World Cup LIVE From Epcot!

[CinqueTerre]

My husband and I are sports fans but do not get into soccer so the World Cup has little meaning to us. However, we are two people on the face of the earth and there are millions of people who love soccer. I think what Disney is doing is very good.

Billions

 

[Statefan17]

I like it -putting the World in Disney.

 

[WEDWDW]

Here is some more info.

The Matches will be listed in the Epcot Times Guide and merchandise will be for sale in The Odyssey Lobby.
http://disneyfoodiesfacebook.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-odyssey-restaurant-in-epcot-to-re.html

 

[ton80]

Gotta put up with watching this crap all next week.

 

[CFioren317]

World Cup? The only Cup I have heard of is Lord Stanley's which will be given to the L.A. Kings tonight. What is this "World Cup" you speak of?? Oh wait, is this the Soccer tournament that the US has "no chance of winning" as per their coach LOL.

I think a previous poster has the right thought...Disney = ABC = ESPN. I'm just wondering why it took so long for them to think of it. ABC/ESPN hosted the 2010 World Cup as well.

 

[JanaDee]

There are plenty of other places people can watch if they are interested. Keep it out of the parks.

 

[ton80]

There are plenty of other places people can watch if they are interested. Keep it out of the parks.

 

[jeffbear]

A. Obviously the World Cup broadcasts are easily avoided if you don't care.

B. I can't imagine a scenario where your park experience will be damped by what Disney has planned during World Cup

C. This will make a LOT of people happy

Thus ... don't get the issues that some folks seem so interested in expressing.

 

[msteddom]

I am here right now. I was in Epcot yesterday but I left before the first match began. It was a really fun atmosphere in World Showcase with a bunch of people dressed to support their team. I didn't see any sign of soccer hooliganism or rowdy fans, just excitement and fun.

They also have special World Cup merchandise at Epcot right now that is just adorable!!!! I do plan on ducking into the Odyssy during a match, I'll report back when I do.

Melissa

 

[Dayton Flyer]

A. Obviously the World Cup broadcasts are easily avoided if you don't care.

B. I can't imagine a scenario where your park experience will be damped by what Disney has planned during World Cup

C. This will make a LOT of people happy

Thus ... don't get the issues that some folks seem so interested in expressing.

Some people get super hostile about soccer having fans for some reason. They just have to make it known how much they don't like soccer and how pointless it is.

 

[jeffbear]

Some people get super hostile about soccer having fans for some reason. They just have to make it known how much they don't like soccer and how pointless it is.

I see that often, but have never understood it. If you don't like it, then ignore it. It isn't hard ... at least not in this country. It actually is hard in a lot of other places.

 

[WEDWDW]

I'm just wondering why it took so long for them to think of it.

There has always been an "unwritten rule" that live TV was not to be shown inside the Parks-it had to do with Walt's vision of keeping "reality" outside the Parks.

Why they chose to "break" tradition now is an interesting question.

It will be interesting to see if this leads to anything more.

 

[WEDWDW]

I do plan on ducking into the Odyssy during a match, I'll report back when I do.

Melissa

Thanks-look forward to your report.

 

[msteddom]

I stopped in to the Odyssey during the Mexico match. There was one very large TV in the center of the room with other large screen TVs around the room. There was a row of leather couches in front of the largest TV and dozens of tables throughout the restaurant.

Almost every table was full and everyone was enjoying the game. There was a small food kiosk and a small merchandise kiosk.

I thought it was very well done!

 

[mousefan73]

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.

Anyways. The world cup, unknown to many in the US bubble is a very big deal. I think Disney would have done this years, decades ago.

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.

 

[Albytaps]

A. Obviously the World Cup broadcasts are easily avoided if you don't care.

B. I can't imagine a scenario where your park experience will be damped by what Disney has planned during World Cup

C. This will make a LOT of people happy

Thus ... don't get the issues that some folks seem so interested in expressing.

There's a lot of ignorant people out there.

 

[WEDWDW]

I stopped in to the Odyssey during the Mexico match. There was one very large TV in the center of the room with other large screen TVs around the room. There was a row of leather couches in front of the largest TV and dozens of tables throughout the restaurant.

Almost every table was full and everyone was enjoying the game. There was a small food kiosk and a small merchandise kiosk.

I thought it was very well done!

Thanks for the great report!

I see a leather couch in my future!

Could this be the forerunner of actual Sports Bars in the Parks?

 

[Epcotfan64]

Yes, because all of us soccer fans who love the game just get drunk and disrupt others...sense the sarcasm?

Yes, because the English language doesn't have the term "soccer hooligan"...sense the sarcasm?

 

[JanaDee]

There's a lot of ignorant people out there.

Ignorant? Really?

 

[hakepb]

I am here right now. I was in Epcot yesterday but I left before the first match began. It was a really fun atmosphere in World Showcase with a bunch of people dressed to support their team. I didn't see any sign of soccer hooliganism or rowdy fans, just excitement and fun.

They also have special World Cup merchandise at Epcot right now that is just adorable!!!! I do plan on ducking into the Odyssy during a match, I'll report back when I do.

Melissa

Well said!

Soccer is a big part of other countries real culture. Its a more realistic experience to see the celebration of those other cultures.

If EPCOT had a Cities of the World "land" and there was a Boston and NYC, you'd expect to see the same thing during the baseball or American football playoffs.