Disney files plans for expansion to ESPN Wide World of Sports complex

Jan 27, 2016 in "ESPN Wide World of Sports"

Gallery / 1 Photo
Wide World of Sports expansion permit

Wide World of Sports expansion permit
Posted: Wednesday January 27, 2016 10:46am EST by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has filed permits with the South Florida Water Management district for an expansion to the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.

Wide World of Sports expansion permit
Wide World of Sports expansion permit

The plans call for a new multi-story building located behind the Josten's Center, adding 286,000 sq ft of space, using a 179,000 sq ft footprint. This is a significant addition, with the existing Josten's Center being 70,000 sq ft.

Also part of the plans is a new parking lot, located on the right hand side of the complex behind Jostens Center.

Disney has plans to make more use of the complex, having already announced that ESPN Wide World of Sports will be host to Night of Joy from 2016 onwards, and will also host the 2016 Invictus Games for the first time this year.

Thanks to danlb_2000 on the WDWMAGIC Forums for spotting the permit.

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Next Big ThingApr 08, 2019

Here's the best picture I could find showing off the whole inside. It looks like it's a pretty intimate venue (holds 8K) when compared to larger arenas like Orlando's Amway Center, but it's still probably bigger than most places the cheerleaders that perform here are used to. Here's the WDWMagic article: http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/espn-wide-world-of-sports/news/18jan2018-the-arena-at-espn-wide-world-of-sports-complex-officially-open.htm

mm121Apr 07, 2019

Are there any photos anywhere showing the complete interior of this new venue?

Cesar R MJan 19, 2018

:hilarious:

wdwmagicJan 19, 2018

Thanks for your valuable contribution to the thread.

Jon81ukJan 19, 2018

Quite a few uses of the arena are actually events that already happen in other places. Such as the Indiana Jones arena at DHS being used for cheer competitions. Or the marathon expos that already happen elsewhere. Also if someone is at WDW for a sports competition the majority of their time will be spent doing sports, visits to the parks is a secondary thing 🙂

disney4life2008Jan 19, 2018

Stop building dvc and sports complexes. We do not need anything else that will add more people here.

dan8302Jan 18, 2018

Get ready for the Indy theater to close now. I am convinced the only reason they didn't do something with it sooner is because of the cheer competitions. With a new home for those they can convert the space to something new.

Walt dJan 18, 2018

Could of gone with the kelly slater wave pool. And skate park. I would never leave, put the pool to lefts for me” barrel please!

dvitaliJan 18, 2018

Late news... seen these photos and story last week on Apple News app.

wdwmagicJan 18, 2018

Walt Disney World's new 8000 seat arena is now open at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/espn-wide-world-of-sports/news/18jan2018-the-arena-at-espn-wide-world-of-sports-complex-officially-open.htm

RteetzOct 31, 2017

No different than before. They had readers at the previous entrance.

danlb_2000Oct 31, 2017

I assume they are going to manage event ticketing through the bands.

Texas84Oct 31, 2017

MagicBand readers?

Cesar R MOct 30, 2017

The stadium entrances do not feel that big. Just how big is this stadium? Smaller than Houston's ?
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