News: Disney-MGM Studios Hosts ESPN Weekend

Posted at 4:13 PM EST (2113 GMT)

Jan. 10th, 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 "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 Decor 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.
"Magic Your Way" Offers New Ways to Plan Vacation

A new and innovative Walt Disney World ticket pricing system, known as "Magic Your Way," was just introduced and offers the chance for guests to customize their vacations. For Florida residents, ticket discounts have been introduced to allow them to maximize their Disney theme park fun.

For more information about "ESPN The Weekend," Walt Disney World tickets, resort accommodations and "Magic Your Way," guests may visit