ESPN Zone

[merrrydeath]

I am going to be at Disneyland September 20 and 21 for my mom's birthday. The parks are only open until 6pm on the 21st for whatever reason. However, we are hockey fans(sharks to be particular) and there is an Anaheim vs San Jose game at 7pm that night in Anaheim. We were thinking of getting tickets for the game, but then I remembered ESPN zone. Though I don't know how it works exactly.

Has anyone been to ESPN zone specifically to see a game of any kind? Does it fill up fast? Is there good visibility of TVs? How early should we get there to ensure we have good seats?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

If you join the MVP club online through ESPN Zone's website you can make PS ressies 3 days in advance. Disney Dining has limited PS times too, but usually before 5 pm. I'm not sure about specific games or crowds. But if it's an Anaheim game, I'm sure it will be playing.

 

[JadaB]

Hi Merrydeath-fellow Sharks fan here!

ESPN Zone should have the game for you. The Screeing Room would be your best choice to see the game in (this is the dining area to the right of the hostess podium). It does get crowded when there is a game, so I would show up a little early (although our experince with watching a NHL game was a playoff one, so a pre-season game may be less crowded for you). That room has plenty of tv's on the wall and bar area.

On the off chance the game isn't playing, don't be afraid to ask if they will put it on one of the tv's for you!

I apologize if you have been before and I am explaining something you already know! Have a great time with your mom!

 

[merrrydeath]

Hi Merrydeath-fellow Sharks fan here!

ESPN Zone should have the game for you. The Screeing Room would be your best choice to see the game in (this is the dining area to the right of the hostess podium). It does get crowded when there is a game, so I would show up a little early (although our experince with watching a NHL game was a playoff one, so a pre-season game may be less crowded for you). That room has plenty of tv's on the wall and bar area.

On the off chance the game isn't playing, don't be afraid to ask if they will put it on one of the tv's for you!

I apologize if you have been before and I am explaining something you already know! Have a great time with your mom!

Thanks for all the info! I have some more questions if you don't mind. How early do you think we should get there? If we stick around for the whole game do we have to keep paying for more food/drinks? Will they want to kick us out if we are "loitering"?

I haven't been before so I really appreciate the info. I just think this might be a better option than paying at least $65 each for okay seats on top of paying for Disneyland.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I've got the same question about sticking around for the duration of a game. I want to see BYU vs. Oklahoma on the Saturday before Labor Day. The game is being televised by ESPN, but I'm trying to figure out if I should just watch it from my hotel room or if I can watch the whole game at ESPN Zone provided I buy a meal there first (which I have no problem doing).

 

[merrrydeath]

I've got the same question about sticking around for the duration of a game. I want to see BYU vs. Oklahoma on the Saturday before Labor Day. The game is being televised by ESPN, but I'm trying to figure out if I should just watch it from my hotel room or if I can watch the whole game at ESPN Zone provided I buy a meal there first (which I have no problem doing).

Exactly my feelings. 3 meals and some drinks will be a given for our group, but I am worried about lingering for a couple hours to watch an entire game. We really would like to see the whole thing and not have to go back to our hotel room.

 

[Docter419]

I am going to be at Disneyland September 20 and 21 for my mom's birthday. The parks are only open until 6pm on the 21st for whatever reason. However, we are hockey fans(sharks to be particular) and there is an Anaheim vs San Jose game at 7pm that night in Anaheim. We were thinking of getting tickets for the game, but then I remembered ESPN zone. Though I don't know how it works exactly.

Has anyone been to ESPN zone specifically to see a game of any kind? Does it fill up fast? Is there good visibility of TVs? How early should we get there to ensure we have good seats?

My wife and I watched the season opener there last year, and it was great!

If there are only two of you I highly recommend going and sitting at the bar. It may take 10 to 15 minutes to have a seat but its totally worth it because thats where the real fans are watching the game. You'll get alot a hooting and hollering and everyone there is very friendly. And if you buy one drink and nurse it the bartenders don't care. Its alot of fun. Only caution is that I think the game on the 21st is a pre-season game so It might not be on the tv. I'd look into that, because if its not you'll have to go to the arena.

 

[JadaB]

I agree with Doctor, we went to watch a basketball game in May, ordered a couple drinks and an appetizer and no one said anything about us staying the whole time. I think they are pretty understanding about people wanting to stay to watch the whole thing

I didn't even think about them not showing a pre-season game! I think the ESPN Zone website has a calendar for each restaurant of what they will be showing. You might be able to check that and see if it will be on

 

[merrrydeath]

I agree with Doctor, we went to watch a basketball game in May, ordered a couple drinks and an appetizer and no one said anything about us staying the whole time. I think they are pretty understanding about people wanting to stay to watch the whole thing

I didn't even think about them not showing a pre-season game! I think the ESPN Zone website has a calendar for each restaurant of what they will be showing. You might be able to check that and see if it will be on

Yeah they only have August up right now, so hopefully on September 1st they will have the full calendar. Glad to hear they didn't mind you staying for hours!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Call Disney Dining and make reservations, you can make them after 5pm and more than 3 days in advance. You could probably try to specify where you want to sit when you make the ressies.

DH and I went there last month and we got to sit in the recliners at the front, right near the screen. It was SO cool!

 

[PizzieDuster]

Don't know much about the game but my daughter and I ALWAYS
leave the parks to have lunch/dinner whatever at the ESPN Zone and
order the buffalo wings - dry, crispy with the sauce and ranch on the side.

Yummmmmmmmmmyyyyyyyyy Gotta try it ! Enjoy

 

[Padstack]

Yeah they only have August up right now, so hopefully on September 1st they will have the full calendar. Glad to hear they didn't mind you staying for hours!

I wouldn't hold your breath for a pre-season game. There isn't much interest in hockey down here in So Cal, so even getting a regular season game on tv can sometimes be a pain and I can't remember the last time I watched a pre-season game on tv. Since it is on a Monday, you will also have to contend with the Monday Night Football crowd.

If you really want to watch the game, your best bet is to go to the game.