The Disney Traveler » Recreation & Sports

Try Archery at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:39:02 +0000

Did you know you can try your hand (or hands) at archery during your vacation to Walt Disney World? It’s true! In July, Disney introduced the Archery Experience at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds. It’s a 90-minute activity that includes all of the equipment that you need as well as instruction.

And while you’re at Fort Wilderness, don’t forget to try some of the other activities – there are horses to ride, bikes to rent, canoes to paddle around the river, and more!

Image: Flickr

Technorati Tags: walt disney world,disney archery,fort wilderness,disney canoeing,disney bike rentals,disney pony rides,disney horseback riding,disney camping,disney campgrounds

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Bowling Tournaments Come to Walt Disney World

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 02:02:57 +0000

In 2011, Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Walt Disney World will begin holding bowling tournaments hosted by the United States Bowling Congress.

According to the Orlando Sentinel today, a new facility will be built at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex to house the events. It’s expected to be 160,000 square feet with 100 bowling lanes, stadium-style seating, a restaurant and more.

Some rooms will be reserved for the bowling tournaments at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Hotel.

Sounds like another great way to give Walt Disney World guests even more fun and diverse activities to choose from during their visits.

Photo: Flickr

Technorati Tags: Walt Disney World,Disney Wide World of Sports,United States Bowling Congress,professional bowling,Disney sports,Disney recreation,Disney vacation planning,Disney All Star Sports,Disney hotels

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Disney’s Wide World of Sports to be Renamed with ESPN Trademark

Tue, 13 May 2008 23:58:50 +0000

This just in….Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex in Walt Disney World will be rebranded with the ESPN Trademark. Disney owns 80% of ESPN, and Hearst Corporation owns 20%. About 20 events are televised from Disney’s Wide World of Sports each year by ESPN.

What do you think? Will changing the name of Disney’s Wide World of Sports to ESPN Something or Other help the complex or hurt it?

Photo: Flickr

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ESPN Weekend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:07:06 +0000

I took some pictures of center stage at Walt Disney World’s ESPN Weekend on Sunday while I was at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. A big stage was erected where athletes and sportscasters sat for interviews. A huge television screen displayed the interviews so guests could see them (and hear them) from a distance.

Tags: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World, ESPN Weekend, Disney ESPN Weekend

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ESPN the Weekend is Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:20:26 +0000

ESPN the Weekend is a popular annual event at Walt Disney World. This year, ESPN the Weekend will be held on February 29, 2008 – March 2, 2008 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Donovan McNabb and Drew Brees will be among the 70 professional athletes and ESPN personalities attending ESPN the Weekend this year.

Guests can mingle with professional athletes and their families during ESPN the Weekend, watch on-site telecasts with ESPN personalities and athletes, and try out the interactive sports zone.

If you enjoy sports, don’t forget that the Atlanta Braves spring training begins at Disney’s Wide World of Sports on February 27, 2008.

Tags: Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Braves spring training, Disney Wide World of Sports, Disney Hollywood Studios, ESPN the Weekend, ESPN Disney World, Donovan McNabb

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Atlanta Braves Bring MLB to Disney World

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:39:08 +0000

Each year, the Atlanta Braves spend time at Walt Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex for their spring training. The ticket prices and schedule for the Atlanta Braves 2008 spring training have been released.

If you need a break from the parks during your Walt Disney World vacation or simply love baseball, catching an Atlanta Braves spring training game is a lot of fun. The crowd is always very involved during the games, and children even get a chance to run the bases! Not only that, but there are often chances to get autographs from the players.

Here is the schedule for the 2008 Atlanta Braves spring training games at Walt Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex:

All games are at 1:05 p.m.

2/27 vs. University of Georgia
2/29 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
3/2 vs. Houston Astros
3/4 vs. Philadelphia Phillies
3/7 vs. Detroit Tigers
3/8 vs. Houston Astros *SS
3/9 vs. St. Louis Cardinals
3/10 vs. St. Louis Cardinals
3/11 vs. Washington Nationals
3/12 vs. Cleveland Indians
3/15 vs. Tampa Bay Rays *SS
3/20 vs. Detroit Tigers
3/21 vs. New York Mets
3/23 vs. Houston Astros
3/26 vs. Washington Nationals
3/27 vs. New York Mets

* SS means it’s a split squad game.

Here are the individual ticket prices for 2008 Atlanta Braves spring training games at Walt Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex:

Lower level reserved = $23.50
Upper level reserved = $20.50
Bleacher reserved = $20.50
General admission = $14.50

Ticket packages are also available that allow you to purchase a complete season ticket, 3 or 5-mini game plan tickets (for specific games only) or group tickets. You can follow the link to find the pricing for different types of Atlanta Braves spring training tickets, or you can call 407-939-GAME. To purchase individual tickets, call 407-839-3900. You can also visit the box office at Walt Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.

Have you been to an Atlanta Braves spring training game at Walt Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex? If so, leave a comment and share your story with The Disney Traveler’s readers.

If you’re planning a trip to a Disney theme park, or simply love Disney, take a moment to subscribe to The Disney Traveler’s feed, so you can stay on top of all the news, information and tips.

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U.S. Open of Waterskiing Championships at Downtown Disney

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 01:55:09 +0000

Yes, there are other things to do at Walt Disney World than go to theme parks!

On September 15-16, 2007, the 20th Annual U.S. Open of Waterskiing will be held on the lake at Downtown Disney. There is no admission fee to Downtown Disney, and I haven’t seen any mention of a ticket requirement to view the Waterskiing Championships. It looks like anyone can stop by and check out the action.

According to the U.S. Open of Waterskiing website, the seeding round will take place on Spetember 15th and the finals will be held on September 16th. Qualifying rounds will take place earlier during the week from September 13th-15th in Polk City, Florida (not far from Downtown Disney). Rumor has it the events will take place from 7:00pm-10:00pm on the 15th and 16th at Downtown Disney, but the U.S. Open of Waterskiing website hasn’t posted the times yet.

Male and female contestants will compete in slalom, tricks and jumping events in addition to the overall U.S. Champion title. There will be additional food and beverage carts and locations open for spectators and viewing will be available around the lake. Sounds like a fun evening!

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Rent a Surrey Bike

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:42:26 +0000

On Memorial Day, my family wanted to go to Walt Disney World for the day, but we knew the parks would be very crowded. Instead, we decided to eat an early dinner at Beaches & Cream at the Beach Club Resort. Afterwards, we walked around the lake to the Boardwalk Inn where we rented a surrey bike. The cost was only $19.00 for a half-hour, 4-person surrey bike rental. My husband and I sat in back to operate the steering wheel and pedals, and the triplets sat in front where they could see all the sights. We had a great time and lapped the lake twice before our time was up. On a less crowded day, we probably could have gone around one or two more times.

Here’s a warning, there are no gears on the surrey bikes, so you can only pedal up to a certain speed. That means you can only gain a certain amount of momentum as you prepare to ascend a hill. There are two large hills on the route around the lake at the Boardwalk Inn, so if you’re not in great shape, you might want to rent a surrey bike at a different location with a flatter path. Surrey bikes are also available for rental at the Caribbean Beach Resort, Coronado Springs Resort and Port Orleans Resort - Riverside and French Quarter. They are also available for rentals of various lengths of time and in various sizes to accomodate larger groups. Of course, prices vary based on the length of time and bike size you rent.

If you need a break from the parks, renting a surrey bike is a great diversion and a lot of fun!

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Playgrounds Offer a Perfect Break from Theme Park Adventures

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 02:53:15 +0000

Did you know Walt Disney World has a number of traditional playgrounds located throughout their resorts. Each playground is free for guests to use, and they can provide a great break from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks. Whether your family is spending time on the playground at the resort where you’re staying or you stop by a different resort to rest, grab a snack and enjoy the uniquely themed decor and ambiance, there will be a playground available for your kids to expend more of their endless energy.

The following Walt Disney World resorts have playgrounds that are open 24 hours per day:

Animal Kingdom Lodge
Beach Club
Boardwalk Inn
Contemporary
Polynesian
Wilderness Lodge
Yacht Club

The following resorts have playgrounds with varying hours:

Caribbean Beach
Coronado Springs
Port Orleans – French Quarter
Port Orleans – Riverside
All-Star Movies
All-Star Music
All-Star Sports
Old Key West
Fort Wilderness Campground

It’s important to remember that young children are required to be supervised while using a Walt Disney World resort playground.

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Take a Private Cruise Under the Stars on a Walt Disney World Lake

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 03:01:42 +0000

Walt Disney World offers private, specialty cruises on the Seven Seas Lagoon, Bay Lake, Crescent Lake or Village Lake. Guests can choose from a variety of services during their cruise including delicious menus and excursions. Specialty cruises are held at night and culminate with a perfect view of one of Disney’s spectacular fireworks shows.

Walt Disney World’s private cruises are a perfect way to celebrate a special occasion like an anniversary, engagement, wedding or birthday. Disney’s Grand1 Specialty Cruise caters to larger parties with its 45-foot yacht called the Grand1. Smaller parties of 8-10 guests can enjoy Celebration Cruises on smaller boats. A large or extended family could create a lifelong memory on a Disney private cruise. Pricing can be high, but it may be worth it for a special celebration.

For Grand1 Specialty Cruise reservations, call 407-824-2682. To book a Celebration Cruise, call 407-WDW-BDAY (407-939-2329). If you have a specific date in mind for your cruise, be certain to make your reservations far in advance. Walt Disney World’s private cruises are very popular, and only a limited number of cruises sail each week.

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