Banana Ball officially made its Walt Disney World debut on Friday as the Loco Beach Coconuts took on the Party Animals at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Banana Ball Makes Its Debut at Disney World
The first game of the two-night Disney World Banana Ball series was played on Friday, May 29, in The Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports, the former spring training home of the Atlanta Braves and the resort’s major competitive sports venue.
For this event, the ballpark traded traditional baseball formality for Banana Ball’s signature mix of fast-paced play, comedy, music, dancing, crowd participation, and over-the-top player entertainment.
The matchup featured the Loco Beach Coconuts, one of the newer additions to the Banana Ball Championship League, against the Party Animals, longtime fan favorites known for their rowdy energy and colorful presentation.
The festivities began well before first pitch. Fans were encouraged to arrive early for a pre-game FanFest outside The Stadium, with the Pre-Game Plaza opening in the afternoon. The schedule included player appearances, a pre-party event, live entertainment, and opportunities for fans to interact with players and mascots before heading into the ballpark.
A portion of the afternoon festivities was washed out as Central Florida dealt with a wet and stormy weather pattern. Guests were directed into an indoor arena for the duration of the passing storm, and fortunately, the game went on as planned.
Once the game began, the entertainment started immediately. Before the Party Animals even took their first at-bats, fans were treated to magic tricks, a hula-inspired dance, and a full crowd warmup set to “Baby Shark.” From there, the night leaned into exactly what Banana Ball fans expect: back flips, trick plays, dancing umpires, sing-alongs, and audience participation.
Disney characters also joined the action. Stitch made a special appearance at the end of the first inning, set to “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride,” fitting perfectly with the Loco Beach Coconuts’ island-style theme.
Later in the game, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse appeared during the “Hey Baby” singalong, marking their first official Banana Ball appearance together at Walt Disney World.
The game itself ended with a dramatic finish. After nine innings of Banana Ball antics and competitive play, the Loco Beach Coconuts mounted a 9th-inning comeback against the Party Animals. With one out in the bottom of the final frame, the Coconuts delivered a walk-off, two-run double to win the first Walt Disney World Banana Ball game by a final score of 4-3.
The victory gave the Loco Beach Coconuts a memorable first win at Walt Disney World and capped off a historic night for ESPN Wide World of Sports. Banana Ball’s arrival added another chapter to the venue’s long baseball history, which has included Major League Baseball spring training, amateur tournaments, and now one of the fastest-growing sports entertainment brands in the country.
The Loco Beach Coconuts and Party Animals are scheduled to face off again on Saturday, May 30, continuing the first Banana Ball series ever held at Walt Disney World.
The teams also made the most of their time at Walt Disney World before the game.
The Party Animals visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where they rode Kali River Rapids, Expedition Everest, and Kilimanjaro Safaris.
The Loco Beach Coconuts leaned into their tropical theme with a visit to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, where they surfed the wave pool and rode Crush ‘n’ Gusher.
The 2026 ‘Banana Bowl’ Banana Ball Championship will exclusively Air on Disney+ this fall. Banana Ball games will take place on May 29 and 30, 2026, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World. Teams taking part in the ESPN Wide World of Sports event include the Party Animals and the new Loco Beach Coconuts.
Disneyland hosted its second annual Savannah Bananas Day on March 26, 2026, featuring fan meet and greets, dance numbers, merchandise, and a special cavalcade. Watch the calvacade video below.
Were you at the first Banana Ball game at Disney World, or would you like to see more Banana Ball events come to ESPN Wide World of Sports in the future? Let us know on social media!
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
