ESPN club with little ones? No PS's there?

[liznboys]

We've been trying to decide where to eat dinner at the Boardwalk, and we're thinking about the ESPN club now. Our boys will be 5, 3 and 11 months. The older two do love sports, but will it be a fun place for them? Is it noisy (which would be good so we don't have to keep them quiet! LOL) Are there TV's all over and that kind of thing? I'd love for someone to describe it to me. :)

Also, I've read that they don't take PS's. Is that correct? We'd be going there on Sunday Feb 13th, probably around 4-5pm. So what we're thinking of doing is going there first to give our name, then strolling the Boardwalk until our table is ready, would that be doable? Do you think it'll be busy that day?

[WeLuvWDWx5]

Hi Liznboys -

My family has visited ESPN dozens of times. Yes, there are TV's all over the place so that you can see more than one from where ever you sit (they even have them in the bathrooms). No, they do not take PS's. There are two sides to ESPN.....the bar side and the restaurant side. On the bar side, it is first come first serve and there are some nice sized booths. The advantage if you can get a booth, is that you can request video players so that the boys can play video games while you relax. This does not cost anything extra. You are also close to their arcade section so that the boys could play games (with a parent) until the food comes to the table. On this side, you just walk in and seat yourself.

The other side is the restaurant. On this side, you must wait in line (if there is one), and wait for an available table. If there is a line, you must wait until you are towards the front of the line before they will ask you how many you have in your party. They do not take names or give you the "light up" devices that many restaurants do. You must wait in line until a table is ready. If you leave to stroll the Boardwalk, you forfeit your place in line. Unless there is some kind of big game or play off, etc, you should not have to wait long at the time you mentioned. If there are playoffs of some sort, or some big name game on at that time, you may have to wait for awhile.

We have three kids, 2 DD's 10 & 8, one DS 2 and they enjoy the environment at ESPN and have for years. It is actually one of our favorite places to eat in the EPCOT resort area, which is usually where we stay.

Hope this helps with your decision.

[liznboys]

Thank you so much for all the wonderful info!! That was just what I needed. We will most likely eat there, it sounds great! :)

[kldmom2000]

We ate there (stayed at the Beach Club) on the night we arrived-Dec. 4th. We got there at 5pm and had a very minimal wait.... the girls enjoyed the food/atmosphere... just be sure you're not trying to get in when there's a big game happening!!!LOL! Enjoy!

[DebbieB]

The Pro Bowl is that Sunday, it might be hard to get in. I took a coworker there in November when we were in Orlando for business and it was very loud, we couldn't even have a conversation. They were doing a basketball talk show. She is older, she was not happy, she couldn't wait to leave. I felt bad for picking it. My Mom and I sometimes go there in the afternoon while waiting for our room to be ready at BWV and it was never that loud.

[paras4ri]

We were there on the 4th of July and our group included 6 kids, the youngest only 4 months old. It was great for everyone.

[liznboys]

Thank you! I'll have to talk to dh about this a bit more...I have no idea what the ProBowl is. LOL But if that means it might be more crowded, we may have to go elsewhere.

[fwm]

Thank you! I'll have to talk to dh about this a bit more...I have no idea what the ProBowl is. LOL But if that means it might be more crowded, we may have to go elsewhere.
The Pro Bowl is an NFL All Star game. It starts at about 7:30, but is not all that popular, especially after the Super Bowl.

[liznboys]

Thanks fwm! :)

[tippy77]

Is the menu the same on the bar side and the restaurant side??

[mom23boyz]

We just ate there with our 3 boys (10,8 and 4). They really enjoyed it because the booth tables offered Playstations free of charge. This was in the dining room side. Each booth had a small screen and if you showed ID, you could get controllers to plug in under the screen.

[Winter921]

I just have to comment on how gorgeous your picture of the castle is. And glad I read this thread, I have a husband and two DS, 12 and 10, they will love it here.

[jennypenny]

How big are the booths that have the playstations? We will be a party of 8 or 9 when we go, and I'm wondering if we can sit together, or if we'll need two booths and how that will work.

Has anyone done a large group at ESPN?

[mom23boyz]

I would say the booths would comfortably seat six. If you had 8 or 9, maybe get two booths next to each other.

[liznboys]

Thanks for all the info. everyone! :)

Winter921-I got that picture of the castle off the internet, it is nice isn't it? I miss the trees that used to be in front there...they were so pretty.

[WeLuvWDWx5]

Is the menu the same on the bar side and the restaurant side??

Yes, the menu is the same on both sides of the restaurant.

[Ms. S. White]

We've been to Disney numerous times and have never tried the ESPN Club.

My 2 DS (and my DH) would like some Disney/ESPN shirts, hats, etc. Does the restaurant have a store inside that carries that kind of stuff?

[BrownsFan34]

Yes they do have a store. You can also purchase ESPN clothing at DTD.

[DisneyWisher]

We went there this last trip and enjoyed it. DD19 and I shared the Dingers and an order of Fries. We order Mild since they didn't offer medium. Mild has a touch of heat to it. What I would consider more of a medium sauce. We loved it. Below are links to their menus. Adults and childs

Shirley
http://allearsnet.com/menu/men_espn.htm

http://allearsnet.com/menu/men_kesp.htm