ESPN Club removal begins at Disney's BoardWalk

Jul 14, 2022 in "ESPN Club"

ESPN Club demolition - July 14 2022
Posted: Thursday July 14, 2022 10:30am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Demolition crews have moved into the ESPN Club on Disney's BoardWalk to remove the theming elements from the former ESPN building.


Crews are using high-reach lifts and saws to cut through the steel supports of the large decorative pieces.

The BoardWalk remains open to guests during the work.

Disney has announced that a new table service restaurant and bakery, The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers, will be taking over the space. Learn more about the BoardWalk updates.

ESPN Club opened at Walt Disney World in July 1996 and offered classic American pub cuisine, sports entertainment and shopping, along with live tv coverage of sporting events. The club closed along with the rest of Walt Disney World during the pandemic and did not reopen.

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    castlecake2.02 days ago

    It’s different but I don’t hate it

    Agent H2 days ago

    You should consider applying to be a jungle cruise skipper

    Chef idea Mickey`=2 days ago

    What I don't get is the green palate color just like at Grand Floridian they chose a mint toothpaste looking that just doesn't fit or match the resort. Boardwalk's color is maroon!

    WorldExplorer5 days ago

    Lots of mint paint left over from M. Mouse Merchantile, I see.

    mastromjm5 days ago

    Screendoor reopened today. Interesting color choices

    DJM5 days ago

    Never happen. There isn't enough parking, and Lexin who owns the downtown wants RIDICULOUS rent for the space. Many attempts were made to do something with the space and all have failed.

    aladdin20076 days ago

    I didn't realize changes were being made to the store there, I thought it was fine and nice the way it was, but of course because it was nice it has to go, as such. Speaking of that also wondering about the Emporium, that entire back quadrant through to casey's walled off. Do we start cringing now how thats going to turn out?

    ToTBellHop6 days ago

    Ah, the Boarddwakd, home of on-theme locations like Cake Bake Shop.

    Disney Analyst6 days ago

    Hot take, if I was in charge... I'd be trying to remodel that bar ;) Maybe some more subtle colours, less circus, less tacky. ETA: I used Bing, please don’t write to corporate about me using AI to express what I would design.

    jmuboy6 days ago

    100% accurate in your assessment - 1990s Disney at its BEST.

    mattpeto6 days ago

    lol. Hey, that's still theming far beyond anything Carousel Coffee came up with.

    MisterPenguin6 days ago

    ;) (Yeah, I know it's gone, but it happened.)

    mattpeto6 days ago

    The BoardWalk Inn pool bar is a great example of theming done well.

    FiestaFunKid6 days ago

    I agree with your point, but saying Carousel Coffee has a theme b/c it has pictures of carousels on the wall - is being extremely generous to Imagineering.