ESPN moving?

[PrincessG]

I heard a rumor that ESPN is moving from the boardwalk to downtown Disney
anyone have any info about this?? thanks

[jimmytammy]

I remember seeing something in regards to that here on the DIS back a few mos ago. I understand that DQ will be closing in 08 and that building will be remodeled to house the new ESPN club which will go beyond just an eatery. It should include lots of games and interactive sports related things in it. Dont know how official all that is though.

[M 'n C]

When I was there in Sept. I heard that it will be on PI (the part under construction) so who knows. It would be nice if it moved to DTD but not over taking DQ!

[Horace Horsecollar]

Jim Hill published an article about this on April 25, 2006.

See Game Over: WDW's DisneyQuest to close in early 2008 (http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/print/2051.aspx) by Jim Hill.

However, keep in mind that Jim Hill tends to present rumors as though they are facts — and he's been wrong about some other things.

The Walt Disney Company has not made any announcement that DisneyQuest will close and that ESPN will move into its space.

Jim Hill's rumor is plausible. It's true that DisneyQuest didn't expand to dozens of metropolitan areas, and that the Downtown Disney location is the only remaining DisneyQuest (after the closure of the Chicago location and the termination of expansion plans). That means that Disney can't justify the development costs of new DisneyQuest attractions. So the Downtown Disney DisneyQuest is stagnating.

[MJMcBride]

So the Downtown Disney DisneyQuest is stagnating.

You could say that again.

[SoonerKate]

I worked at the ESPN Club a few years ago and while there's been a lot of turnover in the CMs and management over there, I still know a few people. From what they've said, it seems like this is true or at least very likely.

What would open in it's place at DTD would be an ESPN Zone like in Las Vegas, Anaheim, Baltimore, etc.

[GIOny]

I wonder what would go in the ESPN on the Boardwalk?? :scratchin

[mitros]

With ESPN gone from the BW, that will quiet down that end of the resort, but by moving it {if it's true} to DTD, that will really raise the noise level down there, which, in my thoughts, would be a more logical area for a loud venue.....

[tomandrobin]

Why couldn't they keep both?

[dbm20th]

Why couldn't they keep both?

They could, but what they want is the Flagship of ESPNZones. Having a little one might take away the draw for everyone staying at the 5 resorts near the current site.

The current ESPN club is terribly small so building this one makes sense. Making the current one even large makes more sense.

[Jason71]

The current ESPN club is terribly small so building this one makes sense. Making the current one even large makes more sense.

Two downsides to that. First, despite the initial plan to have carnival rides and turn the Boardwalk into a second PI, instead it has evolved into a more or less quiet hotel. I think plenty of DVC owners would prefer the area not get a huge, loud new draw.

Second, for the most part locals hate having to get to the Boardwalk--it's a farther drive than DTD and parking is a major hassle. Locals have to be a decent chunk of the guests who are going to sit around watching TV on a Sunday afternoon in the middle of Disney World. A new uber sports bar in DTD would increase the crowds in football season (traditionally a slow time), and many of those football fans could probably be persuaded to wander over to PI and check out the clubs after the game. It's all about the synergy. (The fact that there are at least 4 huge sports bars within a mile of DTD is probably not lost on the powers that be, either.)