NFL Pro Bowl Coming To Orlando in 2017

[lockedoutlogic]

Tampa is a decent sports market (football and hockey esp.) But the trop is crap and never will attract crowds

Oh I get it...been to many Lightning games and a few DEVIL ray games...

But baseball in Florida is hard enough...moving around would be a disaster.

Aren't the Lightning still playing?

 

[shanethesaint88]

I think this has potential and also another excuse to go to WDW. I signed for information about when tickets go on sale. Yes, the game sucks. Yes, the players dont play hard. But really who cares. Its just something to do. See all the big star players in one place. Now the potential comes in with how Disney can involve this into the parks. Possibly can bring back ESPN the weekends or have a Pro Bowl weekend along the same lines with how it used to be. Have activities and guest stars in the parks. Have live tapings of the shows on the stage in the middle of the park that certainly needs some life and excitement (*cough hollywood studios *cough)
This makes me excited. I would definitly go down for this. Never would go to Hawaii or somewhere esle just for the pro bowl. But if it is just something we do while on a Disney trip. I can get down with that lol

 

[vicarrieous]

Would you assume these events would be the week before or after the game? How about the Parakde? We were planning on going during this time and its bumming me out if its going to add a lot to the crowds. Not big in the football sports area. Granted moving plans either week doesn't look like things might slow down much either. Our initial plans are 24-31

 

[shanethesaint88]

Would you assume these events would be the week before or after the game? How about the Parakde? We were planning on going during this time and its bumming me out if its going to add a lot to the crowds. Not big in the football sports area. Granted moving plans either week doesn't look like things might slow down much either. Our initial plans are 24-31

I would imagine all the activities would take place the before culminating in the game sunday

 

[vicarrieous]

I would imagine all the activities would take place the before culminating in the game sunday

My initial thoughts as well. I picked this week do to the fact that nothing seemed to be going on. No runs no special shows/nights. But I should know better with Disney and something always comes up.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I think you might be overestimating Disney desire to plan/pay for/produce special events...

If there's high profit and an influx of travelers? Yeah...

Would anything around the pro bowl generate that? Unlikely.

Until the fact that they are mobbed with people right now whether they do anything or not changes - I don't see any need.

And neither will they.

 

[LaidBackDad]

I think the move to Orlando has more to do with the NFL trying to generate more interest in the Pro Bowl than Disney actively seeking the game. The NFL knows the game sucks. A large reason for that is a week vacation in Hawaii just isn't as big of a draw for NFL players anymore. All the players have multi-million dollar contracts and they can easily afford a trip to Hawaii without their vacation being interrupted by a game, press conferences or the chance of injury. Getting to Hawaii is kind of a pain with the long flight and and it is expensive for any NFL fans who may have ever considered going to the game. Having the game in Orlando makes it more accessible for players and fans. Die NFL fans will make a trip to Orlando and NFL stars will have a harder time opting out of the game. None of this means the game still won't suck but I think it will boost interest in the game at least for a year or two.

 

[MN96]

If they wanted to make it more interesting, make it a rookie showcase of sorts like how the mlb and NBA have a futures game. I mean heck, that's generally who plays in the game anyways

Or let the, play real football instead of adding a million unnecessary rules to minimize actual contact, though I would like to see a rookies vs sophomores game thatd be very cool

 

[rteetz]

I think the move to Orlando has more to do with the NFL trying to generate more interest in the Pro Bowl than Disney actively seeking the game. The NFL knows the game sucks. A large reason for that is a week vacation in Hawaii just isn't as big of a draw for NFL players anymore. All the players have multi-million dollar contracts and they can easily afford a trip to Hawaii without their vacation being interrupted by a game, press conferences or the chance of injury. Getting to Hawaii is kind of a pain with the long flight and and it is expensive for any NFL fans who may have ever considered going to the game. Having the game in Orlando makes it more accessible for players and fans. Die NFL fans will make a trip to Orlando and NFL stars will have a harder time opting out of the game. None of this means the game still won't suck but I think it will boost interest in the game at least for a year or two.

I agree except not all of the NFL players have multi-million dollar contracts. Sure all are making $250,000 or more a year but not everyone is making $1+ million.

 

[umichigan10]

Or let the, play real football instead of adding a million unnecessary rules to minimize actual contact, though I would like to see a rookies vs sophomores game thatd be very cool

Well the issue is they won't play "real" football because no one wants to risk injury in an exhibition. The special rules kinda just follow suit in that regard

 

[MN96]

Well the issue is they won't play "real" football because no one wants to risk injury in an exhibition. The special rules kinda just follow suit in that regard

Very true, not sure if bonuses for performance in the pro bowl would help this, but I think it's why most don't watch. It seems like we agree on that the fact that's its rating suffer because it is basically an irrelevant two hand touch game. It is definitely understandable that they don't want to get injured for exhibition.

 

[jade1]

I think this has potential and also another excuse to go to WDW. I signed for information about when tickets go on sale. Yes, the game sucks. Yes, the players dont play hard. But really who cares. Its just something to do. See all the big star players in one place. Now the potential comes in with how Disney can involve this into the parks. Possibly can bring back ESPN the weekends or have a Pro Bowl weekend along the same lines with how it used to be. Have activities and guest stars in the parks. Have live tapings of the shows on the stage in the middle of the park that certainly needs some life and excitement (*cough hollywood studios *cough)
This makes me excited. I would definitly go down for this. Never would go to Hawaii or somewhere esle just for the pro bowl. But if it is just something we do while on a Disney trip. I can get down with that lol

Already planned.

According to the press release,

1) there will be a week-long celebration for football and our fans

2) Practices will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort

3) youth football events at WWoS

4) and a fan fest at WWoS

5) Pro Bowl-themed 5k run

6) a parade of Pro Bowl players in the Magic Kingdom

7) Pro Bowl-themed elements throughout Disney Springs, Disney's newest entertainment and dining destination.

8) Pro Bowl

 

[shanethesaint88]

Very true, not sure if bonuses for performance in the pro bowl would help this, but I think it's why most don't watch. It seems like we agree on that the fact that's its rating suffer because it is basically an irrelevant two hand touch game. It is definitely understandable that they don't want to get injured for exhibition.

They already have bonuses for performance. Each player on the winning team gets a certain amount of money. I think the only think that would make it interesting would be for them to have non contact skills competitions for each position with the winners recieving significant compensation
For instance the WRs could participate in 4 or 5 drills testing their skill against each other. They could have a different position each day culminating in some sort of grand finale with a huge payout on the line

 

[LaidBackDad]

I agree except not all of the NFL players have multi-million dollar contracts. Sure all are making $250,000 or more a year but not everyone is making $1+ million.

Except we are talking about All Pro players playing in the Pro Bowl, not unsigned free agents who are back ups on their regular teams. All of these players have multi-million dollar contracts or they will have multi-million dollar deals on their next contract if they didn't have one already. ESPN made the NFL draft a huge prime time event which is hyped weeks in advance and draws huge crowds just for the pre-draft festivities. You can expect to see lots of similar festivities going on in Orlando and much bigger crowds than there ever was in Hawaii with probably less emphasis on the game.

 

[umichigan10]

They already have bonuses for performance. Each player on the winning team gets a certain amount of money. I think the only think that would make it interesting would be for them to have non contact skills competitions for each position with the winners recieving significant compensation
For instance the WRs could participate in 4 or 5 drills testing their skill against each other. They could have a different position each day culminating in some sort of grand finale with a huge payout on the line

They uses to do something like this a while ago, but it was more part of the preshow to the game. I think the game is gonna eventually get outright abolished in due time

 

[tlmadden73]

Great move.

The Pro Bowl in Hawaii always felt like it was just a way to get the players to want to come to play (and thus be on vacation in Hawaii for a week). It's not like any FANS would travel to Hawaii just for the Pro Bowl. In Orlando you may actually get FANS to want to come to the game/events happening during that week.

 

[jade1]

Great move.

The Pro Bowl in Hawaii always felt like it was just a way to get the players to want to come to play (and thus be on vacation in Hawaii for a week). It's not like any FANS would travel to Hawaii just for the Pro Bowl. In Orlando you may actually get FANS to want to come to the game/events happening during that week.

Agreed. The week of events will be the best part IMO. And much better than any other city.

WWoS is a great venue for some of this.

Even a Superbowl would have been a one time thing, now there is a yearly National Football League week at WDW.

Never saw that coming, quite a nice surprise actually.

Maybe now NFL can mean NFL.

 

[brendie72]

Hello,
Not knowing anything about the Pro Bowl, I have a question. (Because we are planning our trip for the week after the Pro Bowl)
Does anyone know if all of these festivities happen before or after the Pro Bowl generally?
Meaning these:

1) there will be a week-long celebration for football and our fans

2) Practices will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort

3) youth football events at WWoS

4) and a fan fest at WWoS

5) Pro Bowl-themed 5k run

6) a parade of Pro Bowl players in the Magic Kingdom

7) Pro Bowl-themed elements throughout Disney Springs, Disney's newest entertainment and dining destination.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[rteetz]

Hello,
Not knowing anything about the Pro Bowl, I have a question. (Because we are planning our trip for the week after the Pro Bowl)
Does anyone know if all of these festivities happen before or after the Pro Bowl generally?
Meaning these:

1) there will be a week-long celebration for football and our fans

2) Practices will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort

3) youth football events at WWoS

4) and a fan fest at WWoS

5) Pro Bowl-themed 5k run

6) a parade of Pro Bowl players in the Magic Kingdom

7) Pro Bowl-themed elements throughout Disney Springs, Disney's newest entertainment and dining destination.

Thanks in advance for any help!

I'm sure dates will be announced soon. This is all new stuff this year being the first time the pro bowl is in Orlando.

 

[jade1]

Hello,
Not knowing anything about the Pro Bowl, I have a question. (Because we are planning our trip for the week after the Pro Bowl)
Does anyone know if all of these festivities happen before or after the Pro Bowl generally?
Meaning these:

1) there will be a week-long celebration for football and our fans

2) Practices will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort

3) youth football events at WWoS

4) and a fan fest at WWoS

5) Pro Bowl-themed 5k run

6) a parade of Pro Bowl players in the Magic Kingdom

7) Pro Bowl-themed elements throughout Disney Springs, Disney's newest entertainment and dining destination.

Thanks in advance for any help!

My guess is before (they need to practice at WWoS before the game ), since the Super Bowl is Feb 5th-they have that week leading up to the game for SB festivities.