ESPN Club? Lots of questions

[100AcreMom]

I guess we will be visiting the ESPN Club next Sat. night, since we can't watch NASCAR on F/X on the resort TV. I have some questions -

1) Does the place get really crowded on Sat. nights? I read that there are no PS.

2) Do they show ALL sporting events, or only those on ESPN and ABC owned channels?

3) Is there a relatively painless way to get from All-Stars to the Boardwalk by the bus system?

4) OR, should we drive. If so, what is the parking situation at the Boardwalk?

5) Do they rush you through your meal, or are you allowed to hang out and watch, as long as you are still eating or drinking something? (which, of course, leads to crowds and long waits for tables!)

I know I should just wing it, but I am a hyper-planner, which is why I feel so at home on these boards!

 

[CamColt]

I can help a little...

3) We have always taken the bust from ASMO to MGM, then taken the boat to the BW. The kids love the boat ride. Returning we have walked the path from BW to MGM and then gotten a bus home.

5) We have had dinner there 2x and once just went to the bar for drinks. We have never felt rushed.

Enjoy!

 

[Epcotgal8]

As a fellow racing fan I'm assuming you're speaking of "the Winston" on May 17th. First thing I'd do is check with the ESPN Club in advance over the phone to see if they do air FX and if they will show the Winston. I'm sure you know of the rivalry between ESPN and NASCAR and how their reporters (since the coverage left ESPN) now have to interview the drivers etc. OUTSIDE of the track. So I'm not sure whether the ESPN Club will air it or not. If they DO, get there early. The race begins at 9 p.m. E.S.T. but this is NBA playoff time and baseball season and there will be some who will come early and stay by ordering drinks and appetizers as long as they want to see the game. We tried to get in for dinner last May (on the 19th or 20th) at around 6 p.m. and the employee at the door said they were full but that we could walk in and look around to see if there were tables in the bar area. There were 2 that had stools for 2 around them but that wouldn't have worked for our party. The tables even put together wouldn't have held food for 5. There ARE some good sized booths. While dh and I looked inside for the tables there was one large booth with 2 yound men in it and then one with 3 in it. That kind of broke my heart to see this big booth with one person on each side when it would have accomodated us fine and the stool tables would have been fine for them but hey they DID get there first and looked like they were there for the long haul so we ended up walking over to Beaches and Cream instead. If seeing the race is a must then check by phone ahead of time with some of the lounges at the various resorts to see if they have FX. There are some nice ones that offer lots of appetizers so maybe you can have a late lunch somewhere and then go to one to watch the race and have appetizers/drinks. If they don't offer FX you may have to check with area offsite restaurants or set your vcr at home and don't watch the results on the news until you watch the race. Good luck!

 

[murphy t]

You could also try the All Star Sports Cafe at the Disney Sports complex, it would be closer to your hotel and might be less crowded, not sure of the hours..