Disney to close espn zones nationwide

[mickeyhunter]

I read on msn today that Disney is closing all their espn zone restaurants that are not linked to Disney property.

I believe the espn zone on the boardwalk and the espn zone at DL are safe.

 

[Twincess]

Yup, read the same article from the LA Times. That stinks! We have an ESPN Zone in the city (NY), it's fun! Oh well, atleast we'll still have Disney.

 

[agame2323]

It makes sense to me. I think Disney is looking at this from the standpoint of how challenging its been to stay afloat in the restaurant business due to the economy.

 

[mickeyhunter]

I'm just glad they are keeping the espn zone open at the boardwalk. It's hard to find a place to watch sports while on vacation at wdw.

 

[scot@dvcstore]

Also very glad they are keeping the ESPN Zone Boardwalk location open. Probably my favorite thing on the Boardwalk.

 

[paladin]

Not to nitpick (but I will anyway ), but the one on the Boardwalk is not an "ESPN Zone" - it is an "ESPN Club". The one at DL is indeed an ESPN Zone.

 

[disneychic]

I'm just glad they are keeping the espn zone open at the boardwalk. It's hard to find a place to watch sports while on vacation at wdw.

I can't even get my DH to walk by there w/out stopping and listening, watching, checking scores etc. He'll be relieved as well.

 

[Twincess]

OH I thought they were closing the ESPN on the Boardwalk and reopening it in Downtown Disney (?)

 

[DISHoppy]

Not to nitpick (but I will anyway ), but the one on the Boardwalk is not an "ESPN Zone" - it is an "ESPN Club". The one at DL is indeed an ESPN Zone.

Correct. The articles only address the ESPN Zones and that the two in Cali will remain open, but will not be operated by Di$ney. No mention about the WDW location.

-Kevin

 

[DISHoppy]

OH I thought they were closing the ESPN on the Boardwalk and reopening it in Downtown Disney (?)

The DL Zone is in DTD there. I would seriously doubt they would relocate the WDW location to DTD there, but they certainly have places to move it to in DTD.

-Kevin

 

[mickeyhunter]

Correct. The articles only address the ESPN Zones and that the two in Cali will remain open, but will not be operated by Di$ney. No mention about the WDW location.

-Kevin

The article on msn says the espn restaurants directly tied to a Disney property will remain open, like the one in the Downtown Disney shopping district in Anaheim. I am assuming that includes wdw but I don't know for certain. Since espn club on the boardwalk is directly tied to a Disney property, I hope it will remain open.

 

[DISHoppy]

The article on msn says the espn restaurants directly tied to a Disney property will remain open, like the one in the Downtown Disney shopping district in Anaheim. I am assuming that includes wdw but I don't know for certain. Since espn club on the boardwalk is directly tied to a Disney property, I hope it will remain open.

Considering that WDW hosts E$PN the Weekend in Feb, I think they would have to keep the club open. I'm thinking the boardwalk location must be a separate entity operated independently like the other restaurants and bars along the boardwalk.

-Kevin

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Rumors and News board.

 

[Cobra B.]

Yup, read the same article from the LA Times. That stinks! We have an ESPN Zone in the city (NY), it's fun! Oh well, atleast we'll still have Disney.

Well, Times Square is Disney property, isn't it?

 

[doconeill]

From reading the various articles, as far as I can tell the ESPN Club on the Boardwalk (note "Club", not "Zone", and its not as big or as featured as a Zone) is operated under a different umbrella.

The two Zones staying open - LA and Anaheim - appear to be franchised operations or will become franchises.

As for it moving from the Boardwalk to DTD - that was one of many rumors where a full ESPN Zone would open at DTD to either replace DisneyQuest (which was supposed to close a couple years ago according to "sources") or go in place of the Virgin store. Various version included closing of the Club. None of them happened, obviously.

 

[SaratogaSprings]

good riddance

 

[Elmo007]

I was just in Vegas. Now that ESPN is closing, check out Lagasses Stadium at the Venetian/Palazzo. I ran through it and it looked nice. Did not try it out so I cant comment on food/service/prices.