Merriam Pleasure

**Merriam Pleasure** is a character from the defunct *Pleasure Island* of Walt Disney World's *Downtown Disney*.

## History

### Background

Merriam Pleasure was born the July 3 of 1911 to sailor and business-tycoon Merriweather Adam Pleasure and his wife Isabella Pleasure. Merriam was the couple's only daughter, having two elder brothers named Henry and Stewart Pleasure, each of whom was born on July 4th. Due to this, the holiday-obsessed Merriweather used his wealth and influence to legally change Merriam's birthday to July 4th, 1911.

Merriweather was a follower of the Funmeister, a pagan god which had him build on its domain of the Federber Peninsula in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Merriam was born during the construction process while the Pleasure family was living in their paddle-wheel steamboat *The Cox-Sherohman Floating Arts Palace*. In 1917, Merriweather set off the, "World's Largest Firecracker" to celebrate the end of World War I and inadvertently turned the peninsula into an island which he renamed to, "Pleasure Island".

The July 4th of 1918, the Pleasure family moved into a lavish house constructed on Pleasure Island. Merriam herself would become a skilled sailor like her father and often adventured with him. At some point in the 1930s, Merriam became a member of her father's adventuring guild, "The Adventurers Club" which made their headquarters on the island. In 1944, Merriam was amongst those who disappeared when Hurricane Charlotte hit Pleasure Island.

### Development history

In the retconned backstory for Pleasure Island, Merriam and her father disappeared on an Antarctic expedition aboard their ship *The Dominoe* in 1941.

## Jungle Cruise appearances

### Jungle Cruise

In Alberta Falls' office within the boathouse of the Lost Delta is a parcel sent to her by Merriam Pleasure at the Adventurers Club.

### Other connections

#### Skipper Canteen

In the Falls estate is a fez belonging to Merriweather Adam Pleasure and books by him including, "Another New Year", "Global Night Celebrations" and "American Prosperity Abroad". Adventurers Club president Pamelia Perkins is also referenced in the menu.

#### Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar

Trader Sam has a framed photograph of Merriam's mother, Isabella Pleasure riding the Orient express in 1907.There are also various references to the Adventurers Club and Sam's affiliation with htem.

#### Tropical Hideaway

On a wall in this island location is an oar commemorating Merriweather Adam Pleasure's 1900 river-expedition on the Kissimmee river of Florida.

## Other appearances

### Pleasure Island

Merriam Pleasure was frequently referenced in the backstory of this area.

## Trivia

* As Merriam was not referenced as a member of the Adventurers Club in the original Adventurers Club attraction, it is possible that she did not become a member until *after* the attraction's setting in December 31, 1937.

## References

1. ↑ http://www.mainstgazette.com/2009/08/estate-suitable-for-someone-of-their.html
2. ↑ https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2021/07/16/photos-new-jungle-cruise-characters-introduced-as-guests-enter-attraction-queue/
3. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BeKke44FPhb/