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Disney's Wide World of Sports Facility Breakdown |
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ARCHITECTURE (Overall Facility)
Architect: David Schwarz (Washington, D.C.). Schwarz also designed The Ballpark at Arlington, home of Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers.
Design: "Florida Picturesque" style embodies a Florida or Mediterranean flavor design with Spanish-style roofing, blue and green accent tiling, vibrant yellow colors and symmetrical tower-like structures.
Primary colors: Gold Medal (dark yellow), Trophy Gold (light yellow) and Field of Dreams Green.
Venues: The Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, The Milk House (fieldhouse), Hess Sports Fields (North and South), Baseball Quadraplex, Softball Complex, Tennis Complex, Track & Field Complex. Other amenities: All Star Cafe sports-themed restaurant, Sports Experience interactive playground area, an open grass meeting area (Town Green presented by Toro), two merchandise locations (D Sports and Disney's Clubhouse) and a spacious parking lot (3,500+ spaces).
THE BALLPARK AT DISNEY’S WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS COMPLEX
The centerpiece of the sports complex, The Ballpark at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex is a Major League Baseball retro-style ballpark that annually hosts MLB spring training (Atlanta Braves) and numerous amateur tournaments. With permanent seating and existing infrastructure, the facility can also host concerts, corporate hospitality functions, event opening ceremonies and other large gatherings.
Field dimensions: left-340 ft.; center-400 ft.; right-330 ft.
7,500 permanent upper and lower deck seats (80 percent are located between first and third base), plus a grass berm in left field that offers seating for an additional 2,000+ guests.
Four luxury suites (all include indoor and outdoor seating areas), plus an additional suite that features a large conference room (utilized by Atlanta Braves); two upper level outdoor suites; and two mezzanine level outdoor terraces.
Nostalgic baseball setting offers wrought iron railings (many featuring shapes of baseball bats and balls) at entrances/exits, an elevated home team bullpen in right field, a visiting team bullpen in left field that is surrounded by general admission berm seating, and a baseball-themed merchandise store (Disney's Clubhouse).
LCD display board (dimensions: 4'6" x 27') offers video presentation capabilities and displays line-ups, rosters and other messages. Electronic scoreboard (dimensions: 13' x 39').
Home and visiting team clubhouses include facilities for athletic trainers, manager's office, and strength and conditioning room.
Eight pitching mounds and four hitting tunnels (all with pitching machines) are located in roofed area beyond centerfield.
Spacious press box offers multi-level seating, power outlets and phone jacks, as well as two television and three radio broadcast booths; fiber drop location near first base dugout offers TV live-shot capabilities.
Display booth equipped with state-of-the-art production equipment for managing in-stadium entertainment.
Surfaces -- grass: Tifway 419 Bermuda sports turf; infield: 80/20 mix of clay and sand; warning track: crushed red brick. Drainage: 7-10 in. per hour. Lighting: 318 1,500-watt metal halide MUSCO fixtures.
Basement level space includes loading dock, staff offices, food and beverage preparation facilities and merchandise storage, all easily accessible.
THE MILK HOUSE (Fieldhouse)
Sponsored by the got milk? Milk Mustache campaign, the versatile indoor arena includes high arches and tresses and other architectural and design elements reminiscent of a classic 1950s style fieldhouse (capacity: 5,500). This multi-purpose facility can accommodate virtually any indoor sport that does not require ice, including basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, volleyball, martial arts, team handball, roller hockey, cheerleading and dance, trampoline and tumbling, indoor tennis, etc. The facility can also host convention-style banquets and hospitality events, trade shows, graduations and other special ceremonies.
Room for six full-size collegiate basketball courts (four on main level and an additional two upstairs on auxiliary court).
Dimensions -- main floor: 34,219 sq. ft. (215' x 145'4"); auxiliary floor: 17,804 sq. ft. (117' x 112'6"; without bleachers: 155' 6" x 112'8).
State-of-the-art weight room occupies 3,000 sq. ft on the first floor and is equipped with Hammer Strength equipment, York barbells and a unique storm-themed sound-effect and stereo system.
Two pro-style locker rooms, plus additional locker room facilities for athletes and officials.
Bleacher seating in the main floor and auxiliary court areas contract and expand based on event size and area of competition space needed. A removable vinyl and mesh curtain system also allows the floor space to be divided in a variety of configurations, based on event needs.
Other amenities: athletic training facilities, three classrooms, media workroom, laundry room, multi-purpose room, storage space, five concession stands, merchandise location, administrative offices and a spacious fourth floor conference room overlooking fieldhouse interior.
The Milk House -- sponsored by got milk? -- is adorned with a giant wall mural on the auxiliary court (dimensions: 140' x 21'), banners, flags and other decorative treatments highlighting the campaign's celebrity athlete spokespersons, including Tom Brady, Kevin Garnett, Mia Hamm, Tony Hawk, Freddy Adu and Andy Roddick.
Surfaces: Connor AGA hardwood sports flooring with Neoshock system (basketball courts). An additional parquet-designed full-size basketball court -- made of the same Connor AGA hardwood -- is also stored in The Milk House and available for championship events. Lighting: Four independent zones of 1,500-watt metal halide MUSCO fixtures.
HESS SPORTS FIELDS (North and South)
The Sports Fields venue is sponsored by Amerada Hess Corporation, a leading company in the petroleum industry. Fields A-E represent the original Sports Fields venue. (Field E was initially a sod farm and later converted into a competitive field.) The four additional North Sports Fields and the four diamonds were all added during the venue expansion during the summer of 2004.
Sports Fields are large enough to accommodate a variety of outdoor sports -- soccer, football, lacrosse, field hockey, rugby, windball cricket, etc. The fields may be used collectively for one large event or multiple events may take place simultaneously on various fields. The four diamonds can accommodate either baseball or softball.
Sports Fields annually host Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Training Camp and the Pop Warner Super Bowl.
Hess Sports Fields North:
Sports Fields each measure 240 ft. x 360 ft. Diamonds do not have set dimensions, as there are no permanent outfield fences. All diamonds can be configured to regulation baseball and softball dimensions, using temporary fences, based on competition needs.
Surfaces -- grass: Tifway 419 Bermuda sports turf. Diamond infields: 80/20 mix of clay and sand. Drainage: 5-7 in. per hour. Lighting: each field has 84 1,500-watt metal halide MUSCO fixtures spread throughout four light poles.
Hess Sports Fields South:
Sports Fields A, B, C and D each measure 240 ft. x 360 ft. and are all large enough to host international soccer. Field E -- formerly a sod farm -- measures slightly smaller and is used primarily for training and youth sports competitions.
Surfaces -- grass: Tifway 419 Bermuda sports turf. Drainage: 7-10 in. per hour (Field D), 5-7 in. per hour (Fields A, B, C and E). Lighting: Field D has 144 1,500-watt metal halide MUSCO fixtures spread throughout six light poles. Fields A, B and C have 84 1,500-watt metal halide MUSCO fixtures spread throughout four light poles.
Permanent bleacher seating is available at each field and additional bleachers may be added for larger events (capacity: 10,000).
BASEBALL QUADRAPLEX
Baseball Quadraplex is an extension of The Ballpark at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex and includes four professional baseball fields and a half field that is used for infield drills. The quad annually hosts Major League Baseball players during spring training and minor league players during Rookie League (Gulf Coast League) and Fall Instructional League seasons, as well as camps, clinic and tournaments for amateur and youth players.
Field dimensions: Fields A and C (left-330 ft.; center-395 ft.; right-330 ft.); Field B (left-325 ft.; center-390 ft.; right-325 ft.); Field D (left-325 ft.; center-380 ft.; right-325 ft.). Field E includes an infield only.
Surfaces -- grass: Tifway 419 Bermuda sports turf. Drainage: 7-10 in. per hour (Field C), 5-7 in. per hour (Fields A, B, D, and E). Lighting: Field C has 144 1,500-watt metal halide MUSCO fixtures spread throughout six light poles.
Field C includes permanent bleachers for 500. Fields A, B and D offer permanent seating for 250.
SOFTBALL COMPLEX
Softball complex includes six fields (A-F) that can accommodate fastpitch and slowpitch softball, as well as youth baseball (12 and younger). Fields E & F were converted from youth baseball fields in the spring of 2003.
Dimensions: Fields A-D (305 ft., left, center and right); Fields E & F (275 ft., left, center and right).
Softball fields include team dugouts, bullpens, net batting cages, home run fences, foul poles and bleachers. Fields E & F include 12 ft. high home run fences and permanent bleachers for 250 guests (per field).
Surfaces -- grass: Tifway 419 Bermuda sports turf; "skin" infields: 80/20 mix of clay and sand; warning track: crushed red brick. Drainage: 5-7 in. per hour. Lighting: Fields A-D -- Each field has 60 1,500-watt metal halide MUSCO fixtures spread throughout four light poles. Fields E & F -- Each field has 26 1,500-watt metal halide MUSCO fixtures spread throughout four light poles.
Other amenities: announcers tower (Fields A-D), concession stand and restrooms.
TENNIS COMPLEX
Tennis Complex includes 10 "HAR TRU" green clay courts and can accommodate events ranging from youth clinics to major professional tournaments. Formerly hosted U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships on ATP Tour (1997-2000).
Layout features Center Court stadium accompanied by nine additional grandstand courts. (Center Court capacity: 1,100 -- with ability to expand to 10,000 using scaffold bleachers.)
Other amenities: concession stands and restrooms.
TRACK & FIELD COMPLEX
World-class 400-meter polyurethane Track & Field Complex annually welcomes athletes of all ages and abilities for both training and competitions. The facility meets IAAF world governing body standards and measurements, and is consistent with Olympic track and field venues throughout the world.
Specifications: track - nine 48-inch lanes with double straight-aways and wide angle turns; infield - dual-directional triple/long jump runway, dual-directional pole vault runway, four shot put rings, two discus/hammer rings, javelin runway, two high jump areas.
Equipment: 200 Olympic style hurdles, two pole vault pits, two high jump pits, two discus/hammer cages (one permanent, one portable), 18 shot puts, 12 discus, 12 javelins, countdown timers, wind gauges and performance indicators.
Complex offers permanent bleacher seating for 2,000 spectators with the ability to bring in an additional 4,000 seats.
Surfaces -- track: Martin Surfacing ISS-1000 double layer Encapsulated Finish Polyurethane; infield: Tifway 419 Bermuda sports turf. Drainage: 5-7 in. per hour.
Other amenities: trailers for announcers, event administration, media and storage, concession stand and restrooms.
Hammer pit is available on East side of Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.
Track & Field complex also includes a loop cross country course that winds through the woods on the West side of the sports complex
UNIQUE EXTRAS
Retail facilities: A pair of sports-themed merchandise locations, D Sports and Disney's Clubhouse, reside at the sports complex, while mobile merchandise vehicles are located throughout the other venues during individual events.
D Sports (3,700 sq. ft.) is adjacent to the box office outside The Ballpark at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. It offers a wide selection of hats, shirts, balls, keepsakes and other merchandise items representing college and professional sports, as well as Disney's Wide World of Sports, ESPN, ABC Sports and Disney character items.
Disney's Clubhouse (1,200 sq. ft.) is located inside The Ballpark at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex on the main entrance level behind home plate. The Clubhouse almost exclusively offers baseball-themed items, including authentic Major League Baseball team jerseys, official Atlanta Braves spring training merchandise, caps and other collector's items representing the national pastime. The Clubhouse is appropriately designed with baseball statues, diamond-shaped hardwood floors, and display shelves that appear made of bats. Even the light fixtures resemble ballplayers.
The Sports Experience: This interactive multi-sport playground is adjacent to the sports fields. It gives all sports complex guests the opportunity to play. With an area the size of a football field, fans can kick a football through the uprights, shoot a basket, score a soccer goal, or clock the speed of a pitch at the many outdoor stations. The middle of this interactive area also includes a large 10,000 sq. ft. tent with a fun zone for kids and an assortment of video games. This interactive area is open for private parties. (All guests must complete a waiver before entering the Sports Experience.)
Landscaping: The Town Green presented by Toro highlights the fabulous landscaping at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. The Town Green includes 4.5 acres of Tifway 419 Bermuda sports turf and Live Oak trees (Quercus Virginiana) that were transplanted from surrounding areas where the sports complex was built. The Town Green is sponsored by the Toro Company, which provides all the lawn maintenance and irrigation equipment for the sports complex. The Town Green serves as a special event area for awards ceremonies, sponsor receptions and other unique functions. It includes a 5,000 sq. ft. pavilion with restrooms and a concession stand. .
Dining: Adjacent to the main turnstiles entrance to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex is All Star Cafe, a sports-themed restaurant that includes big screen TVs, baseball mitt-shaped booths and countless items of sports memorabilia. The diverse menu includes everything from burgers, wings and traditional sports bar fare to more diverse pasta, chicken and seafood selections, many which feature a traditional Southern flavor. The cafe includes a golf room for private parties, as well as a game room that features the latest arcade games. All Star Cafe carries broadcasts of all major sports, college and professional games, English Premier League Soccer and other pay-per-view events. Priority seating is available by calling Walt Disney World Dining -- 407/939-DINE.
Parking: The sports complex includes ample parking in excess of more than 3,500 spaces. All parking locations are free of charge. The VIP lot behind the outfield wall of The Ballpark at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex is accessible through a security gate and offers more than 100 spaces. The main lot offers handicap-accessible spaces closest to the sports complex main walkway. The outer parking lot area resembles a football field from overhead. The "slam dunk" lot near the sports complex globe is another grass-covered parking area that is used during high-traffic multi-event periods.
Billboard and Signage: Disney's Wide World of Sports offers some of the most recognizable signage of any venue at Walt Disney World Resort. A scrolling LCD display board is visible from Highway 192. The board displays upcoming events at the sports complex, as well as other popular sports and recreation offerings, including the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway. The sports complex entrance at the corner of Victory Way and Osceola Parkway includes the words "Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex" in tall letters that illuminate at night. Finally, a large Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex globe greets guests as they step onto the main sidewalk at the entrance to the facility, providing the perfect photo backdrop for participating teams and visiting families.
JOSTENS CENTER – Coming Summer 2008
Jostens will be the title sponsor of a new sports facility at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, which is scheduled to open in the summer of 2008. In conjunction with their sponsorship, Jostens will also be an Official Sponsor of Events and offer unique, custom-designed products to recognize the achievements of athletes and teams participating at Disney’s Wide World of Sports.
Dimensions: 80,000 total building sq. ft.; 45,000 sq. ft. of competition floor space.
Sports: basketball, volleyball, wrestling, martial arts, gymnastics, cheerleading and dance, weightlifting, in-line hockey, dodge ball, team handball and more.
While the two-story venue will have 1,200 telescopic spectator seats, it is primarily designed to maximize competition space with the utmost floor space possible.
A state-of-the-art multi-sport fieldhouse, Jostens Center will house six college-size basketball courts, 12 regulation size volleyball courts, two roller hockey rinks, four locker rooms, two conference rooms and two officials’ rooms.
Jostens Center will include two unique spaces -- Jostens “Hall of Fame,” and Creation Central which will offer personalized memory books and Internet services to help recognize achievements and preserve memories for teams and athletes participating at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.
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