Does anyone have any info on the Disney Quest in Chicago?Is it still there? I couldn't find anything on Disney.com and all I could find on a Chicago website was a pictue of it and that it's in the "tourists district". Thanks.
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Disney Quest
- Thread starter Disneyfan63
- Start date
iluvstitch
New Member
The one in Chicago closed down awhile ago. -Stephanie
Disney2002
New Member
Yeah, it was a disasterous flop!
Thanks for the info!! I didn't think it was still open but my kids really like DQ at WDW and with living in the Midwest I though it would be a good way to get a Disney fix once in a while, so I thought I'd at least ask.
JackSkellington
Active Member
Are there any other DQ in the US? Just wondering.
Disney2002
New Member
The initial plan was to role more of them out, particularly one in Phily... but after the Chicago venture proved to be a failure, the Orlando DQ was the only one kept open and further expansion was abandoned.
The problem is that they cost a lot to run for something in an urban/suburban environment. It is best suited for a major purely tourist spot like Downtown Disney.
The problem is that they cost a lot to run for something in an urban/suburban environment. It is best suited for a major purely tourist spot like Downtown Disney.
JackSkellington
Active Member
That is too bad. I was hoping there was one on the Midwest side of America.
DarkMeasures
New Member
It closed down because you had to pay $50 to get in and then more money to play anything.
If they had it like the current system today, I am sure the Chicago version could have done a lot better.
If they had it like the current system today, I am sure the Chicago version could have done a lot better.
JackSkellington
Active Member
I was wondering. How does the current system work at WdW. Do you pay to enter and then pay again to play. Or one entry fee and thats all folks.
DarkMeasures
New Member
Pay only to enter unless you do Midway on the Moon.
Disney2002
New Member
I don't believe Chicago cost $50, nor did you have to pay again to play. I don't know where you heard that.
The main killer for Chicago's version was location. Expensive, not terribly accessible, real estate.
The main killer for Chicago's version was location. Expensive, not terribly accessible, real estate.
JackSkellington
Active Member
Ok. Thank you Andy it helps my planning.
Sgt Tibs
New Member
I went to DQ Chicago a few times the first summer it opened. It was right next to the ESPN Zone. I agree that the location was a poor choice. It was too urban to have accessible parking, but too removed from the major shopping areas to have tons of foot traffic.
It was about $34, which I thought was reasonable to get a Disney fix in Chicago. The attractions were mostly the same as the Orlando DQ.
I also remember it was packed. I guess I should have waited until the crowds disappeared (but before DQ disappeared)....
It was about $34, which I thought was reasonable to get a Disney fix in Chicago. The attractions were mostly the same as the Orlando DQ.
I also remember it was packed. I guess I should have waited until the crowds disappeared (but before DQ disappeared)....
WaltDisney
Account Suspended
DieHardDisney
New Member
It sure looked good from the outside, just a real shame that the location was planned correctly as they could have really caught on!
Nansafan
Active Member
My theory on why DQ Chicago closed was location. Had a suburban location with plenty of parking had been chosen, I feel it would have done better. We visited DQ Chicago a few times including taking 8 13 yr. old boys for my sons birthday. The biggest problem we encountered was the parking, several blocks away. ESPN caters to an older crowd and does well because of the sports bar feel. Families I know just don't stay downtown past dark.
Scooter
Well-Known Member
I live near Chicago and this is what I heard:
Disney Quest in Chicago closed because they thought it would be a major tourist attraction in Downtown Chicago.
They thought people would be going there 7 days a week, but it turned out that it was only full on weekends.
Apparently not enough people came during the week days to make it profitable enough for Disney.
Disney Quest in Chicago closed because they thought it would be a major tourist attraction in Downtown Chicago.
They thought people would be going there 7 days a week, but it turned out that it was only full on weekends.
Apparently not enough people came during the week days to make it profitable enough for Disney.
DarkMeasures
New Member
What they should have done was pay for an expansion for Navy Pier and place it there.
Great parking, no good arcades on the pier, already a tourist spot.
Just imagine, after passing the Shakespear theatre you see that huge teal building expanding over the pier....
And at where it was, there is abosolutly no signs of its existance by the ESPN zone. Quite sad.
Great parking, no good arcades on the pier, already a tourist spot.
Just imagine, after passing the Shakespear theatre you see that huge teal building expanding over the pier....
And at where it was, there is abosolutly no signs of its existance by the ESPN zone. Quite sad.