World Cup LIVE From Epcot!

[Epcotfan64]

Thw workd cup makes perfect sense for Epcot and I love it. The argument "walt" wants to keep the live outside out is BS. If that's the case let's ban smart phones in the park.

Can't they just watch the match on their smart phones? Remember, at one time airlines had just a few screens for all passengers. Now each passenger has his or her own individual screen.

 

[WEDWDW]

They just couldnt LIVE. The last World Cup within US time zone for live games was 20 Years ago when then US hosted in 1994. Since
Then parks were closed for many live games.

I think the interesting thing is there have been countless events they COULD have shown live since 1971 inside the Parks,but never did.

The question is is this just a "one time thing" or the start of live in-Park TV being "routine".

 

[hill6]

Wow that sounds scary!

Regarding live TV in the parks... did they show anything to the guests during 9/11 or the couple days after?

They closed all the parks on 9/11.

 

[subtchr]

I am sitting in the Odyssey to take a break from the rain, watching Chile v. Australia.

It's great, comfortable and fun. Australia just scored, and there was some excited cheering.

I bet this place will be packed out and rocking when the US plays!

 

[LilyWDW]

I think the interesting thing is there have been countless events they COULD have shown live since 1971 inside the Parks,but never did.

The question is is this just a "one time thing" or the start of live in-Park TV being "routine".

This is such an international event though. The only thing that I can think of right now to compare it to is the Olympics. To me, it wouldn't make sense to do something like the Superbowl as that only impacts one country. If they keep it to the things that bring about peaceful international competition or events, I think that works very well at Epcot.

And I have never personally run into a soccer "hooligan". Even when I have been in other countries that take the sport more seriously. They are not that common and I doubt there will suddenly be a bunch more idiots in Epcot then on any other day.

 

[subtchr]

I took some pics inside, will post them when I can.

 

[Zooshoveller]

I showed DH this thread. He has played soccer since since he was 4, went to 3 World Cup matches in Dallas in 94, and has coached our kids teams since they were 4. He's a bit of a fanatic.

So here are some of his comments:

"Oh that would be awesome! It would be like being there without having to leave the country. There's nothing like sharing what you love with tons of other people from different countries. Oh wait that's like Disney. Ok so World Cup and Disney together would be heaven. And it's in a/c with couches?! Oh man, WDW really is where dreams come true."

I think this is great in the WS. DS plans on buying a soccer ball from every country. He has started his collection with England. Think about how many countries gift shops have a sports (soccer) section.

 

[WEDWDW]

There is an "All World Showcase" Match today between England and Italy!

Since some of the Italy CMs and some of the England CMs probably are roommates,they are probably having a lot of fun telling each other that their team is going to win!

 

[Nole95]

I have no issue with this at all. The World Cup is a worldwide sporting event. Cities all around the world have fan fests set up so that people can gather and watch the matches live. This is the same thing on a smaller scale.

If there is one place that this is appropriate for, it is in the World Showcase at Epcot. If you don't like it, then stay away from that area. It's not like they have big screens set up in the open everywhere around EPCOT.

 

[itsthatdisneygirl]

Here now for England and Italy and the most destruction or "reckless" behavior has come from the 6-8 year old in front of me who's taken to pile driving and severely jumping on the leather couches provided

 

[SimonSez]

I think it's a great idea. I don't watch much soccer, but a big portion of the world does

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I think this controversy is crazy. They are offering an opportunity, it is out of the way in a restaurant. Who cares if someone goes in? Keeps the "park" area available for the people who want to see an attraction, keeps the soccer fans happy who might want to get the best of both worlds.

If you don't want to see it... don't go in the restaurant... and also a few less people meandering around the park. What's the problem?

 

[subtchr]

Here are the pics:

Untitled by suegee57, on Flickr

by suegee57, on Flickr

by suegee57, on Flickr

by suegee57, on Flickr

by suegee57, on Flickr

by suegee57, on Flickr

by suegee57, on Flickr

One of those bracket boards is also posted in the World Showcase, just after the Germany trains, where there is also a grassy area in which kids are encouraged to kick a soccer ball around and into a small goal.

 

[WEDWDW]

Thanks for those great pictures!

I am looking forward to watching the Finals in there!

I hope they do this for College Football Season,although I would probably stay in there all day and not do any attractions!lol

 

[JoeA]

This thread makes me laugh. There are events like F&W and F&G where the sub-theme is "booze" yet people are concerned about "soccer holigans".

Really?

From what I read you have to actually go out of your way and walk into a building to see this so it's not like your time, views, experience will be lessened.

I see drunk, obnoxious people all over EPCOT. Heck, I even once saw a 20-something man threaten to kick a 70 year old lady's "rear" in one of the restaurants in Japan. He used several choice words which no doubt will get me banned for life if I post them.

The world has changed a lot since "Walt's Vision" . Not the least of which - it's a multi $B corporation. Not a family business.

 

[WEDWDW]

wdwnewstoday has some great photos in their report today.

Disney even has "flags" in The Odyssey windows.

http://wdwnt.com/2014/06/61614-walt...-kingdom-epcot-animal-kingdom-disney-springs/

 

[WEDWDW]

Did The Odyssey reach "capacity" for the USA-Ghana match?

 

[GlennN]

Folks this is not a nationality issue and therefore you are respectively reminded to not make that the subject of the thread.

The topic is whether the showing of a sporting event is important to your vacation, is this the thin edge of the wedge that the televising of all events will become the norm, management of people traffic will take away from the Disney bubble ?

It IS a nationality issue. My wife and I had to find a place to watch the NFL playoffs a few years ago, and, I must say, it was not easy. We ended up at a lounge in the Grand Floridian. If they are not going to show NFL playoffs, then the only reason to show World Cup is to cater to the non-US audience (yes, I know soccer is gaining popularity in USA, but it has yet to surpass NFL in ratings).

 

[itsthatdisneygirl]

It IS a nationality issue...the only reason to show World Cup is to cater to the non-US audience (yes, I know soccer is gaining popularity in USA, but it has yet to surpass NFL in ratings).

Sorry but the only thing I could picture reading this was Sam Eagle and his tribute to all countries but mostly America.

That being said...it IS the International Gateway to the World Showcase and soccer has more of a world wide reach...I'm sure if this goes well they will extended it to showing the Olympics as well.

 

[jsbowl16]

This thread makes me laugh. There are events like F&W and F&G where the sub-theme is "booze" yet people are concerned about "soccer holigans".

Really?

From what I read you have to actually go out of your way and walk into a building to see this so it's not like your time, views, experience will be lessened.

I see drunk, obnoxious people all over EPCOT. Heck, I even once saw a 20-something man threaten to kick a 70 year old lady's "rear" in one of the restaurants in Japan. He used several choice words which no doubt will get me banned for life if I post them.

The world has changed a lot since "Walt's Vision" . Not the least of which - it's a multi $B corporation. Not a family business.

The thing is that people have the option to avoid going during F&W times. I had no idea that they would show the World Cup six months ago when I scheduled my trip or I would have scheduled my trip for later in the summer. I am probably the biggest sports fan you will ever meet spending countless amounts of money to see sporting events live each year but I am a little angry that having everything scheduled to be in Epcot for the final day with dining reservations and fast passes and now I might have to worry about my child if the celebration from the final spills out into the park later that night. There is a time and place for everything but there is no reason that they had to have this within Epcot. There is an ESPN Zone on property and a WWOS. They could have easily shown this at either venue where it would have been much more appropriate.