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Post by surgesoccer on Jul 16, 2018 9:26:49 GMT -5
I'm not a huge fan of the Disney tournament but part of accepting a position on our team is that you agree to go to the tournament. That being said, as I was looking through registration details for the Disney tournament I found this gem: " U11-14 teams will play all games at Austin-Tindall Regional Park”. So Disney for these age groups is now just an expensive tournament with long travel. Sure the competition is normally pretty solid, but every year we have inevitably played at least one team that we play locally. Reason for the change? "Over the years, one of our biggest points of feedback by both the teams and the college coaches has been the event being played at multiple venues. We are happy to report that all matches U15-U19 will be played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex this year." Funny because one of the false selling points has been that one of the top reasons to go to the Disney tournament is for the exposure to College Coaches. It is a point our club has made when asked why we were playing the Disney Tournament (for the record I never bought it. How many college coaches have you seen scouting the younger team games?) And if you did happen to see a college coach at a u11-u14 game, it won't happen this year as all college coaches will spend their time at the Disney Facility. So, is Disney worth the time and cost without getting to play at least one game at the Sports Park? Reference:U15-U19: secure.parksandresorts.wdpromedia.com/media/espnwwos/pdf/sports/soccer/boys-showcase/2018/2018_Disney_Boys_Soccer_Showcase_U15-U19_Dates_of_Play.pdfU11-U14: secure.parksandresorts.wdpromedia.com/media/espnwwos/pdf/sports/soccer/boys-showcase/2018/2018_Disney_Boys_Soccer_Showcase_U11-U14_Dates_of_Playv2.pdf
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Post by Soccerhouse on Jul 16, 2018 9:46:43 GMT -5
The first time a team attends, the most exciting aspect of the tourney is playing games at ESPN WWS --- As you know, once you have been there a few times, it gets old paying to enter ESPN especially when you attend with a large family.
so from that perspective not playing at ESPN for the younger age group is nice, but for a team going for the first time, Austin_Tindall does not have the same vibe or tournament feeling as ESPN -- it just feels like any other tourney.
What makes disney special is ESPN. however, what sucks about disney is ESPN.
hotels are more expensive over Dec then thanksgiving as well, and I'm not a fan at all of 3 games in 4 days and the showcase format. We went last year, and after asked ourselves why? Yea there were some college coaches there, but the boys were still young and the competition was very similar to what we were already playing.
I personally think disney has become a waste of $$$ but I also am not a person who considers spending 5 days in orlando a vacation, I"m not a fan of orlando, theme parks, and chain restaurants, and over priced hotels that charge you to park and/or eat breakfast.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Jul 16, 2018 10:24:28 GMT -5
This is helpful when planning also: (not a fan of making folks travel the day after Christmas, many families go out of town for Christmas, and getting to Orlando can be a challenge)
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Jul 16, 2018 15:02:14 GMT -5
In all seriousness, though I hated having to pay as a parent/aunty, it at least made the kids feel special playing at ESPNWWOS. Between my siblings and I, we have been lucky to have at least one kid's teams make it to the finals, the last couple of years. So what happens now, do Mickey and Minnie get in their Disney Chopper and fly over to Austin-Tindall to take the pictures with the winner/runner-up teams? I don't see Disney passing up a chance to potentially collect on their $50 team pixs. We pay all that money, drive/fly that distance, over a holiday weekend nonetheless, just to play in a tourney that benefits us how? Are these supposed coaches going to migrate en-mass to AT and away from the confines and comfort of ESPNWWOS? Garbage if you ask me.
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Post by mistergrinch on Jul 16, 2018 15:03:31 GMT -5
wow - that's 20 miles from WWS. Other than a name sponsor, how is that even the 'disney' tournament if it's being held elsewhere?
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Post by oraclesfriend on Jul 16, 2018 16:31:25 GMT -5
In all seriousness, though I hated having to pay as a parent/aunty, it at least made the kids feel special playing at ESPNWWOS. Between my siblings and I, we have been lucky to have at least one kid's teams make it to the finals, the last couple of years. So what happens now, do Mickey and Minnie get in their Disney Chopper and fly over to Austin-Tindall to take the pictures with the winner/runner-up teams? I don't see Disney passing up a chance to potentially collect on their $50 team pixs. We pay all that money, drive/fly that distance, over a holiday weekend nonetheless, just to play in a tourney that benefits us how? Are these supposed coaches going to migrate en-mass to AT and away from the confines and comfort of ESPNWWOS? Garbage if you ask me. I am quite sure they will have a bunch of characters wandering around to take pics with the kids and winning teams. I doubt any college coaches will be hanging around U11-U14 games anyways and if they are (especially with the new recruiting rules) then they are crazy! What I will be interested in seeing is how they set up the travel arrangements. After all it is 25 miles to Magic kingdom from there...will they still want you to stay at a Disney Resort?? And I feel terrible for any parent that has a U14 or under kid AND and U15 or older kid that are both playing!! That is a nightmare to manage! BUT to play Devil's advocate, many tournaments are split up into multiple locations. Even here in town we have to the Generation Adidas tournament using Allen Creek fields and fields south of Atlanta! It just takes some of the shine off the tournament to have them play offsite
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Post by surgesoccer on Jul 16, 2018 23:09:49 GMT -5
The only thing special about Disney is getting to play at the Disney facility. That's not worth the extra travel and money, but is the one thing other tournaments cannot match.
Total cost for a team (Registration fee, coaches per diem, coaches hotel and coaches travel) is about $3,000. (excluding individual players costs -travel, hotel and food). For that price you could play 4 local tournaments. Or close to three out-of-town tournaments with a 4 hour drive radius.
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Post by weekendwarrior03 on Jul 17, 2018 8:03:01 GMT -5
Girls u11-14 play at Austin-Tisdale fields too over Thanksgiving. What an expensive let down. At least we can watch airplanes fly over if Mickey Mouse doesn’t show up.
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Post by mistergrinch on Jul 17, 2018 9:14:12 GMT -5
Girls u11-14 play at Austin-Tisdale fields too over Thanksgiving. What an expensive let down. At least we can watch airplanes fly over if Mickey Mouse doesn’t show up. You can take the Nautique factory tour.. it's nearby, too!
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Jul 17, 2018 20:36:00 GMT -5
I am quite sure they will have a bunch of characters wandering around to take pics with the kids and winning teams. I doubt any college coaches will be hanging around U11-U14 games anyways and if they are (especially with the new recruiting rules) then they are crazy! What I will be interested in seeing is how they set up the travel arrangements. After all it is 25 miles to Magic kingdom from there...will they still want you to stay at a Disney Resort?? And I feel terrible for any parent that has a U14 or under kid AND and U15 or older kid that are both playing!! That is a nightmare to manage! BUT to play Devil's advocate, many tournaments are split up into multiple locations. Even here in town we have to the Generation Adidas tournament using Allen Creek fields and fields south of Atlanta! It just takes some of the shine off the tournament to have them play offsite Thankfully those rules about staying on actual Disney property don't apply anymore. We've stayed at Marriott and Hilton properties the last couple of times we've gone. I believe as long as you stay at one of the properties listed by Anthony Travel you're good to go. What I would like to confirm now is if it is truly mandated that you stay at one of the properties listed with the tournament, or if you can stay with "friends"
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Post by Soccerhouse on Jul 17, 2018 22:14:54 GMT -5
You need a certain number of rooms booked through Anthony Travel or they will threaten to boot you from the tourney. Don’t recall the percentage, but one year at 9v9 we only had 5 rooms booked through Anthony Travel and had no issues. One year we were told we had to have at least 8 rooms booked trough Anthony Travel or we would lose our spot (11v11)
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Post by surgesoccer on Jul 18, 2018 7:18:28 GMT -5
We were told it had to be 5 rooms last year.
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Post by atv on Jul 18, 2018 8:51:32 GMT -5
Based on cost of tournament and the other park is a subpar county field. For younger groups, my opinion is “No”. Parents will not be happy with this tournament. Playing at ESPN Wide World of Sports is the draw.
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Jul 18, 2018 13:03:36 GMT -5
We were told it had to be 5 rooms last year. How many on your team?
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Post by Soccerhouse on Jul 19, 2018 7:51:39 GMT -5
I say we take American soccer back and boycott Disney. Not a fan of the tourney anymore.
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Post by oraclesfriend on Jul 19, 2018 8:38:44 GMT -5
I say we take American soccer back and boycott Disney. Not a fan of the tourney anymore. I would like my kids to go once regardless of venue. One is too young now, but the other is on a team that usually goes. The tourney has a prestigious reputation and she has worked really hard to get herself to a high level. We love Disney and Universal and Sea World and would make a vacation out of going there by heading to town the previous weekend. The new venue is a bummer but I still think it would be a good experience for her to play a tournament with that level of competition. There are not a lot of tournaments that draw teams from around the country.
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Post by surgesoccer on Jul 19, 2018 9:13:05 GMT -5
We were told it had to be 5 rooms last year. How many on your team? We had 16 last year.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Jul 19, 2018 9:37:19 GMT -5
I say we take American soccer back and boycott Disney. Not a fan of the tourney anymore. I would like my kids to go once regardless of venue. One is too young now, but the other is on a team that usually goes. The tourney has a prestigious reputation and she has worked really hard to get herself to a high level. We love Disney and Universal and Sea World and would make a vacation out of going there by heading to town the previous weekend. The new venue is a bummer but I still think it would be a good experience for her to play a tournament with that level of competition. There are not a lot of tournaments that draw teams from around the country. No question, I enjoyed my first 2 to 3 trips there. But now, not so much. A lot of that has to do also with transitioning to 1 game a day, over 4 days. Lots of down time, and our family has done the parks. But agree, experiencing at the younger ages is very cool, especially if your team makes a run to the finals. Being there late on the old Sundays was a cool thing during the thanksgiving tournament. Rolling back into the atl usually around 1 or 2 in the morning with the trophy in hand.
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Post by oraclesfriend on Jul 19, 2018 14:59:46 GMT -5
I would like my kids to go once regardless of venue. One is too young now, but the other is on a team that usually goes. The tourney has a prestigious reputation and she has worked really hard to get herself to a high level. We love Disney and Universal and Sea World and would make a vacation out of going there by heading to town the previous weekend. The new venue is a bummer but I still think it would be a good experience for her to play a tournament with that level of competition. There are not a lot of tournaments that draw teams from around the country. No question, I enjoyed my first 2 to 3 trips there. But now, not so much. A lot of that has to do also with transitioning to 1 game a day, over 4 days. Lots of down time, and our family has done the parks. But agree, experiencing at the younger ages is very cool, especially if your team makes a run to the finals. Being there late on the old Sundays was a cool thing during the thanksgiving tournament. Rolling back into the atl usually around 1 or 2 in the morning with the trophy in hand. Sounds great to go home with the trophy! We have done the parks too. I think I have been to Disney 40 times in my life. I lived in Florida for years and those in state discounts were great! Disney never gets old to me, but part of that is knowing how to get the most out of it and taking advantage of cool extras like scuba diving in Epcot and checking out the water parks (not always a good idea in November though). I would like each of my kids to go at least once. More than 3 times sounds too repetitive especially given the tournament entry fee
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Post by soccerparent02 on Jul 19, 2018 15:05:18 GMT -5
Coach never allowed the parks. Players had a strict schedule including practice on the day without the game, team meetings, team meals, etc. It was never a Disney trip.
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Post by oraclesfriend on Jul 19, 2018 18:17:26 GMT -5
Coach never allowed the parks. Players had a strict schedule including practice on the day without the game, team meetings, team meals, etc. It was never a Disney trip. We would go earlier than the team plans to be there and do the parks then. Last year we went Sunday night for a family vacation and there were tons of soccer kids there Monday and Tuesday.
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Post by guest on Jul 20, 2018 11:09:03 GMT -5
Coach never allowed the parks. Players had a strict schedule including practice on the day without the game, team meetings, team meals, etc. It was never a Disney trip. Seconded. We would never allow a player to walk that much a few days before games. You’re there to play soccer not to get heat exhaustion walking around the crowds.
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Post by mistergrinch on Jul 20, 2018 11:52:18 GMT -5
Coach never allowed the parks. Players had a strict schedule including practice on the day without the game, team meetings, team meals, etc. It was never a Disney trip. Seconded. We would never allow a player to walk that much a few days before games. You’re there to play soccer not to get heat exhaustion walking around the crowds. While I get the sentiment.. if a kid is going to get worn down walking 8-10 miles over the course of a day before a game, you really need to revisit your fitness regimen.
Heat exhaustion? Try playing on turf in August.
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Post by olderthandirt on Jul 20, 2018 13:07:37 GMT -5
Seconded. We would never allow a player to walk that much a few days before games. You’re there to play soccer not to get heat exhaustion walking around the crowds. While I get the sentiment.. if a kid is going to get worn down walking 8-10 miles over the course of a day before a game, you really need to revisit your fitness regimen.
Heat exhaustion? Try playing on turf in August. Your mention of "fitness regimen" referring to our children reminded me of a bit I read and saved many years ago. Sorry that it is long, but I don't know where I got it from and can't provide a link.
Two fathers stand watching their kids. "Well, the wife and I have finally come to a decision," says the one with the Reebok headband.
"Yeah?" says the one in the Nike cap.
"Amber's gonna concentrate 100 percent on tennis from now on. Her coach says she's gotta pick one sport right now, or she'll get left behind the other girls."
"She looks like she's got good quickness," says the cap.
"Her kinesiologist says she's quicker than Venus at this age," says the headband, beaming.
"We've decided the same thing about Ike and golf," says the cap. "If he's going to stay ahead of the other kids, he's got to specialize now."
"His hand-eye looks good," says the headband.
"His physiologist says his muscle fibers twitch faster than Tiger's!"
"Golf's fine, I guess," says the headband, "but our financial planner says for girls, tennis is it. With Venus and Serena pushing the global marketing envelope, our yearly income should be seven figures!"
"You mean her income."
"Right. Her income."
"Ike's psychologist has told us he's gifted in lots of sports besides golf, but there's no time," says the cap. "You don't want to be spinning your wheels."
"Course not!" says the headband. "You don't want to be shut outta the best camps --"
"And the best leagues -- "
"And the national teams."
"I mean, yeah," says the cap, "it looks like my wife will have to quit her job just to drive Ike to all his golf tournaments. But there's no Tiger without Earl, right?"
"Tell me about it!" says the headband. "I'm working three jobs just to pay for all this stuff -- Amber's pilates are killin' me! -- but it's all about the kids, man."
"I hear that. Like, Ike's media tutor won't be cheap, but it'll free up his afternoons for his bunker workshops."
"Hey, you're gonna have expenses," says the headband. "We ripped out the bedrooms upstairs and put in an indoor tennis cage, but whaddya gonna do? The little girl across the street has a live-in hitting partner!"
"God! That's just plain overparenting!"
"Criminal!"
"The wife and I feel that if we put in the hours and the money now, Ike will be good enough to go straight to the PGA Tour out of high school and not waste time going to college. Not that college is a bad thing."
"Nah, not really bad," says the headband. "But Amber's career strategist thinks she can do Wimbledon by 14. That's what's important. Did you see the MLS kid whose parents let him miss a game the other day because of his prom?"
"Sounds like somebody's got their priorities mixed up," says the cap. "I mean, I'm sure Ike will be a little disappointed he'll have to leave home and move in with the Leadbetters soon, but some decisions a father has to make for his son."
"I know, I know," says the headband. "I'm a little bummed that Amber won't get to play lacrosse or basketball or, even, I don't know, piano, but how can she do that and put in the 13 hours a day that will give us the level we need?"
"She needs."
"She needs, right."
"Hey, I only wish my dad had done this for me," says the cap.
"Hell, yeah!" says the headband. "I know this dad who's renting a house on a lake this summer. Says he and the family are just gonna fish and skip stones!"
"What a waste of time!"
"I mean, what are you gonna do with your kid for two weeks on a lake? I wouldn't know what to say to Amber for two weeks!"
"Most summers from now on, Ike will be playing the mini Asian tours, to build up his tolerance for travel and foreign foods. He'll need it when he gets his Gulfstream IV."
There's a pause.
"Which one's yours, anyway?" says the cap.
"The little one in the pink diaper near the incubator," says the headband.
"Beautiful. Mine's in the blue. With the nurse and the bottle."
"Got creatine?"
"Hey, it's never too early to start, am I right?"
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Post by mistergrinch on Jul 20, 2018 13:54:39 GMT -5
That's funny, olderthandirt.
Seriously, though.. if a U14 girl can run 3-4mi per game as a midfielder (on >150oF turf), she can probably be just fine walking around mickeyworld for a few hours.
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Post by olderthandirt on Jul 20, 2018 15:30:39 GMT -5
That's funny, olderthandirt. Seriously, though.. if a U14 girl can run 3-4mi per game as a midfielder (on >150oF turf), she can probably be just fine walking around mickeyworld for a few hours. I got your point about visiting the parks before or during the tournament.from your earlier post, and I agree with you.
I'm just not convinced that a U-14 girl should be on a "fitness regimen" to be able to play youth soccer. Do players need to be fit to play well? Absolutely. Are players who are in better condition able to play at a higher level longer in the heat than those who are not as fit? Without a doubt.
My fear is that we, as parents, can take a lot of the joy out of sports for our children by "regimenting" our children's participation.
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Post by sportsdad on Jul 24, 2018 8:37:50 GMT -5
In all seriousness, though I hated having to pay as a parent/aunty, it at least made the kids feel special playing at ESPNWWOS. Between my siblings and I, we have been lucky to have at least one kid's teams make it to the finals, the last couple of years. So what happens now, do Mickey and Minnie get in their Disney Chopper and fly over to Austin-Tindall to take the pictures with the winner/runner-up teams? I don't see Disney passing up a chance to potentially collect on their $50 team pixs. We pay all that money, drive/fly that distance, over a holiday weekend nonetheless, just to play in a tourney that benefits us how? Are these supposed coaches going to migrate en-mass to AT and away from the confines and comfort of ESPNWWOS? Garbage if you ask me. So with all this being said, what is a good alternative that time of year other than this showcase for the younger kids U11-14 other than Disney? Thanks
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Post by surgesoccer on Jul 24, 2018 10:48:30 GMT -5
If you have a login to sinc soccer there is a tournament tab where you can search tournaments. Likely nothing as big as Disney at that time. Throughout season there are some good tournaments in Raleigh, and a number of tournaments in SC, TN and AL. J/ust depends upon when you have open dates.
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Post by soccermaxx72 on Jul 24, 2018 15:37:07 GMT -5
To have a Disney tournament and not play a single game at the Wide World of Sports Complex is a complete joke
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