Will ESPN Club be affected?

Tigerace81

Tigerace81

New Member
Actually only the ones that are not connected with the Disney Property.

(6/9/10) The LA Times reports that Disney is preparing to shut down most of their ESPN Zone sports-themed restaurants. As of right now, the only sites that are expected to remain open are those connected to a Disney property, such as the location in California’s Downtown Disney.
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DocMcHulk

DocMcHulk

Well-Known Member
I wonder if they would have been more successful if instead of sticking huge buildings in the downtowns of major metropolitan areas they would have gone for smalled locations in the suburbs. Something like a Chili's or TGI Friday style restaurant but with TVs at every table.
 
Pioneer Hall

Pioneer Hall

Well-Known Member
Guess we know what won't be going in at the DisneyQuest location. I have to say that I agree with this move, while the concept was interesting I just think that it missed the mark.
 
Tigerace81

Tigerace81

New Member
DisneyInsider said:
Guess we know what won't be going in at the DisneyQuest location. I have to say that I agree with this move, while the concept was interesting I just think that it missed the mark.
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Still possible considering they are keeping the ones on Disney property, but I would rather keep Disney Quest. Doubt they would open more also with them closing pretty much 95% of them.
 
gmajew

gmajew

Well-Known Member
I personally think this was a great concept that never really had the right management to make it successful. As a restaurant operator and developer I am already trying to get the Chicago location, since it is perfect for my sports restaurant concepts.

But I am well aware that with bad management and poor food and service toppled with the recession this is the right decision for Disney Corp. No reason to try to grow outside your successful built in audience base which is as we all know the parks and there properties attached to them.
 
Swfewrmco

Swfewrmco

Active Member
Well, this pretty much marks the end of the former efforts of Disney Regional Entertainment. First "Club Disney", then "DisneyQuest", now "ESPN Zone".
 
Rosso11

Rosso11

Well-Known Member
Since the article states that the ESPN zones on property are not closing this could affect the long rumored ESPN Zone in DTD two different ways. Either the DTD ESPN zone is now dead or they can now build it on the cheap. Since the other locations are closing they could simply take the best of each restaurant and ship them over to Florida. Honestly I doubt that would happen but if I was running the place I would think it was a way to save money for the company and a way to get a new restaurant opened at DTD all at the same time.
 
Cubs Brian

Cubs Brian

Active Member
Most of the "off site" ESPN Zones were in very high rent district. The one in Chicago was never that busy. For that part of town on the weekends you'd expect there to be a wait. Never once in 6 yrs did we ever wait for a table. Also at that location there are a ton of great places to eat.
 
miles1

miles1

Active Member
Yanks07 said:
Hard to imagine the Zone here in Times Square would close but I guess you never know.
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I heard them confirm the closure on News Radio 88 (New York news station) today. The reporters seems surprised as well, apparently the place is always packed?
 
M

mwedon09

New Member
First of all, I think this is not a smart move by Disney to close ESPN Zones across the country. I live in Maryland and the one in downtown Baltimore is ALWAYS packed with people. But oh well...

Anyways to the question, on the news tonight I heard they would be closing every ESPN Zone except the ones that are on Disney property. So I know there is one out in California and I guess the ESPN Club counts so plan on it staying open. That place is also crowded too whenever I walk in to check out the store or get something quick to eat.

It will stay open.
 
WDW1974

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
More stupidity with spending hundreds of millions on DRE concepts that always die.

Yep, the Mouse sure is run by smart, competent execs.

Toss ESPN Zones into the pile that included Club Disney, Mickey's Kitchen, Disney Quest etc ... yet do you want to bet that they start some other version up in a few years time?
 
Main Street USA

Main Street USA

Well-Known Member
WDW1974 said:
More stupidity with spending hundreds of millions on DRE concepts that always die.

Yep, the Mouse sure is run by smart, competent execs.

Toss ESPN Zones into the pile that included Club Disney, Mickey's Kitchen, Disney Quest etc ... yet do you want to bet that they start some other version up in a few years time?
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Someone is drunk and angry this evening! Ha!
 
kapeman

kapeman

Member
I can't really say that I am surprised.

Granted, I haven't been to every one of the sites, but I didn't see it as that different from any other sports bar, lots of TVs and mediocre food/service.

You can't always just slap a name on something and have it sell.

I wonder if the execs running the DRE all originated from TDO?

:animwink:

Sorry, I couldn't resist that last bit.
 
Chezman1399

Chezman1399

Active Member
WDW1974 said:
More stupidity with spending hundreds of millions on DRE concepts that always die.

Yep, the Mouse sure is run by smart, competent execs.

Toss ESPN Zones into the pile that included Club Disney, Mickey's Kitchen, Disney Quest etc ... yet do you want to bet that they start some other version up in a few years time?
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Did any of those other ones last 12 years and have 7 locations? It seems the issue here isn't so much it failed because of anyone being incompetent, but from reading the article, they got killed during the last year because of a 30% drop in people going out to eat. A majority of them tended to be packed and have lines out the door waiting to get in early in the morning, particularly on football Sundays. It was a successful venture for years and was just hit hard by the down economy.

Also, I don't believe the one at the Boardwalk is considered an ESPNZone. ESPN Club at Boardwalk has different food, different setup, different name, and is operated by Walt Disney World, I believe.
 
gbruenin

gbruenin

Active Member
Yanks07 said:
Hard to imagine the Zone here in Times Square would close but I guess you never know.
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We were in Times Square yesterday for a Toy Story 3 fan event, and it is indeed closed. Sign on the door dated 6/16 said NY, Vegas, Baltimore, Chicago and Washington all ceased operation.

Gary
 

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