Disney For Sports Fans
Is your teenager a Sports fan?
Disney World has a long list of activities and attractions that are sure to please. You’ll find opportunities to be a sports spectator, or an active participant all over the resort!
As you can see from the following list, there are many ways to incorporate your teenager‘s love of sports into your Disney World vacation.
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
This state-of-the-art sporting complex has facilities for football, basketball, golf, and more! Disney has arrangements with both professional and amateur sports organizations. In addition to hosting youth sporting events, the complex is also home of the Atlanta Braves training camp.
Sports fans should check the schedule of events during their trip at http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/find/.
If you decide to visit the complex, bus service is provided from the All Star resorts, Pop Century and Caribbean Beach Resort.
Want to watch a game on TV?
Head to the ESPN Club at Disney’s Boardwalk. You’ll enjoy nonstop sports action on 100 TV screens (each with individual satellite feed.) You won’t have to miss a minute of the action – they even have TV’s in the bathrooms, and the audio from the game is piped in overhead to their game room. You can get your fill of sports video games and not miss a thing!
You can have a meal of classic american “bar and grill” style food while you watch the game at Sports Central, too.
Just be sure to get to the ESPN Club early on big game days. People line up early to get a seat!
Visit the All-Star Sports Resort
Your sports lover will enjoy soaking in the sports-themed atmosphere of this resort. Gigantic sports icons make a great background for vacation photos, and you can expect to find pick-up games happening on the “football field” courtyard throughout the day.
Stop in for a meal at the End Zone Food Court, and enjoy the energy and attention to every last sports-themed detail of this resort!
Richard Petty Driving Experience
Fans of auto racing can experience thrilling speeds first-hand from the inside of a NASCAR style stock car. If you are over 14 years old, you can ride shotgun on a three-lap trip around the Walt Disney World Speedway, reaching speeds of up to 165 miles per hour!
The Richard Petty Driving Experience is located at the WDW Speedway outside of the Transportation and Ticket center, near the Magic Kingdom.
Visit www.drivepetty.com for more information, or call (800) 237-3889.
And if exotic cars are more your thing, you are in luck! The Richard Petty Driving Experience will be adding an Audi R8, a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, a Ferrari F430, a Ferrari 458 Italia, a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 or a Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera to their lineup, staring in January, 2012!
Disney Golf
There are four championship golf courses at Walt Disney World Resort, some of which have hosted PGA Tour events for more than 30 years. They are all scenic and fun to play, with only hints – like the Mickey Mouse-shaped sand trap on Magnolia’s sixth green – that you are playing a Disney course. The courses range in difficulty. Rental equipment is available at the clubhouse. If you don’t have the time for a round, each course has a driving range.
- The Lake Buena Vista Golf Course at Saratoga Springs Resort
- The Magnolia and Palm Courses across the street from the Grand Floridian, at Shades of Green Resort
- The Osprey Ridge Course near the site of the new Four Seasons ResortFor a detailed description of the Disney golf courses, visit www.wdwinfo.com, here.
Transportation to the golf courses is provided at no charge by taxi (including the tip for the driver) to and from Walt Disney World resorts for guests playing at any of the Disney courses. Ask at the valet desk or bell services for help.
There are many different discounts available: Disney offers discounts to annual passholders and DVC memberships. There are “before 2PM” prices, and “after 2PM” prices, and twilight discounts. In addition, prices vary according to the time of year.You can book your tee-time at www.disneygolf.com. Another great resource is the website www.golfnow.com. Reduced rates at the different courses are very easy to find, and might be lower than the rate you’d get directly from Disney.
By the way, if your ball goes in the water at any of the Disney courses, you’d better just leave it for the alligators!
Guided Fishing Excursions
Enjoy a day of effortless fishing in the lakes of Walt Disney World. These private catch-and-release excursions are guided, and all equipment is provided. The lake is well stocked, and the odds are good that you will catch some largemouth bass!
The guides will bring a cooler with drinks and all the equipment and knowledge needed for a great trip. Most trips are on a pontoon boat, which accommodates up to five people.
Call (407) WDW-FISH (939-3474) to book.
Water Sports
Take a break from the Disney parks, and spend some time out on Bay Lake. Sammy Duvall’s Watersports at the Contemporary Marina offers a variety of water sports, with world-caliber instructors, boats and equipment.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced water-skiier or wakeboarder, you can hit the water and have a great time! Tubing and Parasailing adventures are also available at Sammy Duvall’s.
If you don’t feel like actually getting in the water, boats and personal watercraft can be rented at many locations around Walt Disney World, including the Contemporary Marina. (Just take note: Not all teen guests can drive Sea Raycers rented from the Contemporary Marina – only those over 16. Younger than 16? No problem! You’ll just need to rent from the location at Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, Yacht Club or Downtown Disney.)
You can schedule your water sport fun up to one year in advance. Call Sammy Duvall’s at (407) 939-0754. No advance reservation is required for boat rentals.
Disney World is a great place for teen sports fans!
[bannergarden id="3"]
