Photos: Michelle Obama, Disney Channel Stars Visit Disney World for ‘Let’s Move’
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On a tour to celebrate the second anniversary of her Let’s Move! initiative, First Lady Michelle Obama spoke to hundreds of children and parents at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex about the importance of healthy living. She also recognized the efforts of Disney Magic of Healthy Living, which partners with parents in their quest to raise healthy, happy kids.
“I want to thank Disney for all that they’ve done to support “Let’s Move” and to make sure our kids are eating right and being active,” Obama told the audience before joining Disney Channel and Disney XD stars for the new dance, “The Platypus Walk,” inspired by the hugely popular “Phineas and Ferb” character Perry the Platypus.
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson welcomed the crowd of nearly 1,500 children and families, demonstrating his own commitment to physical fitness by completing 50 push-ups on stage.
After addressing the audience, Obama welcomed the children to visit five Disney Magic of Healthy Living activity stations along with Disney Channel Stars Debby Ryan (“Jessie”), Roshon Fegan (“Shake It Up”), and Disney XD stars Doc Shaw and Kelsey Chow (“Pair of Kings”) and Olivia Holt (“Kickin’ It”). There, professional athletes helped children hone their physical fitness skills. Children ran sprints with renowned football coach Tom Shaw, completed drills with members of the Orlando City Soccer team and practiced their tennis serve with tennis professional James Blake.
Brandon Delfosse, a 13-year-old student at Orlando Science School and member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida, attended the event and was pleased Obama and Disney supported healthy living. “It’s very cool knowing someone cares about you… It’s smart. Disney is popular, and it helps get the word out.”
Disney Magic of Healthy Living provides children and families with engaging content, useful tools and unique experiences to help make healthier lifestyles simple and fun. The 2010 launch of Disney Magic of Healthy Living included a series of public service announcements featuring the first lady that inspire children to take control of their own health, fitness and nutrition, and encourage their families and friends to do the same.
For more information about the program, as well as recipes, tips and videos, visit Disney.com/TryIt and Family.com/TryIt.
Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative has made significant progress since launching in February 2010. Parents, businesses, educators, elected officials, members of the military, chefs, physicians, athletes, childcare providers, community and faith leaders and children themselves have made substantial commitments to improve the health of children. Through working together with Let’s Move!, these groups have provided children with healthier food and greater opportunities for physical activity in schools and communities, helped get families the information they need to make healthier decisions, supported a healthy start in early childhood, and have worked to ensure more people have access to healthy, affordable food.
For details about the Let’s Move! initiative, visit LetsMove.gov.
Categories: Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: ESPN, Events, Michelle Obama, Wide World of Sports, WWoS
Full Sail University to Establish Presence at ESPN Wide World of Sports
Recognizing the expanding role of sports within the entertainment industry, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and Full Sail University have finalized a unique partnership that enables the school to promote Full Sail’s sports curriculum to a global audience of sports enthusiasts, while offering youth athletes more possibilities to envision their sports dreams.
As part of this collaboration, Full Sail will be represented throughout ESPN Wide World of Sports including the complex’s Welcome Center, digital signs and promotional video packages. In addition, guests who are interested in learning more will be able to arrange a tour of Full Sail’s Winter Park campus from the sport complex.
“The sports industry is evolving incredibly rapidly, and it requires professionals who understand the dynamics of the new media landscape for all applications in business, both now and in the future,” said Josh Mora, program director of Sports Marketing and Media for Full Sail. “One area in which we can attract prospective students who will serve the industry is by focusing our efforts on those who have an inherent enthusiasm for sports. In that way, we can fuel their passion by exposing them to possible careers within the sports realm that they might not even know exists.”
This agreement follows the university’s recent launch of its new Sports Marketing and Media Bachelor of Science Degree Program. The 32-month curriculum, offered both on-campus and online, is designed to help students develop a balanced skill set of technical expertise and content creation. Students will also learn core business and marketing concepts as they apply to sports media, business models, sports marketing and research, public relations, sports law and contracts, and licensing and intellectual property.
“Sports dreams now come in all shapes and sizes,” said Faron Kelley, director of marketing and communication for Disney Sports Enterprises. “We hope that by exposing young athletes to Full Sail’s innovative curriculum, they will be able to realize their aspirations whether they’re on the ball field, in the classroom or behind a TV camera.”
Full Sail has recently collaborated with ESPN in launching a sportsbroadcast research lab at the university, complementing the current ESPN Innovation Lab located at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World. That lab has been critical in the development of ESPN 3D, Ball Track, NBA Player Card and Ultimate Uplink.
Categories: Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: ESPN, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Wide World of Sports, WWoS
Hewlett-Packard Unveils HP Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports
Expanding on its long-standing relationship with Walt Disney World Resort, HP (NYSE:HPQ) today unveiled the HP Field House at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, a project designed to deliver an immersive technology experience to the 2 million athletes, coaches and spectators that visit the complex each year.
The 165,000-square-foot complex – now branded the HP Field House – is a multipurpose facility that has been the cornerstone of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex since it opened in 1997. The facility will now deliver an elevated experience for sports enthusiasts through a variety of HP enhancements inside the facility and beyond.
From the HP Photo Creation Center, to the touch-enabled desktops and digital signage that deliver interactive park experiences, to the HP TouchPads that will be used for on-field stat collection, the HP Field House enables athletes, coaches and fans to have a hands-on experience and completely customize their visit in ways that can only be done at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
“Continuing HP’s decades-long collaboration with Disney, the HP Field House captivates audiences through state-of-the-art athletic facilities with a rich, interactive technology experience that extends the spirit and passion of sports beyond the field of play,” said Carlos Montalvo, vice president, Innovation Program Office, Personal Systems Group, HP.
“Today’s youth athletes are extremely tech savvy and HP is the perfect partner to help them better capture and savor the lasting memories of their unique sports experience in ways that no other sports venue can,” said Ken Potrock, senior vice president, Disney Sports Enterprises.
Personalized avatars, applications and concierge services
Customized concierge kiosks featuring the first-ever deployment of HP TouchSmart 9300 Elite Business PCs allow athletes, coaches and fans to access and print a wide range of sporting event information using HP TouchSmart technology. Based in seven convenient locations throughout the complex, the kiosks guide users to field assignments and provide schedule updates, access to event highlights and general complex information such as maps, weather and dining options.
The TouchSmart kiosks also host a custom application that allows sports fans to create personalized avatars for their official ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex credentials. Able to generate 37 billion uniquely tailored avatars, the application offers a wide array of preferences and design tools, including a range of sports uniforms, jersey colors, team numbers, facial features, skin and hair tones, and accessories.
Users also can enjoy one-click access to print, email or share their designs with a personalized message, or upload them directly to Facebook. Special HP product offers for guests also will be provided in the same sleeve with the avatar.
HP Photo Creation Center creates lasting memories
The centerpiece of the HP Field House, the HP Photo Creation Center enables sports fans and athletes to download, design, enhance and print commemorative game day and event images such as matte or glossy photographs for purchase. Guests also can upload their content to the HP Photo Creation Center to create a variety of custom keepsakes, such as photo cards, multipage calendars and photo CDs. In addition, guests can print large-scale posters with the option to print single image or collage posters, wallpapers and banners for purchase onsite.
The ESPN Idea Lab showcases the future, today
The Idea Lab provides HP, Disney and ESPN the opportunity to collaborate on 3-D, custom application development and new HP products offering visitors an exclusive opportunity to interact with HP’s newest products in a way they have never experienced them before.
Champion Stadium suites
HP is installing a range of PCs, printers and displays in the Champion Stadium suites, home to Atlanta Braves Spring Training. HP also will update the concession areas throughout the venues with digital signage – including a four-panel display scoreboard in the rotunda of the HP Field House – so fans will never be far from the action on the field.
Overall, the integration of HP technology bolsters the growing list of innovative features added to the 220-acre complex in recent months, including the ESPN Innovation Lab, a high-tech Production Center, several high-definition cameras and video screens, and a 20-zone audio system.
The HP Field House is a multipurpose indoor arena reminiscent of a classic 1950s style field house, with room for six full-size collegiate basketball courts and a seating capacity of 5,500. The facility can accommodate most indoor sports, including basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, volleyball, martial arts, roller hockey, cheerleading and dance, in addition to concerts and conventions. Regular events include AAU basketball, College Cheerleading, Dance Team National Championships and the Old Spice Classic, a leading Division I NCAA men’s basketball holiday tournament.
Images courtesy of and © Disney
Categories: Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: ESPN Wide World of Sports, Hewlett-Packard, HP, WWoS
Hewlett-Packard to Expand Sponsorship at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Resort today announced an expansion to its long-term business relationship with HP, which now includes naming rights for the 165,000-square-foot fieldhouse at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Beginning today, the fieldhouse will be renamed with the HP brand and will feature several new high-tech elements designed to enhance the sports experience for the nearly 1.5 million athletes, coaches and fans who visit the complex each year. HP also becomes the official imaging, printing and PC partner for ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, the leading multi-sports venue in the nation.
The centerpiece of the soon to be renamed fieldhouse will be the HP creation zone where athletes, coaches and fans can download, design and enhance commemorative photos and images of their events, then immediately produce and print them onsite. The HP creation zone will also include a retail area featuring a variety of imaging-related products and options for youth athletes and consumers, such as creating life-size posters of action photos, custom wallpaper coverings for the home and other photo keepsakes/memorabilia.
“HP’s innovative technologies further differentiate the athlete experience at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in ways that no other youth sports venue can match,” said Ken Potrock, senior vice president of Disney Sports Enterprises. “The HP technological enhancements in the complex are just the latest in a growing number of technology-driven projects that are at the core of our growth strategy, which centers around continually elevating the sports experience for our athletes, coaches and fans.”
There will also be an HP internet “café” capability inside the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Grill featuring HP TouchSmart PCs. Individual stations will offer online access to a variety of sites, including ESPN.com, ESPNRISE.com, ESPNWWOS.com, Disney.com, Disneyworld.com and others.
The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Welcome Center, an onsite concierge facility, will offer kiosks that also feature HP TouchSmart PCs. The kiosks, which will also be located at additional locations throughout the complex, will enable athletes and fans to access and print a wide range of sports event information, including field assignments and schedule updates, as well as general Disney information and resources, such as dining reservations and vacation planning tools for theme parks, resorts and water parks.
“The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex continues HP’s decades-long collaboration with Disney to captivate audiences through technology innovation and digital entertainment,” said Michael Mendenhall, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at HP. “The HP fieldhouse will deliver the ultimate sports environment, combining state-of-the-art athletic facilities with a rich, interactive technology experience to extend the spirit and passion of sports beyond the field of play.”
The fieldhouse accommodates virtually any indoor sport, including basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, volleyball, martial arts, team handball, roller hockey, cheerleading and dance, trampoline and tumbling, indoor tennis, etc., in addition to concerts and conventions. Opened in 1997, the venue has a seating capacity of 5,500 and room for six full-size collegiate basketball courts.
HP’s presence at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex extends the company’s long-standing relationship with Disney, which began in 1940 when HP worked with Walt Disney to enhance the acoustics in movie theaters before the release of Disney’s “Fantasia” movie. Currently, HP sponsors the MISSION: Space attraction at Epcot and is one of the sponsors of the Disneyland Dream Home at Disneyland Park. Disney is one of HP’s largest customers and utilizes thousands of HP business PCs, servers and printers, in addition to technology services, business intelligence software and storage.
The expansion of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex’s relationship with HP comes on the heels of the complex’s most comprehensive redesign since it opened in 1997. In February 2010, the complex, which was already the leading multi-sport venue in the world, was re-imagined with the ESPN brand, bringing the signature elements of ESPN to the complex to create a one-of-a-kind sports experience that lets athletes, coaches and fans feel as if they’ve reached the big time with ESPN.
Categories: Business, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: ESPN Wide World of Sports, Hewlett-Packard, WWoS
Photo: NBA Star Dwayne Wade Brings the Heat to Walt Disney World
Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade poses July 11, 2010 with a basketball-clad Mickey Mouse at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. In honor of Wade’s visit to the 220-acre sports facility, Walt Disney World presented him with a custom-made and hand-painted trio of basketballs in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s head. The Disney World visit ended a week which saw Wade re-sign with the Miami Heat, where he will be joined next season by newly signed stars LeBron James and Chris Bosh. (Todd Anderson, photographer)
Categories: Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Basketball, Celebrities, Dwayne Wade, Sports, WWoS
Walt Disney World’s 2011 Princess Half Marathon Gets New, Earlier Dates
Disney Parks has announced that the 2011 Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon weekend has been moved a week earlier to February 25 – 27, 2011 from March 4-6.
Registration for the event is scheduled to open on July 6.
For more information on the event, visit the official web site.
Categories: Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: ESPN Wide World of Sports, Half Marathon, Princess Half Marathon, Running, Sports, WWoS
Spectator Tickets for Walt Disney World’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon Now Available
Tickets are now available for purchase by spectators (non-participants) for both the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party on October 3, 2010 as well as the Finish Line party taking place inside Epcot’s World Showcase on October 2 from 10:30 pm through 3 am.
To purchase spectator tickets for these events, please call 1-407-WDW-IRUN (407-939-4786).
Admission for these events is already included in the cost of registration for participants. Registration for the both the half-marathon and the relay are at 50%.
For more information on the event, click here.
Categories: Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: ESPN Wide World of Sports, Events, Half Marathon, Running, Sports, Wine & Dine, Wine and Dine, WWoS
Over 13,000 Students Expected to Compete in ESPN RISE Games at Walt Disney World Resort
ESPN RISE and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, the nation’s leading multi-sport venue for amateur and professional sports, announced today that they have grown the ESPN RISE Games’ elite and competitive event offering and expect to host more than 13,000 student athletes during its 2010 event at the sports complex in suburban Orlando, Fla. Target has returned as the title sponsor for the second year of the ESPN RISE Games. The ESPN RISE Games Presented by Target will take place over a two week period, July 14-27. Events will air on both ESPNU and ESPN3.com.
The ESPN RISE Games Presented by Target, a two-week long elite and competitive level student athlete focused event, will be anchored by four elite high school sports events. New for the 2010 event is the Champion High School Showcase, a US Lacrosse boys and girls event. Returning for the second year are the AAU 17-under Boys Basketball Super Showcase presented by Champion®, the Under Armour High School Softball All-America game and the elite 7 on 7 high school football event Champion® Gridiron Kings.
The ESPN RISE Games has also increased its competitive channel youth sports; it has added boys and girls lacrosse: US Lacrosse U15 National Championship, softball: USSSA Fast Pitch World Series (U16 and U18) and football: the Florida Premier 7s, an invite only, 7-on-7 event to feature 64 Florida high school teams – the inaugural event will include Dr. Phillips, Miramar, Manatee and DeLand high schools. Returning to the schedule from the 2009 event are baseball: USSSA Global Baseball World Series, basketball: AAU Super Showcases (14U 15U and 16U) and AAU 14U National Championship, field hockey: Disney Summer 7s & 11s National Championships a USA Field Hockey event (U12, U14, U16 and U19) and track & field: AAU National Club Championships (13-18). The ESPN RISE Games Presented by Target has grown from hosting 4,000 student athletes to more than 13,000 expected student athletes for the 2010 event.
ESPN RISE GAMES ELITE EVENT DETAILS:
- Champion® High School Showcase a US Lacrosse Event is the “National All-Star Game” of high school lacrosse featuring the top high school players from across the country. The event is set-up in a final four format, with two semifinal games, a third place game and a championship game. All of the teams are guaranteed practice and scrimmage time. Girls: July 17-19 Boys: July 20-22
- Under Armour High School Softball All-American game will feature 30 of the top high school players in the nation divided into two squads. Players are selected by a committee of high school softball experts from ESPN RISE. July 19-20
- AAU 17-under Boys Basketball Super Showcase presented by Champion® is part of the AAU National Championships held at the ESPN sports complex and features marquee 17-under club teams from across the country. The event includes two days of pool play and a single-elimination tournament. The tournament is a breeding ground for future NBA stars including Amare Stoudemire, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, as well as collegiate phenoms such as Tyler Hansbrough and JJ Redick. July 24-27
- Champion® Gridiron Kings is an elite high school football event that features 64 of the best players in the game’s seven skill positions – quarterback, running back, tight end, wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback and safety. The event includes performance training, position specific training, skills challenges and a 7-on-7 competition. July 24-25
- Under Armour High School Softball All-American, Champion Gridiron Kings, AAU 17-under Boys Basketball Super Showcase presented by Champion® and Champion® High School Senior Showcase a US Lacrosse Event (boys event) events will be presented on ESPNU live and as pre-recorded shows; ESPN3.com will air live competitive events.
Categories: Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: ESPN, ESPN Rise, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Sports, WWoS
ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill to Offer 2010 FIFA World Cup Viewing Parties
Soccer fans in Central Florida can get swept up in the fever of 2010 FIFA World Cup through unique viewing opportunities at Walt Disney World Resort.
ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill at Disney has been designated as an official viewing location for the month-long global soccer tournament. Soccer fans can watch live World Cup matches televised on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 from South Africa involving their favorite soccer national teams on the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill’s many large high-definition screens.
In addition, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill will offer special viewing parties running for the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and third-place match (June 26-July 10), which will include guaranteed seating to view the matches and an all-you-care-to-eat buffet featuring Buffalo wings, hot dogs, seasonal fruit, build-your-own salads, a nacho bar, desserts and non-alcoholic drinks – all for $19.99/per person, per game (plus tax).
The beautiful game kicks off on the world stage June 11, with open seating for breakfast and lunch available at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill for the group stage of play running through June 25. A special viewing area will be available for the championship match July 11.
Reservations can be made starting May 27 by calling 407/WDW-DINE or by visiting espnwwos.com.
Categories: Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Dining, ESPN, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Events, FIFA, Soccer, Sports, Wide World of Sports, World Cup, WWoS
Photo: Pittsburgh’s Taylor and Holmes ‘Steel’ Some PS3 Time at ESPN Wide World of Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers stars Ike Taylor (left) and Santonio Holmes (right) play a game of “Madden NFL ’10″ March 23, 2010 at the PlayStation Pavilion at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The new PlayStation Pavilion features PlayStation 3 systems, including a SingStar stage and a collection of the latest video game releases. (Photo by Todd Anderson/Disney)
Categories: Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: ESPN, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Football, Ike Taylor, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Steelers, PlayStation, PS3, Santonio Holmes, Sports, Steelers, Wide World of Sports, WWoS
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