Disney’s Wide World of Sports is a 220 acre state-of-the-art sports complex
located in Walt Disney World.
It is the #1 host site for youth sporting events in the United States. (Make note, the name will officially change to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex February 25th, 2010)
They host over 180 professional and amateur events each year at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex.
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) has their national headquarters at Disney’s Wide World of Sports and they hold many of their championship events at the complex.
Other clients include Pop Warner’s annual Super Bowl, Atlanta Braves Spring Training, the NBA Pre-Draft Camp, and a multitude of USSSA Baseball Tournaments.
This facility is capable of hosting just about any type of sporting event you can think of.
The groundbreaking for Disney’s Wide World of Sports started in 1995. The Walt Disney Company transformed swampland covered in 750,000 tons of orange grove sand into one of the most beautiful sporting facilities in the world. Since the sporting complex opened in March of 1997, over 1.5 million athletes have competed here.
DISNEY’S WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS RESORT AREA
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
The hours of operation for Disney’s Wide World of Sports varies depending on what is going on at that time. We suggest calling before going to the complex, 407-939-GAME (4263). To gain access to Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex there is a general admission price of $11.75 per adult (ages 10 & up) and $9.00 per child (ages 3 to 9). Premium and Special Events may require additional charges and prices are subject to change. You may be able to use your Magic Your Way Ticket with added options. Check with your ticket provider when buying Disney Theme Park tickets.
Parking for Disney’s Wide World of Sports is free and abundant. There is a restaurant and bar on site, Disney’s Wide World of Sports Café. It was formerly the All Star Café and was closed then re-opened in 2007. They now provide Counter Service Dining and they are open for Lunch & Dinner. They still have the bar area and many TVs tuned to sports throughout the restaurant. You do not have to enter Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex to eat at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Café. There is an entrance to the Disney’s Wide World of Sports Café outside the turnstiles. Their operating hours are usually 11:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. but that is subject to change. If you are planning on going there to just eat or drink, I would call first. Call 407-939-GAME. They participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex features 8 different venue sites on the property. The Milk House, Champion Stadium, and the Jostens Center are ADA compliant. For more information on accessible seating and handicap parking, call 407-939 GAME (407-939-4263).
Champion Stadium – This stadium was built with modern-day amenities along with unique architectural features reminiscent of the old-time stadiums of the past. It is the centerpiece of Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. It has been the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves since 1998. The seating capacity for baseball is 9,500. There are four luxury skyboxes and two open-air suites. Besides spring training, it is also used for many amateur baseball tournaments, concerts, and other events for large crowds. The Tampa Bay Rays played a regular home game series here in 2007 & 2008.
The Milk House – This is a state-of-the-art multi-purpose facility located next to Champion Stadium at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. The architectural design for The Milk House features high arches, sprawling exposed trusses, and seating close to the court reminiscent of the classic field houses of the 1950s. The highest row in The Milk House is only 35’ off the ground level. The capacity for basketball at the main court is 5,000. This multi-purpose building has room for six full-size college basketball courts - 4 on the main level & 2 upstairs. It has over 70,000 square feet and can host just about any sporting event that does not require ice. The Milk House is home to the annual Old Spice Classic, a men’s basketball tournament held during Thanksgiving weekend. The tournament features 8 college basketball powerhouse teams. The National Dairy Association sponsors The Milk House. Look for the many celebrity athlete pictures highlighting the Milk Mustache campaign. Got Milk?
Hess Sports Fields - These fields are large enough to accommodate just about any outdoor sport. They can be used for one very large event or multiple events at the same time. The Hess Sports Fields consists of nine playing fields. Four of the original five playing fields are 240’ x 360’ which are large enough for international soccer. The four north fields are 240’ x 360’ and they have baseball diamonds without permanent outfield fences. This way they can be used for baseball or softball using temporary fences. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have used Hess Sports Fields for their training camp since 2002 and Pop Warner holds their annual Super Bowl tournament here in December each year.
Jostens Center - This is the newest addition to Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. It is a similar state-of-the-art multi-purpose building like The Milk House. The Jostens Center has over 70,000 square feet and is home to basketball courts, volleyball courts, roller hockey rinks and more. Check out the new high-tech telescopic spectator seats.
Tennis Complex – This complex at Disney’s Wide World of Sports is suitable for any world-class tennis tournament. It is a 10 court complex including Disney’s Wide World of Sports Centre Court Stadium. Centre Court Stadium has 1,000 permanent courtside seats with the ability to bring in an additional 7,500 seats for larger events.
Track & Field Complex – This complex at Disney’s Wide World of Sports meets the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) standards and measurements. The track has nine 48” lanes with double straight-aways and wide angle turns. The complex has permanent bleacher seating for 2,000 with the ability to bring in 4,000 more seats for larger events. There is also a loop cross county course that goes through the woods on the west side of the Track & Field Complex.
Diamondplex – This area at Disney’s Wide World of Sports is a six field softball and youth baseball complex (12 years and younger). It was one of the first venues completed at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex and it consists of four fields in a circle with the home plates backing up to each other, and 2 adjacent fields. The infields are a mix of clay and sand with crushed red brick warning tracks.
Baseball Quadraplex - These baseball fields at Disney’s Wide World of Sports are an extension of Champion Stadium. It consists of four professional size baseball fields with one infield-only field. The Major League players during spring training, and other minor league teams throughout the year, use the Quadraplex. All of the fields have Bermuda grass infields with some permanent bleacher seating.
Unless you have a family member or friend competing in an event here, the best time to visit Disney’s Wide World of Sports is when there is a special event going on. Keep your eye on toddsorlando.com’s Disney calendar for upcoming events.