World Cup LIVE From Epcot!

[Jennasis]

Wait Wait Wait...are people HONESTLY worried about a soccer riot breaking out???

 

[LSUfan4444]

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).

The difference is outside of the US, the world only cares about the NFL for the Super Bowl (for the most part). While futball (soccer) is more popular outside of the US it is still very popular inside the states making it truly a common interest worldwide, not just inside or outside the US.

The game last night between the US and Ghana drew a 7.0 which is more viewers than the NHL finals, but less than game 5 of the NBA playoffs (which drew a mid 8 number).

The point is in the US nobody touches NFL wen it comes to ratings, but soccer is a huge draw inside of the US AND for the worldwide visitors. Playing matches in Epcot makes a ton of sense.

Just like FP+, ADRs, park hours, parade schedule, show times etc. you need to allow for flexibility when you plan a trip to WDW because year after year, things are announced short notice which will impact some unsuspecting guests.

 

[jeffbear]

Wait Wait Wait...are people HONESTLY worried about a soccer riot breaking out???

Agree ... it just doesn't happen in these circumstances. It would be completely without precedent. Not in the States and not in Epcot ... no possible way.

It's like being afraid to go to a Park on July 1 because you're afraid that too many rowdy Canadians will over-do their Independence day celebration. I mean, it could happen ... but so could a lot of things ... like lightning striking your group.

 

[Jennasis]

There have been World cups before right? Has a riot broken out in the past at WDW?

Yeah, Not gonna happen.

 

[itsthatdisneygirl]

The thing is that people have the option to avoid going during F&W times... I might have to worry about my child if the celebration from the final spills out into the park later that night.

You and your family can just as easily avoid this if not more so.. The Odyssey is literally off the beaten path whether going from future world into WS or going around WS. The only reason you would ever run into it is if you went directly to it.
Also that being said when I was there no body was being obscene or appearing drunk at all..most times you could here a pin drop and when Italy won there was one loud cheer from the fans and that was it. They have security guards in the building anyway as I'm sure they know how ANY sports fan can get and they want to make sure nothing gets out of hand. We went through Italy before illuminations also and NOTHING had spilled out into there even though that country won.
I honestly think you are blowing it out of proportion as if you have taken your child to any of the numerous sporting events you say you've been too then they have probably seen and heard way worse then what they will hear there even on finals day

 

[Donnainnj]

Are these games available on the internet? Maybe it is Disney keeping the masses from watching it on their wireless devices and overloading their service.
Donna

 

[hopemax]

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).

It's simply "synergy". The WC is an ESPN event, which is owned by Disney. Other networks currently own the broadcasting rights to most NFL games, including the post-season. They aren't showing the WC to please international visitors. It's so guests might enjoy themselves and will watch ESPN's coverage of later WC games after they go home.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

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).

It is not a nationality issue. The World Cup is played on a world stage between different countries, like the Olympics. The NFL playoffs are between US cities. Even if anyone outside the US actually cared about the NFL playoffs, it doesn't really fit the World Showcase theme.

My American family, including my children who actually play soccer, have been excited to watch the World Cup games. No one in my family except DH cares at all about the NFL playoffs. Hard to believe you couldn't find the playoffs at the ESPN Club. Why on earth would they be shown at the WORLD showcase?

 

[WEDWDW]

It's simply "synergy". The WC is an ESPN event, which is owned by Disney. Other networks currently own the broadcasting rights to most NFL games, including the post-season. They aren't showing the WC to please international visitors. It's so guests might enjoy themselves and will watch ESPN's coverage of later WC games after they go home.

But the interesting thing is there HAVE been countless events since 1971 Disney could have shown on live TV since,but this is the first time-it is historic.

It opens everythng up to a lot of conjecture,for example,ESPN is HEAVILY involved with College Football,can we expect the new 4 Team Playoff to be shown live at The Odyssey,etc.,etc.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

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.

We were in Epcot yesterday and stopped by the Odyssey to catch the score of the game. It is a small venue that you can easily avoid if you choose. Half the people in the Odyssey were children, and the CMs were kicking a soccer ball around with a bunch of preschoolers. Not exactly a riot-prone area.

There will be people of other nationalities in all the parks while you are there. At the time of the final, I would expect celebrating from the people from that country, even if they don't go into the Odyssey to watch the game with 50 other people. I did not fear for the safety of my children when the US beat Ghana yesterday. Of course, they were among those cheering.

 

[Foxxie52]

No! No! No!

I hate this idea with a capital H! I am not a football fan and I absolutely hate having it forced down my throat every four years when the World Cup hits. It's not possible to get away from it here in the UK. It's on the radio, front page of all the papers, on TV, mentioned on the news more than once a day and every pub you walk past has drunk football fans spilling out (some of them looking to start a fight). I actually plan my holidays to be away when the World Cup is taking place. Disney is where I go to escape the real world but if the football is encroaching on even that, then I need to find a new happy place.

I have no problem with a designated sports bar (that can be avoided). If it's only in the Odyssey then it shouldn't be an issue. I just don't want to see all the pavilions decorated in their countries sports colours and fans going into other pavilions to jeer that they lost.

 

[Jennasis]

No! No! No!

I hate this idea with a capital H! I am not a football fan and I absolutely hate having it forced down my throat every four years when the World Cup hits. It's not possible to get away from it here in the UK. It's on the radio, front page of all the papers, on TV, mentioned on the news more than once a day and every pub you walk past has drunk football fans spilling out (some of them looking to start a fight). I actually plan my holidays to be away when the World Cup is taking place. Disney is where I go to escape the real world but if the football is encroaching on even that, then I need to find a new happy place.

I have no problem with a designated sports bar (that can be avoided). If it's only in the Odyssey then it shouldn't be an issue. I just don't want to see all the pavilions decorated in their countries sports colours and fans going into other pavilions to jeer that they lost.

You need to move to the US...nobody cares about socc...er...I mean football over here.

 

[Foxxie52]

Yes please!

Seriously, you have no idea how full on it is here. Once a footballer broke his toe and it was front page news for weeks!

 

[LSUfan4444]

fans going into other pavilions to jeer that they lost.

That will/can happen whether they broadcast the games or not.

The broadcasting of the game changes very little to anyone not wanting to watch the games.....very little.

If a drunk Swede wants to beat up anyone in a Germany jersey because they lost, the fact that drunk Swede was able to watch the match from inside of Epcot rather than from ESPN Club is irrelevant.

 

[mmafan]

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?

^^^^^i dont think so i was there and dont remember seeing anything

 

[jsbowl16]

That will/can happen whether they broadcast the games or not.

The broadcasting of the game changes very little to anyone not wanting to watch the games.....very little.

If a drunk Swede wants to beat up anyone in a Germany jersey because they lost, the fact that drunk Swede was able to watch the match from inside of Epcot rather than from ESPN Club is irrelevant.

I agree with this but when you combine rabid sports fans and alcohol, it can get ugly. If I was a Cowboys fan, I wouldn't take my kids to an Eagles game in Philadelphia because it can get ugly. I am sure you don't go to Alabama with your kids and tailgate with your LSU stuff in the middle of their Saturday tradition. The point is that some people like to avoid having their kids see situations like this and what can happen. As I said before, they have an entire sports complex where they could show this anywhere they want and avoid the big crowds of Epcot on a weekend day in July.

 

[jsbowl16]

You and your family can just as easily avoid this if not more so.. The Odyssey is literally off the beaten path whether going from future world into WS or going around WS. The only reason you would ever run into it is if you went directly to it.
Also that being said when I was there no body was being obscene or appearing drunk at all..most times you could here a pin drop and when Italy won there was one loud cheer from the fans and that was it. They have security guards in the building anyway as I'm sure they know how ANY sports fan can get and they want to make sure nothing gets out of hand. We went through Italy before illuminations also and NOTHING had spilled out into there even though that country won.
I honestly think you are blowing it out of proportion as if you have taken your child to any of the numerous sporting events you say you've been too then they have probably seen and heard way worse then what they will hear there even on finals day

The only sporting events I take my children to are Minor League baseball games because they are family friendly. I have been to quite a few Red Sox-Yankees games, etc and I would never take my toddler to one of those games.

I would love to switch my plans but I already have an ADR for that morning and night at Epcot and fast passes for that day. I would have to switch around two days worth of plans if I wanted to change because this is our only Epcot day scheduled.

If they would have announced this earlier or if they would have done this in the past I would have avoided the day of the final game but now I cannot.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I agree with this but when you combine rabid sports fans and alcohol, it can get ugly.

I agree with the premise, but it isn't like the game is a draw to bring people to Epcot. Anyone drunk futbol fan in Epcot after a World Cup match will be a drunk futbol fan in Epcot regardless of whether he/she watches the game inside of Epcot or .10 miles away at ESPN.

I am sure you don't go to Alabama with your kids and tailgate with your LSU stuff in the middle of their Saturday tradition.

Well actually I do, but college sports kinda has a different vibe than the NFL, but I get your point.

This isn't a live sporting event though. Epcot is not being transformed into Brazil South (any more than it is in mid January). This isn't bringing droves of soccer fans into Epcot that weren't already going to Epcot to begin with.

January during NFL playoffs and marathon weeks and are a perfect example and I have seen it for years. Yes, you do see some ole fashioned ribbing back and forth, but it is mostly good-natured and fun. I was at WDW last year when the Saints lost to the Seahawks and I was at ESPN when LSU beat Oregon, A&M, Washington (all in different trips). I have seen UF and FSU fans live together in almost harmony throughout the World Showcase after both teams play each other.

It isn't like the demographic of the guests at Epcot is going to dramatically change over-night because you can now watch the matches without leaving the park.

 

[jsbowl16]

I agree with the premise, but it isn't like the game is a draw to bring people to Epcot. Anyone drunk futbol fan in Epcot after a World Cup match will be a drunk futbol fan in Epcot regardless of whether he/she watches the game inside of Epcot or .10 miles away at ESPN.

Well actually I do, but college sports kinda has a different vibe than the NFL, but I get your point.

This isn't a live sporting event though. Epcot is not being transformed into Brazil South (any more than it is in mid January). This isn't bringing droves of soccer fans into Epcot that weren't already going to Epcot to begin with.

January during NFL playoffs and marathon weeks and are a perfect example and I have seen it for years. Yes, you do see some ole fashioned ribbing back and forth, but it is mostly good-natured and fun. I was at WDW last year when the Saints lost to the Seahawks and I was at ESPN when LSU beat Oregon, A&M, Washington (all in different trips). I have seen UF and FSU fans live together in almost harmony throughout the World Showcase after both teams play each other.

It isn't like the demographic of the guests at Epcot is going to dramatically change over-night because you can now watch the matches without leaving the park.

Maybe I am just blowing it out or proportion. I have been to college football games and NFL both of which I have seen some things I don't want my toddler to see. I am expecting soccer fans to be even more into their sport especially if they are from Brazil, England, Germany, etc.

I am also a little concerned because I am expecting Brazil to be in the final and I know that there are normally a lot of Brazilian tour groups at Disney in July but hopefully everything will go as planned and there will not be any issues.

 

[Jennasis]

If anything even remotely untoward happens in Epcot as a direct result of soccer-hooliganism due to World Cup frenzy I will eat my hat...actually, I will eat all my hats.

I have a lot of hats.