[GaryVoshol]

My wife accompanied my daughter to Disney when her team was invited to the pilot for the FLL World Festival in 2002. The competition conditions were poor. Part of that may have been because it was a pilot and they were learning what to do. I wasn't there so I don't know all the specifics. But I think they told me that presentations were made to judges in walkways with FRC teams taking their robots to/from the pits.

The next year at Houston conditions improved. There were rooms set aside for judging. But the main "stage" was in an area of the Astrodome, and FRC announcements intruded.

We were a part of FLL in Atlanta every year except this year, either competing or as judges/referees. The facilities there were much improved, except for one year when judging booths were set up in the pit area and noise again was a factor.

Since leaving Disney, the Championship has increased from 20 FLL teams to over 80, FVC/FTC was added, and the FRC competition expanded teams. While Disney was a great atmosphere for an event, with lots to do when the competition ended, it simply did not have the capacity to expand with FIRST.