Disney doesn't want to give the competition a sporting chance. In May 1997, it branched out with the multimillion-dollar Wide World of Sports Complex, a 200-acre facility. The Mouse hopes to hit a home run with a 7,500-seat baseball stadium -- dubbed Cracker Jack Stadium in 2002 -- that's the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves. In addition, there's a 5,000-seat field house featuring six basketball courts, a fitness center, and training rooms; major-league practice fields and pitching mounds; 4 softball fields; 12 tennis courts, including a 2,000-seat stadium center court; a track-and-field complex; a golf driving range; and more. A variety of events, from tennis tournaments to band competitions, have been held here since the center opened. For information about events taking place during your stay, call tel. 407/939-1500 or visit www.disneyworldsports.com.

Even taking the above into account, Disney isn't the only show in town.

Arena Football--The Orlando Predators play from February through mid-May. For the uninitiated, arena football is a wide-open sport played by eight-man teams on a much-abbreviated field. You don't necessarily need to know the rules to enjoy the up-close crunching and beer-fest atmosphere. The Predators have a loyal and rowdy following, not to mention a few championships under their belts. Sold-out games are common, but single tickets ($7.50-$40) are often available the day of the game at the TD Waterhouse Centre, formerly the Orlando Arena. Call tel. 407/447-7337 or surf the Web to www.orlandopredators.com.

Baseball--The Atlanta Braves (tel. 407/828-3267; www.atlantabraves.com) began spring training at Disney's Wide World of Sports in 1998. There are 18 games during a 1-month season that begins in March. Tickets are $12 to $19.75. You can get tickets through Ticketmaster (tel. 407/839-3900).

From April to September, the Orlando Rays, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' Class AA Southern League affiliate, play their 70 home games at Disney's Wide World of Sports (tel. 407/939-4263). You can get tickets through Ticketmaster (tel. 407/839-3900). They sell for $5 to $8.

The Multi-Sports Experience--In 2002, Disney replaced its NFL Experience at the Wide World of Sports complex with an expanded multi-sports venue that not only lets you test your skills at football but also at baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, and volleyball. Admission is $10 for adults and $7.50 for kids 3 to 9. It's open on select days. For information call tel. 407/939-1500.

If you're a true sports fan, your best bet is to write in advance for a package of information about the facilities and a calendar of events at Wide World of Sports. Write to Disney's Wide World of Sports, P.O. Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000, or call tel. 407/939-1500.

Basketball--The 17,500-seat TD Waterhouse Centre -- known in a prior life as the Orlando Arena -- is the home court of the NBA's Orlando Magic (tel. 407/896-2442; www.nba.com/magic/), which plays 41 of its regular-season games here from October to April. Single-game tickets ($25-$175) can be hard to acquire. To get there, take I-4 east to Exit 83B, Hwy. 50/U.S. 17/92 (Amelia St.), turn left at the traffic light at the bottom of the off-ramp, and follow the signs. For up-to-the-minute parking information, turn your car radio to 1620 AM.

Jai Alai--Orlando Jai Alai, 6405 S. U.S. 17/92, at Highway 436 in Fern Park (tel. 407/339-6221), offers what's billed as the world's fastest game. It's like handball but with a much longer court (180 ft.), wicker "gloves" called cestas, and ball speeds that reach 150 mph. This is a pari-mutuel game, which means you can bet on the action.

The program/betting form offers information on how the game is played and how to wager (trust anyone who tells you how to gamble about as much as a chicken farmer would trust a fox).

Note: The fronton also has simulcast wagering, which means you can bet on jai alai and other pari-mutuels such as greyhound and horse racing telecast from other locations. Kids 39 inches and taller are welcome; the minimum betting age is 18. Admission is $1, reserved seats are $2 to $3, restaurant seating is $3 with a $7 minimum order, and box seats are $5. Parking is free; valet parking is $2. It's open year-round Wednesday to Sunday. Call for the evening and matinee schedule. From the Walt Disney World area, take I-4 east to Exit 90A, Maitland Blvd./Hwy. 414, turn right at U.S. 17/92, and look for the fronton 2 miles along on your right. It's about a 40-minute drive.