ESPN Club & National Championship

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Now that the Alabama Crimson Tide has won the SEC Championship, and will be playing in the National Championship...

How do we make sure that we can get a table at the ESPN Club, and will they definitely be playing the big game?

ROLL TIDE!

 

[princessgirl2238]

they will be playing the game- they play every big game. honestly to try and get a seat, you will probably have to be there when the place opens (11:30 everyday but sun and noon on sun) and sit there all day. the bar side is a walk in and hope to find an open spot and the regular side is a first come first serve basis to be seated/ put on the waiting list.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

OK -- there is no way that I'm sitting at the ESPN Club ALL DAY!

Does anyone have any other suggestions? I don't have to watch a huge screen, but really don't want to sit in my hotel room either!

 

[disnut8]

I've heard Victoria's Lounge at the Animal Kingdom Lodge shows games.

And don't forget the other ESPN restaurant over at the now named Disney's Wide World of Sports. It's not that convenient but if you have a car, you can get there.

The place to be will be the ESPN Club on the Boardwalk, though. The bar side is no waiting but it will be crowded for that game. We noticed that college game days are much more crowded than NFL game days.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

A few years ago my family and I were visiting the BoardWalk the same night as the BCS National Championship game and the line up for the ESPN Club was huge, so my advice if you go there is go early and just wait.

 

[StrikerObi]

I would call ahead to make sure they are playing the BCS National Championship (or any of the BCS Bowls other than the Rose Bowl). The BCS has a contract with FOX, not ABC/ESPN. I would assume they will be showing the national championship anyway, but there is a slim chance they might not be given that it won't be on ABC or ESPN.

If they are showing the game, just get there insanely early. They don't take ADRs, and if you want to get a table, order some food, and stay for four hours to watch a game, they'll let you. I imagine the place will be packed a good few hours before kickoff, and nobody will be leaving.

On a side note, congrats to Alabama for beating Florida. As a Florida State fan, it was very enjoyable to watch Tebow cry again, even if it was at the hands of a team other than my 'Noles.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would call ahead to make sure they are playing the BCS National Championship (or any of the BCS Bowls other than the Rose Bowl). The BCS has a contract with FOX, not ABC/ESPN. I would assume they will be showing the national championship anyway, but there is a slim chance they might not be given that it won't be on ABC or ESPN.

Well all the WDW Resorts do get the FOX 35 Orlando TV station, so it's safe to assume the ESPN Club also has that channel.

 

[webray]

The Dolphin pool area had a great set up for the games. Drink specials, good snacks, etc. If it is a nice day it is a great place to watch the games.

Also, most of the Disney resort pool bars have tvs and you can ask them to turn the game on.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Now, we are really thinking about finding somewhere else to watch the game.

Any suggestions??

We had originally planned to be at Epcot before the game.

 

[abubu919]

Yah ESPN will be packed...but I am sure they will have it playing tons of places. I know Wide World of Sports will most likely and if there are any lounges. I know there is a lounge at Yacht and Beach Club near Ariels. And BTW ROLL TIDE!! I go to school there

 

[figmentfan0724]

I agree with everyone who said to arrive at the ESPN Club early! it will be packed. We went to watch the NHL playoffs and stood for th entire game in the bar!

 

[madalex]

I would call ahead to make sure they are playing the BCS National Championship (or any of the BCS Bowls other than the Rose Bowl). The BCS has a contract with FOX, not ABC/ESPN. I would assume they will be showing the national championship anyway, but there is a slim chance they might not be given that it won't be on ABC or ESPN.

The National Championship game is on ABC this year. That occurs because the NC game is being played at the Rose Bowl (the stadium) and the Rose Bowl (the game) is always on ABC. So, once every four years we don't have to put up with Fox's horrible broadcasts in order to watch the NC game.

 

[scot@dvcstore]

I like the idea of spending some time at a pool bar watching the game. National Championship would have been a much better game if the Gators had won the SEC Championship.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I have thought about the new ESPN restaurant at WWOS. Does anyone know if there is Disney bus transportation to WWOS from the parks?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The National Championship game is on ABC this year. That occurs because the NC game is being played at the Rose Bowl (the stadium) and the Rose Bowl (the game) is always on ABC. So, once every four years we don't have to put up with Fox's horrible broadcasts in order to watch the NC game.

Actually the National Championship game is going to be on Fox.
http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/schedule?categoryId=24&weekNum=20

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I'm kind of confused about who is carrying the game. Our local newspaper said it would be carried on ABC.

The FOX link looks pretty official. It seems like maybe that ABC deal was only through 2006 maybe.

I'd still like other suggestions.

ROLL TIDE!

 

[madalex]

Actually the National Championship game is going to be on Fox.
http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/schedule?categoryId=24&weekNum=20

If you follow that link, you will see that under the column that says "TV", the entry is "ABC." I stand by my original statement that the game will be broadcast on ABC.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If you follow that link, you will see that under the column that says "TV", the entry is "ABC." I stand by my original statement that the game will be broadcast on ABC.

Well since I posted that link they obviously changed it from Fox to ABC as the station which is broadcasting the game, because yesterday it said the game was to be on Fox.

 

[deej696]

I can confirm that Fox has had the contract for the National Championship game the last couple years. I remember well, as I was at least years when my Gators got the trophy

That said, ESPN will be an absolute mad house, but will certainly be the most festive place to watch. I've watched several games there over the years, and getting there early will be a huge understatement for this game. And in years past I would have suggested Outer Rim at CR, but alas the refurb on the bar took away all but one small TV behind the bar. Sadly, that doesnt leave many good options in my opinion to watch a game.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

That said, ESPN will be an absolute mad house, but will certainly be the most festive place to watch. I've watched several games there over the years, and getting there early will be a huge understatement for this game. And in years past I would have suggested Outer Rim at CR, but alas the refurb on the bar took away all but one small TV behind the bar. Sadly, that doesnt leave many good options in my opinion to watch a game.

Well even though that maybe true it looks like since the renovation they added a lot more places to sit.
http://contemporaryresort.net/outer_rim.html