ESPN Club removal continues at Disney's BoardWalk

Gallery / 6 Photos
ESPN Club themeing removal - July 21 2022

Posted: Monday July 25, 2022 7:37am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

All of the theming elements have now been removed from the exterior of the ESPN Club on Disney's BoardWalk.

ESPN Club themeing removal - July 21 2022

No significant changes are expected to be made to the structure of the building as it is converted into The Cake Bake Shop restaurant.

ESPN Club themeing removal - July 21 2022

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.

The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers

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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Chef idea Mickey`=Apr 06, 2025

Perhaps, to me it reminded me of the Disneyland Paris Hotel, just the classic vibe!

Chef idea Mickey`=Apr 06, 2025

I'm being legit, I only went in once since and must not paid attention how awful. 😔 Gazing the monorails come and go was the crown jewel! ✨️

peter11435Apr 06, 2025

You are vastly overrating that store. It was never more than barely average.

aladdin2007Apr 06, 2025

Are you asking legit or being sarcastic lol,,,,in that refresh ( GF ) they blocked the floor windows that went all the way around with shelving etc, so you can't see out anymore, making the whole space feel smaller tighter and unappealing.

aladdin2007Apr 06, 2025

I can certainly understand your points...I guess I just don't like any of these mishmash changes they are making. I wish Imagineering was in control, I don't believe they have a hand in any of this being done. Its all local TDO management accountants.

jmuboyApr 06, 2025

I regularly tear into Disney for theme downgrades. And yes 2 of the like 8-10 M Mouse Mercantile windows were closed up in the refresh. The minty sea foam green is beachy and contained INSIDE the store unlike Enchanted Rose’s massive blue wall in the corridor I just don’t think the M Mouse Mercantile refurbishment was the travesty everyone thinks it was. My hot take. I don’t blame bland merch on a store either. WDW as a whole has bland same thing in every store merchandising for almost 2 decades at this point

aladdin2007Apr 06, 2025

well the Boardwalks was always larger than the Gf's, but why oh why they blocked all the windows up there in the GF store was just stupid. They are doing stupid things like this across the property, like we said before anything that was nice they are doing away with. And yes nothing matters now but grab and go and get out.

Chef idea Mickey`=Apr 06, 2025

Aww The Grand Floridian store was quiticentsial pure Disney charm and classic ✨️ feel and heart like you would find in other resorts around the world. Now it's removed and doesn't even feel it belongs within. Plus it looks barren like minimal merchandise than before, probably how the merch is arranged. It's basically grab and go see the merch and who cares. The difference between The Boardwalk just in my opinion was it wasn't a store I would want to stay long in vs GF.

CalmdownnowApr 05, 2025

The merchandising issues could just be prep for when tariffs hit as so much of the clothing, accessories, keepsakes, pins etc are sourced from outside the US and any substantial price hikes are going to hit sales turnover.

castlecake2.0Apr 05, 2025

From just now. Shop is much brighter. I wouldn’t say it’s “less themed” it’s just different. It was busy so I didn’t take wide shots, but it doesn’t feel empty of fixtures. I would give it a B+. 851704

castlecake2.0Apr 05, 2025

It’s doing pretty well. Thematically? Up for debate. However, as mentioned lots on this forum, the boardwalk is missing a proper quick service, the deli isn’t built to function as that. (As I am typing this there are people behind me having this exact conversation about lack of proper QSR at this resort) I’m walking over to check out the shops and will report back.

Basil of Baker StreetApr 04, 2025

Anyone know how the CBS is doing? I didn't think it was a good fit but been wrong at least three times today so 🤷‍♂️

Jrb1979Apr 04, 2025

Wider and emptier isn't the problem. It's the continuation of taking a lot of the theming away and making it all the same. It looks no different than a gift shop you find in most major hotels