For those of you who are children of the 80’s, you remember the Saturday anthem of the Wide World of Sports…The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. What ever happened to that show, first off? And, please tell me why Disney owns it. I am sure it has something to do with their ownership of the ABC networks but it sure is retro.

Starting in late February, The Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Florida becomes another bastion of spring training glory. Just like its counter-parks in AZ and elsewhere in FL, the WWS Complex is the site of spring training for MLB.

Rather than being a Religious Mecca of a Holy Franchise…like the Cubs are to AZ…this complex is the home to the more understated Braves fans. The majority of the crowd is overwhelmed by families hoping to vacation from their vacation…I mean, find an alternative to the Disney World Parks. And, for that, a short drive to this venue will not disappoint.

The Wide World of Sports Complex is located within the boundaries of the Disney property, next to the All Star Resort (Disney’s Sports themed hotel) and only minutes away from Downtown Disney.

Although the game began at 7:00pm, we went to the park around 4:30pm to grab the $20 tickets in the upper deck. We avoided the lawn (initially) which was more economical-running about $14.50. Although we had hoped to eat, relax and grab a beer at the All Star Café, we found out that the restaurant had gone “Panera” on us. Rather than a sit-down, ESPN-like sports bar, it was a quick order “we bring the food to you” kind of outfit.

It was worth the quick drive to downtown Disney for a bigger selection of restaurants. We headed to Bongos- Cuban Restaurant for Cuban Steak and mojitos. We made it back to the game in time and enjoyed a (slow) but fun experience in the upper deck of the complex. At the end of the seventh, we realized that the lawn seats were really the place to be. It was a closer view of the field, cheaper and you get that spring training experience….up-close, laid back…moshpit for a foul ball. Ahhh. That’s good baseball.