View Full Version : DisneyQuest???
BrinxFam
07-16-2006, 09:52 PM
A short time ago I read on here that Disney Quest might be closing? Is this true? Is there any new information?
DannyDisneyFreak
07-17-2006, 09:11 AM
Yeah, it's closing and they are moving in the ESPN zone from the Boardwalk. It's sad, I thought DQ was cool, I wish they would have went ahead and put DQs all around the country, I guess it was to expensive.
BrinxFam
07-17-2006, 04:03 PM
Any idea when it is supposed to close?
DWatWDW
07-17-2006, 04:52 PM
It is still a rumor, there is no official announcement as far as I know, but the rumored closing is 2008.
Yeah, it's closing and they are moving in the ESPN zone from the Boardwalk. It's sad, I thought DQ was cool, I wish they would have went ahead and put DQs all around the country, I guess it was to expensive.
Sorry but no.
It's still in the rumor phase.
I have heard absolutely NOTHING to confirm this story yet. I have friends who work at Disney Quest, and other random places who would know something by now - and they don't... so I hold absolutely no stock in this rumor as of yet.
BrinxFam
07-18-2006, 09:37 AM
GREAT! Our girls loved DQ and we were hoping to go next year during our trip. They will be so excited when I tell them that we might still be able to. Thanks!
DannyDisneyFreak
07-18-2006, 09:53 AM
I'm pretty sure I read this somewhere that it is more than a rumor. I could be wrong. Maybe it is unofficial, not publicaly announced but more than just rumor.
floridaminnie
07-18-2006, 10:12 AM
Part of it is the cost of keeping the place up. I'm surprised it has been open as long as it has been.
You know - they actually just spend A LOT of money on Disney Quest within the past year even... which loweres the credibility of this rumor even more....
raidermatt
07-18-2006, 01:03 PM
One thing to consider is that DQ was supposed to be a chain, but that failed, and the WDW location is the only one left.
Not saying this means it has to close, but it should hardly be a shock if it does close.
With ESPN, the Zone's have been pretty successful, so it would follow that Disney would like to have a Zone, and not just a Club, at WDW. Further, DTD would probably be the ideal location.
Again, doesn't mean the rumor is true, but at the same time, this isn't one coming out of left field either.
floridaminnie
07-19-2006, 09:08 AM
You know - they actually just spend A LOT of money on Disney Quest within the past year even... which loweres the credibility of this rumor even more....
I'm curious on where they've spent the money. I've been there and shaken my head as I've seen things get worse and worse over the years.
Tink's Tormentor
07-19-2006, 09:21 AM
I'm pretty sure I read this somewhere that it is more than a rumor. I could be wrong. Maybe it is unofficial, not publicaly announced but more than just rumor.
You probably read it on Jim Hill's site... and take what he says with a grain of salt.... DQ closing is nothing more than a rumor at this point...
doubletrouble_vb
07-19-2006, 02:24 PM
I dunno...the one ESPN Zone I've been in (in Manhattan) seemed to have a lot in common with Disney Quest...except the giant restaurant area. I don't think changing DQ over to a Zone would necessarily be the biggest change in the world. Maybe they'll make it ESPNQuest.
surfer_ed
07-20-2006, 12:43 PM
I hope they don't close yet, I always wanted to go and even have a ticket but never can squeeze it into our trips. Now we have a 2 year old so I am not sure she would be occupied for a whole afternoon there.
exDS vet
07-21-2006, 05:35 PM
While seeing Disney Quest go would be bad, I think having both DQ and ESPN Zone at DTD would be worse. And the Boardwalk location is too small to house the ESPN Zone.
markb
07-21-2006, 06:48 PM
Can't see it.
the place is a "money machine!" It's packed in the summer, sucks a crowd out of the parks, which from a "crowd managment" standpoint is the idea, and teens love it, perpetuating the Disney brand with the 13-17 yo crowd.
Don't see it closing.
exDS vet
07-21-2006, 08:44 PM
Can't see it.
the place is a "money machine!" It's packed in the summer, sucks a crowd out of the parks, which from a "crowd managment" standpoint is the idea, and teens love it, perpetuating the Disney brand with the 13-17 yo crowd.
Don't see it closing.
But ESPN is also a Disney brand, and sports is a much bigger draw with teen boys and men. ESPN Zone is also a proven success, unlike Disney Quest, which failed outside of WDW. Where the ESPN club is a big draw during sporting events, the other elements of ESPN Zone make it a consistent draw at all other times as well.
ChrisFL
07-21-2006, 11:12 PM
but Disney already has the ESPN club...they can get a bigger venue for it, but why not just expand the ESPN club a bit?
Anyway, maybe if they refreshed the DQ virtual rides and giving them a sports theme? I don't know, or maybe just move the DQ stuff to someplace like Epcot, that would work for me.
exDS vet
07-22-2006, 03:02 AM
but Disney already has the ESPN club...they can get a bigger venue for it, but why not just expand the ESPN club a bit?
Anyway, maybe if they refreshed the DQ virtual rides and giving them a sports theme? I don't know, or maybe just move the DQ stuff to someplace like Epcot, that would work for me.
I think moving DQ items to Epcot could solve one problem. I've only been to Disneyland's ESPN Zone twice, and ESPN Club twice as well. It seems to me that an expansion at the Boardwalk location would have to be pretty huge, the "Club" them is a better fit at the Boardwalk, while the bigger, more exciting "Zone" would be an excellent fit at DTD, as it is at Disneyland.
BethA
07-22-2006, 04:23 PM
where have they invested money--I have not seen anything new there-or improved-- in years
Coopsmum77
07-22-2006, 06:42 PM
Hi All,
This is my first post! I am currently working with someone from the group sales department for a trip next summer. We were talking about tickets, and she said that DQ is currently included, but will be closed before next summer. I guess that makes it kind of official.
This was the first time I was going to try out the DQ.
Oh well.
goofyluva9293
07-23-2006, 12:14 PM
I personally will be really sad if DQ does close... especially if they turn it into an ESPN Zone! My 2 DD's 14 & 12 love DQ and we make it a point to go every year but we've only been to an ESPN Zone once and won't be going back! My girls hated it ... it seemed too geared toward boys and men. If they could somehow combine the 2 and not make it 100% sports related then maybe! I don't see why they don't just put an ESPN Zone at the WWS! Unless it would take away from the All STar Cafe, it seems like it would fit better there and maybe would bring more people out that way?! Oh well I guess there's nothing I can do about it either way. We'll just make a point to go to DQ on our next trip and make sure to enjoy it to the fullest, just in case its our last time. :confused3
JoeEpcotRocks
07-23-2006, 10:59 PM
I'm curious on where they've spent the money. I've been there and shaken my head as I've seen things get worse and worse over the years.
Agreed.
They either have to to some serious updates/changes to Disney Quest or close it. We will not go again. (We liked their food a lot, though.)
Keyser
07-25-2006, 11:58 PM
Anyway, maybe if they refreshed the DQ virtual rides and giving them a sports theme?
The problem with this is that the virtual rides that give DQ its unique character are too expensive to develop for only a single location. The original custom VR rides (which remain some of the best VR experiences anywhere) were developed under a model where the development cost would be amortized over multiple DisneyQuest locations. It seems pretty unlikely they will be able to really refresh the virtual rides (due to the cost of human time, not just hardware) in a cost-effective manner.
DQ is just about my favorite place anywhere, but I can't see any way it will last long-term, since most of the truly unique parts of it seem doomed to gradual obsolescence. Of course, you never know - it could be that VR authoring will become simple enough that such a refresh could be made more feasible...
Lanshark
07-29-2006, 02:39 PM
I very seldom post over here but this one caught my eye. We love DQ and go 3-4 times every trip. Is there any way to prove or disprove a rumor like this.
MJMcBride
07-29-2006, 10:55 PM
Can't see it.
the place is a "money machine!"
If it was a "money machine" they would have built what they plan. Seems like its more of a "money pit".
dementia412
07-30-2006, 01:33 AM
All I can say is my dh will be royally po'ed if it closes before we go.. DQ was a big selling point on the entire WDW vacation. And please, please leave all that boring sports junk in ESPN, I hate sports, my dh hates sports, and there are lots of us sports haters out here who would never go anywhere near a place branded ESPN! I can't believe that it's losing money, but it all depends on how much the upkeep is... they could be pulling lots in, but just have massive outflow, so I could understand it, but it would be terrible to see it go down b4 I get a chance to see it.
iHEARTflorida
07-30-2006, 06:55 AM
oh well better get there this year if it might be closing thn
ChrisFL
07-30-2006, 04:27 PM
I dont think DQ was ever marketed correctly to begin with...even when you're right in front of it, do you have any idea whats inside? Not really.
TastefullyChris
08-04-2006, 12:46 AM
Ooooo...I'm in big trouble! We were planning to go to DQ this spring, but it was my boys' first WDW vacation and we just ran out of time. They really wanted to see it and I promised them we would do it "next time". Well, it took us 3 years to save for the trip we just took, I don't see us going back before next summer. BUMMER!!!
BTW, we had a DQ here in Chicago and it ended up closing after what seemed like only a few years. The boys were too young at the time it was open here.
Cindy B
08-04-2006, 06:49 AM
If it was a "money machine" they would have built what they plan. Seems like its more of a "money pit".
The Disney Quest in Philadelphia was planned. However, there were problems with the city administration regarding costs, construction, etc. What was to be a great Disney Quest was just a big pile of dirt.
The way the story played out it was more of the city's fault, than Disney's.
I hope they don't close DQ. We really enjoy it. My kids aren't real sports kids but love video games.
DWatWDW
08-04-2006, 07:53 AM
Ooooo...I'm in big trouble! We were planning to go to DQ this spring, but it was my boys' first WDW vacation and we just ran out of time. They really wanted to see it and I promised them we would do it "next time". Well, it took us 3 years to save for the trip we just took, I don't see us going back before next summer. BUMMER!!!
BTW, we had a DQ here in Chicago and it ended up closing after what seemed like only a few years. The boys were too young at the time it was open here.
DQ will still be there next summer. I think they would give at least a year notice before closing it to ramp down the annual passes.
westjones
08-04-2006, 10:52 AM
DQ will still be there next summer. I think they would give at least a year notice before closing it to ramp down the annual passes.
I hope so. We hadn't planned a trip for next summer yet, but it seems like we keep going back to Disney, so maybe we can get it in one more time before it closes.
I bought a 10 day hopper with the 5 Plus (non-expire) because of Disney Quest! So I would like to get another visit in before it closes.
DJ
MJMcBride
08-04-2006, 09:01 PM
The Disney Quest in Philadelphia was planned. However, there were problems with the city administration regarding costs, construction, etc. What was to be a great Disney Quest was just a big pile of dirt.
The way the story played out it was more of the city's fault, than Disney's.
You may be right about that I don't know. But I will say the one they actually did build (in Chicago I think) failed and closed. I think that had a lot to do with why more didn't open. If it did well, it would have remained open and other places would have gotten them.
swoosie34
08-05-2006, 02:35 PM
They had a Disney Quest in Chicago but it went out of business a few years later.
The Disney Quest in Philadelphia was planned. However, there were problems with the city administration regarding costs, construction, etc. What was to be a great Disney Quest was just a big pile of dirt.
The way the story played out it was more of the city's fault, than Disney's.
I live near Philadelphia and this was the story we've all come to understand.
Condorman
08-05-2006, 11:21 PM
The DQ in Chicago was a failed venture from the start. A family of four or five spending an average $70-80 just to get in, not to mention souvenirs and dining, puts a five-six hour adventure at $200. For the first two summers in Chicago the lines went out the door. But no one went in the winter. And having only a handful of VR rides for the 150 people standing in line waiting to use them was never going to float. I went two weeks before it closed. I paid half price to get in and enjoyed it very much. Ultimately, it was a good idea poorly executed -- and no matter how many people on these boards say they like DQ in WDW, it will eventually close for all the same reasons. I can't say I will miss it, though. I don't go to WDW to spend all my time indoors.
MJMcBride
08-05-2006, 11:45 PM
Ultimately, it was a good idea poorly executed
Gotta tell you I disagree. It was a bad idea poorly executed.
Coopsmum77
08-06-2006, 01:46 PM
DQ will still be there next summer. I think they would give at least a year notice before closing it to ramp down the annual passes.
According to the person I spoke to in Disney sales, DQ will not be there next summer. It will be closed to revamp into an ESPN Sports Zone. She was quoting what is included in the parks and more ticket option, and said that while DQ is currently included, it wouldn't be part of next year's ticket as it is closing.
westjones
08-07-2006, 08:27 AM
According to the person I spoke to in Disney sales, DQ will not be there next summer. It will be closed to revamp into an ESPN Sports Zone. She was quoting what is included in the parks and more ticket option, and said that while DQ is currently included, it wouldn't be part of next year's ticket as it is closing.
OK, I am confused now. Does it sound like DQ will be around for the summer of 2007 and be closed by 2008? Or does it sound like it will actually be closed by the summer of 2007?
We would really like to get in one more visit before it closes!
DJ
Coopsmum77
08-07-2006, 06:45 PM
My ticket quote was for the summer of 2007, and she implied that the Disney Quest would not be included for next summer as it will be closed.
Odd how someone in sales would know something before some of the managers that work in that building.....
DWatWDW
08-08-2006, 12:03 PM
According to the person I spoke to in Disney sales, DQ will not be there next summer. It will be closed to revamp into an ESPN Sports Zone. She was quoting what is included in the parks and more ticket option, and said that while DQ is currently included, it wouldn't be part of next year's ticket as it is closing.
I just bought an annual pass. I dont think they would sell me a pass for something that will not be there. Leaves them open to too many lawsuits.
Coopsmum77
08-08-2006, 05:00 PM
I'm just relaying what I heard from the folks at the Leisure Sales.
DWatWDW
08-09-2006, 01:51 PM
The DQ in Chicago was a failed venture from the start. A family of four or five spending an average $70-80 just to get in, not to mention souvenirs and dining, puts a five-six hour adventure at $200. For the first two summers in Chicago the lines went out the door. But no one went in the winter. And having only a handful of VR rides for the 150 people standing in line waiting to use them was never going to float. I went two weeks before it closed. I paid half price to get in and enjoyed it very much. Ultimately, it was a good idea poorly executed -- and no matter how many people on these boards say they like DQ in WDW, it will eventually close for all the same reasons. I can't say I will miss it, though. I don't go to WDW to spend all my time indoors.
I agree it was a good idea poorly executed. I love video games, and love to go play. But the DQ here has a bad layout, is really confusing and chaotic, and the lines are too long (both for the VR games and the arcade ones).
I just bought an annual pass. I dont think they would sell me a pass for something that will not be there. Leaves them open to too many lawsuits.
Not really...
"Parks or Attractions may change operating hours; close temporarily due to refurbishing, capacity, incliment weather, or special events; may otherwise change or be discontinued without notice and without liability to the owners of the Walt Disney World Resort"
I bet you it says that on the back of your annual pass.
MJMcBride
08-09-2006, 11:51 PM
I bet you it says that on the back of your annual pass.
Actually, mine says "too bad for you 'cause we're closing that money pit Disney Quest, sucka!"
We just booked a very unexpected trip to WDW during Thanksgiving week. One of the good things about this is that the teens will get to spend some quantity time at DQ, one of their most favorite things to do. They've basically grown up at WDW and they truly appreciate the unique experience that DQ provides. I'm glad they'll get the chance one last time.
Together with the closing of Millionaire, which the adults love, we're all taking a hit!
But I guess all four of us are in the minority!
jdg345
08-13-2006, 02:10 PM
Once of the reasons I bought AP's was for DQ ... a friend of ours bought a DQ-AP, but it should expire before they close it down ... I'm just waiting and watching to see what happens ... I think they they'll be able to bring in more $$ with a Brand like ESPN, especially by increasing its "real-esate" ... but I will miss DQ ... it's a pretty busy place imo ... enough that we only go during 'slow periods' ... :confused3
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