel you must spend extra for the expensive seats -- nearly every spot in the theater offers a good view) and range from $71 to $124 for adults, $57 to $99 for children 3 to 9 (plus 6.5% tax). Yes, it's an expensive 90 minutes, but prices here are among the cheapest of all the Cirque productions in the U.S. Shows are at 6 and 9pm Tuesday through Saturday, though the show is dark 6 weeks each year. There are occasional matinees, so call ahead (tel. 407/939-7600) or check www.cirquedusoleil.com for information and tickets.

Disney's West Side

This area adjoins Pleasure Island (soon to be Hyperion Wharf) and offers additional shops, restaurants, and a 24-screen AMC Theater.