Posted on Fri, Jun 05, 2009 @ 06:58 AM
Friendly Wager between Disneyland and Walt Disney World ‘mayors’ for NBA playoffs
It has long become a tradition among the mayors of towns involved in a sports championship to make a friendly wager hooked to which team wins out. Usually the prize is food or some sort or wearing the other teams jersey for a day. Since this is now known as the Disney World Vs. Disneyland NBA finals (a fact I’m sure makes Disney’s marketing gurus happy beyond belief despite its origin on TNT sports) it only makes sense that the ‘mayors’ of those two theme parks and resorts make their own wagers.
Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton and Disneyland President Ed Grier have decided to take the team jersey approach and will wear Mickey Mouse ears with the opposing teams colors if their city’s team loses.
I lived in Los Angeles during the Shaq/Kobe championship runs. That was quite an amazing time for a sports fan. Of course, now I live in Orlando. So who do I root for? I have to say my heart is with the Orlando Magic. They’re a great team and its a deserving community. Plus they’re named ‘Magic’ how can you get more Disney than that?
The full press release:
ANAHEIM, Calif./LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (June 3, 2009) – Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton and Disneyland President Ed Grier are squaring off – all in fun – as their local teams, the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers, head for the NBA Finals.
With both Disney parks asking guests “What Will You Celebrate?” in 2009, Grier and Crofton are getting in the act, making a celebratory wager on the outcome of the NBA Finals:
If the Magic win, Grier will walk down Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland park wearing a pair of specially made Mickey Mouse ears in Magic blue and silver. If the Lakers win, Crofton will don a pair of Lakers’ purple and gold mouse ears and walk down Main Street U.S.A. at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom.
“The Lakers are going to make your team very Grumpy this week,” predicted Grier to Crofton.
“But we have ‘Magic’ on our side,” countered Crofton. “And isn’t that what Disney is all about?”
Crofton and Grier went through their respective parks Wednesday looking for supporters. Grier shot some hoops with Donald and Pluto in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, while Crofton (along with Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale) drummed up Orlando Magic support in front of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World.
The park presidents even pledged to turn the lights of their respective castles to their team colors in celebration of the historic pairing.
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