The Former Downtown Disney ESPN Zone to Be Converted Into Three New Stores

Six years after the ESPN Zone closed at Disneyland Resort’s Downtown Disney District, plans are underway to finally repurpose the space.

For those who don’t know, ESPN Zone opened with the rest of Downtown Disney in 2001. At the time, ESPN Zones were popular restaurants that catered to sports fans. They often included arcades. Walt Disney World visitors will likely remember the location at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort.

After 17 years of operation, the Downtown Disney ESPN Zone closed along with the AMC Theaters and Rainforest Cafe as part of a planned overhaul of Downtown Disney’s west side.

Photo: Yesterland

At the time, Disneyland expected to build a new hotel on the property.

The Planned Hotel Development Fell Through

While plans for the new hotel were canceled in 2018, Disney has moved forward with the reimagining of Downtown Disney’s west side. To that end, we saw Din Tai Fung, the D-Lander Shop, and Avengers Reserve open last year.

Photo: Disney Parks Blog

Throughout all this change, however, the former ESPN Zone remained shuttered. As the Los Angeles Daily News reports, the location has been used for offices, training, and special events.

Now, we finally know Disney’s plans for the building.

Three New Stores Are Coming to Downtown Disney

According to construction permits filed with the Anaheim Planning and Building Department, Disney will spend $3.5 million to covert the former ESPN Zone into three new stores.

Downtown Disney

Two shops will be located on the building’s first floor, while a third store will be located upstairs.

At this time, Disneyland has not revealed who the new tenants will be. Hopefully, we learn more soon.