ESPN Films to Offer Sneak Preview at D23 Expo

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

ESPN Films to Offer Sneak Preview at D23 Expo

By Joshua Hall

Fawcett, Sobrero and Venturini celebrate

If you’re like me, sports are an integral part of everyday life. I wake up in the morning and check out the latest sports news on my phone while still lying in bed. Next, I get ready for the day and enjoy a cup of coffee while watching the sports headlines on TV. As I drive to work, I listen to more sports headlines on the radio. When I get to work, I settle into my routine of checking scores, talking with my coworkers, and even receiving text updates on (you guessed it) sports. Also, if you’re like me, you’re familiar with ESPN Films, the production company that is dedicated to telling true stories of exciting, tear-jerking, and heroic moments in sports. The same company is well-known for its 30 for 30 series that celebrated ESPN’s thirtieth anniversary by producing 30 documentaries covering a wide range of great moments from sports lore and athletes’ careers including Wayne Gretzky’s trade to the LA Kings, George Steinbrenner’s ownership of the Yankees, and Michael Jordan’s  stint in baseball (my personal favorite).

Now, ESPN Films is introducing a new series called Nine for IX. This series will be produced in recognition of the 40th anniversary of Title IX and will air over nine consecutive Thursdays at 8 PM starting on July 2nd with a documentary covering Venus Williams. The series will also cover other great female sports figures such as the legendary coach, Pat Summit and Sheryl Swoops, who many call the female Michael Jordan. Also included in the Nine for IX lineup is an installment covering the US Women’s National Soccer Team at the 1999 World Cup. Entitled The ‘99ers, this documentary covers the team’s penalty kick shootout victory over China to win the world cup and inspire the world. The film also includes behind-the-scenes footage that candidly helps to tell the story from the players’ point of view. By reuniting players from the 1999 team and by including players from the current team, The ‘99ers also takes a look into how women’s sports have changed since that day in 1999.

On August 11 at this year’s D23 Expo, attendees will have a chance to see an exclusive screening of the film as part of the Ultimate Disney Fan Event. The screening will also include a special Q&A session with the film’s director Erin Leyden and producer Julie Foudy. This will be a great opportunity of sports fans and movie buffs alike as it will provide insight on this epic moment in sports history and also the process of creating a sports documentary.

The screening will take place in Stage 28 at the Anaheim Convention Center on Sunday, August 11 at 2:30 PM PT.

ESPN Wide World of Sports 3″ – July 6th

WDWNT on July 10, 2012

On July 6th a new open edition 3″ figure will debut at D-Street Orlando.

It’s a tribute to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World. It will retail for $12.95. Seems like a great souvenir for the various athletes that partake in event at the complex here in Orlando. It features a silver head with silhouettes of various athletes including basketball and cheerleading as well as a coach with a trophy and what looks like fans. But does it appeal to the everyday Vinylmation collector? Let us know.

Mascots Photoshoot

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

All excited about the Olympics, Disney’s #1 fans wanted to take in some games at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World. As always, there was plenty going on. But just in case there was some down time, they brought along the Sports series to play some games of their own.

Donald Duck
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Goofy
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Mickey Mouse
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Pluto
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The Mascots
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The Mascots
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Mickey Mouse
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Baseball
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Basketball
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Cheerleading
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Football
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Golf
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Soccer
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Tennis
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Volleyball
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Austin lines up his kick for the game winning goal!

ESPN: The Weekend Going Back, Back, Back… GONE!

WDWNT on July 23, 2011

From Darrell Fry on the Disney Parks Blog:

One thing that’s always struck me is our commitment to regularly reviewing the experiences we provide to our guests and challenging ourselves to bring new opportunities to life. Occasionally, this results in something coming to an end, as is the case with what I’m sharing today. In order to focus our efforts on ESPN’s growing year-round presence at Walt Disney World Resort, we have decided to no longer host ESPN The Weekend.

As you may know, the event was first created in 2004 in support of ESPN’s 25th anniversary and, along with ESPN Club, served as ESPN’s first significant presence here. While the event has continued for seven more successful years, our relationship with ESPN has evolved significantly and positively. This has resulted in new branding for the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, new opportunities for millions of athletes, coaches and fans, and hundreds of hours of ESPN programming, making our guests part of the show. In addition, the sports complex has become home to the ESPN Innovation Lab, which is the official development hub for ESPN’s 3D network.

Moving forward, our focus will be on creating events like the new ESPN RISE Girls Showcase and the ESPN RISE Games, which provide a stage for tens of thousands of athletes from around the country, and providing opportunities for guests to be part of events they’ve only before watched on television, such as the Home Depot College Football Awards and the Old Spice Classic.

We have just scratched the surface of what Walt Disney World and ESPN can do together and look forward to sharing information about new projects as they progress.

Renamed “HP Field House” Opens at ESPN Wide World of Sports

WDWNT on March 3, 2011

Disney and HP executives were joined by sports celebrities and ESPN personalities March 3, 2011 at ESPN Wide World of Sports for the dedication ceremony for the newly named “HP Field House.” Joining in the ceremony: (L-R): Gary Elliott, vice president of Brand Marketing for HP, U.S. Women’s Soccer legend Mia Hamm, Mickey Mouse, Ken Potrock, senior vice president of Disney Sports Enterprises, and Jason Witten, NFL All-Pro tight end for the Dallas Cowboys. The HP Field House is a 165,000-square-foot, multi-sport venue, which debuted in 1997 when the Disney sports complex opened. With the new HP partnership, the facility is outfitted with HP technology including HP TouchSmart 9300 Elite Business PCs.

The computer systems are located at kiosks throughout the venue and allow coaches, athletes and spectators to access sporting event highlights, updates, current weather information, dining options, event information and more. Another cornerstone of the HP Field House is the HP Photo Creation Center, where athletes and fans can create and download event images and print them in a variety of customized ways, including large-scale posters, banners and photo cards. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

Walt Disney “World Cup”

WDWNT on May 4, 2010

If you’re like me, you’ll be glued to the television for a few weeks once the 2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off in June. Walt Disney World is offereing a pretty unique way to enjoy the games while you’re visiting:

Soccer fans in Central Florida can get swept up in the fever of 2010 FIFA World Cup through unique viewing opportunities at Walt Disney World Resort.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill at Disney has been designated as an official viewing location for the month-long global soccer tournament. Soccer fans can watch live World Cup matches televised on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 from South Africa involving their favorite soccer national teams on the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill’s many large high-definition screens.

In addition, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill will offer special viewing parties running for the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and third-place match (June 26-July 10), which will include guaranteed seating to view the matches and an all-you-care-to-eat buffet featuring Buffalo wings, hot dogs, seasonal fruit, build-your-own salads, a nacho bar, desserts and non-alcoholic drinks – all for $19.99/per person, per game (plus tax).

The beautiful game kicks off on the world stage June 11, with open seating for breakfast and lunch available at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill for the group stage of play running through June 25. A special viewing area will be available for the championship match July 11.

Reservations can be made starting May 27 by calling 407/WDW-DINE or by visiting espnwwos.com.