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26 February 2008: ESPN The Weekend details
for 2008
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- ESPN and Walt Disney
World Resort will again offer fans the opportunity to see and hear ESPN
personalities and a host of current and legendary athletes during ESPN
The Weekend presented by Dick's Sporting Goods, a special event
scheduled for Feb. 29-March 2, 2008, at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme
park.
More than 60 sports celebrities are expected to appear at the annual
sports fan-fest. The event features Hollywood-style motorcades with
athletes, talk shows, sports star conversations, live ESPN telecasts and
interactive fun in the ESPN Sports Zone.
Some of the athletes scheduled to take part in the "three-day weekend"
event include New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs and wide
receiver Amani Toomer, Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri,
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, baseball legend Cal
Ripken, Orlando Magic All Star Dwight Howard, tennis legend Martina
Navratilova and the famous Harlem Globetrotters. ESPN personalities
scheduled to be part of the lineup include Jay Crawford, Peter Gammons,
Mike Greenberg, Orestes Destrade, Mike Tirico, Colin Cowherd, Mike Golic,
Linda Cohn, John Kruk, Karl Ravech, Jemele Hill and Trey Wingo.
The roster of participating ESPN personalities and sports celebrities
will be continually updated at
www.espntheweekend.com. Guests also may visit espntheweekend.com to
make reservations, buy tickets and book Disney accommodations for the
event.
ESPN The Weekend will feature on-site ESPN telecasts of popular
programs, including "Baseball Tonight," "First Take," "Mike and Mike in
the Morning," "NFL Live" and interview segments on "SportsCenter."
In its short history, ESPN The Weekend has become a popular event for
fans as well as the athletes who attend each year.
"I am really looking forward to seeing all the fans at ESPN The
Weekend," said Donovan McNabb, a five-time NFL Pro Bowler who will be
attending his first ESPN The Weekend. "I've heard from teammates and
other athletes what a super event it is and I am looking forward to
experiencing it for myself and my family."
Guests also will be able to enjoy all the popular shows and attractions
at the theme park during Disney's "Year of a Million Dreams"
celebration. Event activities are included in regular admission to
Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Here's some of what's in store for this year's ESPN The Weekend:
LIVE ON-SITE ESPN TELECASTS
ESPN will present live daily telecasts from a set in front of Mickey's
Sorcerer's Hat on Hollywood Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios. As
Major League Baseball Spring Training games get underway in Florida the
same weekend, ESPN's on-site program lineup will feature a special
season preview edition of "Baseball Tonight," the Atlanta Braves home
game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Disney's Wide World of Sports
Complex (Friday, Feb. 29, 1 p.m.) and live telecasts of other popular
ESPN shows. Theme park guests will have the chance to appear on air via
crowd shots while watching the programming on in-park video screens.
ESPN Radio shows, including "Mike and Mike in the Morning," "The Herd
with Colin Cowherd," "The Mike Tirico Show" and "SportsNation with John
Seibel and Orestes Destrade," will be broadcast live from Disney's
Hollywood Studios on Friday, Feb. 29.
'INSIDE ESPN'
Live stage shows will bring fans and guests behind-the-scenes of some of
the network's most popular programs, including "SportsCenter," "Baseball
Tonight," "First Take," "NFL Live" and "Stump the Schwab." The shows
will provide an inside look at favorite athletes, teams and ESPN
programs, as fans will get into the action themselves by asking
questions directly to ESPN personalities and athletes.
'DREAM JOB -- THE EXPERIENCE'
Guests who think they have what it takes to be on "SportsCenter" will
experience what it's like to audition for ESPN. Select contestants will
go through a series of "on-air" tasks and the audience will select the
best "sportscaster" during each show. ESPN personalities and sports
celebrities will help mentor the contestants as part of the experience.
STAR MOTORCADES & CONVERSATIONS
Throughout the day, stars will motorcade up the park's Hollywood
Boulevard to the stage at the base of the Sorcerer's Hat and join ESPN
anchors for star conversations about their careers and Q&A sessions with
park guests.
ESPN SPORTS ZONE INTERACTIVE AREA
The expansive ESPN Sports Zone will give guests of all ages the
opportunity to test their skills at a wide variety of sports, including
biking on an X Games dirt course. Major League Baseball-, NBA- and NFL-themed
interactive areas within the Zone will have fans swinging for the
fences, shooting baskets and throwing passes, as well as Dick's Sporting
Goods' Sports Caravan, a multi-sport interactive area. The ESPN Sports
Zone will also include an ESPN Play Your Way playground. A fitness
initiative launched in May 2004 to address youth obesity, Play Your Way
was designed by Team ESPN, the corporate outreach program for ESPN,
Inc., to inspire kids 7-12 years old to use their imagination and create
their own physically active games.
ESPN THE TRUCK
The ESPN Direct TV Experience truck will be open for fans to check out
the latest in DirecTV HD programming and ESPN sports coverage. Kiosks in
the 53-foot trailer include: a station where fans can record their very
own ESPN on-air highlight segments; a game area; and an area where
guests can read fun facts about popular ESPN programs, test their sports
knowledge and win ESPN prizes.
SPORTSCENTER AND PLAY-BY-PLAY ROLE PLAY
While visiting ESPN The Truck, guests can sit at a replica of the famous
"SportsCenter" desk and read the teleprompter as the highlights roll on
the big game. In addition, guests will be able to test their
play-by-play skills by calling some of the biggest moments in sports
history.
6 September 2007: ESPN The Weekend dates for
2008
The dates for the 2008 ESPN The Weekend are Feb.
29-March 2, at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
23 February 2007: ESPN The Weekend line-up
for 2007
ESPN The Weekend Presented by Dick's Sporting
Goods -- the fourth annual ESPN special event at Disney-MGM Studios at
Walt Disney World Resort -- will give sports fans the opportunity to see
many of their favorite athletes and ESPN personalities up-close and
personal March 2-4.
More than 30 world-class athletes, representing MLB, NBA, NFL, the
Olympics and the world of action sports are scheduled to appear,
including Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), Drew Brees (New
Orleans Saints), Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers), and other Pro Bowl
football players; basketball legends David Robinson and Sheryl Swoopes;
pitchers Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt (Houston Astros) and outfielder
Magglio Ordonez (Detroit Tigers); Olympian Michelle Kwan (figure
skating); and perennial X Games star Mike Metzger.
Many of ESPN's most recognizable television and radio personalities will
also participate in ESPN The Weekend, including Linda Cohn, Jay Harris,
Chris McKendry, Dan Patrick, Karl Ravech, Stuart Scott, Trey Wingo and
ESPN Radio hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic.
ESPN The Weekend will feature on-site ESPN telecasts including
SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight and Cold Pizza; star motorcades and Q&A
sessions featuring athletes and ESPN personalities; sports shows in the
ESPN Theater with ESPN personalities and athletes; live ESPN Radio
broadcasts; and the ESPN Sports Zone interactive area, including an ESPN
Play Your Way playground, The ESPN DIRECTV Experience, and a BMX stunt
show by X Games gold medalist Scotty Cranmer as part of X Games consumer
products Super Freestyle Tour. Guests will also be able to enjoy all the
popular shows and attractions, including "Lights, Motors, Action!
Extreme Stunt Show."
Sports celebrities scheduled to appear (listed alphabetically by
sport):
BASEBALL: (11)
Craig Biggio -- MLB infielder (Houston Astros)
Chris Burke -- MLB outfielder (Houston Astros)
Roger Clemens -- MLB pitcher (no current team)
Travis Hafner -- MLB designated hitter (Cleveland Indians)
Tim Hudson -- MLB pitcher (Atlanta Braves)
Brad Lidge -- MLB pitcher (Houston Astros)
Magglio Ordonez -- MLB outfielder (Detroit Tigers)
Roy Oswalt -- MLB pitcher (Houston Astros)
Andy Pettitte -- MLB pitcher (New York Yankees)
Jim Palmer -- MLB Hall of Famer (Baltimore Orioles)
Gary Sheffield -- MLB outfielder (Detroit Tigers)
BASKETBALL: (3)
David Robinson -- NBA legend and 1995 MVP (San Antonio Spurs)
Sheryl Swoopes -- three-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time WNBA
MVP (Houston Comets)
Spud Webb -- Former NBA player (Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings)
FOOTBALL: (17)
Drew Brees -- All Pro NFL quarterback (New Orleans Saints)
Tony Dorsett -- NFL Hall of Fame running back, Class of 1994 (Dallas
Cowboys); 1976 Heisman Trophy winner
Donnie Edwards -- NFL linebacker (San Diego Chargers)
Tony Gonzalez -- All Pro NFL tight end (Kansas City Chiefs)
Devin Hester -- All Pro NFL return specialist (Chicago Bears)
Desmond Howard -- Super Bowl XXXI MVP (Green Bay Packers/Detroit Lions);
1991 Heisman Trophy winner
Warren Moon -- NFL Hall of Fame quarterback, Class of 2006 (Houston
Oilers/Seattle Seahawks)
Ben Roethlisberger -- All Pro NFL quarterback (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Richard Seymour -- All Pro NFL defensive lineman (New England Patriots)
Mike Singletary -- NFL Hall of Fame linebacker, Class of 1998 (Chicago
Bears); San Francisco 49ers asst. coach
Steve Smith -- All Pro NFL wide receiver (Carolina Panthers)
>Fred Taylor -- NFL running back (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Thurman Thomas -- NFL Hall of Fame running back, Class of 2007 (Buffalo
Bills)
Charles Tillman -- NFL cornerback (Chicago Bears)
Adam Vinatieri -- All Pro NFL kicker (Indianapolis Colts)
Herschel Walker -- Former NFL running back (Dallas Cowboys/Minnesota
Vikings); 1982 Heisman Trophy winner
Hines Ward -- All Pro NFL wide receiver / Super Bowl XL MVP (Pittsburgh
Steelers)
OLYMPICS: (1)
Michelle Kwan -- Five-time world champion and U.S. Olympic medalist
(figure skater)
ACTION SPORTS: (1)
Mike Metzger -- Record-setting motocross rider (Caesars Palace back-flip
in 2006) and five-time X Games medalist
ESPN personalities scheduled to appear:
Baseball Tonight:
Karl Ravech -- host, SportsCenter anchor and on-site host for
SportsCenter golf coverage
Peter Gammons -- baseball analyst, writer (2005 Baseball Hall of Fame
and Museum inductee)
John Kruk -- former All Star player, MLB analyst
Steve Phillips -- former general manager, MLB analyst
Cold Pizza:
Jay Crawford -- Cold Pizza co-host
Dana Jacobson -- Cold Pizza co-host
Skip Bayless -- Cold Pizza and 1st and 10 analyst
ESPN Anchors/Personalities:
Linda Cohn -- SportsCenter and ESPNEWS anchor, host of ESPN X Games and
Winter X Games
Jay Harris -- SportsCenter anchor
Al Jaffe -- Dream Job judge and ESPN on-air talent recruiter
Chris McKendry -- SportsCenter anchor
Sal Paolantonio -- SportsCenter correspondent, Sunday NFL Countdown and
Monday Night Countdown reporter
Mark Schlereth -- ESPN's NFL Live and Arena Football analyst
Howie Schwab -- ESPN's resident sports trivia guru and star of the ESPN
quiz show Stump the Schwab
Stuart Scott -- SportsCenter anchor, host of ESPN's DreamJob and NFL
PrimeTime
Bill Walton -- ESPN NBA analyst and former NBA All Star; Basketball Hall
of Famer (Class of 1993)
Trey Wingo -- Host of NFL Live and Arena Football play-by-play
commentator
ESPN Radio:
Colin Cowherd -- host of ESPN Radio's The Herd
Mike Greenberg -- co-host of ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike in the Morning,
SportsCenter anchor, Arena Football play-by-play commentator
Mike Golic -- co-host of ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike in the Morning, NFL
Live analyst, Arena Football analyst, former NFL lineman
Dan Patrick -- host of ESPN Radio's The Dan Patrick Show
John Seibel -- host of ESPN Radio's SportsBash
ESPN.com:
Matthew Berry -- Fantasy sports expert (aka The Talented Mr. Roto)
Eric Karabell -- Fantasy sports expert
NOTE: not all athletes and ESPN personalities will appear all days; all
appearances subject to change
17 February 2007: ESPN The Weekend 2007
details
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- ESPN and Walt Disney
World Resort will offer sports fans of all ages the opportunity to see
and hear ESPN personalities and world-famous athletes March 2-4 during
the fourth annual ESPN The Weekend, a festival-style event at Disney-MGM
Studios.
The three-day sports fan-fest, hosted this year by former NBA All-Star
David Robinson and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger,
will be highlighted by Hollywood-style motorcades, star conversations
with sports celebrities, behind-the-scenes looks at ESPN shows, and an
interactive sports area.
Also featured: on-site telecasts and remote broadcasts of popular ESPN
shows including "SportsCenter," "ESPN Deportes," "Cold Pizza," "Baseball
Tonight" and "BassCenter."
Among the 60 celebrities scheduled to appear are Michelle Kwan, Jerry
Rice, Hines Ward, Linda Cohn, Donnie Edwards, Adam Vinatieri and Skip
Bayless.
ESPN The Weekend is included with regular admission to Disney-MGM
Studios.
26 September 2006: ESPN The Weekend dates for
2007
ESPN and Walt Disney World Resort will team up to
offer fans the opportunity to see and hear ESPN personalities and
legendary athletes during the fourth annual ESPN The Weekend, March 2-4,
at Disney-MGM Studios. The weekend will feature on-site ESPN telecasts,
star motorcades and Q&A sessions featuring athletes and ESPN
personalities plus sports shows in the ESPN Theater with ESPN
commentators and athletes and interactive sports activities. The fun is
included with regular admission to the theme park.
7 February 2006: ESPN The Weekend, 2006
details
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- ESPN and Walt
Disney World Resort will again offer fans the opportunity to see and
hear ESPN personalities and current and legendary athletes during "ESPN
The Weekend Presented by Speed Stick® 24/7," a one-of-a-kind
sports-themed special event at Disney-MGM Studios theme park in Lake
Buena Vista, Fla., March 3-5, 2006.
"Following successful events the past two years, ESPN and Walt Disney
World Resort are once again pleased to serve sports fans by offering
this unique, in-person experience," said Heather Campbell, vice
president, brand integration and synergy, ESPN, Inc. " 'ESPN The
Weekend' has become one of the most exciting opportunities throughout
the year for fans, athletes and ESPN to connect with one another and
celebrate sports."
"ESPN The Weekend" will feature on-site ESPN telecasts including
SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight and Cold Pizza; star motorcades and Q&A
sessions featuring athletes and ESPN personalities; sports shows in the
ESPN Theater with ESPN commentators and athletes; a visit from ESPN The
Truck; live ESPN Radio broadcasts; ESPN Deportes Fuera de Juego
telecasts; the ESPN Sports Zone interactive area; and a special sports
edition of the game show attraction "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play
It!" Guests will also be able to enjoy all the popular shows and
attractions, including the new "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt
Show."
LIVE ON-SITE ESPN TELECASTS
ESPN will present at least two live telecasts a day from a set in front
of the Disney-MGM Studios Sorcerer's Hat on Hollywood Boulevard.
On-site programs include a special season preview edition of Baseball
Tonight with host Karl Ravech and analysts Peter Gammons, John Kruk and
Harold Reynolds. Major League Baseball Spring Training games get
underway that weekend and the Baseball Tonight crew will put all the
off-season moves in perspective and tell fans what to watch for during
the spring.
In addition, ESPN will offer live telecasts of SportsCenter and Cold
Pizza. Park guests will have a chance to appear on-air via crowd shots
while watching the programming on in-park video screens.
ESPN Radio shows, including Mike and Mike in the Morning, The Herd with
Colin Cowherd, the Dan Patrick Show and SportsBash with Eric Kuselias
will be broadcast live from Disney-MGM Studios on Friday, March 3. A
special edition of ESPN Radio's The Baseball Show will also be broadcast
from the park on Saturday, March 4.
ESPN THEATER
Live shows will bring fans and guests behind the scenes of some of the
network's most popular programs, including SportsCenter, Baseball
Tonight, Cold Pizza, NFL Live and more. The shows will provide an inside
look at favorite athletes, teams and ESPN programs, as fans will get
into the action themselves by asking questions directly to ESPN
personalities and athletes.
SPECIAL SPORTS EDITION OF "WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE-PLAY IT!"
Guests will get a chance to jump in the famed "Hot Seat" and partner
with an ESPN personality or sports star to test their sports knowledge
in a special sports edition of the popular game show attraction "Who
Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play It!" The attraction is based on the
television game show and allows theme park guests to play along from
their studio audience seats.
STAR MOTORCADES AND CONVERSATIONS
Periodically, throughout the day, sports stars will motorcade down the
park's Hollywood Boulevard to the stage at the base of the Sorcerer's
Hat and join ESPN anchors for star conversations about their careers and
Q&A sessions with park guests.
ESPN SPORTS ZONE INTERACTIVE AREA
The ESPN Sports Zone will give guests of all ages the opportunity to
test their skills at everything from basketball games of H-O-R-S-E to
racecar video games involving multiple drivers. Guests will even be able
to learn how to cast a reel like a bass angler or have a golf swing
evaluated by a Walt Disney World teaching pro. ESPN personalities and
sports celebrities will make appearances in the interactive area
throughout the weekend. Bands and in-park entertainers will also
perform.
ESPN THE TRUCK
ESPN The Truck Presented by NFL Flag will be open for fans to sample the
latest in sports television technology. Kiosks in the 53-foot trailer
include: a replica SportsCenter desk, allowing fans to play sports
anchor and take home their very own "Keep it Reel" audition DVD; ESPN
The Magazine photo shoot area where fans can strike their cover pose and
take home their picture of the mock cover; ESPN video games station;
ESPN On-Air, where guests can select from a menu of ESPN video sources;
and much more.
SPORTSCENTER AND PLAY-BY-PLAY ROLE PLAY
While visiting ESPN The Truck, guests can sit down at a replica of the
SportsCenter desk and read the teleprompter as the highlights roll on
the big game. In addition, guests will be able to test their
play-by-play skills by calling some of the biggest moments in sports
history.
The Walt Disney World innovative ticket pricing system "Magic Your Way"
provides guests with the opportunity to customize their vacations, and
Florida residents can save on tickets all year long.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For information on "ESPN The Weekend" at Walt Disney World Resort and to
book travel, guests may visit
www.espntheweekend.com.
11 January 2005: ESPN The Weekend details
BRISTOL, Conn. -- ESPN and the Walt Disney World Resort will once
again offer fans the opportunity to see and hear ESPN personalities
and several legendary athletes during the second annual "ESPN The
Weekend Presented by Speed Stick 24/7," a special event at
Disney-MGM Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Feb. 25-27, 2005.
"Following the success of the 25th Anniversary edition last summer,
ESPN and Disney-MGM Studios are pleased to again offer sports fans
this special, in-person experience," said George Bodenheimer,
president of ESPN, Inc. and ABC Sports. " 'ESPN The Weekend' is an
exciting way for our fans to connect with our programs and
personalities."
With the theme "It's A Sports World After All," "ESPN The Weekend"
will feature on-site ESPN telecasts including SportsCenter, Baseball
Tonight, Cold Pizza and BassCenter; star motorcades and Q&A sessions
featuring athletes and ESPN personalities; appearances by Disney
characters; sports shows in the ESPN Theater with ESPN commentators
and athletes; a visit from ESPN The Truck; live ESPN Radio
broadcasts on Friday, Feb. 25; ESPN Deportes SportsCenter telecasts;
interactive sports activities; and a special sports edition of the
theme park's game show attraction "Who Wants To Be A
Millionaire-Play It!"
Additional event highlights include:
LIVE ON-SITE ESPN TELECASTS
ESPN will present at least two live telecasts a day from a set in
front of the Disney-MGM Studios Sorcerer's Hat on Hollywood
Boulevard.
On-site programs include a special season preview edition of
Baseball Tonight with host Karl Ravech and analysts Peter Gammons,
John Kruk and Harold Reynolds. Major League Baseball Spring Training
gets underway that weekend and the Baseball Tonight crew will put
all the off-season moves in perspective and tell fans what to watch
for during the spring.
In addition, ESPN will offer live, on-site telecasts of SportsCenter,
Cold Pizza and BassCenter. Park guests will have a chance to appear
on air via crowd shots while watching the programming on in-park
video screens.
ESPN Radio shows, including Mike and Mike in the Morning, The Herd
with Colin Cowherd, The Dan Patrick Show and the SportsBash with
Eric Kuselias will be broadcast live from Disney-MGM Studios on
Friday, Feb. 25. Special weekend shows on baseball and the NBA will
be broadcast from the park Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 26-27.
ESPN THEATER
The ESPN Theater will allow fans and guests to further experience
the sports network's programming through several ESPN shows a day
and will be highlighted by Q&A sessions with ESPN personalities and
athletes. ESPN programming will include SportsCenter, Baseball
Tonight, Cold Pizza, Dream Job, NFL Live and more.
SPECIAL SPORTS EDITION OF "WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE-PLAY
IT!"
Guests will get a chance to jump in the famed "Hot Seat" and team up
with an ESPN personality or sports star to test their sports
knowledge in a special sports edition of the popular game show
attraction "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play It!" The attraction
is based on the television game show and allows theme park guests to
play along from their studio audience seats.
STAR MOTORCADES AND CONVERSATIONS
Throughout the day, sports stars will motorcade down the park's
Hollywood Boulevard to the stage at the base of the Sorcerer's Hat
and join ESPN anchors for conversations about their careers and
answer questions from park guests.
ESPN THE TRUCK
ESPN The Truck Presented by NFL Flag will be open for fans to sample
the latest in sports television technology. Kiosks in the 53-foot
trailer include: a replica SportsCenter desk, allowing fans to play
sports anchor and take home their very own "Keep it Reel" audition
DVD; ESPN The Magazine photo shoot area where fans can strike their
cover pose and take home their picture of the mock cover; an ESPN
video games station; ESPN On-Air, where guests can select from a
menu of ESPN video sources; and much more.
SPORTSCENTER AND PLAY-BY-PLAY ROLE PLAY
While visiting ESPN The Truck, guests can sit down at a replica of
the SportsCenter desk and read the teleprompter as the highlights
roll on the big game. In addition, guests will be able to test their
play-by-play skills by calling some of the biggest moments in sports
history.
OVERALL PARK DÉCOR AND THEME
The ESPN and Walt Disney World Resort weekend celebration will
include sports-themed decor throughout the Disney-MGM Studios theme
park, including:
ESPN programming on video monitors throughout the park;
Interactive sports exhibits;
Video screens in designated, in-park areas that televise the action
from the Sorcerer's Hat set;
Select wake-up calls by ESPN personalities.
9 January 2005: ESPN The Weekend
ESPN The Weekend is returning to the Disney-MGM Studios February
25 - 27, 2005. No details yet of any events scheduled, but see the
19 May 2004 update below for an idea of what to expect.
19 May 2004: ESPN The Weekend
BRISTOL, Conn. -- To celebrate ESPN's 25th
anniversary, ESPN and Walt Disney World Resort will offer fans the
opportunity to see and hear ESPN personalities and the greatest
athletes of the past 25 years through "ESPN The Weekend," a special
celebration at Disney-MGM Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., July 31
and Aug. 1, 2004.
"ESPN and Disney will combine their collective resources to create a
one-of-a-kind experience for sports fans and park guests," said
George Bodenheimer, president, ESPN, Inc. and ABC Sports. "The
Disney-MGM Studios provides a fantastic setting for a 25th
anniversary celebration with fans."
"ESPN The Weekend" will include on-site ESPN telecasts including
SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight, College GameDay and ESPNEWS; star
motorcades and conversations with network personalities and
athletes; sports shows in the ESPN Theater featuring ESPN
commentators and athletes; a visit from ESPN The Truck; a special
sports edition of the game show attraction "Who Wants To Be A
Millionaire-Play It!"; an interactive sports area allowing guests to
relive the past 25 years of sports; X Games activities; a
SportsCenter and play-by-play "role play" area; and an exclusive
video of blunders and thrills.
The event will culminate with a final tribute to the past 25 years
orchestrated to a Disney pyrotechnics show exploding over the park's
12-story Mickey's Sorcerer's Hat icon.
LIVE ON-SITE ESPN TELECASTS
ESPN will present at least two live telecasts a day (spaced through
morning, afternoon and evening) from a set in front of the
Sorcerer's Hat at Disney-MGM Studios. On-site programs include a
special season-preview edition of College GameDay with host Chris
Fowler and analysts Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit. In addition, ESPN
will offer live, on-site telecasts of Baseball Tonight with host
Karl Ravech and analysts Harold Reynolds and John Kruk as well as
SportsCenter and ESPNEWS segments. Park guests can watch the
programs live as well as via two large video screens.
STAR MOTORCADES AND CONVERSATIONS
Periodically throughout the day, ESPN personalities and sports stars
from the past 25 years will motorcade down the park's Hollywood
Boulevard to the stage at the base of Mickey's Sorcerer's Hat for a
star conversation about their career and Q&A session with park
guests.
ESPN THEATER
The theater will bring fans and guests further inside the network's
programming through several ESPN shows a day and will be highlighted
by Q&A sessions for guests with ESPN personalities and athletes.
Examples of ESPN programming will include SportsCenter, Cold Pizza,
Baseball Tonight and more.
ESPN THE TRUCK
"ESPN The Truck" will be open for fans to sample the latest in
sports television technology. Kiosks in the 53-foot trailer include:
a replica SportsCenter desk, allowing fans to play sports anchor and
take home their very own "Keep It Reel" audition DVD; ESPN The
Magazine photo shoot area where fans pose on the cover and take home
their picture; ESPN Evolution where guests can join the "fan mosaic"
celebrating ESPN's 25th anniversary; ESPN Video Games station; ESPN
On-Air where guests can select from a menu of ESPN video sources;
and much more.
SPECIAL SPORTS EDITION OF "WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE-PLAY
IT!"
Guests will get a chance to jump in the famed "Hot Seat" and partner
with an ESPN personality or sports star to test their sports
knowledge in a special sports edition of the popular game show
attraction "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play It!" The attraction
is based on the television game show and allows theme park guests to
play along from their studio audience seats.
INTERACTIVE SPORTS AREA (SOUNDSTAGE ONE)
Guests will experience some of the greatest sports moments of the
past 25 years and have an opportunity to play games in a "hands on"
exhibit at Soundstage One in the theme park's backlot area.
SPORTSCENTER & PLAY-BY-PLAY ROLE PLAY
Guests can sit down at a replica of the SportsCenter desk and read
the teleprompter as the highlights roll on the big game. In
addition, guests will be able to test their play-by-play skills by
calling some of the biggest moments in sports history.
HIGHLIGHTS THEATER
Guests will be able to see presentations of ESPN's This is
SportsCenter commercials and the greatest blunders and most
incredible plays of the past 25 years.
FINALE TRIBUTE TO 25 YEARS
Guests are invited to gather in front of the set in front of
Mickey's Sorcerer's Hat as the last event ends on the ESPN stage. An
ESPN personality will kick off a final video and audio tribute to 25
great years in sports. As the end approaches, the video speeds up
into a collage of images and colors as the music roars and the sky
explodes in a cacophony of fireworks.
OVERALL PARK DÉCOR AND THEME
ESPN and Disney's weekend celebration will include sports-themed
décor throughout Disney MGM-Studios, including:
A large banner at the main entrance;
Photo locations with life size cutouts of great teams, players and
moments;
Video screens in selected areas that televise the action from the
Sorcerer's Hat set or playback great moments in sports;
ABC Commissary video monitors will play ESPN;
Designated areas with billboards that recount great sports moments
and statistics.
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