World Cup Nonsense

[jakeman]

I would say that if one wants to watch soccerball instead of a themed environment, then don't visit a Disney park during a match.

There are four billion tv screens, but only one WDW.

Fortunately for us WDW fans, the parks don't vanish for 4 years only to reappear for a month. I think if that were the case it would take a bit of precedence over whatever else was going on.

 

[BuddyThomas]

Just saw on the newsfeed that they are putting TVs in Restaurantosaurus so that guests can watch the World Cup.

What the hell kind of **** is THAT?

Seriously bad show people. Keep the World Cup at any World Showcase countries that are participating and at All Star Sports. We don't need that crap splashed everywhere else in the parks.

What next, streaming NASCAR races at Electric Umbrella? Ooh I know! WWF wrestling over at Pecos Bill!

Stay Classy, TDO. You jerks.

Why does this possibly upset you? If you don't like it, go to one of the ten zillion other restaurants. And anyway, don't you realize that any person watching the World Cup is a person not in line for a ride??? Sheesh.

 

[rt06]

If you have problems getting in the joint, just say you're Abe Froman, Sausage King of Chicago.

Be sure to converse in low tones while eating your mac and cheese dog so as to not disturb the other clientele.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I just wish I was there yesterday just to see the shock on the Brazilian fans faces - egads what a game.

Oh how I wish to have shared WDW yesterday with my beloved Tour Groups!

 

[xdan0920]

I would say that if one wants to watch soccerball instead of a themed environment, then don't visit a Disney park during a match.

There are four billion tv screens, but only one WDW.

Liked that for "soccerball."

Did you watch the game yesterday? There were so many goal kicks for German soccer club. Only one goal kick for Brazil club!


Also, I think sports viewing is one area that's very under served at WDW. I'm glad they at least realized this, and are making accommodations for the WC.

 

[kettcobb]

I'm from England and love football, soccer to you guys across the pond, I'm also a massive massive hooligan. Whenever I have a beer I punch the nearest person to me and smash a glass over my head. Really I'm just like a cave man. I can't watch football without smashing a chair over someone, even if it's myself.

 

[Kamikaze]

It is called Walt Disney World, meaning the whole world. Soccer is huge in many countries, especially Brasil, and all the tour groups that come to WDW. It is only every four years, not every weekend in US NASCAR or WWE.

No, that is NOT what the 'World' part of Walt Disney World means.

 

[epcotisbest]

Just saw on the newsfeed that they are putting TVs in Restaurantosaurus so that guests can watch the World Cup.

What the hell kind of **** is THAT?

Seriously bad show people. Keep the World Cup at any World Showcase countries that are participating and at All Star Sports. We don't need that crap splashed everywhere else in the parks.

What next, streaming NASCAR races at Electric Umbrella? Ooh I know! WWF wrestling over at Pecos Bill!

Stay Classy, TDO. You jerks.

Here is a comprehensive list of things that upset me about the World Cup being shown at WDW and an equally comprehensive list of reasons I have to complain about it:

 

[JIMINYCR]

It really doesn't matter to me. Restaurantosaurus is one of my least favorite places to eat and I don't watch soccer. it's as about exciting as watching paint dry.

Same.. Hey the more soccer fans watching , the less in lines or in my way in the park.

 

[Spectro shire]

Disney showing NASCAR would be interesting.....I have never seen NASCAR. I don't get the desire to watch cars go in big circles hundreds of times.

 

[Roakor]

Apparently a lot of people. Otherwise ESPN Zone and Wide World of Sports complex wouldn't exist.

I should clarify my comment a bit. I was referring more to the 4 parks themselves. I realize that sports are big and people enjoy them on vacation. I don't have any issue with that. And your right that is why the ESPN Zone and Wide World of Sports complex exist. I just don't see the need to put TVs throughout the parks for sporting events. As you noted there are plenty of places people can go to catch a game already.

 

[rt06]

Watching the match on my phone. Thinking about Disney. Missing the wings, beer, and chants at ESPN Club. Extra time. "I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!" Missing all the various jerseys, the national pride. "Colombia! He visitado Cartagena." Missing the brief connections I made with people of all places on line. "What's the score?" A slight nod, a point of the chin, a tilt of the phone, welcome to my viewing party. Huddled around my what-didn't-seem-so-apparently-tiny-until-now iPhone 4S. No sound. Can't hear anyway. Intense silence interrupted by brief commentary (sometimes English, often not), groans , and gasps , as we shuffled down the standby line. Thank yous and smiles exchanged as the line splits up and we go our separate ways.

Why does Disney show an event that brings people together? Shouldn't you like to know?

 

[JIMINYCR]

I should clarify my comment a bit. I was referring more to the 4 parks themselves. I realize that sports are big and people enjoy them on vacation. I don't have any issue with that. And your right that is why the ESPN Zone and Wide World of Sports complex exist. I just don't see the need to put TVs throughout the parks for sporting events. As you noted there are plenty of places people can go to catch a game already.

Yes, I understand some peoples needs/addictions to watch sports 24/7 and a lot rides on the outcomes of sporting events. I cant understand... why pay all that money to get to Disney and no matter how long you've booked the trip for you never have enough time to do it all. Why spend valuable time watching a TV for anything??? The only TV I want to watch is the one in the ToT library.....

 

[cw1982]

Honestly, I was in complete agreement with the OP's sentiment at first. If I'm on vacation and spending thousands of dollars to enjoy a week at WDW, the last thing I want to do is spend part of a day watching TV when I could be enjoying attractions that I only encounter every few years or so. After all, that's what I'm paying for.

But then I got to thinking... If all these new initiatives are designed to keep people in the parks, this setup certainly seems to fall in line with that same pattern. Sure, people could leave property and go to sports bars to watch the games, but if Disney is giving them a chance to watch the games and still be in WDW, I'm sure they see that as a win-win; they're giving people one less reason to leave the parks and probably making more money in drinks and snacks than they may have if those people had left the park. I wouldn't be partaking, because that's not what I'm there for, but if others want to pay for a day in the parks and spend some of that time watching a game they could have seen elsewhere for free, that's their prerogative.

 

[MaryJaneP]

We agree with the OP in the sense that the TV-ification of WDW is something we hope is always avoided. An idea that both goals could be accomplished by adding multiple sports viewing bars at Flamingo Crossing. Kinda a reason d'etre. Maybe even World Cup, Olympics, Superbowl, Nascar, WWE, etc.

 

[Dwarful]

I am not a soccer / futbol fan...but my brother in law is trying very hard to convert me....he is from Jersey Channel Island....he still thinks I need to stick a 'u' in my words like color and favor....what does he know????

Did WDW add extra TV's for the Olympics? or previous World Cup matches? just curious if this is new. OK at one counter service restaurant...but will they go Six Flags style in four years and put tvs up blaring the games in line for the rides? I would NOT enjoy that. But if someone is in dire need to get 'their fix on' then I suppose no harm, no foul. It is in an out of the way location.

Personally, I had to make my reservations for our trip months in advance....BUT I will tell you...I would have been in my room or a sports bar nearby if my Blues had made it to the finals for Lord Stanley's Cup......but those games are only a few hours in length and I could still have gotten some park time in....but no way would I have tried to enjoy the game at Restaurantosaurus.......nope, no way...I LOVE my Blues and hockey in general and that is not the environment I would have wanted....

NOW for the hooligans comment.....surely they were referring to Duncan Keith...."Wakey, wakey Backes"....that is a hooligan.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I don't see what the big deal is. A tv is on in the park and people are watching a game. So?

Speaking of the World Cup, my two teams are gone, so I don't even care who wins anymore.

 

[acishere]

WDW attracts people from around the world. Soccer is the most popular sport worldwide. Sometimes your vacation window is narrow so you have to go away the same time as the biggest sporting event in the world. So WDW is offering locations for fans to watch the games together in a community setting without leaving the parks. Because watching the games along with other fans adds an extra level of excitement and energy to the experience.

If you watched any of it on TV and saw the massive viewing parties taking place around the world, it wouldn't seem so crazy for WDW to offer a similar experience to those fans. Soccer is almost like a religion in many parts of the world with fans who, if on vacation in WDW, would leave the parks to watch their team play. So WDW created a solution to keep them in the parks and spending money on food and drinks.

 

[disney4life2008]

Actually, I see no problem with this. It is a major sporting event. And keep in mind - it may keep people away from the parks so offering a place to watch it will keep the world cup fans happy.

 

[Beholder]

Yeah, pixie dusters having nothing on the hard core fans of the Beautiful Game.

I think it's all good. Find a way to make people happy and everybody wins.