(Thanks to everyone that sent this in; Michael Louie for the particular link below; Nick Lombardo of the Arcade Hunters for filling in some info)
Well there isn’t really any positive way to spin this for arcade fans. We knew that trouble was brewing for Disney Quest at Disney World in Florida when they pulled out all prize games thanks to a poorly written Florida game prize law. While the law had been amended, the situation was still hard for games to make it given the pattern used…for prize games you had to buy tokens on top of the $45-$50 entry fee, making prize play a very expensive request. Here is a link with the news:
While DQ had an incredible arcade with about 140 games and over 100,000 sq. ft. of space, I think this shows that even in a place where people expect to spend a lot of money that total coverage entry fees (just pay the door fee and most games are free) have their limitations as to what people are willing to pay. Perhaps they will reconsider opening a smaller arcade either with a smaller entry fee or use a traditional pay-per-tokens or pay-per-card/points model. They have options thanks to their own content like TRON and Wreck-It Ralph. For now, sports fans can look forward so a new NBA themed attraction. What are your thoughts on this?
That is so sad! I went briefly in 2012 and as an arcade lover, it still was a great place. NBA? They surely paid a lot of money for this… It’s definitely not what the customers want.
I used to go here every time I went to Disney World! Now there’s no reason for me to go to Downtown Disney anymore. 🙁 I’m glad I got to visit back in February 2014 🙂
My main WDI project and one of the happy projects of my career – shame to see you go, shame to see WDC not admit to the reality of what they created – they will see the error is only a matter of months time!
I’m a game tech at Quest. One of the saddest moments of my life occurred when they announced our closure yesterday. I started as a cast member here. Then, after showing the management my tech knowledge, I went to the tech department. Out of the 270 games in the building, we have 60 classic games- all of which I have repaired. One of them is mine- Make Trax. I also helped convert several of the Fix- It-Felix Jr. Machines to movie quality (they even have the voices!) in short, I’m a part of this building, and it’s a part of me. Without it, I will be very empty.
You wouldn’t happen to have a guide for how to do that would you? I own one of the Disney units (I knew someone who helped assemble them) and would love to do that without messing anything up.
Having that entry fee at all is probably what killed it.
I got to go in the mid 2000’s. Personally I like the pay once, play all you want model (see Galloping Ghost outside Chicago)
Sucks that it’s closing down and now (unless they ever do another Elec-TRON-ica) I have no reason to ever step foot on Disney property again.
You know this is a horrific reminder of what went on over at the stadium in my area. There used to be a game section for arcades and NFL related like the rush zone and quarterback pass, but it was all torn out and remodeled for this hall of fame expansion, which also took out the main section of Curly’s Pub. So now unless it’s strictly football and to shop round, there really isn’t any further purpose in wanting to be in this place.
Shame, they had Terminator Salvation keeping me busy at the time.
I stumbled across this petition while I was looking for info on Disney Quest today. I know these change.org petitions sometimes never get seen by the folks who are being addressed in the matter but voicing your opinion and showing your support never hurts.
https://www.change.org/p/the-walt-disney-company-walt-disney-save-disney-quest
Yeah, NBA and Disney go together like ice and fire. Yeah, yeah sure. Those things are absolutely similar.
BOO!!!! Not an NBA fan. Loved Disney Quest. Not much reason to go to Downtown Disney anymore.