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Post by zizou on Sept 25, 2013 7:33:32 GMT -5
Can anyone provide a review of this event? Well run? Is Totti there (it is presented by AS Roma)? Assume the teams are great. Loaded with FL and GA teams as one might expect, but there is some national participation. Holiday weekend obviously, so is there time for vacation experience also if you are for some reason looking to combine soccer and holiday (actually for most of us going to a soccer event for this purpose might be the very definition of a busman's holiday!).
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Post by soccertoo on Sept 25, 2013 10:56:21 GMT -5
Our team went last Thanksgiving. The fields are top notch. The players, girls, enjoyed the event although they were overmatched on the field. The team is attending again this year.
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Post by silverback on Sept 25, 2013 11:12:20 GMT -5
Top notch competition from all over the place, especially if you play the showcase. Also, if you play at ESPN complex, the fields are great, especially if you get to play in one of the stadium fields. Note - Disney just added a bunch of new fields about a year ago. If not in the showcase, you could end up at one of Disney's satellite complexes where fields are not as nice and a bit of a drive, which takes away from the "disney experience". If you want to include non-soccer activities, might want to come down a few days early, but expect parks to be crowded, especially thanksgiving day. Hope this helps.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2013 11:20:28 GMT -5
wish they did it the week before. hate having this thing over thanksgiving weekend. one of the best holidays of the year to relax and eat. would probably also make it better for folks/kids to go to the parks etc.
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Post by chicagofire97 on Sept 25, 2013 11:43:51 GMT -5
Best tournament I've seen. The soccer fields at the ESPN complex are best you will see (although we played some games on the baseball fields, which had grass cut a bit short). The Thanksgiving tournament is only U11-U14. I saw about a dozen games last year and every game was thrilling. FL obviously has great teams but you get top teams from Chicago, Texas and around the SE.
We also went a few days early to enjoy the parks. The tournament is Fri/Sat/Sun and you would have 1 or 2 games Friday and then 2 or 1 games Saturday. If you make the semi-finals, that is Sunday morning and Finals are Sunday afternoon. So, not really much time to do a park if you are there just for the weekend.
Also you must pay to get into the ESPN complex $16 per day per person or $32 per day for the full weekend (but full weekend passes can sell out so I suggest you go Thursday or very early Friday to buy them).
Also registration closes August 15th, so you have to plan far in advance.
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Post by soccerpapi on Sept 25, 2013 13:17:09 GMT -5
For our family, Junior showcase timing was tough since Thanksgiving is typically spent with extended family out of state (required some adjusting to). As kids got older (U15 and up) it moved to New Year's which was a lot easier to deal with enjoying it together down in Orlando instead of at home in Atlanta. Enjoy the memories introduced to us by the soccer journey - priceless times!
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Post by gladtobhere on Sept 25, 2013 13:42:53 GMT -5
I have been down to this tournament 6 years in a row. I have 2 more Thanksgiving trips to go. Have also been down for the Christmas tournament the last two years and have 6 more to go. Here are some suggestions:
Have Thanksgiving on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Drive down Thursday unless you want to take in the parks. Traffic is light on Thursday because most people traveling to see family are already there. Keep in mind that Thanksgiving is Disney's busiest time of the year. There will be long lines for the rides. And I mean long lines.
Pack food for the ride. Not many food places are open on Thursday on the way down.
When you get there Thursday go to ESPN Wide World of Sports and buy your event tickets. There are no sellouts but you won't have to deal with the line for tickets Friday. The line moves along well on Friday but if you go Thursday you can take your kid in and check out the complex. They will be amazed. Record their walk up to the complex and get a picture of them in front of the globe. You will know when you see it.
There is the All Spice college basketball tournament going on at the same time if you want to check that out. The Globetrotters are usually there as well for some fun. Everything is within a few minutes walk at the ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Your ticket to the event is not transferable. Your thumb print Id's you with the ticket.
If you head home to Georgia Sunday get ready for traffic.
It is a great time. Have fun and good luck.
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