Disney Finally Squashes Illegal Kiddie Gambling

[TheRabbit]

Tomorrowland Arcade permanently closes at the Magic Kingdom

So the new Florida law has nothing to do with the closing of the arcade, the closing was Disney's choice, correct? I mean, the law doesn't have anything to do with video games, so if Disney wanted to they could have swapped out the prize/claw games for regular arcade games. Sounds like its just a reason for them to utilize the space in a differnt way.

 

[marni1971]

Just tear it down and open up the original view of the mountain again.

One can dream.

 

[JohnD]

I wouldn't be so hard on WDW on this one. If there is a Florida law, they have to adhere to it. The law obviously was aimed at the deviously named "Internet Cafes" which were nothing more than disguised venues to do Internet gaming/gambling. You may be envisioning coffee shops where you can show up with your laptop, order a Grande Latte or whatever and get on WI FI. These were nothing of the sort. Personally, I'm glad the Florida Legislature put a stop to them. But as always happens, other establishments get caught up in the mix. And the Tomorrowland Arcade is probably illegal at the moment.

But not to worry. You can probably count on a "glitch bill" introduced by the local Florida Representative or Senator that exempts WDW. It would read something like "Notwithstanding Chapter XXX.XX(x)x, Florida Statutes, an entity (with geographic coordinates written out that take up 10 or more pages that duplicate the property boundaries of WDW" shall be exempt." Voila! The Tomorrowland Arcade is back in business.

Stay tuned!

 

[flynnibus]

So the new Florida law has nothing to do with the closing of the arcade, the closing was Disney's choice, correct? I mean, the law doesn't have anything to do with video games, so if Disney wanted to they could have swapped out the prize/claw games for regular arcade games. Sounds like its just a reason for them to utilize the space in a differnt way.

They didn't just replace it with regular video games for the same reason regular video games haven't been the dominate presence in the arcade in many many years. Redepemption pays the bills and makes money... vids do not.

 

[FutureCEO]

Anyone remember when the arcade at the Contemporary was huge?. don't really remember but I have pictures of it.

Is there a Dave and Buster's in Florida?

 

[JohnD]

Anyone remember when the arcade at the Contemporary was huge?. don't really remember but I have pictures of it.

What's the basis of the stupid law? Is there a Dave and Buster's in Florida?

See my post above re: Internet Cafes in Florida.

 

[flynnibus]

Is there a Dave and Buster's in Florida?

Yes, please read the posts at the start of this thread to see how the law is and is not impacting these entertainment centers.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I'm a little confused. The arcade was part of the exit to Space along w/ a gift shop. Do you now exit into a boarded up room that is partially retail or did they just remove the games so that the room is half open space? It could become the official "It's raining in Florida and they didn't show this on the Vacation Planning DVD so we need somewhere to hide" spot. Better than standing under the PeopleMover.

 

[wdwmagic]

Just tear it down and open up the original view of the mountain again.

One can dream.

That would also require an external refurb of the said mountain. In its current condition, the more that is hidden the better.

 

[JohnD]

I'm a little confused. The arcade was part of the exit to Space along w/ a gift shop. Do you now exit into a boarded up room that is partially retail or did they just remove the games so that the room is half open space? It could become the official "It's raining in Florida and they didn't show this on the Vacation Planning DVD so we need somewhere to hide" spot. Better than standing under the PeopleMover.

My recollection is exiting into the gift shop (where else at WDW?) but you had to turn right to walk into the arcade.

 

[ToTBellHop]

My recollection is exiting into the gift shop (where else at WDW?) but you had to turn right to walk into the arcade.

Sounds about right. I honestly don't spend much time in that room. Wasn't there a time when the whole space was an arcade (no gift shop). Arcades are kind of on their way out anyway, with or without this law.

 

[JohnD]

Sounds about right. I honestly don't spend much time in that room. Wasn't there a time when the whole space was an arcade (no gift shop). Arcades are kind of on their way out anyway, with or without this law.

I walked in, did one lap, and left. Hadn't gone back in since. The law could have been the catalyst for closing. But it could also be no one goes in there anyway.

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

So meet & greet for WiR or BH6 in Tomorrowland arcade?

 

[bebert]

Total overreaction by Disney but, it would be save to say they will have merchandise stands ready to go in that spot. Hmm, just so happens there is a movie called Tommorrowland coming out soon.

 

[JohnD]

Total overreaction by Disney but, it would be save to say they will have merchandise stands ready to go in that spot. Hmm, just so happens there is a movie called Tommorrowland coming out soon.

Excellent point about the movie.

 

[bebert]

Excellent point about the movie.

Sadly my first reaction to most WDW park changes is..."I wonder how this can sell merchandise?'

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Sadly my first reaction to most WDW park changes is..."I wonder how this can sell merchandise?'

In order to sell merchandise, people have to want the merchandise.

Ergo, providing the merchandise is giving the people what they want.

 

[bebert]

In order to sell merchandise, people have to want the merchandise.

Ergo, providing the merchandise is giving the people what they want.

When they are marketing to kids like mine who want everything Disney it is not hard to do.

 

[gocatsgo538]

While the reasoning for this closing is absurd, I'm completely fine with that arcade being taken out. If I'm paying $100 to get into a theme park, I sure as hell don't want to pay extra to play "claw" games or air hockey. I can stay at my hotel on 192 for that kind of entertainment.

 

[PhilharMagician]

Not really an arcade person myself (anymore), but I can say that I spent some quality time with my daughter in the arcades during the last few trips playing air hockey or Skee-ball. I think the only time she has even been in an arcade was in WDW in the CR and Pizza Planet in DHS. She still has her card from the Contemporary arcade with credit on it. She would save up her tickets from the entire trip and redeem them on the last night for some piece of junk.

In general, arcades are disappearing. We would always hit the local arcade when I was a kid, but they are all long gone at the local malls. Even small convenient stores always had a few arcade games and those are all gone now.

Now the Tomorrowland arcade has never seemed that busy to me. We have walked into it maybe twice and it was nearly empty.