WDW building a BMX track?

[longlivewalt]

Just heard from a guy at school (who is deep into BMX) that Disney hosted a BMX event and signed a deal and are building a professional BMX track on property. :shrug:

 

[jedimaster1227]

Nope. While there is plenty of available space for such an attraction, the liability issues attached to such a project would prevent it from staying open too long (a la Downtown Disney's former roller-rink). Disney's Wide World of Sports is more than suitable to be used for special BMX events, and can be modified accordingly when needed, but Disney isn't tackling the whale that is skate parks and dirt tracks anytime soon.

 

[unkadug]

Nope. While there is plenty of available space for such an attraction, the liability issues attached to such a project would prevent it from staying open too long (a la Downtown Disney's former roller-rink). Disney's Wide World of Sports is more than suitable to be used for special BMX events, and can be modified accordingly when needed, but Disney isn't tackling the whale that is skate parks and dirt tracks anytime soon.

Wait...what ?


DTD had a roller rink? When? :veryconfu

 

[mkt]

I don't believe they are... too much liability involved. They had a skatepark on property, it was used to train/rehearse the rollerbladers in Tarzan Rocks, but it was never open to guests, nor am I sure it's still open.

And there used to be an ice rink in Downtown Disney during the holidays, it's been closed for several years now as the operators, Rock On Ice, have gone out of business.

**Edit**
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-biznews-icerink111207,0,409429.story

The original operators of the rink were the operators of the DTD rink, which makes me curious if this could mean the DTD ice rink could return this year or in 2009.

 

[darthjohnny]

Just heard from a guy at school (who is deep into BMX) that Disney hosted a BMX event and signed a deal and are building a professional BMX track on property. :shrug:

Nope. While there is plenty of available space for such an attraction, the liability issues attached to such a project would prevent it from staying open too long (a la Downtown Disney's former roller-rink). Disney's Wide World of Sports is more than suitable to be used for special BMX events, and can be modified accordingly when needed, but Disney isn't tackling the whale that is skate parks and dirt tracks anytime soon.

I think the OP was refering to a professional BMX track for racing events, not an attraction for guests to participate in. :shrug:

Wait...what ?

DTD had a roller rink? When? :veryconfu

I can't remember a roller rink, however, during the holidays, I remember them putting up an ice rink on the West Side.

 

[scpergj]

I'm pretty sure the track they were using this year was at the POP...in the parking lot of the unfinished part of the resort. There was a big white tent over there, as well as some very large mounds of dirt when we were there around the 22nd of October. Definitly not permanent at that location, or at least I'd hope!

Kevin

 

[cm1988]

Xfrs - a.k.a. Zephyrs

The second level of the Rock and Roll Beach Club was designed as a roller rink. While people skated on that level - using "seafoam-green skates" a d.j. entertained from a "floating" pod in the center of the building. To keep alcohol separate, skaters had their own entrance. After a few monts, WDW management decided it still was a legal nightmare and so rehabbed the second level as a game room.

 

[SirNim]

I heard they were going to install a BMX track in a large faux-mountain... or volcano—can't remember which—that they were going to start construction on soon... Something about sushi, if I recall.. No...not sushi... Fuji. Wait... :lookaroun I'm confused.

 

[unkadug]

The second level of the Rock and Roll Beach Club was designed as a roller rink. While people skated on that level - using "seafoam-green skates" a d.j. entertained from a "floating" pod in the center of the building. To keep alcohol separate, skaters had their own entrance. After a few monts, WDW management decided it still was a legal nightmare and so rehabbed the second level as a game room.

Wow, trivia....thanks :wave:

 

[MichWolv]

The second level of the Rock and Roll Beach Club was designed as a roller rink. While people skated on that level - using "seafoam-green skates" a d.j. entertained from a "floating" pod in the center of the building. To keep alcohol separate, skaters had their own entrance. After a few monts, WDW management decided it still was a legal nightmare and so rehabbed the second level as a game room.

I must be one of the few who actually rollerskated there. It was fun, but no more fun than rollerskating anywhere else. For a few years after they converted the second level to a game room, the flooring was still the roller rink floor. But I think they fianlly covered that up.

 

[juan]

it is a possibility, but only as a non-public facility

Disney put up temporary jumps on the Boardwalk for an event this summer (right next to the Atlantic Dance club)

 

[PlutoInOrlando]

I must be one of the few who actually rollerskated there. It was fun, but no more fun than rollerskating anywhere else. For a few years after they converted the second level to a game room, the flooring was still the roller rink floor. But I think they fianlly covered that up.

I did too! Was way back in at least 1994. I think it made it into 1995 for a bit, but then closed down. And you're right...it was fun - but definitly had to watch out for others that were...well...a bit tipsy (at least at night). Lots of good laughs though!:lol:

 

[PhotoDave219]

Wait...what ?


DTD had a roller rink? When? :veryconfu

At PI. Where Rock and Roll Beach Club is now.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Just heard from a guy at school (who is deep into BMX) that Disney hosted a BMX event and signed a deal and are building a professional BMX track on property. :shrug:

If they do it will be out at Wide Wolrd of Sports for professional/competition use, not guest use.

 

[longlivewalt]

I think the OP was refering to a professional BMX track for racing events, not an attraction for guests to participate in.

Correct.

 

[JasonP]

Does anyone have pictures of the roller skating rink? Oddly enough my father remembers it, but yet I don't and I have a much better knowledge of Disney. Man I feel 0wnd. lol.

 

[wdwsog]

I'm pretty sure the track they were using this year was at the POP...in the parking lot of the unfinished part of the resort. There was a big white tent over there, as well as some very large mounds of dirt when we were there around the 22nd of October. Definitly not permanent at that location, or at least I'd hope!

Kevin

Yes, it was in the parking lot of the unfininshed POP resort and they had a weekend event with BMX racers. The racers stayed a the POP.