Wide World of Sports to be ESPN Branded

[fillerup]

And this causes me to post this - something I've been puzzled about for years. And maybe some other locals or frequent visitors have wondered about this as well.

WWOS is frequently very lit up at night and there's often lots of traffic going and coming. Not to mention that I hear frequent fireworks from there, both day and night.

So obviously there are tons of events being staged. But......there's virtually no publicity about this, at least locally.

No specific question I guess, just me thinking out loud.

Any thoughts or speculation?

 

[MKCP 1985]

Now you see, this is what I immediately thought. But, I was thinking "ABC's Wide World of Sports". I know ESPN is more widely recognized, but ABC is the parent company of ESPN, aren't they? Either way, I think it's a good fit.

Yes, Disney bought the ABC Network (Lost, Desperate Housewives) which owns ESPN. ESPN has been gradually nudging ABC sports to the curb. During last year's college football season, the broadcasts on the local ABC Station would show the ESPN logo up in the corner of the screen. Very confusing initially. . . but as ESPN and ABC are under the same tent, I guess it makes sense to streamline the sports end of the network under one flag. . . that being ESPN.

 

[MKCP 1985]

And this causes me to post this - something I've been puzzled about for years. And maybe some other locals or frequent visitors have wondered about this as well.

WWOS is frequently very lit up at night and there's often lots of traffic going and coming. Not to mention that I hear frequent fireworks from there, both day and night.

So obviously there are tons of events being staged. But......there's virtually no publicity about this, at least locally.

No specific question I guess, just me thinking out loud.

Any thoughts or speculation?

The tournament teams involved know where to go and there is no real reason for the general public to be out there watching kids play soccer or engage in cheerleading competitions. Its great if its your kid is involved, but otherwise, most people aren't going to pay to watch kids they don't know go at it. :shrug:

Disney made a brilliant move anticipating the growth of tournament travel teams and enticing them to come to Walt Disney World to play their tournament ball, stay in a Disney value resort and make a Disney parks vacation out of the whole thing.

cha-ching! $$$

 

[utrythinkinof1]

Is it still gonna be called Wide World of Sports?

 

[SSE]

I think this is a good idea. I have no interest in sports though so the decision doesn't really affect me. I also think they should move the ESPN Club to WWOS and also move ESPN Weekends to there too. Since I don't follow sports though or take an interest in what kind of presence they have in the parks I don't know if this would be a good idea or not.

 

[krankenstein]

I was wondering what was taking them so long to announce something along these lines. Hopefully, they will build the rumored ESPN Zone here too.

 

[ArnyVee]

This makes total sense and as another person stated, not sure why it took so long.

I have personally never visited the WWoS, but if they tie in some 'extras', I might have to fit it into our Disney itinerary.

I REALLY like the idea of a bowling alley too!

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Ok,no complaints here.I've always bowling thought was right for WDW.

 

[jt04]

This makes total sense and as another person stated, not sure why it took so long.

I have personally never visited the WWoS, but if they tie in some 'extras', I might have to fit it into our Disney itinerary.

I REALLY like the idea of a bowling alley too!

:sohappy:

I have heard the same rumor. The buzz created by possibly placing a bowling alley at DTD appears to have compelled them to consider a much larger facility at the new ESPN "world of sports". It would be a very wise choice should management go in that direction IMO. Some of the modern technologies make bowling a very fun activity for families and would definitely prove popular for guests looking for "after park hours" entertainment.