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Disney Sports Complex to Become ESPN-Branded Immersive Sports Venue

Walt Disney World Resort Announces Dining Offer for Fall 2008

Guests Join Disney•Pixar Characters in Wild ‘Block Party’ as Rockin’ Bash Comes to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Plans for the re-branding initiative -- which was announced today during the ESPN upfront presentation to advertisers and sponsors -- are still in the development stage, but initial concepts involve renaming the sports complex and incorporating the signature elements of ESPN throughout the 220-acre facility, which is a leading venue for amateur and professional sports in the country. The project aims to enhance the experience of both athletes and spectators by connecting them to their favorite ESPN programs, personalities and elements. It also will provide advertisers new sponsorship opportunities at the grass roots level.

"This is a natural and exciting pairing of two powerful brands to create a one-of-a-kind, immersive sports venue that will enable athletes, coaches and guests to experience sports in a whole new way," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts. "This project builds on our collaborative successes and positions us to explore more opportunities with ESPN to create new experiences for guests at Walt Disney World Resort."

"Our involvement in the Disney sports complex will provide greater opportunities for us to connect directly with athletes, coaches and fans in a highly immersive way," said George Bodenheimer, president of ESPN Inc. and ABC Sports, and co-chairman of Disney Media Networks. "Our involvement also provides us with a unique and exciting new media platform that will enable our advertisers and sponsors to reach new customers and bring their products and services to life.''

The re-branding of the Disney sports complex is the latest initiative in the growing sports business at Walt Disney World Resort. In December, the sports complex debuted additional outdoor playing fields for football, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey competitions. And this summer the sports complex will open Jostens Center, a new state-of-the-art field house that will allow Disney to accommodate twice as many indoor sports events each year. Additional expansion plans are being explored.

The Disney sports complex annually hosts more than 180 events in 50 different sports involving athletes from more than 70 countries. Among those events are the Atlanta Braves spring training season, a Tampa Bay Rays regular-season series, the Major League Baseball Draft, the NBA Pre-Draft Camp, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp, Chelsea Football Club events, the Pop Warner Super Bowl, AAU National Championships, Varsity All-Star Cheerleading competitions, USSSA events and the Walt Disney World Marathon, one of the top marathons in the nation. ESPN televised 20 sporting events from the complex in the last year. Walt Disney World Resort and ESPN also annually work together to host the popular ESPN The Weekend event at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Through June 22, guests can buy one of these five-night/six-day packages for stays most nights Aug. 24-Sept. 20, 2008, and receive the Disney Dining Plan at no additional charge.

Packages for families of four start at $57 a day per person in a standard room at select Disney Value Resorts, $73 a day per person in a standard room at select Disney Moderate Resorts and $104 a day per person in a studio at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. These prices are based on two adults, one junior and one child. The number of rooms allocated for these offers is limited. No group rates or other discounts apply. Other packages are available for larger and smaller families, as well as other lengths of stay.

In addition to the free dining offer, guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels get an extra dose of pixie dust with great perks and services including Disney's Magical Express, which offers complimentary airport shuttle and luggage delivery and -- on participating airlines -- check-in at their hotel for domestic return flights; also Extra Magic Hours, where each day, one of the Walt Disney World theme parks opens one hour early or stays open up to three hours later, providing extra time in the parks to experience select attractions.

Fall 2008 is also a great time to visit Walt Disney World Resort, with guests being able to experience exciting new attractions like Toy Story Mania! an interactive 4-D attraction (opening in late May 2008 at Disney's Hollywood Studios) which features favorite characters from the hit Disney-Pixar films. Guests can also enjoy "The Year of a Million Dreams" celebration, continuing through Dec. 31, 2008.

To book this fall's "free dining" offer, guests can call Walt Disney Travel Co. at 407/W-DISNEY or contact a travel agent and ask for booking code AYG, or for more information visit www.disneyworld.com.

About the Disney Dining Plan

The plan includes one quick-service meal, one select snack and one table-service meal for each night of a guest's package stay. Gratuities and alcoholic beverages are not included. Children ages 3-9 must choose from the children's menu, if available.

More than 100 restaurants throughout the Walt Disney World Resort are currently participating in the Disney Dining Plan.

Guests are encouraged to make arrangements as far in advance as possible and book dining reservations at table service restaurants (which can be made up to 180 days in advance by calling 407/WDW-DINE).

The famous Green Army Men lead the rollout of favorite Disney-Pixar characters that entice guests to dance, play and party as the "bash" fills Hollywood Boulevard.

In addition to an eclectic mix of fun-inducing retro tunes, "Block Party Bash" includes appearances by some of the most popular characters including Woody and Buzz Lightyear from "Toy Story," Mike and Sully from "Monsters, Inc." and Flik and Atta from "A Bug's Life."

"Guests won't be able to resist the show's energetic performers, lovable characters, familiar pop tunes and never-ending surprises," said Robin Trowbridge, show director. "What a fantastic opportunity to share this incredible show with so many guests. I have no doubts that this show with all its fun, energy and surprises will knock the socks off of everyone visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios."

The "block party" transforms into major choreographed sections – like a parade in freeze frame – that immerse guests into a feeling of playing with the "toys," screaming with the "monsters" and dancing with the "bugs." The performance is bursting with dancers, acrobats, jumping stilts and a "mini" caravan of electric scooters that combine to fill the performance area with an awe-inspiring array of visuals and sound sensations.

The elaborate set pieces for this interactive traveling show include large floats themed to "Toy Story," "Monsters, Inc." and "A Bug's Life," trampoline units (custom designed for "Block Party Bash"), and "tweeners" (smaller floats that look like stacks of toy blocks that double as dance stages, decorative prop boxes and sources of amazing special effects). These rolling stages camouflage impressive telescoping towers that rise during the finale of the extravaganza revealing Mr. and Mrs. Incredible and Frozone from the Disney presentation of the Pixar film, "The Incredibles."

"Block Party Bash" marks a continuation of new interactive entertainment created to premiere during "The Year of a Million Dreams" celebration, which continues through Dec. 31, 2008, at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.