World Cup LIVE From Epcot!

[Peachkins]

Maybe I am just blowing it out or proportion...

Seriously, yes you are. It wouldn't even occur to me that I should change my plans because some people are watching a soccer game in one of the buildings at the park.

 

[mousefan73]

Relax people. I have seem more binge drinking , american college kids using a football game as an excuse to get drunk and cause havic.

Yes there are the "hooligans" but most stories are exaggerated. I live in germany and yes we drink when watching games but dont usually overdo it. Americans and their games are the one pushing the drinking down people's throats. Happy hours, special shots, tailgating ( only a us thing , btw). 99.9% of soccer fans are too into the games to even think about getting the next beer.

Just because one is "more into this sport" does not equal we will drink more?? Where is that logic. The world cup fans i know are so into the games they are literally glued to the tv, dont speak to them, dont ask and there are no commercial breaks or limited. This means no beer runs.




Please dont confuse chanting, yelling for ones team to be drunken madness. Two different things. And for me if Brazil wins ( IMO will not happen) it would be fun to join in any carnival like party at Epcot lead buy those tour groups. You might learn the samba or something lime that then.

 

[Missyrose]

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.

Yes, blowing things out of proportion is a good way to put it. It isn't like Disney is holding World Cup games at the park, they are simply showing them on a couple of TVs. You're not going to get the same drunken buffoonery you would get if you were GOING to a World Cup game. It's people, on vacation, watching it on TV. Disney announced the Epcot viewing plans pretty late in the game, so anyone who is a diehard World Cup fan probably wasn't planning to be at Disney during the tournament.

 

[Luvchefmic]

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. The locale is perfect as Epcot should be appreciated for attempting to get others to experience a different country and culture X 11. Plus, it's not an outside viewing area so whoever wants to watch the games can sit down or stand up and enjoy. I don't see where the viewers are going to be ramping it up and yelling and cheering and disrupting anyone walking outside.

As for having other live sporting events, why not? In the same environment, I totally agree. Why not have a Super Bowl party? Have it at the same place and sell tickets to it. Other families can have a good time at Epcot without being bothered.

For the drinking thing, anyone can get totally wasted at Disney World 365 days a year. If a person really wanted to do that, they don't need a sporting event to get it done.

I'm going to tag on to your post to add my two cents for a few reasons

I agree with you and you said it well I have to admit I didn't read all the posts/opinions Years of Dis experience tells me some things will be brought up

Please correct me if I am wrong : " What would Walt think ? "

I honestly don't know The man was a genius in many ways but he was human He has been gone for decades I didn't know him so who knows what he would think ? Even what he may have thought when he was alive may not be what he would think now in 2014 Heck I have evolved over the course of my lifetime, my opinions & thoughts change

As far as the rowdy drinking & fallout from that I agree with you and will also add that I have enough faith in the security and the sheriffs departments to know that situation would be handled IF it were to occur

disnut8 if you are one of the people in the "WWW think ? " camp then I apologize for jumping onto your post

 

[lurkernj]

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.

I completely agree with this. This is a worldwide event, not a USA event(like the Superbowl). Completely appropriate for Epcot. If they decide to show the Olympics in the future, that would also fit in with the Epcot theme.

 

[WEDWDW]

Now that precedent has been set,I am curious as to what everyone thinks should happen in the future:

1)No more live in-Park TV ever.

2)More live in-Park TV,but only for the major World events(Olympics,World Cup).

3)Live in-Park TV for all major sporting events(World Cup,Olympics,Super Bowl,World Series,College Football Playoff,etc.,etc.).

4)UNLIMITED live in-park TV in Bars(Rose & Crown,La Cava,Tune In Lounge,etc.)

5)Unllimited live in-Park TV in Bars AND Restaurants(Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe,Electric Umbrella,,Pizzafari,etc.).

What do you think?

 

[jeffbear]

Honestly ... if they want to use Odyssey to offer a place for people to gather and watch live sporting events of some level of significance on a regular basis, I think that would be great. I'd limit it to International events, just because it's Epcot ... so World Cup, UEFA Champions League Finals, Summer and Winter Olympics ... fine. I think that all fits the International feel of Epcot just fine.

In the other parks I really don't see a fit unless they wanted to show the Super Bowl on a big screen in Studios or something. Personally, I'd continue to keep all live TV out of the Magic Kingdom.

 

[Le Soque Puppet]

Now that precedent has been set,I am curious as to what everyone thinks should happen in the future:

I think that there should be an enormous television affixed to the top of all show and ride buildings, and sponsors should bid for the rights to show commercials and promotional videos. There should be a heavy emphasis on quality consumer products like the "ShamWow" and the "SlapChop," as well as various brands of liquor. Perhaps the Tesla people could come up with some kind of portable generator to capture energy from all the flailing and hyperventilating, and all the WDW SuperFans could wear it. Then perhaps the Glendale people could remove the unsightly generator they have attached to poor Walt's spinning corpse.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Now that precedent has been set,I am curious as to what everyone thinks should happen in the future:

I think as the ESPN/ABC Footprint continues to grow you will see more and more integration between the two. Whether it be live sporting events to view in person, televised or actually participate in.

OCCASIONALLY, although not very often Disney does things to hit niche groups and don't really make alot of money on it on the front end but Disney knows if they can keep a sports fan in the park, it is easier for them to separate that guest from his money than if he walks out of the park.

We are as die hard as it gets when it comes to our teams and we won't miss a home game for a vacation, but we do arrange our trips and schedule where we want to watch them. Sometimes it is at a Disney restaurant, but more and more lately we have been choosing other options. Either in our room or off grounds and in both situations Disney loses.

And I am not just taking about sports in general, but rather ABC/ESPN featured events.

 

[Peachkins]

I think that there should be an enormous television affixed to the top of all show and ride buildings, and sponsors should bid for the rights to show commercials and promotional videos. There should be a heavy emphasis on quality consumer products like the "ShamWow" and the "SlapChop," as well as various brands of liquor. Perhaps the Tesla people could come up with some kind of portable generator to capture energy from all the flailing and hyperventilating, and all the WDW SuperFans could wear it. Then perhaps the Glendale people could remove the unsightly generator they have attached to poor Walt's spinning corpse.

Lol, I am dying here.

Seriously, I don't think anything is going to happen with TV in the parks past what they've done here. Personally I think the World Cup viewing is a great use of a space that doesn't seem to have a lot going on with it, and I would have no problem with them airing other sporting (or other) events here in the future.

 

[JoeA]

First, I tend to believe the real hardcore fans will not want to go into EPCOT to watch the match. They may spill in after, though. Can't blame the presence of a TV for that.

Second, I hear a lot of "might" and "may". Well, you might run into drunk people in EPCOT on any given day. Worrying about what a tour group from Brazil may do that far down the road is an exercise in futility.

People will be monitoring the event on their phones and will probably be drinking. When "their team" wins or loses you may hear some yelling and singing. And that will happen regardless of a TV in EPCOT.

if you are really concerned about exposing kids to this potential behavior then you should have thought about all of this well beforehand and stop worrying about a darn TV. It will or will not happen and the TV is irrelevant. Smartphone technology will play a bigger role in having your fears realized than the Odyssey.

 

[ghornett]

I watched the England match at odyssey on Saturday. It was great. Lots of passionate people in there. Many shouts of come on England and even forza Italia. The beer on tap was safari amber, racer 5, Florida lager, and Sam summer. They also had popcorn and pretzels. We arrived about 30 mins before kick off and all the couches and big leather chairs were taken so we sat at a table. So if you want a couch I would recommend getting there 45 to an hour early.

Don't worry about people getting out of hand I saw at least 4 or 5 security guards that just stand in the back.

 

[Goofyuk]

Generally speaking most serious football fans will not be on holiday to a place like WDW during a World Cup. However there are clearly some who will be there who want to watch the matches. Rather than them asking in every bar "are you showing the game" or having them have to leave WDW, they decided to use a otherwise underused area, make some money from drinks and keep everyone happy.

 

[Metsfan520]

Generally speaking most serious football fans will not be on holiday to a place like WDW during a World Cup. However there are clearly some who will be there who want to watch the matches. Rather than them asking in every bar "are you showing the game" or having them have to leave WDW, they decided to use a otherwise underused area, make some money from drinks and keep everyone happy.

I agree. and I think it was very smart of them to do this. I'm not much of a soccer fan, but I may have wandered in there to rest for a bit. And for those who want a place to watch a game, there it is. and that also means there are less people walking around with their phones in their hands. Great idea all around. I kinda hope they continue with it. And why stop with sporting events? Maybe an Oscar party at the Studios.

 

[WEDWDW]

And why stop with sporting events? Maybe an Oscar party at the Studios.

Great idea.

I have only been thinking of sporting events,but now that precedent has been set,there are a ton of possible other events they could televise live in-Park.

 

[BillBrasky]

If I were super rich and single, I might be in Brazil for the World Cup, but alternatively I'd be spending every day of it watching the matches in the Odyssey building, emerging only to obtain more food and beer from the World Showcase. France is up 5-1 and the only reasonable reaction would be to streak from Odyssey to the France pavilion. So, if you're worried about drunk people in Epcot, just be glad I'm not there every day. Also, don't go on the 27th.

 

[SchmittyUD]

If I were super rich and single, I might be in Brazil for the World Cup, but alternatively I'd be spending every day of it watching the matches in the Odyssey building, emerging only to obtain more food and beer from the World Showcase. France is up 5-1 and the only reasonable reaction would be to streak from Odyssey to the France pavilion. So, if you're worried about drunk people in Epcot, just be glad I'm not there every day. Also, don't go on the 27th.

I've never related to something on DISboards more than this. Amazing.

 

[JoeA]

If I were super rich and single, I might be in Brazil for the World Cup, but alternatively I'd be spending every day of it watching the matches in the Odyssey building, emerging only to obtain more food and beer from the World Showcase. France is up 5-1 and the only reasonable reaction would be to streak from Odyssey to the France pavilion. So, if you're worried about drunk people in Epcot, just be glad I'm not there every day. Also, don't go on the 27th.

Who amongst us hasn't thought of a good streak through France now and again, and the WC provides the ideal excuse!

 

[fbb]

Wasn't this precedent of live tv set during ESPN the Weekend at DHS?

 

[Cyrano]

This thread has run its course

Discussions about the World Cup can be found on the main Community Board here