WDW proceeds with WWOS Expansion

[k5jm]

Why on earth does DTD PI sit unused? Because WDW wants to spend money on Bowling.

http://www.wesh.com/themeparks/28955112/detail.html#ixzz1W3FIZlcs

Despite Stall, Work On Disney Pro Bowling Center Plan Continues

Plans, Officials Affirm Work Ongoing On Project

Gabe Travers, WESH.com

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- It may have hit a speed bump due to the recession, but a 100-lane bowling alley project slated for the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World certainly isn't forgotten in the minds of those behind the plan.

Osceola County leaders first announced the project along with Disney and a bowling organization in June 2008. Back then, the planned venue was touted as a major move for both the local economy and the sport, with Central Florida having beat out four other cities for the honor.
But then, over the next few months, the economy took a turn. Banks failed. Stocks dived. Lenders tightened their grips. Credit became harder to come by.
All of that meant hard times for millions of Americans. The lauded bowling center plan was no exception. In November 2008, just five months after the plan was publicly announced, it was put on hold.
But in the nearly three years since that time, the project has most certainly not been forgotten or taken off of the table.
If plans submitted by Disney in recent days to a state agency are any indication, the bowling center project is alive and well.
The plans were submitted for a permit from a state water management agency and show the footprint of a bowling center in addition to several new soccer fields that are planned for the sports complex.
Disney points out the plans certainly don't mean construction is about to begin; there are a lot of details yet to be worked out.
And it's not just Disney that's still churning along on the project. It's rather unique, in fact, because the center's plan involves both Osceola County, the United States Bowling Congress, Disney and a yet-to-be-selected operator of the facility.
According to its website, the USBC is "the national governing body for bowling as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee." The organization has been around since 2005.
ESPN Wide World of Sports sits on the corner of Walt Disney World's property that is in Osceola County, not Orange County like the rest of the resort.
Osceola County leaders believe the bowling center would be a major economic boost, once completed, to local business -- so much so that they're willing to invest tourist tax money on promotion of events at the bowling stadium.
It appears the sport of bowling has quite the following, according to figures from the county.
As even more evidence that the project hasn't gone to the graveyard, Osceola County commissioners heard a presentation earlier this year about the new plan. In addition, a memorandum of understanding between Disney, the USBC and the county was signed.
While it may not be how the saying was meant, it appears good things do come to those who wait. The new proposal between the various parties would mean even more visitors than the 2008 plan.
The new proposed agreement would bring almost twice as many tournaments to Central Florida as the 2008 revision, with an estimated 24 tournaments coming to the center between 2015 and 2034.
In all, its estimated the tournaments will mean 6 million room nights in Central Florida (4.1 million in Osceola County) from more than 3 million visitors over the course of the agreement. That's expected to mean an economic impact of roughly $3 billion.
It's anticipated that the tournaments could be a perfect fit for Osceola County. A county presentation indicates income demographics of bowlers "align with Osceola hotel pricing." Furthermore, some of the tournaments take place Monday through Thursday nights, which can traditionally be lower occupancy times for area hotels.
The plan is for the county to make promotional payments to the USBC out of tourist tax revenue. The money would help promote the various events. Over the 20 year period, the payments would total $21.9 million.
The county doesn't have to pay if room-night minimums are not met.
Osceola County officials made it clear the project is still being worked on and has not yet been finalized.
Under the proposed agreement, the bowling center would need to open before Jan. 1, 2015.
Plans submitted this month show the bowling center addition would be just east of the Jostens Center structure at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Solely based on the plans, the new bowling center appears to have a much larger footprint than the 44,800 square foot Jostens Center.
The center would be operated by a third party. A Disney spokeswoman said work is ongoing to finalize an agreement with a nationally recognized bowling vendor.
A USBC spokesman reaffirmed work is still progressing on the project.
"All I can tell you is we are in discussions with (Osceola County) and Disney about a partnership to build a facility and bring events to the area," said USBC Public Relations Manager Lucas Wiseman.
The eventual addition at ESPN Wide World of Sports is just another step in Disney's growing sports market.
Over the past few years, Disney has greatly expanded its efforts around athletics.
It's not only rebranded from Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex to ESPN Wide World of Sports, the company has also expanded its running events in recent years under a new runDisney moniker. (ESPN is one of Disney's many brands.)
Disney's destination marathons, half marathons and 5Ks draw runners by the thousands to its California and Florida resorts from all over the world. Often, they mean additional visitors in what can be a less busy time of the year at the theme parks, which can help local economies.
Construction also was completed in 2009 on the ESPN Innovation Lab at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The building houses facilities where ESPN tests emerging technologies.
Throughout the year, ESPN Wide World of Sports hosts several events, including the Old Spice Classic and the ESPN RISE Games. In all, Disney says more than 250,000 athletes compete and train in 60 different sports at the complex each year.
Despite the expansion of sports programs, Disney did announce in July its axing ESPN The Weekend, an event which had been held at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It was started in 2004. Disney said the change was to focus on year-round efforts surrounding the ESPN brand at the resort.
The Wide World of Sports bowling center plans aren't the first time bowling and Disney have made news in the same story in recent months.
In July, Disney announced that Splitsville will be coming to Downtown Disney. The new resident will take up the space formerly occupied by the Virgin Mega Store on the West Side.
Disney said Splitsville will combine bowling with billiards, dining, music and nightlife. Construction on Splitsville is set to begin this fall.
It's not clear when construction might get under way on the ESPN Wide World of Sports bowling complex.

 

[FireDancer]

I think the center will generate a lot of revenue. Not from the random guest who wants to add a game of bowling into their trip but from the large tournaments that they can have.

I would suspect that the WWoS generates a lot of revenue from most if not all of the events they hold. Not really the revenue from the events themselves but the majority of people who come down to participate will stay on property, go to the parks, eat in the restaurants, and buy souvenirs.

I think when looking at the WWoS people tend to do it from the standard guest perspective as opposed to the guest who comes down for the events which would lead to completely different conclusions. Things like PI don't really bring down guests. Sure, it might keep them from leaving property one or two nights but the guest is almost certainly already down there in a room with park tickets. The bowling center (which I admit I personally will never use) is the kind of venue that brings guests down specifically because it exists. These are people who would be going somewhere for a bowling tournament so instead of their money going somewhere else it goes to Disney. I also imagine it would be hard to convince Osceola county to invest in a PI upgrade.

 

[mrzrich]

A co-worker of mine is a competative Bowler. Every year she goes to tournaments. It alternates between Syracuse one year and Texas the next. Tens of thousands of competitors come to these tournaments. This is just one bowling group. She is in a women's bowling association. There are many throughout the country. Men's, Youth, Mixed, Pro Am, Professional, ect.

She told me that the organization that runs these tournaments have been waiting for Disney to build this facility for years. With the appeal of DME, free Disney transportation to the facility and the lure of Disney Parks, they may make WDW the permanent home of the tournament once its built.

 

[mrzrich]

As for the recreational bowler, Disney can do well if they theme the place to appeal to families.

I was in WDW last week and the thought of playing Miniature golf under the hot August sun held no appeal to me whatever. But bowling in a clean air conditioned facility might have.

You know those guests that run for cover at the first drop of rain? Bowling is a much needed rainy day activity.

Another thing bowling has over mini golf is the potential for added revenue from Shoe rental, arcade, and food sales. Have you ever eaten chili while playing mini golf?

We have a Splitsville in Tampa. It is a hip bowling restaurant. Servers come around and take orders while you bowl. Disney can do this and probably do pretty well. http://splitsvillelanes.com/