Speaking of “spring training”, the Atlanta Braves baseball games are always fun and the weather is magnificent. The Braves play an 18 game schedule with marquee games against the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies. The Braves play in the Florida swing of the Major League Baseball spring schedule also known as the Grapefruit League.

Amateur events at the ESPN Walt Disney sports facilities include soccer, slowpitch and fastpitch USSSA softball, lacrosse, volleyball, basketball, field hockey, and football. Additional activities include martial arts, cheer and dance, track and field, cross country and triathlon. The spectator areas, amenities and overall facility are a world class opportunity for kids of all ages.

On-premise facilities around the complex include a Welcome Center, dining at the Walt Disney World® restaurants, and a Clubhouse Shop for a myriad of sports merchandise. In July 2010, HP (Hewlett-Packard) a premier leader in technology, jointly announced a few exciting partnerships with the Disney Corporation and the parent company of ESPN.

HP has created a “creation zone” inside the ESPN sports complex for downloading images and photos of sporting events. Moreover, a retail merchandising area within the creation zone  allows sports participants to purchase various items including life-sized photos and wallpaper images. An internet cafe’ rebranded with the HP name, touchsmart HP personal computers at the welcome kiosk, and renaming the fieldhouse in honor of the HP partnership are all part of the overall Disney sports strategy. All of this equals more fun and a more compelling sports experience within the ESPN sports facility.

In a very recent post on Vacation rentals near Disneyworld, we enumerated some great rental home options near the park. In fact, many of these communities are within 15-20 minute drive of the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. For many individuals and teams participating in the events the array of vacation homes often are a very viable option. Vacation rentals near Disney can offer 2-8 bedrooms sleeping 2-17 people respectively with a great deal of comfort and all the creature comforts of home such as full kitchens, private pools, multiple living areas and even game rooms.

Vacation Rentals Near Disney

For instance, in our reviews area on our main page, Acadia Estates is an outstanding resort community for larger groups. Homes for rent in this resort community range from 4 bedrooms up to 7 bedroom villas. This would be a maximum of up to approximately 14 to 17 persons for the 7 bedroom rentals.

The Children’s Miracle Network®  Classic Professional Golf charity tournament at Disney World’s Palm and Magnolia courses begins November 12 and runs through November 15, 2009. This is a PGA tour event wth a purse of $4.7 million.

Past winners of this tournament have included such current and former players as Jack Nicklaus, Vijay Singh, Davis Love III and Tiger Woods. This year’s field is stronger than it has been in recent years and includes Davis Love III, David Toms, Justin Leonard and Mark Calcavecchia. If you have ever attended the Arnold Palmer Invitational, these pro golf events are a lot of fun.

As a special attraction, the Walt Disney culinarians will offer unique food offerings on the back Nine of the Magnolia course. These will be gourmet food pairings with wine or craft brewed beers from around the world. Tickets for the food and beverage portion of the event are $10 for a one day pass or $20 for a week long food and beverage ticket.

All of the week’s fun events benefit the Children’s Miracle Network and its 170 non-profit local children’s hospitals. The Children’s Miracle Network® Hospitals in Florida include the All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Miami Children’s Hospital, Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, Shands Children’s Hospital at the University of Florida, and the Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville.

Make plans to attend this very special Disney sports event, and support a great cause as well.

The field for the Old Spice Classic includes Alabama, Baylor, Creighton, Florida State, Iona, Marquette, Michigan, and Xavier. The early favorite to win the event is the Michigan Wolverines. Michigan is in the Top 25 for both the AP and Coaches basketball poll. Baylor, Marquette and Xavier are also highly regarded. The Old Spice Classic field for 2009 is one of the strongest it has been since the tourney’s inception. The tournament was won by Gonzaga in 2008.

Vacation villas in Orlando are an excellent way to house your family and fellow basketball fans. Most homes are 3 bedrooms or more and are an excellent value when you consider the presence of amenities such as a pool, kitchen, and residential appliances. While you are in town, you’ll have to enjoy the sunny weather playing on one of Orlando’s championship golf courses. Some of the golf villas we review are located very close to the Disney Sports Complex. Check-out our 80+ vacation rental reviews posted on the website.