WDW Daily News

Minnie Mouse unveiled her cool new soccer uniform on Wednesday, just in time for the 2017 Disney Girls’ Soccer Showcase presented by AS Roma taking place Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 23-26) at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.

Minnie’s new look – which has a modern feminine fit – includes a purple and white horizontal striped jersey, purple shorts and a stylishly red headband, an updated twist to her customary polka dot hair bow.

Minnie will wear No. 9, which is athletically significant.

The number is normally worn by players who play the “striker” position in soccer – usually reserved for a team leader who scores most of the goals – the same number worn by two-time Olympic Gold medalist of Mia Hamm.

Minnie’s not the only one showing up to the sports complex with a new look.  This year, the Disney Girls’ Soccer Showcase has some modifications, as well.  The tournament, normally played in December, has been moved to late November and this year, a new age group (U11-U14 added this year) join the previously existing U15-17 age groups.

A stellar line-up of Christian music will light up the stages at ESPN Wilde World of Sports Complex September 8-9 during the annual Night of Joy Concert series. Along with hip-hop, pop, rock, praise and adult contemporary music, there’s a family activity zone, food trucks and more.

On Friday, September 8 artists TobyMac, MercyMe, Zach Williams, Natalie Grant, Danny Gokey will perform on the Champion Stadium stage, while Matt Maher, Colton Dixon and Rend Collective will play inside the HP Field House, all starting at 5 p.m.

The party continues on Saturday night with headliners Amy Grant and Steven Curtis Chapman, along with Kirk Franklin and Jordan Feliz performing at Champion Stadium, with Crowder, Jeremy Camp and Tye Tribbett taking the stage at the HP Field House.

Single-night tickets purchased in advance are $45 plus tax, and $69 plus tax for both nights.  Doors open at 5 p.m. To learn more about additional ticket offerings, check out NightofJoy.com or call 407-W-DISNEY (934-7639).

As Disney makes its push into televising and hosting esports events, it’s now looking to ESPN’s new Wide World Of Sports complex as a potential host, Forbes reports.

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Tickets are now on sale for Disney Night of Joy 2017. As a reminder, a new ticket structure is being introduced as this popular event returns to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World® Resort Sept. 8-9, 2017.

Guests will be able to buy both concert-only OR theme-park-and-concert-combination tickets for either evening – or also a two-night ticket.

Ticket options include:

• Single night concert only tickets will be $45 plus tax in advance
• Two-night concert only tickets will be $69 plus tax in advance
• Single night concert tickets plus a (1) day at a Walt Disney World theme park add on will be $107 plus tax *
• Two-night concert tickets with a (1) day at a Walt Disney World theme park add on will be $131 plus tax **

There also will be premium seating packages available for an extra charge; and groups of 10 or more will be able to get discounted tickets, as with past events.

 A little reminder about this year’s talent: (Entertainment subject to change.)

• Friday, Sept. 8 – MercyMe, TobyMac, Zach Williams, Natalie Grant, Danny Gokey, Matt Maher, Colton Dixon, Rend Collective.
• Saturday, Sept. 9 – Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Kirk Franklin, Jordan Feliz, Crowder, Jeremy Camp, Tye Tribbett.

* Add-on Theme Park Ticket Option is good for use any one day Sept. 8-30, 2017 at any one of the four Walt Disney WorldTheme Parks

**2-day Concert plus 1-day Theme Park Advanced ticket will also include (1) admission to your choice of Disney’s Blizzard Beach or Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park for one use Sept.8-30, 2017. Individuals must purchase by Aug. 8, 2017 to receive water park ticket. Groups must purchase by Aug. 25, 2017 to receive water park ticket.

Following the success of its first year in Orlando, the Pro Bowl will return to Camping World Stadium on Sunday, January 28, the NFL announced May 25. The game will be televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, and simulcast on ABC, marking the first time it will air on both broadcast and cable networks. Live audio coverage will also be available on Westwood One, SiriusXM NFL Radio, and on the TuneIn app.

For the second consecutive year, the NFL will host Pro Bowl Week festivities across the Orlando area, bringing new experiences and activities as well as an extraordinary number of events focused on commemorating all levels of football – from youth to high school to the NFL’s best. In addition, Pro Bowl players will be able to invite their former youth or high school coach to be a part of the week’s celebrations.

The 2018 Pro Bowl will once again follow the traditional AFC versus NFC match-up and feature 88 of the best NFL players – 44 from each conference – as determined by a consensus of votes by fans, players, and coaches. Both teams will be led by Offensive and Defensive Legends who will serve as captains representing each conference.

Additional events during Pro Bowl Week will include the Pro Bowl Skills Challenge, testing the athletic prowess of All-Stars from each conference in unique competitions, and the free NFL Pro Bowl Experience, located at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. Fans attending the Pro Bowl Experience will be able to get closer to the action with new activities, immersive exhibits, and sponsor activations. Pro Bowl practices for the AFC and NFC teams will also be held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, allowing fans to watch their favorite players as they prepare for the game.

Tickets for the Pro Bowl will go on sale to the public in the fall.  Fans interested in purchasing tickets may register at ProBowl.com for presale opportunities. Season Ticket Members for all 32 teams will automatically be included in the presale, and all previous Orlando Pro Bowl ticket buyers will receive priority access to purchase tickets.

With a festival-style open house, the IdeaSport Soccer Program presented by LaLiga and Walt Disney World Resort will launch June 3-4 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.

Featuring LaLiga players and coaches, the open house for the new soccer experience will be the first opportunity for youth players – boys and girls, ages 4 to 18 – to sign up for the program. The open house runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, and involves on-field play sessions and entertainment such as Disney character meet & greets, photo opportunities with the LaLiga trophy, food and beverages and appearances by LaLiga players and coaches.

Players interested in attending the open house must register in advance at www.idea-sports.com, however guests are welcome to take part in the complimentary festival activities.

Through its multi-year agreement with LaLiga and Walt Disney World Resort, this program will provide a holistic approach to soccer education with proven, year-round training and development for youth soccer athletes, developing them on and off the field, as well as professional training for coaches and officials.

Training and development as part of the IdeaSport Soccer Program presented by LaLiga and Walt Disney World Resort is scheduled to begin in late June at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Additionally, there will be multiple events and exhibitions, including a tournament and summer camps with current and former LaLiga players and coaches, visits from LaLiga legends and ambassadors, plus more events to be announced.

The IdeaSport Soccer Program is the newest youth soccer opportunity at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which also hosts the prestigious Disney Soccer Showcase, among other elite and recreational events.

LaLiga is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world. It has produced Europe’s top-rated club more times (18) than any other league, and it reached 2.1 billion viewers worldwide in the 2015-2016 season, according to Nielsen ratings. During the first round of the 2016-2017 season, that number grew by 37 percent.

Below is a look at the open house, at a glance:

June 3-4 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Geared towards boys and girls ages 4-18 First opportunity for youth players to sign up for the program On-field play sessions within a family-friendly environment Disney character meet & greets Photo opportunities with the LaLiga trophy Appearances by LaLiga players and coaches Food and beverages Players must register in advance at www.idea-sports.com, and guests are welcome to participate in the complimentary festival activities.

 

Disney Night of Joy 2017 will introduce a new ticket structure as this popular event returns to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World® Resort Sept. 8-9, 2017.

Guests will be able to buy both concert-only OR theme-park-and-concert-combination tickets for either evening – or also a two-night ticket.

Ticket options include:

• Single night concert only tickets will be $45 plus tax in advance
• Two-night concert only tickets will be $69 plus tax in advance
• Single night concert tickets plus a (1) day at a Walt Disney World theme park add on will be $107 plus tax *
• Two-night concert tickets with a (1) day at a Walt Disney World theme park add on will be $131 plus tax **

There also will be premium seating packages available for an extra charge; and groups of 10 or more will be able to get discounted tickets, as with past events.

Tickets will go on sale in early June.

A little reminder about this year’s talent: (Entertainment subject to change.)

• Friday, Sept. 8 – MercyMe, TobyMac, Zach Williams, Natalie Grant, Danny Gokey, Matt Maher, Colton Dixon, Rend Collective.
• Saturday, Sept. 9 – Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Kirk Franklin, Jordan Feliz, Crowder, Jeremy Camp, Tye Tribbett.

* Add-on Theme Park Ticket Option is good for use any one day September 8-30, 2017 at any one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks

**2-day Concert plus 1-day Theme Park Advanced ticket will also include (1) admission to your choice of Disney’s Blizzard Beach or Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park for one use September 8-30, 2017. Individuals must purchase by August 8, 2017 to receive water park ticket. Groups must purchase by August 25, 2017 to receive water park ticket.

The youth soccer opportunities at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex just got even more prestigious, as Walt Disney World Resort is teaming with IdeaSport, LLC to host a soccer program for youth athletes at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida that will be sponsored by LaLiga, one of the most successful professional soccer leagues in the world.

Through this multi-year agreement, the training program presented by LaLiga and Walt Disney World Resort will provide a holistic approach to soccer education with proven, year-round training, education and development for youth soccer athletes, developing them on and off the field, as well as training for coaches and officials.

LaLiga is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world and has produced Europe’s top-rated club more times (18) than any other league. This new soccer program presented by LaLiga and Walt Disney World presents youth athletes with a rare opportunity to learn the Spanish style of soccer from the world-class coaches, players and officials associated with LaLiga.

The new soccer training program also further cements ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex as the place to be for unparalleled youth sports experiences.

“For the last 20 years, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex has been a top venue for athletes of all ages and levels to pursue their sports dreams,” said Faron Kelley, vice president of Disney Sports. “As we continue to expand our growing portfolio of youth soccer events, we are excited to work with IdeaSport and LaLiga to provide this world-class development opportunity for youth soccer athletes.”

An open house will be hosted by LaLiga and Walt Disney World on June 1-4 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and training and development are scheduled to begin in late June. In addition, the partnership will bring multiple events and exhibitions to the complex each year, including a tournament, on-site events with current and former LaLiga players, summer camps with current and former players and coaches, visits from LaLiga legends and ambassadors, and more events to be announced throughout the multi-year relationship.

“This represents the coming together of two strong brands where passion, drive and authenticity meet,” said Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga. “This unique opportunity will help aspiring youth soccer players to learn the LaLiga style of soccer from our world-class coaches, players and officials associated with our league.”

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex annually hosts elite youth soccer events such as Disney Cup International and Disney Soccer Showcase and from 2010-2014, hosted the Walt Disney Pro Soccer Classic, which featured professional soccer clubs from North America. Over the past 20 years, the sports complex also had partnerships with Chelsea Football Club (English Premier League), Italian football club AS Roma and Major League Soccer’s Orlando City SC.

For more information on this exciting new soccer program, visit www.idea-sports.com.

Today we’re excited to share the line-up for this year’s Disney Night of Joy event featuring 15 of the greatest performers in Contemporary Christian music – Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

With Country Christian Music legends like MercyMe, Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman and Kirk Franklin joining a new generation of Christian hit makers like Danny Gokey, Jordan Feliz and Rend Collective, the complex will be filled with two nights of awe-inspiring music. And, word has it that Amy and Steven might sing a couple of songs together!

Disney is also thrilled to welcome Night of Joy favorite, Matthew West as the host for the two-night event this year. Matthew will be running around the complex, introducing artists and just generally keeping things hopping.

This year’s event – our 35th actually – will feature one of the greatest concert lineups in Contemporary Christian music history. (Entertainment subject to change.)

• Friday, Sept. 8 – MercyMe, TobyMac, Natalie Grant, Danny Gokey, Matt Maher, Colton Dixon, Rend Collective, Zach Williams.
• Saturday, Sept. 9 – Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Kirk Franklin, Jordan Feliz, Crowder, Jeremy Camp, Tye Tribbett.

Tickets will go on sale in early June.

With a 2-2 tie against the New York Mets on Wednesday, March 29, the Atlanta Braves wrapped up their 20th season of spring training at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.

The Braves finished spring training with an 8-22 record. Their 2017 spring season was highlighted by marquee matchups against 2016 playoff teams, including the Blue Jays, American League East champion Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles and the New York Mets.

This season, more than 120,000 fans filled the seats of Champion Stadium for Braves spring training games at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, up from 103,000 fans in 2016.

When the sports complex opened on March 28th, 1997, the first event was a Braves spring training game against the Cincinnati Reds. The Braves would go on to beats the Red, 9-7, in front of a sell-out crowd at Champion Stadium of 10,000.

Disney character appearances and special moments such as kids running the bases after every game are some of the in-game entertainment opportunities that make Braves spring training at Disney a unique experience, which will continue through 2018.

The Braves are now focused on the regular season, which they will play in their new stadium, Sun Trust Park. Atlanta and first-year head coach Brian Snitker are looking to improve on their 5^th-place finish in the NL East in 2016, where they posted a 68-93 record.