ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

[DVC'96]

If anyone knows a better place to find some information about this place, let me know since I'm not sure where to look. I always get pretty good information here so this is where I'll start. DD may be going to a tournament here in November and I've never been here. I read the info on Allearsnet but I am looking for more. We have DVC and I'd like to use our points to stay but from what I've read so far the buses only run from certain resorts so then we would probably need to rent a car and drive. Is there plenty of parking there? Any good tips for attending these events?
Thanks

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Just returned on Monday- my son's team was participating in the Disney's International Salute to Baseball July 6-13.

Is there a website for the particular event you are participating in? I found a lot of my answers there. I can tell you what our experience was but don't want to steer you in the wrong direction in case the rules are different. I'm happy to answer any questions about the complex that I can, though!

For my son's event- all players were required to stay on site, and the only options we were given were All Star Sports and CBR. We all stayed at CBR. There were a few kids whose parents still decided to stay off-site, and the kids had to pay for their spot in the room whether they stayed in it or not. It was part of a package- their ESPN credentials (or event pass for spectators), the room for a minimum of 7 nights, a ticket to an exclusive after hours party at Typhoon Lagoon, and the minimum ticket purchase which was a 3 Day Park Hopper. This was under $600 per person, so still a great deal. It worked out great for my family of 5 because 4 of us stayed in a room and DS stayed with his team mates at the same rate.

Yes, it appeared as though the only shuttles to/from ESPN WWOS were for those hotels. There wasn't a huge lot, but they had a lot of overflow parking set up in the grass for this event, as well as the AAU Girl's Basketball tournament that was going on at the same time.

Another head's up, for those that didn't purchase the package, the length of event passes for Spectators to get into WWOS was $80/pp and the TL party tickets were $55/pp.

My family at at the ESPN Grille a few times- it was actually pretty good for counter service, and they have the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines. It also has a full service bar, but we didn't have time to hang out there!

 

[DVC'96]

Now that I've done some digging there is some more information on the event website and it looks like they make it pretty hard to book your own lodging. Fortunately I can rent my points, I just wanted to stay in a DVC unit instead of All-Stars! We don't have a minimum # of nights-its a 3 day event during the school year but there are ticket discounts. Thanks for the information, you gave me an idea what I should be looking for. I'll just be happy to be at Disney!

 

[treeface]

We have gone down there in October the past 2 years and used our dvc points both times. We drove down so had a car, parking wasn't a problem, we always made it in the lot and as pop said, they also have overflow parking. OKW was about an 8-10 minutes drive and Kidani Village was about 5 minutes. We did not have any minimum stay requirements and were still able to get discount park tickets through the event without having to buy a whole package.

 

[njmom47]

If anyone knows a better place to find some information about this place, let me know since I'm not sure where to look. I always get pretty good information here so this is where I'll start. DD may be going to a tournament here in November and I've never been here. I read the info on Allearsnet but I am looking for more. We have DVC and I'd like to use our points to stay but from what I've read so far the buses only run from certain resorts so then we would probably need to rent a car and drive. Is there plenty of parking there? Any good tips for attending these events?
Thanks

We did a baseball tournament as well. We were able to bring our own food and drinks (in a soft-sided cooler, just like at the parks) but there was a concession stand. This was Dec 07/Jan 08 but I don't imagine that part would've changed.
We also had the choice of Allstars (don't remember exactly which one) or CBR. There was transportation to the WWOS from CBR and back. We did have families stay offsite and they drove to WWOS.
Disney (or WWOS) provided us with an agent who took care of any questions we had and basically helped us with our arrangements. We also chose a Team Mom to be our liason with this person from Disney. We had a form with with all our info: cell #s, arrival/departure dates, flight #s, who had added to the pkg (original was 4 day/3 nights, but we could add days or Hopper option, etc) so all the team info was in one place.

If you GoogleMaps WWOS Walt Disney World FL (I tried to post the link but it wasn't showing WWOS) you can get an idea of parking and how the complex is set up.
HTH somewhat!

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Now that I've done some digging there is some more information on the event website and it looks like they make it pretty hard to book your own lodging. Fortunately I can rent my points, I just wanted to stay in a DVC unit instead of All-Stars! We don't have a minimum # of nights-its a 3 day event during the school year but there are ticket discounts. Thanks for the information, you gave me an idea what I should be looking for. I'll just be happy to be at Disney!

I wasn't initially involved with helping the teams book travel but ended up taking it over last minute, and I had the same frustration. Once I was "in charge," I had a contact at the Sports Travel office and she asked me not to share her contact info with anyone and that everything had to go through me- so they do it that way on purpose.

This year I also helped plan DD's hs band trip to Disney through Festival Disney, and it was a completely different set of rules- and no requirement to stay on site. There were parents who took care of all their own transportation and lodging and were able to just buy discounted tickets through our group sales. I also registered our Boosters as tax exempt in FL and we were able to save substantial $$$ that way.

With two very different experience for Disney events- just 3 months apart- I would definitely try to figure out what the rules are before making any plans! Whoever is planning your teams travel should have already signed a contract.

 

[AuntMinnie12]

Have been there there four times for Disney Soccer Showcase and had to use their specific travel agency.

Just check the website....should have all pertinent info for you!

Have a great time!