Disney discontinues ESPN the Weekend

Leah Zanolla | Posted: Jul 23, 2011 | Updated: Oct 19, 2014 - 9:25:27 AM

After eight years, Disney has decided to no longer host ESPN the Weekend at Hollywood Studios, citing an increased year-round presence of ESPN throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. According to the Disney Parks Blog, Disney's relationship with ESPN over the past eight years has grown substantially with the rebranding of the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex which has become the development hub for ESPN's 3D network. They have decided to focus their efforts on creating more events like their ESPN RISE games which provide a stage for thousands of athletes from around the country.

Typically held in March each year, ESPN the Weekend began in 2004 and was a popular event for sports fans hoping to see their favorite athletes in a more candid environment. The 3-day event included motorcades, interviews, game shows, live ESPN show tapings, and even an interactive sports zone where guests could test their skills, sometimes against professional athletes. You can listen to the DIS Unplugged review of this year's ESPN the Weekend here.