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Disney Quest to close in July 2017
- Thread starter IowaHawks7
- Start date
Magic Feather
Well-Known Member
A broadway theater was never on the table for that location, it was just a pipe dream. Now, not to say a theater hasn't been considered, but it seems less likely by the day.
Don't expect the building to stay in its current form.
Oddysey
Well-Known Member
I think Disney Quest really could have worked. The primary issue is that construction of the project was about a decade or more too late. It was constructed in 1998, and the golden age of arcades is generally known to be the early 80's. There was a bit of a rebirth in the early 1990's with specific genres of games becoming popular, and producing graphics and experiences that could not be created at home. Now that high powered interactive consoles and VR sets can now be purchased and used in the comfort of your own home, it is no surprise to me that Disney Quest will soon be a thing of the past. I would have loved a place like Disney Quest in the 80's / early 90's. Shame that the idea came so late.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Very surprised to see this is back. The NBA must be very, very, very determined. Universal obviously wounded their pride.
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
Sums up my feelings about this.
A fun interactive playground with somewhat of a Disney feel, admittedly in need of some tlc but a pleasant half day regardless, to be replaced by a random, lame sports center.
On a personal foreign note, the NBA holds as much of an appeal to me as a waterpolo or steeplechase center.
Next Big Thing
Well-Known Member
Or Disney finally caved from some of their demands combined with declining DQ attendance lead to this.
Disney doesn't want to operate this giant building anymore. They just want to collect rent.
PuertoRekinSam
Well-Known Member
The Disney Quest should remain open argument reminds me a lot of the Pleasure Island argument. At the time of the announcement, the masses are nott going. There could be a bump in attendance because of the announcement, but too little too late.
I went a few months back (Early May) and it was dead inside. I asked if this was normal, and they told me for the most part yeah, they see a bit of a bump on a rainy day, but on average less than 1,000 visitors a day.
And speaking of dead inside, that was not just the building, but the Cast working there too. They knew they were closing, but no official date... it looked like the NBA had pulled out at that point. They basically were given the employment equivalent of "uncureable cancer"... we can't save this role for you, we don't know when it will end, but it will be soon... say your last goodbyes.
I went a few months back (Early May) and it was dead inside. I asked if this was normal, and they told me for the most part yeah, they see a bit of a bump on a rainy day, but on average less than 1,000 visitors a day.
And speaking of dead inside, that was not just the building, but the Cast working there too. They knew they were closing, but no official date... it looked like the NBA had pulled out at that point. They basically were given the employment equivalent of "uncureable cancer"... we can't save this role for you, we don't know when it will end, but it will be soon... say your last goodbyes.
KBLovedDisney
Well-Known Member
Last time I went to DQ, which was in 2012, it was slow then. Kind of like a slowly dying/dead mall. Some things worked, others didn't. Yes, change is needed, but not quite sure that the NBA experience is going in the right direction. However, even Cirque du Soleil is not for everyone. So, IMO, some people will like it while others (like myself) will avoid it. (Just feel like this is more about branding than anything, like the rest of DS).
Bocabear
Well-Known Member
If the ESPN Zone could not make it at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, why would an NBA version fare better at Disney Springs?
I find the whole concept to be completely lackluster. Booh!
Though I am not defending DQ...It needs to be replaced with something... but not this....
The Broadway style theater was a fun idea... I am sure they could come up with some better things...Hell, Dave and Busters would be better than NBA....
I find the whole concept to be completely lackluster. Booh!
Though I am not defending DQ...It needs to be replaced with something... but not this....
The Broadway style theater was a fun idea... I am sure they could come up with some better things...Hell, Dave and Busters would be better than NBA....
While the majority of Disney-goers probably don't have an interest in an NBA 'experience', the small minority is pretty large because it's a small minority of a huge population. If only 1% of the average daily WDW attendees would like an NBA 'experience', that's about 1,500 daily customers. And that's not counting the locals.
teadrinker
New Member
We're there in August too. Really disappointed. Being a Brit I'm not interested in basketball at all.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
The NBA was not happy about being kicked out of CityWalk. While Disney may have changed some of their terms, probably related to who is paying for construction as the NBA wasn't keen on having to spend a small fortune to update this massive building to fit Disney Springs, the NBA still had to stick around even after the project died twice before.
Next Big Thing
Well-Known Member
The two things are not mutually exclusive though.
Yes the NBA wanted to stick around, but Disney has been wanting to close DQ for quite some time. As I said, they simply want to play the role of landlord.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Disney has no problem closing venues and letting them rot, even at their mall the very center of which sat shuttered for years.
Next Big Thing
Well-Known Member
They were never going to close DQ until they had a replacement... despite it's recent failings, it still makes money. They would rather not have to do the work and still make money though.
Disneyhead'71
Well-Known Member
For all those saying Disney is no slower than anyone else in construction projects, we are now 20 months into this redo and Disney Quest is still 6 months from closing.
Universal announced the closing/replacement for NBA City at the same time this was announced. If Uni worked like Disney, NBA City would be gearing up to close. Let's see how NBA City over at CityWalk is doing, shall we?
Oh my!
Universal announced the closing/replacement for NBA City at the same time this was announced. If Uni worked like Disney, NBA City would be gearing up to close. Let's see how NBA City over at CityWalk is doing, shall we?
Oh my!
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danlb_2000
Premium Member
I am not to optimistic about how this will turn out either, but you really can't compare ESPN Zone to this since they sound like to very different things.