Categories
Disney News Disney Parks

Stop What You’re Doing and Look at These Right NOW!

We can’t believe 22 NBA teams will be traveling to Disney World to finish their 2019-2020 season. It’s really HAPPENING!

Stop What You’re Doing and Look at These Right NOW!

NBA Experience at Disney World

And to get Disney and sports fans extra-fired up out the 88 “seeding games” (you can view the full schedule here) ESPN has just shared some fun logos we think you’ll enjoy!

@pkairdesigns, an artist and self-proclaimed “sneakerhead” has decided to make a few new “Disney-fied” logos for the visiting NBA teams! ESPN scooped them up and added them to their Insta today including this adorable Utah Jazz logo featuring Pluto jammin’ on a saxophone!

Stop What You’re Doing and Look at These Right NOW!

©ESPN

The Denver Nuggets logo has also been doctored up — with DOC! We love how the artist also added the Seven Dwarfs to the side of the mountain! Does this mean the players might be singing “Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, it’s off to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex we go?”

Stop What You’re Doing and Look at These Right NOW!

©ESPN

Tigger has become the adopted Disney mascot for the Pheonix Suns thanks to his rather sunny disposition!

Stop What You’re Doing and Look at These Right NOW!

©ESPN

Meanwhile, Mickey Mouse will be repping for the Boston Celtics. Looks like they really lucked out with landing the main MOUSE!

Stop What You’re Doing and Look at These Right NOW!

©ESPN

Mavs fans can rejoice over their new logo featuring Bullseye! We always thought the Dallas Mavericks were big fans of Buzz and Woody!

Stop What You’re Doing and Look at These Right NOW!

©EPSN

We bet Milwaukee Bucks player (and HUGE Disney dude) Robin Lopez will get a kick out of his team’s new Bambi logo.

Stop What You’re Doing and Look at These Right NOW!

©ESPN

It looks like another Toy Story character has been drafted. Toronto Raptors has a reimagined logo featuring Rex! Must be hard to dribble with such tiny arms!

Stop What You’re Doing and Look at These Right NOW!

©ESPN

The Portland Trail Blazers will be putting on their super suits soon. How awesome would it be if they actually added The Incredibles on their jerseys?! Pretty incredible if you ask us!

Stop What You’re Doing and Look at These Right NOW!

©ESPN

Winne the Pooh has lent his likeness to the Memphis Grizzlies! He looks more adorable than threatening!

Stop What You’re Doing and Look at These Right NOW!

©ESPN

And last but not least, Ariel will be flipping her fins as the Miami Heat’s mascot!

Stop What You’re Doing and Look at These Right NOW!

©ESPN

We gotta say, we thought the best thing we could hope to see when we found out the NBA would be playing the rest of its games at Disney World was Mickey Mouse wearing some sweatbands and a pair of basketball shorts — which, btw, we’re still hoping to see!

But we love seeing what this artist has come up with so far! Here’s hoping they have a few more Disney design ideas up their sleeve for the rest of the NBA team logos!

Which teams’ logo is your favorite? Cast your vote in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, Featured, Walt Disney World, boston celtics, dallas mavericks, denver nuggets, Disney World, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, finish season, memphis grizzlies, miami heat, Mickey Mouse, milwaukee bucks, nba logos, nba players, nba teams, phoenix suns, portland trail blazers, toronto raptors, utah jazz

Categories
Disney News Disney Parks Other

News: Florida’s Orange County Mayor Speaks on the MLS and NBA Playing in Disney World

As Disney World prepares to reopen to visitors, the NBA and MLS are getting ready to host their seasons and tournaments at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports.

News: Florida’s Orange County Mayor Speaks on the MLS and NBA Playing in Disney World

NBA Experience

Although Milwaukee Bucks player Robin Lopez has spoken out about the NBA’s stay (in three different resorts on property) at Disney World in the most entertaining way possible, Mayor Jerry Demings is also chiming in about the sports leagues return.

Mayor Demings has previously shared his support for Disney World’s reopened plans, the Orange County mayor has gone on to say that he believes the NBA and MLS are moving in the right direction by heading to Disney.

News: Florida’s Orange County Mayor Speaks on the MLS and NBA Playing in Disney World

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

In an Orange County Task Force meeting, he stated that “Disney has gone through great lengths to ensure the safety of those [NBA] players, and the sanitation associated with the facilities that they will be living in and playing in so that those games will be broadcast for our pleasure. We want to see those games continue.”

News: Florida’s Orange County Mayor Speaks on the MLS and NBA Playing in Disney World

NBA Teams Playing

He also went on to briefly mention that MLS is “exercising an abundance of caution” to continue soccer games and keep players safe.

News: Florida’s Orange County Mayor Speaks on the MLS and NBA Playing in Disney World

©MLS

We will continue to share all the details on what the MLS and NBA coming to Disney World will look like, so stay tuned!

Will you be watching the NBA and MLS when they return to Disney? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney Entertainment, Disney News, disney parks, Featured, Walt Disney World, Disney, disney news, Disney World, Disney World reopening, ESPN Wide World of Sports, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, MLS, NBA

Categories
Disney News Disney Parks Disney Vacations

Major League Soccer teams to stay at Disney’s Swan & Dolphin Resort

Major League Soccer teams to stay at Disney’s Swan & Dolphin Resort Swan & Dolphin

We just shared the news that Major League Soccer is coming to Walt Disney World! All 26 Teams will be resuming their 2020 season at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex starting July 8th, but where will all of these players stay?

While this information wasn’t shared on the initial release we did some digging and found the information on the MLS website under their Health & Safety Protocols.

Here is the info:

In addition to the screenings and testing described above, an MLS task force has worked with leading experts to create guidelines and best practices to help reduce risk and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

These include:

  • Wearing face coverings/face masks;
  • Social distancing;
  • General hygiene (Ex. avoid touching face, washing hands frequently, avoid sharing food, bottles, towels or equipment);
  • Cleaning and sanitization (disinfecting surfaces).

The Walt Disney World Resort Swan and Dolphin Hotel will be providing enhanced cleaning of all venues and enforcing appropriate capacity-management and other social distancing guidelines.

So this sounds like to me that these MLS Players will be staying at Disney’s Swan & Dolphin Resort during their return.

Recently we shared the news that the Swan & Dolphin will be closed till the end of July but according to the tournament schedule, it can run up until the middle of August. So there is a good chance we might see the closure of the Swan & Dolphin even longer than July.

In case you missed the news NBA teams will be contained to three specific hotels at Walt Disney World with nightly COVID-19 testing.

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Places to Stay, Resorts, Walt Disney World, Disney World, Disney’s Swan & Dolphin, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Major League Soccer, Swan & Dolphin

Categories
Disney News Disney Parks

All 26 Major League Soccer Teams to Resume Season at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Starting July 8th

All 26 Major League Soccer Teams to Resume Season at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Starting July 8th Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer today announced the league’s plan to restart the 2020 season with all 26 MLS clubs competing in the MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida beginning July 8. The tournament, which will be played without fans in attendance, provides a compelling way for MLS to resume its 25thseason.  Group stage matches will count in the MLS regular season standings and the tournament winner will earn a spot in the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.

“We are pleased to team up with Disney to relaunch the 2020 MLS season and get back to playing soccer,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber.  “The opportunity to have all 26 clubs in a controlled environment enables us to help protect the health of our players, coaches and staff as we return to play. We also recognize that the death of George Floyd and others has focused our country on issues of racial injustice, inequality and violence against black men and women. Together with our owners, players and staff, the League and its Clubs are deeply committed to creating meaningful and impactful programs to address these issues that have plagued our society for far too long.”

Major League Soccer has a longstanding relationship with ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.  The league held its 1998 preseason at the complex, and hosted events for the 1998 and 2019 MLS All-Star Games at the facilities.

“Sports have the power to unify and inspire, particularly during challenging times,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. “And we’re looking forward to bringing this exciting sport back to millions of fans, while prioritizing the health and well-being of the players, coaches and support staff as well as our cast members.”

COMPETITION FORMAT

Clubs will begin arriving in Orlando as early as June 24 for preseason training.  Clubs that can conduct full team training in their markets pursuant to the league’s medical and testing protocols must arrive no later than seven days before their first match.

Similar to a FIFA World Cup format, the tournament will feature a continuous schedule of matches nearly every day, with games beginning at 9 a.m., 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. EDT. The vast majority of the matches will be played in the evening. Each team will play three group stage matches, and those results will count in the 2020 MLS regular season standings. After 16 consecutive days of group stage matches, the top two teams from each group along with the four best third-place finishers will move on to the knockout stage. The knockout stage will include a Round-of-16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Championship match will take place on August 11. Matches tied at the end of regulation in the knock-out phase will proceed directly to a penalty kick shootout. Click HERE for the MLS is Back Tournament Competition Guidelines.

MLS worked with U.S. Soccer, Canada Soccer and Concacaf to institute a one-time change to MLS berths to the annual Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League. The MLS is Back Tournamentwinner will earn a spot in the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, regardless of whether it is a U.S. or Canadian club. The winner would replace the berth previously awarded to the MLS regular season points leader in the conference opposite of the 2020 Supporters’ Shield winner.

In addition to matches that count in the regular season standings and the Champions League berth, players will have the opportunity to earn additional bonuses as part of a $1.1 million prize pool.

The substitution limit for the tournament will follow the new protocol set by the IFAB and allow five substitutions per match. In addition, teams may name up to 23 players on each official match day roster. Also, the Professional Referees Organization (PRO) will have access to video review for all games.

For the MLS is Back Tournament, the 26 MLS teams will be drawn into one of six groups during a live draw that will take place tomorrow, Thursday, June 11 at 3:30 p.m. EDT. For the remainder of the 2020 MLS season, Nashville SC will be moved to the Eastern Conference. The Eastern Conference will have three groups, one consisting of six teams and two consisting of four teams each. The Western Conference will have three groups, each consisting of four teams.

As the host club, Orlando City SC will be given the top seed in Group A, which will be the six-team group, and will play in the first match on July 8.  The five remaining seeds will consist of the four semifinalists from the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs – Atlanta United, Los Angeles Football Club, Seattle Sounders FC, Toronto FC – and Real Salt Lake (the team with the next highest points total in the Western Conference from the 2019 season).  The seeded teams will be drawn into their respective groups first and then the remaining 20 clubs will be drawn and distributed across the conference-based groups.

In addition, the tournament schedule, national television partner networks, and other important details for the MLS is Back Tournament will be provided soon.

Upon completion of the MLS is Back Tournament, MLS plans to continue its regular season with a revised schedule in-home markets, followed by the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and the 25thMLS Cup. The final number of matches and the schedule for the remainder of the 2020 MLS regular season will be announced in the coming weeks.

The MLS medical department and the league’s infectious disease experts have developed a comprehensive COVID-19 testing plan which will be implemented for the entire MLS is Back Tournament.  An overview of health, safety and medical protocols can be found HERE.  In addition, MLS will make a contribution of serology (antibody) tests to Central Florida residents beginning June 18.

KEY DATES

  • June 24: Teams begin arriving in Florida
  • July 8: MLS is Back Tournamentgroup stage begins
  • July 25-28: Round-of-16
  • July 30- Aug. 1: Quarterfinals
  • August 5-6: Semifinals
  • August 11: MLS is Back TournamentFinal
  • MLS IS BACK TOURNAMENT– July 8 – August 11

DETAILS

  • Number of Matches:   54 (39 group; 15 knockout)
  • No. of matchdays:      26
  • Format:  Group Stage, followed by Round-of-16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals &
  • Championship match
  • Minimum Matches:     3 (per club)
  • Maximum Matches:    7 (per club)

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World, Wide World of Sports, Disney World, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, MLS is Back Tournament, MLS Soccer, Wide world of sports

Categories
Disney News Disney Parks Other

Here’s the FULL List of NBA Teams That Are Expected to Finish Their 2020 Season in Disney World

Lots of change has been happening around Disney World lately! Even though the parks have remained closed since mid-March, things are really starting to heat up.

Bob Iger ©Disney

Some Disney Springs businesses have recently begun to operate and Disney World’s theme parks now have an official reopening date. Now, sports fans’ attention is centered around the NBA’s decision to resume its season on Disney soil. The OFFICIAL announcement is expected to be made TODAY once the plan is approved.

But while we await further details regarding the NBA finishing its 2020 season at Disney World’s Wide World of Sports Complex, we have found out WHICH Western and Eastern Conference teams are likely going to play in Disney World! Sports columnist Adrian Wojnarowski has provided the following list!

Photo c/o Adrian Wojnarowski

Wojnarowski posted on his Twitter account the NBA will be inviting these 22 teams to Orlando from July 31st through October 12th (which will hopefully be finalized with a vote today). The conference will include eight-regular season games per team.

We hope to provide more details once the NBA makes an official announcement.

See where the NBA players could potentially stay in Disney World here. 

Will your favorite NBA team be competing in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below!

Related posts:

  1. The NBA Discusses Latest Possible Play Off Dates and Hotel Arrangements in Disney World
  2. Disney Springs Area Hotels DISCOUNT Alert!
  3. Expo Hours and DISCOUNTS For 2020 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend Runners!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, Featured, Walt Disney World, agreement, Disney World, Disney World Resorts, eastern conference, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, finish 2020 season, nba players, NBA Playoffs, nba teams, nba teams that are going to disney world, western conference