Can anyone tell me about ESPN Zone?

[Goofy4Disney]

My DS and his best friend were wanting to go here. Is there anyone out there who can tell me about it? I'd appreciate any info! TIA!

 

[MrShiny]

Are you talking about the ESPN Zone (is the Disneyland resort, among other places) or the ESPN Club (on the BoardWalk at WDW)?

THey are both great - the Club was the prototype for the Zone, and as such is much smaller, but still has plenty of TV's. The food is typical pub fare for the most part, but usually is not bad.

 

[Goofy4Disney]

I guess I'm talking about the ESPN Club... not sure why I thought it was called ESPN Zone... Thanks! My DS and his best friend (both 12 yrs old) are both fanatical when it comes to sports. Will they enjoy this place?

 

[Cookie Princess]

DH and DS (10) both LOVE this place. I go for the wings and the gift shop!

 

[Hopefully]

Yes, I think they will love the ESPN Club. There are TV's showing sports everywhere, including in the Bathrooms. There is also a Broadcast Booth where they peridodically interview live guests and/or conduct live sports Trivia contests.
The food is pub food and good for what it is. They do not take ADR's, so that you will need to wait in line. Avoid it on the day of a "Big Game".
We have enjoyed eating here in the past.

 

[loveswdw]

And if you're lucky you may catch a special event while you are there. I don't know if they post a schedule anywhere or not but if you look at the marquee it'll tell you if anything special is going on.

Our last visit to the Club in March 2005 we got to watch a show being recorded live for ESPN. I can't remember which show (my DH could tell you ) but it was pretty cool. While we ate dinner, I got to sit about 10-15 feet away from a Saints player who was on the show (I believe his name was Deuce McAlister--I'm not the sports fan in my family--that's DH and DS!). But it was still pretty cool.

The food is pretty good, nothing super special. Its relatively inexpensive for Disney. Our family of 3 can eat there for under $50.

For sports fans, its a "must go".

 

[vicb]

We were there once during a live event, interview with some baseball player. Also were there one time when they did trivia night, my kids got into that. Our waitress was really nice and noticed our Michigan sweatshirt so she had the TV closest to us changed to a UM basketball game! It is just a fun pub type place but we always make a point of eating there atleast once.

 

[kpm76]

We had lunch there on our last day in September and really liked it! It's a fun atmosphere and we even got to see our beloved Red Sox Your son and his friend will have a balst!!

 

[Goofy4Disney]

Great! Thanks so much everyone! I was starting to re-think this idea since I hadn't heard much about the place here on the DIS. Thanks for reassuring me!

 

[paras4ri]

There have been many threads about the ESPN Club - just do a search using "ESPN" WE love it there and try to visit each trip. Our DS is 14 and also a sports nut.

 

[Merriwind]

I'm not a sports fan, but I like their chili!

 

[La2kw]

We don't bother with the ESPN Club. It's nothing compared to the ESPN Zone. We spend a lot of time at the ESPN Zones at Disneyland and Las Vegas.

 

[Goofy4Disney]

I'm not a sports fan, but I like their chili!

Ha! Thanks for the info! I'll be sure to remember that! My DS and his best friend mentioned months ago that they'd like to go, and since then I haven't mentioned it. So I'm anxious now to just surprise them with a lunch here, which I'm sure will make their day even better. Thanks everyone for the comments!

 

[CamColt]

Love the nachos! The atmosphere is fun too. ESPN is one of our must dos. However after being there many times,then trying ESPN Zone in DL, we were disappointed. WDW's is much better.

And silly as this sounds, smell the soap in the restrooms. It's the best soap!

 

[webray]

It is fun to go in and look around, but it typically smells like a toilet backed up in there. The food is not very good, in fact..there aren't even any good food smells coming out of the kitchen.

 

[Goofy4Disney]

It is fun to go in and look around, but it typically smells like a toilet backed up in there. The food is not very good, in fact..there aren't even any good food smells coming out of the kitchen.

It's almost funny to see this comment after this one:

And silly as this sounds, smell the soap in the restrooms. It's the best soap!

So what's up with the smells???? Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[loveswdw]

Can't say as we've ever experienced a bad smell here. ???

And, the soap DOES smell great. And they even have TVs in the bathrooms so you don't miss any of the game.

 

[superdiz]

We LOVE the ESPN Club. The food is fantastic. I always get the Red Wings with a side of Sideline Fries and my fiance always gets the chicken sandwich.

And the soap smells like the rest of the Boardwalk Soap - like coconut suntan lotion. Love the beachy theme!

I've never experienced bad smells and I've been here 10+ times for drinks and/or dinner.

 

[CamColt]

LOL! I've never smelled anything bad here either...only the typical restaurant/food cooking smell, and of course, the saop. We have been probably close to 10 times now.

Is it really used throughout the BW? I've either never realized it before or never used the ladies room anywhere else on the BW.

 

[superdiz]

You know where the public restroom is on the top level right outside of the Bellevue Lounge or if you walk into the main entrance, on the right? NICEST public restroom in all of Disney... but the soap is in there too.