Hard to get into ESPN Club? What's it like?

[bangzoom6877]

ESPN Club does not take ADRs, but it is also VERY reasonably priced in general, let alone for a TS restaurant on Disney property, so I am wondering how hard it would be to get into there at around 5PM or 5:30PM for dinner, over the summer (we travel in July). We are looking into buying DVC resale at BWV and ESPN Club would be great to go to for dinner, especially since I have 2 young sons who would love growing up going to WDW every other year, and being able to go to ESPN Club too at least once!

Also, knowing this would help in our future decision as to whether or not to get the DDP when we go in July 2010. Of course, we will have to see in a year from now when the 2010 DDP comes out to see what it is, and if there are any changes as well. Nonetheless, ESPN Club is very reasonable and right on the Boardwalk property.

Big River Grille & Brewing Works also does not take ADRs, correct? How is it getting into this one? Difficult and long waits? There are also many reasonably priced entrees here, and it looks like a place we would enjoy.

I don't know, I'm torn. We loved the dining plan when we had it last month. I also don't mind making my ADRs well in advance, because I always feel better knowing I have a nice TS restaurant waiting for me for dinner. We love TS for dinner on vacation and would not do it any other way, which made the dining plan great for us.

 

[HappyCamper87]

ESPN will be hard to get into if there is a big sport event going on. Otherwise I think it would be managable.

BRG has also been easy for us to get into never a wait but I have not been in July for a while.

Food at Big River Grille, in my opinion is much better. You can watch the people go by and the watercraft activity in the "lake".

ESPN is a sports bar with TVs everywhere and a good number of the tables. The food is not bad, something like you would get at your local sports bar but not as good as BRG who also have some tasty microbrew they brew on a small scale right in the restaurant. The manager gave us the tour and lesson once. Very nice man. Can't rember his name right now.

Also, if you are DVC member I believe you can get The Disney Dining Experience card and save 20% on all food purchases (they add back 18% for gratuity automatically). This would be a good option if you do not do DP.

I hope some of this helps.

Happy Planning

 

[buzz5985]

Depending on what sport event is playing - Red Sox and Yankees come to mind - impossible to get in. Other wise I found the food to be horrible. Now I just recently ate at the ESPN in Washington DC and found the food to be a lot better. DH and DS like it there.

 

[anbouk]

From our past experiences, both have been pretty much empty and very easy to get in. Of course, this depends on events and time of season you are there. I wouldn't worry too much, both places are very large and can accommodate A LOT of people. Chances are real good you'll get to eat there during your stay!

 

[heatherj]

We eat at the ESPN Club every trip! Never had a problem getting in. But it gets much much more crowded during a big games, etc. We went on a Sunday to watch the Steeler game - yes there was a big line but we still managed to get in a watch the game. We are a big sports family so this is a must do for us!

 

[PatsMom]

We went to ESPN last year to watch a Red Sox/Yankees game and had a good time. Waited about 15 minutes to get a table in the bar - they serve the full menu in there. We were going to go back this August but by the time we realized the Sox/Yankees were playing, we had a ressie at Le Cellier that we couldn't reschedule for that day. And we would pick Le Cellier over ESPN for food anyday! But the food is OK at ESPN - typical bar food. The TVs are kind of neat. When we were there last August there were never any waits for BRG. We haven't tried it yet but plan to next time we stay at BWV.

 

[LiteBrite]

You have 2 choices at ESPN club - you can wait in line for a table on the "restaurant side", or you can grab yourself a table in the bar (which, as a PP mentioned, does serve the full menu).

We (me, hubby, 20yoDD) ate there in May, about the time of day you're describing. There was no big game that day, but there was still a sizable line for the restaurant side, so we decided to try our luck in the bar.

All the tables were taken, and there's no one to direct you when one comes open, so you (along with whoever else might have already been waiting or come in after you, there's no organized queue) have to watch for one to come open. We ended up sort of floating around the place until we found a table and grabbed it - only took about 10 minutes, but it was a little nerve racking. When we were almost done eating, some girls came and asked if they could wait by our table since we were obviously almost done - maybe that's how you're supposed to do it.

 

[Wild4Walt]

At 5-530p you should not have too many problems, unless there is an event.

It really picks up after 8p.

 

[disnut8]

In July during the week, the only "big" sporting event going on would be baseball. And at 5:00 or 5:30, if there is an evening game, it wouldn't be starting for a couple of hours.

There are two big NASCAR races in July. Coke 400 at Daytona that will be the Saturday night around Fourth of July and the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis that will be the last Sunday afternoon in July.

Other than that, you should be fine.