More Walt Disney World Resort Stories

One-Stop Searching: Disney Sports

Thomas Smith

by , Editorial Content Director, Disney Experiences

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Globe
Thousands of athletes are gathering at Disneyland Resort this weekend for the fifth annual Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. At Disney Parks, we see record-breaking and history-making sporting events all year long. Here is a look back at some of our Disney sports blog posts. Which event were you most excited about? Let us know in the comments.

The Disney endurance events series – runDisney – offers many opportunities to compete at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts

Running a Marathon Just Got Easier at Disney – The “runDisney’’ series is the new name for the collection of Disney endurance events that now all live under the runDisney brand.

Sneak Peek: Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend Medals – Take a look at the medals for the inaugural Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend.

The People’s Choice – Your 2011 Walt Disney World Marathon Finisher’s Medal – This year we tried something new – we let you, the fan, vote for the 2011 Walt Disney World Marathon finisher’s medal. We received over 50,000 votes – that’s almost as many registered participants we had for the entire Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend events in 2010.

Registration Opens for Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend – Find out how to register for Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Lady Foot Locker, set for February 25-27, 2011.

‘Marathon Monday’ Newest Twist for Disney Marathon – Atheltes who finish the Walt Disney World Marathon on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011, can bring their finisher medals back to Disney the next day and gain entrance at no charge into a Walt Disney World theme park on “Marathon Monday.’’

It’s All About the Medals – Check out this medal from the very first Walt Disney World Marathon, as well as several from past endurance events at Disney.

Getting Muddy at Walt Disney World – Thousands of people of all ages competed at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex during Muddy Buddy, a unique event that combines endurance and competition with a whole lot of fun.

13,000 ‘Princesses’ Run at Walt Disney World – More than 13,000 princesses (including 400 princes) took to the streets of Walt Disney World Resort this spring, all in the name of Disney’s Princess Half Marathon.

A Well Heeled Run at Disney – Yellow Shoes created the perfect running slipper made of glass just in time for Disney’s Princess Half Marathon earlier this year.

Memorable Moments: Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – This year’s Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend was a record-setter with more than 55,000 registered runners who braved some unseasonably chilly weather as they ran through all four Disney theme parks along a 26.2-mile journey.

26,000 Pounds of Clothing Shed by Walt Disney Marathon Runners will Benefit Charities – Most athletes who braved the record cold temperatures during the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend were wrapped in layers of winter clothes. And as they ran, they shed the clothes – 26,000 pounds worth – which were then donated to local charities.

Disney Sports Announces New Wine & Dine Half-Marathon – The Disney Wine & Dine Half-Marathon Weekend will debut Oct. 1-2, 2010.

Golf is another widely enjoyed sport at Walt Disney World.

Mickey in the Sand – Lots of surprises wait for players at Walt Disney World golf courses.

Familiar Disney Faces at Children’s Miracle Network Classic – Familiar Disney faces graced the course at various holes during the Children’s Miracle Network Classic at Walt Disney World last year.

Pro Golf With A Disney Twist – At the Children’s Miracle Network Classic, fans were treated to a culinary experience involving elaborate dishes, unique wines and select beer from many of Walt Disney World Resort’s most popular restaurants.

And when we talk about Disney sports, we can’t forget about soccer.

GOAL!! – Excitement was through the roof at the Official FIFA World Cup Viewing Party at ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill this summer.

Kicking Their Way To South Africa – The winning team from the Danimals Nations Cup qualifier – which is part of Disney’s Memorial Day Soccer Shootout presented by Danimals at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – earned the chance to compete in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals in South Africa in late September.

World Cup Viewing Parties to Feature 3D Viewing – World Cup viewing parties at ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill featured limited 3D viewing of each game.

Two-Time MLS Cup Champion Houston Dynamo Headline Inaugural Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic -The inaugural Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic featured two days of intense pre-season competition to help re-launch the Wide World of Sports complex.

Top Youth Soccer Stars Getting Their Kicks at Disney – Disney’s Soccer Showcase featured the top high school soccer stars in America competing head-to-head in what is widely considered the preeminent youth soccer tournament in the nation.

Disney Parks and Disney sports events have been visited by some of the biggest sports stars in the world.

Kaka kicks it at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – Brazilian soccer superstar Kaka stopped by the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on the heels of the Disney Cup International, which featured youth teams from Brazil, Haiti, Malaysia and 15 other countries.

Dwyane Wade Celebrates at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – Fresh off of Chris Bosh and LeBron James committing to the Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade celebrated his new contract and new teammates with a vacation at Walt Disney World Resort.

Video: Drew Brees Celebrates At Magic Kingdom Park – MVP of the Super Bowl, Drew Brees, takes a trip through the fan-lined streets of Magic Kingdom.

Glitz, Glamour and Gridiron Greats on Display at Walt Disney World – It was a glitzy and glamorous night at Walt Disney World as the biggest stars in college football were on hand for the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards show. Marquee gridiron stars such as Florida’s Tim Tebow, Texas’ Colt McCoy, Alabama’s Mark Ingram and Boston College’s Mark Herzlich walked the red carpet amid a sea of fans and media before picking up some of the game’s most prestigious year-end awards.

Celebrities Hit the Links at Walt Disney World – Several celebrities competed in the pro-am portion of the PGA Tour’s Children’s Miracle Network Classic pro golf tournament at Walt Disney World Resort last year. Johnny Damon, star player for the reigning World Series Champion New York Yankees played along with A.J. Pierzynski (Chicago White Sox), Aaron Rowand (San Francisco Giants), Scott Phillips (drummer for the band Creed) and Anthony Bowie (former Orlando Magic player) on Disney’s famed Magnolia and Palm golf courses.

Early this year, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex relaunched at Walt Disney World.

Video: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Relaunches – We relaunched ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in grand fashion, and if you weren’t able to attend or watch the streaming video you missed an incredible Disney moment.

Celebrity Athletes, Governor Crist Help Kickoff ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Event – Marquee pro athletes from the NFL, NBA, MLB, LPGA and the Olympics turned out for the official re-launch of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.

Video: Drew Brees Celebrates At Magic Kingdom Park – MVP of the Super Bowl, Drew Brees, takes a trip through the fan-lined streets of Magic Kingdom.

Globetrotters To Perform at Disney Sports Complex Relaunch Event – The renowned Harlem Globetrotters helped kick off the Feb. 25 relaunch of the complex.