The Walt Disney World® Resort and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will be a busy place for pro sports at the Disney Sports ESPN complex in February. The Walt Disney World® Pro Soccer Classic will “kick off” on the 2013 dates of February 9th, 13th, 16th and 23rd. The Atlanta Braves will also begin its spring training schedule on February 22nd at the Wide World of Sports outdoor complex.
Walt Disney World® Pro Soccer
Eight professional soccer clubs will lace it up for 4 daily sessions in February – 9th, 13th, 16th and 23rd. Most of the teams play in the Major League Soccer League (MLS) or are affiliated by the MLS which is sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation. These teams include Kansas City, Toronto, Philadelphia, Columbus, Washington DC, and Montreal. The Orlando team is affiliated with the Sporting Kansas City squad. The Tampa Bay Rowdies are part of the North American Soccer League (NASL).
The teams will line-up in 4 sessions each day on the Hess® outdoor sports fields beginning in the afternoon and evenings at 1:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 8:00. This is the 4th annual edition of these pre-season football matches at the ESPN Sports Complex.
Atlanta Braves Spring Training at Walt Disney World®
The Atlanta Braves will also return to the ESPN Wide World of Sports stadium for its 16th year of play. The Braves open with some marquee clubs including the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees on Friday, February 22nd and Saturday, February 23rd respectively.
Of the 18 total spring baseball games played at the Disney sports complex, 14 will be played in the early afternoons (1:05 pm). The additional 4 night games will be played most commonly at 6:05 pm. The Detroit Tigers and the Washington Nationals will comprise 6 of the total 18 home games, and of course both play in the Florida Grapefruit League.
Most baseball insiders have the Atlanta Braves as one of about 4 pre-season favorites to represent the National League in the 2013 MLB World Series. Other strong intra-league contenders that play in the Grapefruit League include the Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Resort Communities Near Walt Disney World®
The ESPN Sports Complex is only about 15 minutes (7.1 miles/11.3 km) away from major resort communities such as Emerald Island and Windsor Palms on the western quadrant. Other communities such as Windsor Hills, Acadia Estates and Indian Creek are between Old Lake Wilson Road and Formosa Gardens Boulevard in Kissimmee. All of these resorts would be extremely convenient for any long or short term stay to minimize travel time to the Disney ESPN sports complex.
If you are looking to book a vacation home as close as possible to the Disney Sports Complex, give the friendly and experienced team at Orlando Vacation Homes 360 (OVH 360) a call. There are some outstanding homes near the ESPN Sports Complex many with private pools, game rooms and other amenities. The OVH 360 team knows this area around the Wide World of Sports attraction very well. Give the team a call at 407-966-4144 or 888-826-0551 toll free to discuss any questions you may for finding the perfect home rental for your vacation stay.
