Are crowds heavy at ESPN in the evening?

[mskay]

We would like to eat here on our trip, but I wondered if it was very crowded. We will be there on a Sunday night. Are the crowds totally dependent on what games are on? TIA

 

[jiminy14]

Crowds are heavy on the weekend nights, primarily Friday and Saturday. Sunday could be crowded too depending upon what games are being played or if a special event is planned. I have noticed that if there are any conventions scheduled a lot of the participants tend to visit the Boardwalk and the ESPN Club. It is much easier to get a seat at the bar than in the dining area but I wouldn't recommend the bar area for children (it's very loud).
Whenever we eat there, we try to get there before 5:30 and we never have a problem.

 

[gopherit]

If you do go on a Sunday -- post back here and let us know about your experience! I too am looking at a Sunday. My BIL is fixated on dining while watching a Phillies game. Seems like there's one on the Sunday we're down there, IF it's ESPN-broadcast. Still waiting on the August ESPN schedules! We're looking at the 4 pm time slot and hoping that time wouldn't be too crowded, since it's inbetween the usual lunch/dinner crowd timing (unless other folks are phillies fans too...)

 

[crisi]

We were there over baseball playoffs and there was a long line out the door every evening. I think it will depend on what is happening when you are there - i.e. what sporting events, what conventions are around, and how busy Disney is in general.

 

[luvpooh]

gopherit - I don't believe it has to be on ESPN to be televised at the ESPN Club, they have a satellite and show games from all over the country, whether on ESPN or local affiliates.

The only exception is if there are blackouts in effect. For example, one Sunday the Jacksonville Jaguars game was not able to be televised b/c the Jags hadn't sold out their game so they black it out on TV in the hopes that people will come down to see it. The same thing happens sometimes in the NYC metro area, if the Mets are playing the Braves and it's broadcast on both the Mets home station and TBS (which shows Braves games), they'll black out TBS to show it on the Mets affiliate.

This is the way it works during football season at least, I'm not 100% positive about off-peak times.

For the OP's question, unless there's a big game on, you shouldn't have a problem getting a table.