ESPN worth visiting?

[Scott McDuck]

We have park hopper plus, and so I was wondering if it is worth checking out ESPN Wide World of Sports for no additional charge. It seems to me that the only reason to visit would be to watch a random high school cheerleading/soccer/baseball tournament. If we're not competing, we can't actually use the facilities for anything, right? As far as I can tell, I don't see any reason to visit ESPN but was wondering if I'm missing something.

 

[StarGirl11]

Yeah unless your really into sports or there for an event its really not worth spending the extra time to get there. I avoid it outside of dealing with runDisney stuff. And its also a bit of a pain to get to. No buses from the parks. So you have to go to a hotel and then transfer if you don't have a car. Just save yourself the pain of making the hike over there.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

You're correct- there's nothing worth a visit there unless you know someone competing. I'm not particularly sure why they include it as a perk of the park hopper plus lol

 

[StarGirl11]

You're correct- there's nothing worth a visit there unless you know someone competing. I'm not particularly sure why they include it as a perk of the park hopper plus lol

Especially since the place is free to go to begin with. Such an odd choice

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Especially since the place is free to go to begin with. Such an odd choice

Exactly lol and the one time we were actually going there to see someone compete, we had to pay for a ticket to the competition because they said your WDW ticket only gets you into the area, not the event

 

[Disneyfan754321]

Im glad you asked this, i saw it in the extras on the app next to mini golf.

 

[nkereina]

I don't believe transportation is even provided to there unless there is an event going on. I also believe the QS there is closed unless an event is going on. So, not much to see unless you have a particular reason to go or an event you want to check out.

 

[kpd6901]

THIS is a major reason why I think the NBA Experience should have gone there. Include it, add a bunch of sports related games, attractions, experiences, etc. And then maybe people will come. I get the whole separate cost for watching an event...Disney provides the facility, and XYZ sports organization runs and operates the event. They need to cover their own costs. But adding simulators, batting cages, NFL combine-style experiences or skills programming would definitely make it more attractive - something worth going to.

 

[jbish]

THIS is a major reason why I think the NBA Experience should have gone there. Include it, add a bunch of sports related games, attractions, experiences, etc. And then maybe people will come. I get the whole separate cost for watching an event...Disney provides the facility, and XYZ sports organization runs and operates the event. They need to cover their own costs. But adding simulators, batting cages, NFL combine-style experiences or skills programming would definitely make it more attractive - something worth going to.

This is an amazing idea and, for sure, this sports-loving family would have gone! We are doing the NBA Experience in April but I know that most on these boards don't really care about it. But, man, if ESPN WWOS could be an experience, my kids would go nuts. And DH. LOL

Otherwise, I have been there twice, once for a RunDisney race packet and once for a gymnastics competition. There's nothing there for just a random passerby.

 

[WEDWDW]

THIS is a major reason why I think the NBA Experience should have gone there. Include it, add a bunch of sports related games, attractions, experiences, etc. And then maybe people will come.

The sole purpose of ESPN WWoS these days is as an event host.

Disney has not "interest" in trying to "attract" non-event goers.

 

[kpd6901]

The sole purpose of ESPN WWoS these days is as an event host.

Disney has not "interest" in trying to "attract" non-event goers.

Well, if Disney is making $$ from events and feels it has a good balance between overhead, liability insurance, and as a gateway to bring other "non-traditional" guests to WDW, then I can understand that. But there are lots of WDW guests who would love to indulge their sporty side, especially with what WWoS can potentially bring. More guests buying PH+ add-ons, for sure.

 

[WEDWDW]

Well, if Disney is making $$ from events and feels it has a good balance between overhead, liability insurance, and as a gateway to bring other "non-traditional" guests to WDW, then I can understand that.

They are making HUGE money!

They "recently" built a new 8,500 seat Arena-the first venue ever designed SOLELY to host Cheer/Dance competitons.

There are only a handful of days per year where there is not at least one event taking place.

 

[WEDWDW]

I'm not particularly sure why they include it as a perk of the park hopper plus lol

It used to make some sense when they had the "NFL Experience" activity there,but now it makes ZERO sense.