pic: Who remembers this?

[Libby K]

I DEFINITELY remember this! Championships at Epcot was definitely one of my favorite childhood memories. While I don't have the perspective of a team member, mentor, or coach (logistics-wise, like Ed's post)... I can say that it was truly a magical experience for me.

I'm not sure if I miss being a little kid, or the Championship itself, but I can say for sure, I do miss Florida.

I say that purely because in that photo, (I'm sure I'm somewhere in the crowd) I would have been about 11. I could run around the FIRST 'complex' by myself, without worries. The Disney park was a different story, but within our own little FIRST bubble, I was safe to run around and hang out with teams, and explore. I certainly hope nobody lets their 11-year-old run free in Atlanta or St. Louis...

The experience in Epcot, for me, was something I looked forward to every year. What kid DOESN'T want to go to Disney every spring?!!?!

I know I feel the same excitement for the Championship, but there was just something about Disney that made it extra special for me.

Thanks for sharing the photo.

PS: Again, please understand that I wasn't old enough to be on a team, so I have no idea what that was like. Thanks in advance for not jumping down my throat for not being team-practical or considering how the actual event ran.

[robodude03]

Originally Posted by Libby K

I know I feel the same excitement for the Championship, but there was just something about Disney that made it extra special for me.

I have to say that I feel the same. I was a freshman during this photo and it was my first time to the Walt Disney World resort. Couple that with the excitement of the FIRST competition and let me say that it truly was a wonderful experience.

All I can say now is that I have been positively influenced by both the experience of being a FIRST member and also taken in by the Disney "magic". I now work for Disney and hope to continue my involvement with both of these organizations for many years to come.

Thanks for the picture!

[Jared Russell]

Originally Posted by robodude03

I have to say that I feel the same. I was a freshman during this photo and it was my first time to the Walt Disney World resort. Couple that with the excitement of the FIRST competition and let me say that it truly was a wonderful experience.

All I can say now is that I have been positively influenced by both the experience of being a FIRST member and also taken in by the Disney "magic". I now work for Disney and hope to continue my involvement with both of these organizations for many years to come.

Thanks for the picture!

Exactly. The "magic" of FIRST and the "magic" of Disney combined formed a pretty memorable experience for those of us who were lucky enough to be students during those times...

[dag0620]

I honestly wish the Champs moved back to EPCOT. The Spirit of FIRST and the spirit of EPCOT go hand in hand. To be in that place competing in Robotics would be really awesome.

(Plus I'm a Disney Freek so having my two favorite things together (FIRST and Disney World) would be awesome!)

[joeweber]

We were a different team back then but it was a great memory. The trouble was when most of the team would leave for site seeing and leave us under manned in the pits or in the evening a few mentors would go to pleasure island and party when they should be watching the students. We enjoyed the intimacy of the games and other teams you could hang with. It was great for the Friday party to go into Epcott after everyone else left and have food, music and some of the rides were only open for FIRST teams. I remember after not making it into the finals we would climb on our robot and race other teams up and down the tent isle. At one time we could go out side and watch a rocket from NASA launch. What great memories but I think it was good to move on to different venues.

[wendymom]

If you miss Florida you can always come to the Florida Regional!!!

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by wendymom

If you miss Florida you can always come to the Florida Regional!!!

I find that this is a better solution.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I remember the Florida days with many fond memories. If you stayed on property, the transportation was free, didn't like the meal choices, run into the park. If you had a long wait for the next match, go on a ride. More people came in "off the street" to see what was going on. What about stopping competition to go out and witness a Nasa launch. I also remember the Vice President of Disney/Epcot stating "as long as you want to come, we will make a place for you!"

[Bill Beatty]

For the most part WDW is a fantastic place for the FRC. Where else can you host 15,000 high school students with very little concern for their safety? There is a huge selection of lodging and the Disney transportation is superb. There are many things to do and see, and many teams came a day or two early to enjoy them.

There are two major problems with WDW. The high cost to the teams and FIRST and the out-of-doors venue for the competition. I would think that both of these are solvable. The competition could be moved into a stadium in Orlando. The Disney transportation system would have no problem moving the 20,000 folks each day. The packages could have options that did not include the four day hopper pass which pushed the lodging costs even higher. Also teams could have the option of staying in off Disney lodging to reduce costs even further.

Here's hoping that the problems are solved and that the FRC will someday return to WDW.

Mr. Bill

[dag0620]

Originally Posted by Bill Beatty

For the most part WDW is a fantastic place for the FRC. Where else can you host 15,000 high school students with very little concern for their safety? There is a huge selection of lodging and the Disney transportation is superb. There are many things to do and see, and many teams came a day or two early to enjoy them.

There are two major problems with WDW. The high cost to the teams and FIRST and the out-of-doors venue for the competition. I would think that both of these are solvable. The competition could be moved into a stadium in Orlando. The Disney transportation system would have no problem moving the 20,000 folks each day. The packages could have options that did not include the four day hopper pass which pushed the lodging costs even higher. Also teams could have the option of staying in off Disney lodging to reduce costs even further.

Here's hoping that the problems are solved and that the FRC will someday return to WDW.

Mr. Bill

The issue is Disney won't bus us off property.

As it is they don't provide service to the Military Resort, and thats On Disney property (between the 2 golf courses). In terms off holding the even in EPCOt, yeah its a stretch. But with Wide World of Sports, and the many convention centers throughout the property, it could be done.

As both a Disney Fanatic, and a FIRST member, since I wansn't there, someone want to fill me in on how lodging (hotels Disney put you up in, my moneys on Carribbean beach ) park passes etc. This is more then anything the little DF in me wanting to know .

[Brandon Holley]

Originally Posted by dag0620

As both a Disney Fanatic, and a FIRST member, since I wansn't there, someone want to fill me in on how lodging (hotels Disney put you up in, my moneys on Carribbean beach ) park passes etc. This is more then anything the little DF in me wanting to know .

If I am remembering correctly...You paid to be in one of the Walt Disney Resorts. I do not know which ones were specifically available, but I do know that I stayed in the rainforest/jungle themed version. Included in your cost was a park hopper pass for every day you stayed at the resort and I believe there was some meals included as well. I don't remember the exact cost of the trip, but I do remember it being well above $600 for me to attend (including airfare not including spending money). It was certainly an experience of a lifetime, but I imagine many teams may have an issue constantly meeting that price requirement.

-Brando

[Wetzel]

Originally Posted by Brandon Holley

If I am remembering correctly...You paid to be in one of the Walt Disney Resorts. I do not know which ones were specifically available, but I do know that I stayed in the rainforest/jungle themed version. Included in your cost was a park hopper pass for every day you stayed at the resort and I believe there was some meals included as well. I don't remember the exact cost of the trip, but I do remember it being well above $600 for me to attend (including airfare not including spending money). It was certainly an experience of a lifetime, but I imagine many teams may have an issue constantly meeting that price requirement.

-Brando

You did not have to stay on Disney property, I just think they were all that were offered through the offical packages (which also included the park hopper). We stayed at least one year at a motel next to a 24 hour Waffle House , and had a coach bus shuttle us to the park.

Wetzel

[ks_mumupsi]

ahhh..... epcot... nice pic, this was my first year in FIRST as well....

Fun times. I miss EPCOT!!!

A lot of us do say we miss EPCOT, I am going to wonder a few years from now once Atlanta has become a distant past, how many will be willing to say the same.

I am not sure I will reach a point to say that, Atlanta was fun, but Disney...