DisneyQuest closing...ESPN Club moving

[tjkraz]

Check out this article at Jim Hill Media:

http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2006/04/25/2051.aspx

It says, in part:

This "quest" is finally coming to an end.

What was once supposed to have been the flagship of an entire chain of 30 indoor theme parks, one that would have eventually encircled the globe, DisneyQuest will be closing in 18 months. Then this 5-story tall, 100,000 square foot structure -- which towers over the West Side section of Downtown Disney -- will be gutted & turned into a brand-new ESPN Zone.

Later on the article states that the ESPN Club at the BoardWalk will closing in conjunction with opening the new location.

Not sure whether to classify this one as "rumor" or "news." A lot of Jim's stuff tends to lean toward speculative, but this piece is written very matter-of-factly. This one doesn't come completely out-of-the-blue--I've actually heard the ESPN-to-DQ rumors in the past. And, with all of the upheaval at DTD right now, the timing seems to fit the "reimagining" of that location.

I wonder if they will keep any of the DQ attractions as part of the new ESPN club. The current ESPN club does have a small arcade and it seems like overkill to just start packing tables into that huge 100,000 sq ft DQ building. The current ESPN location is about 1/10th that size.

[PoohsPal]

Wow. I've never been to DQ but I was under the impression taht many people love it there. Kin dof surprises me. Thanks for passing it on tjkraz!

[granny]

Personally, we'd hate to see this because we really enjoy dining at the ESPN Club on Boardwalk. But it does make some sense in that ESPN has already developed the concept and has multiple locations.
I wonder if they will keep any of the DQ attractions as part of the new ESPN club. The current ESPN club does have a small arcade and it seems like overkill to just start packing tables into that huge 100,000 sq ft DQ building. The current ESPN location is about 1/10th that size.
My guess is that ESPN will turn this into a mega-Zone. Look at this link to see the types of interactive activities ESPN has in other locations. http://www.espnzone.com/sportsarena/

Now imagine all those "highlighted games" being in one location!

I hope this rumor is false....on the other hand, after visiting DQ last summer I'd have to say it was a disaster due to huge crowds, no supervision, etc. Of course, it could end up being the same as an ESPN Zone.

Thanks for the info.

[carolina_yankee]

Hmmm. No one on WDWMagic boards is challenging the rumor and many are saying DQ has seen better days. It seems that they'd be the DQ target audience (younger, tech-savvy) and they aren't interested. Maybe DQ is up for a major overhaul.

Dirk

[tjkraz]

Hmmm. No one on WDWMagic boards is challenging the rumor and many are saying DQ has seen better days. It seems that they'd be the DQ target audience (younger, tech-savvy) and they aren't interested.

I'll be going there in a few weeks--using tickets that were purchased almost 2 years (and 4 trips) ago, but have remained unused. Like so many other lesser attractions, it usually falls victim to the reality that there is soooo much to do at WDW and so little time.

Back in '03 we purchased the Ultimate Park Hopper passes while staying at OKW and made it over 3 or 4 times in a week. It was not an overwhelmingly positive experience. The building is poorly designed and difficult to navigate. I was surprised at the low capacity of many of the rides. Our visits were all mid-afternoon in late January. Crowds were light, but people were standing in line 20+ minutes for a short spin on the Buzz Lightyear bumper cars.

Maybe DQ is up for a major overhaul.

I think that's part of the rationale for the closure in Jim's article. If you read between the lines, DQ attractions are expensive to develop and have a limited audience. If the DQ concept had actually grown into 30+ locations worldwide, from a budgetary standpoint you've got each location being charged 1/30th of ride development costs. But with just one location, it's too expensive to press forward with new concepts.

[AmyBeth68]

I'm not really sure how to feel about this since I've never been to DQ. However, we will miss having the ESPN zone at BW. My big question is WHAT will go in the ESPN space at BW???? My kids want to try out DQ....best be on the safe side and do it in August when we're there!!!

Who knows...maybe if it is true it will be for the better. But right now I guess I'm a bit concerned?!

[ghost1000]

So far no one is reporting the closing of DisneyQuest except Jim Hill.

The same Jim Hill who told us last year go that Matt Ouimet was leaving Disneyland Resort to take over as president of WDW.

The same Jim Hill who told us last spring about the new Pirates water park that was going to be built.

The same Jim Hill who announced in 2004 (and 2003) that the Haunted Mansion Holiday was being moved to the Magic Kingdom in WDW.

I rest my case.

[Deep-Thots]

Personally, I love DQ, so I'd hate to see it go.

However, the ESPNZone in Manhattan is very cool, so if they turned DQ into a mega-ESPNZone, that wouldn't be too bad (sure hope they keep CyberSpace Mountain, tho!).

The big question for me, if this does indeed happen, is, "What will this mean for PAPs?" The primary reason we purchase PAPs is to be able to use them at DQ. If ESPNZone is not part of that package, I think we'll just be going with regular old APs in the future.

Kim

[tjkraz]

So far no one is reporting the closing of DisneyQuest except Jim Hill.

Hey, you forgot the one about the nighttime version of PotC at DL. :hahahaha:

Seriously though, I did mention the "rumor" aspect of this in my post and this is the Rumors and News board. However, I was quite surprised at the matter-of-fact-ness with which this particular article was written. Normally Jim will use phrases like "...if so-and-so gets his way..." when discussing these types of changes at WDW. That isn't the case here.

For what it's worth, I do believe that Jim has excellent sources on some of the scoops that never panned-out. When discussing ride or theme park concepts (like the Pirates water park), we all know they can get derailed at dozens of different managerial checkpoints.

Only time will tell whether this one is true or not. Somebody has to be there first, right?

I suspect that many other Disney webmasters have spent the day grilling their sources for confirmation or denial, and we may have a clearer picture before the end of the week.

For my money, this is a rumor that seems to make a lot of sense. Clearly Disney had hoped to turn DQ into a franchise, but that's never going to happen. It's been 5 or 6 years since DQ opened a new attraction. We've also got the rest of DTD being re-designed. Why should DQ be exempt?

Meanwhile, ESPN is huge brand name right now, but the club is stuck in a location that's difficult for the casual guest to even reach.

I've never been to another ESPN Zone, but from what I'm hearing here, it sounds like most "Zones" are a combination of the ESPN Club and DQ. Synergy, baby!

[cobbler]

My family has never visited DQ so to us this would be a good thing. Of course hubby, like must guys, is into sports so this would be a very nice addition within walking distance from our home.

Although if it does go through he will be pestering me more to stay at home :scary: (Staying home isn't bad, its just I want to try all the other resorts first, and this will make it harder).

[jiggerj]

I'm not really sure how to feel about this since I've never been to DQ. However, we will miss having the ESPN zone at BW. My big question is WHAT will go in the ESPN space at BW???? My kids want to try out DQ....best be on the safe side and do it in August when we're there!!!

Who knows...maybe if it is true it will be for the better. But right now I guess I'm a bit concerned?!

My thoughts as well AmyBeth68...What will take the place of ESPN on the Boardwalk? Now if they moved HOB over to the Boardwalk I would NEVER leave! :)

[dvcconvert]

Personally, we'd hate to see this because we really enjoy dining at the ESPN Club on Boardwalk.

Well...If we're all spectulating about Jim's "reporting" -- let's also "speculate" that it's possible that 'should' DQ go bye-bye, replaced by a grander ESPN precessence--that the BW ESPN club is not automatically 'nuked' -- it is/has been and remains a productive profit center for dinning & entertainment. :)

[bavaria]

I agree - almost every time I walk past ESPN at BW the line is out the door. Lots of 'dinning' (and even some dining!) happening there....... ;)

[fernzy10]

can't say I'd be too disappointed just visited for the 1st time in Feb. It was extremely crowded not enough stuff for little kids (the few they had weren't working) so I stood around w/ 2&3yo DD while DH & DS spent 20-30m to get on a ride. Also spent 20m waiting for elevator since we couldn't find the stairs to the exit. It was very confusing to get around & actually scary being there w/ little ones & being in a place where they could easily get trampled by all the older kids who didn't care who they knocked over to get to the next ride. What a waste of $100 (only stayed 2h) don't plan on ever going back anyway. My only bad memory from WDW.
I've been to ESPN-zone in Baltimore quite a few times and all though it can also get crowded they at least have more rides/attractions to do. We'd definitely go there.

[jdvm]

Well, my kids and I would hate to see it go....but if it does, i wonder if they'd sell the Centipede and Space Invaders games???

[ripleysmom]

The first time we went DH and the kids loved it but I thought it was just so-so. The last time we went lots of stuff was broken and the carpets were so dirty and ratty I couldn't wait to get out of there.

Should be interesting to see of the rumor turns out to be true.

[dvcconvert]

Lots of 'dinning' (and even some dining!) happening there....... ;)


smartiehosen


:snooty: :sunny: :D :D


Pictured here - > :dunce:
Is a Convert without spill chick

:D

[KNWVIKING]

Personally, I love DQ, so I'd hate to see it go.

However, the ESPNZone in Manhattan is very cool, so if they turned DQ into a mega-ESPNZone, that wouldn't be too bad (sure hope they keep CyberSpace Mountain, tho!).

The big question for me, if this does indeed happen, is, "What will this mean for PAPs?" The primary reason we purchase PAPs is to be able to use them at DQ. If ESPNZone is not part of that package, I think we'll just be going with regular old APs in the future.

Kim

IIRC DQ wasn't always included in the PAP. IMO adding as a PAP perk was a sign it was failing.

[KNWVIKING]

I have no problem with DQ becoming an ESPN megazone. We hit he one in DL and enjoyed it very much - moreso then DQ.

I have mixed emotions about the closing of the ESPN Club over at BW. The anticipation of spending the evening watching the Vikes beat the Packers on MNF at the club gets crushed in the reality that in order to do so one needs to arrive at the club in time for breakfast. For any major sporting event - or at least one worth spending precious vacation time to watch - the place packs out so bad it's barely enjoyable even if you did arrive hours earlier just to get a seat.

[greenban]

Well, my kids and I would hate to see it go....but if it does, i wonder if they'd sell the Centipede and Space Invaders games???

Sorry, you are too late!

I already bid on:

Centipede, Elevator Action, Missle Command and Q-Bert!

:)

-Tony

[DSNY FN]

Well we are going to take teh kids to DQ this Dec they have never been so if this comes true atleast they will have been to it once.

[ghost1000]

Here's an update from the Orlando Sentinel (http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2006/04/walt_disney_wor.html).

Walt Disney World officials are throwing water on a hot report earlier this week in a reliable Internet site, which says the company plans to close the big DisneyQuest arcade at Downtown Disney in 2008 and replace it with a new, big ESPN Zone.

JimHillMedia.com, a well-plugged-in Disney insider blog, broke the news, citing well-placed but unidentified sources. Nothing to it, Disney officials responded. After all, said Djuan Rivers, Walt Disney World's vice president for Downtown Disney, the company just invested millions of dollars the past year in a major upgrade of everything from software to carpeting in the 100,000-square-foot "virtual theme park."

Blogger Jim Hill stands by his story.

It's worth keeping an eye on. Initially, DisneyQuest was supposed to be a big deal; Disney talked about building 20 of them, all over the place. But the only other one that ever opened, in Chicago, closed in 2001 after just two years. And even though DisneyQuest supposedly is making money, Walt Disney Co. President Bob Iger seemed to dismiss the whole concept in March when, referring to what he called a "theme park in a box," said, "We tried and failed at that."

Score another one for Jim Hill.

[doombuggy]

I am under the impression that ESPN Zone is less resturant and more arcade-like. The ESPN Club is really a resturant/bar. One that I should probably be at right now, watching the hockey gaem. :teleport:

[tjkraz]

Score another one for Jim Hill.

That's a little harsh. Even the Sentinel admits that Disney's denial is dubious at best. I don't recall Disney EVER announcing the closing of anything 18 months ahead of time, and they certainly weren't going to alter their plans here just because it was reported on the 'net.

Seems there are three possibilities here:

1. The information (as provided by CMs inside the company) is correct--at least as of today.

2. Jim is intentionally being fed mis-information by CMs. Seems a little far-fetched. There are certainly Disney websites that will print any little anonymous rumor sent their way. I think Jim is a little more selective about verifying his sources before breaking a story of this magnitude.

3. The entire thing is made up. I don't really see that as a possibility. While not all of his stories pan-out, he does have a better track record than many others. And, based upon the type of information (including artwork in many cases) fed to him in the past by CMs, he does have reliable inside sources.

And even if the article is representative of Disney's thinking today, it's certainly conceivable that it will change over the next year-and-a-half. It wasn't all that long ago that EVERY Disney website was reporting on the Pixar character meal coming soon to Hollywood and Vine. See where that got 'em?

Maybe you can help me explain the animosity toward Jim's site. If we assume that stories he prints are accurate at the time of printing, is he being held responsible for any change-of-heart on the part of Disney upper management?

For example, you previously mentioned the Haunted Mansion Holiday. Yes, Jim did run articles saying that it would be coming to WDW. He also wrote follow-ups saying that the plans had been scratched and gave detailed information on the reasons.

How is this any different than, say, WDWmagic.com posting the rumor about "Block Party Bash" coming to MGM or Allearsnet.com posting rumors and photos (of unapproved model rooms) regarding the Value resort family suites? If Disney decides not to move BPB to MGM, does that mean we rake WDWMagic over the coals?

(BTW, regarding the Pirates water park, Jim never said that it was coming to WDW--only that Imagineers were working on it. He even printed concept artwork. The Imagineers have certainly worked on thousands of concepts over the years that never came to light, and he was very clear in descrbing this project as conceptual.)

[4greatboys]

IIRC DQ wasn't always included in the PAP. IMO adding as a PAP perk was a sign it was failing.


It was just recently added to the MYW tickets. It wasnt included in the park hoppers. We have had PAP's for several years now and DQ has been on there as long as we have had them.

We would just go with regular AP's if they do away with DQ. My kids dont really care much for the water parks.

[ghost1000]

My apologies, tjkraz. I personally don't have a high opinion of Jim Hill. I don't visit his website very often, but when I do it appears to me that's he's circulating another wild rumor.

But that's just me. Maybe I just don't have enough insight into what he does.

[greenban]

Here's an update from the Orlando Sentinel (http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2006/04/walt_disney_wor.html).



Score another one for Jim Hill.

Oh great!

Now where can I get an elevator action, Q-Bert & Missle Command for $25.00 each!

Bummer.

I was gonna list them on eBay as genuine Disney Video Games, and include free 'coasters' from OKW to boot!

-Tony

:frog1:

[dvcconvert]

Jim is intentionally being fed mis-information by CMs. Seems a little far-fetched.

It's not THAT far fetched! :D Jim (while I like him personally) has burnt some bridges -- especially with cast members (both front line and Management) in Anaheim. ;)