ESPN Zone in Disney Quest Building

[jlambrig]

I just saw that DQ may close and an ESPN Zone may take its place. I have never been in one of the latest versions of EZ's. Can they fill the 5 story building? Could cannabalize some business from the Boardwalk which is ok by me, my home is BCV.

 

[Lanshark]

I hope DQ does not close. It is one of our favorite things to do at Disney.

 

[OnWithTheShow]

The newer ESPN Zones have a large area with sports themed arcade games and other physical activities such as hockey shots basketball a rock wall and the such. I think it would be more likely to see a ESPN themed floor added to the DQ than an ESPN Zone. It would fit well with the overall theme of DQ and a small food sevice area in the style of the ESPN Zones could replace the Cheesecake factory which is a little pricey and large for what DQ requires and doesnt do a whole lot of business.

 

[jlima]

DQ is such a cool place and I really hope they don't close it, at least until I can do the cyber space mountain. That said, a maxed-out ESPN Zone could easily replace it as they have a lot of the same attractions - video games, and similar activities. The ESPN restaurant in Anaheim has an awsome climbing wall, and a cool hockey shooting game, and a cool skeet shooting game, and I could easily imagine these things and others like them in the DQ building.

 

[grinningghost]

Any idea when this might happen? I went and purchased Ultimate Park Hopper passes just because of DQ. Otherwise, I would have stuck with regular hopper passes. DD will be pretty bummed out if they close it.

 

[jlambrig]

I heard it will happen in 2003 but not sure at what point during the year.

 

[RoqueC]

Oh god no, Disney Quest is too good to loose. I get suh a magical feeling while being in there, and I don't want it to leave. I've been to ESPN zone, and it's a bit fun, but it's definately no Disney Quest.

 

[Testtrack321]

There's already a ESPN Zone on the boardwalk. Why duplicate in the same resort?

 

[JulesMom]

I love DQ! I didn't think I would like it, but it was a whole lot of fun!

I sure hope they don't close it

 

[slam_mjg]

Testtrack, the Boardwalk has an ESPN Club, it's a different concept than ESPN Zone.

I think ESPN Zone would be a good fit for Downtown Disney, but I wouldn't like to see DisneyQuest go away to make room for it.

 

[DrKnow77]

jlambrig, where did you see this info? Has anyone confirmed or denied this horrible rumor???

Stay DQ Stay!

 

[Another Voice]

The basic "rumor" is that with the cancellation of plans for other DQ's across the country, maintaining just one location is too expensive for Disney. With the Cheesecake Factory rumored to be walking out on their contract, Disney finally decided to pull the plug. It's also "rumored" that most of the equipment will be shipped out to California - some going to boost up Disneyland's sagging Innoventions area, the rest thrown into California Adventure (the Bay Area row house, empty is opening, my finally get a "high tech exhibit").

The ESPN Zones, however, have been moderatly successful. Disney is "rumored" to be looking for a flagship location that will include studio space for broadcasts and events. The one in Anaheim included a both a radio booth and a small TV studio (for a show which has been cancelled). It will all come down to corporate politics between Attractions and Broadcasting.

 

[alvernon90]

I got a semi-denial (or perhaps non-denial denial) of this rumor from Cheesecake Factory corporate headquarters. They said that they intend to continue operating at DisneyQuest for "as long as DisneyQuest exists" but that CFE "is only a tenant" and that they cannot speak to Disney's plans for the facility.

They did specifically deny, though, that employees have been told that their jobs will be gone in early 2003. "That's news to me" is what I was told.

Any comments on this twist? To me, DisneyQuest will be ruined if they put in ESPN even if they don't rip out the headliner games. If they do rip out the best games, DisneyQuest is effectively dead.

 

[grinningghost]

Called CRO yesterday to ask about this. The woman I spoke with said she hadn't heard anything about DQ closing. She sounded surprised at the question. So who knows? Maybe she's bluffing, or maybe she really doesn't know.

 

[alvernon90]

I asked CRO as well, and got the same thing. But you can never trust anything they say. Not that they're lying, but just because CRO hasn't been officially informed doesn't mean it's not happening.

That's why I thought the hedged comments from the Cheesecake Factory executive were so interesting. He put it all back on Disney, and said they'd be there "as long as DisneyQuest exists."

Also note that 2003 is the 5 year anniversary of DQ Orlando, which is a nice round number for a lease.