Disney charges extortionate rents for their tenants. That's why there's so many empty storefronts - even in the older areas (they're well hidden, but still there).
When Pleasure Island went open-admission the idea was to get tenants. The ridiculous asking price from Disney prevented that and it crumbled. The live entertainment costs became a burden and the clubs when open were seen as a liability.
Then they decided to redo the area as Hyperion Wharf - still "themed" but removing all the live entertainment, clubs, etc.. that were seen as problematic. Again, no willing tenants.
So they value engineered again, shrunk the size of most storefronts, and generally made it an outlet mall. The inclusion of certain brands was essentially promised to other stores to guarantee foot traffic - but the reality is that makes a mall, not a themed area. So, mall it is.
Honestly, the only store so far that seems to have gone above and beyond to have their own unique space is Uniqlo. It has that relatively huge chunk behind TRex.