ESPN the Weekend

[TEK224]

Has anyone done this event? I'm thinking of taking my 16 y/o nephew in 2010Do they have interactive stuff for kids to do? Are there opportunities for meet and greets/autographs with any athletes/celebrities?

I've never been to this event, so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Terri

 

[loveswdw]

We went to this just a few months ago. DH36 is a HUGE ESPN watcher and sports fan so it was right up his alley. We got to watch a live broadcast of "NFL Live" from right in front of the Mickey Sorcerer Hat. Pretty cool! We did the NFL show in the theater (can't remember what it was called right now). Had the guys from "NFL Live" interviewing five current NFL players. DH is a St. Louis Rams fan and we got to see Steven Jackson so he was happy.

There are lots of events going on all weekend. You have to pick and choose which events you wish to attend and which athletes you'd like to see as some events go on simultaneously. Events are popular too so you'll have to get in line early in order to guarantee you'll get in. They broadcast a bunch of shows directly from DHS all weekend.

There are special parades which feature the athletes too. I don't really think there were meet and greet, autograph sessions. At least, we didn't go to any.

A whole back area near the RnR Coaster was set up for the interactive playground which had golf, basketball, football, baseball, soccer, etc. for you to participate in different things. Golf was longest drive, baseball was pitching and hitting. There was also several ESPN radio broadcasts going on from back there too.

We were hoping to get to the Mike & Mike in the Morning livecast but didn't get tickets for that show.

DH says he would definitely go again!

 

[tjkraz]

We've done a couple of the ESPN Weekends. They are OK but nothing I would go out of my way for. And this is coming from a pretty big sports fan.

The main attraction is a stage set-up in front Sorcerer Mickey's hat which is used for live broadcasts throughout the day. They split the time between live content which airs on ESPN and stuff done just for the parks. Several of their roundtable discussion shows (Baseball Tonight, etc.) will be produced live with the ESPN personalities there in the park.

Other times they will do short motorcades with current and former athletes and then bring those folks on the stage for a Q&A. Like the previous poster I don't recall any actual meet-and-greets or autograph sessions, but they will let folks in the audience ask some questions from a microphone.

A few weeks ahead of time they will begin publishing a list of athletes that will attend. But the problem is that you won't know exactly when the athlete will be in the park until you get the schedule at the front gate. The "weekend" is spread over 3 days and you could easily miss your favorite athlete if his only appearance is the day before you arrive. Unless you plan to be at DHS from 9am - 7pm on Friday, Saturday AND Sunday, it's a crap shoot as to whether you'll see a specific athlete or not.

The weekends can be fun and it's certainly a different twist on your typical Disney vacation. But I doubt many people walk away thinking "wow, that was the greatest event ever...I have GOT to do that again!"

 

[simmons_m]

have the dates been set for 2010 yet?

 

[TEK224]

Thanks for the info!

Terri