How busy is the ESPN Club at 9:30 PM on a Thursday?

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I have decided that the one Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey game I want to try and watch at the ESPN Club will be on Thursday December 16 and the game is at 9:30 PM since they are playing out in Calgary, Alberta. Anyway I am just wondering how busy is the ESPN Club around that time and what is the best time to wait in line to get in there? Seeing as the game is a late start on the Eastern Time Zone would that mean they might be less busy and etc?

 

[Pugmalion1]

That particular night, it could be pretty busy. There's an NFL game on (Chargers vs. Niners), and it's on the NFL Network, which not everyone gets through their providers, certainly not through Disney's cable system. It starts at 8:30.

A lot of people who want to see the game will have to go to a bar to watch it. Your best bet would to probably be there an hour before the football game is slated to start, at the latest.

There are also a few basketball games on, all night games.

 

[TisBit]

I think you might be ok, it is later and it might be a little crowded because of the football game, but we were able to get into the bar area under similar circumstances, just be patient...maybe arrive a little early to be there for the start. With it being West Coast teams I doubt you will have a lot of people that can't live without it.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

So would you recommend getting there a bit earlier or if I tell them at the door I want to watch a Hockey game would they let me sit in a different area then those watching the Football game? Also since those are two West Coast teams would a lot of their fans be at WDW during that time or were you referring to Football fans in general that just like to watch the game? Plus by that time both teams could be out of the playoffs when looking at their current records, so would it be a popular game where people line up for it?

 

[Pugmalion1]

Never underestimate the draw of Fantasy Football, or just a football game in general. It might be the only professional sport in the states that draws conistent viewers regardless of the teams.

Look at the Thanksgiving games. The Lions play on that Thursday every year, and they are terrible, yet they still get great ratings year in and year out.

You might be okay getting there as the hockey game starts, but I think it would be a safer bet to get there before the football game starts. Chances are, they will have the football game on the big screens and half of the small screens. To watch the hockey game, I'd suggest sitting at the bar or at a table where there are two TVs right next to one another, that way, you're less likely to get anyone caring about what is being shown on the TV you're watching.

And, yes, let them know that you want to watch the hockey game when they seat you, if you opt to go into the restaurant side of the joint. If they have that game on somewhere already, they'll put you in a section near that TV or change the channel on a TV to accommodate you.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

How small are their small screens because if they are still a decent size of a TV then I wouldn't mind watching the game from one of them.

 

[Pugmalion1]

I really can't remember, but I can't imagine that they'd be any smaller than around 27".

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If the small screens are no more 27" then I wouldn't have a problem with that.

 

[Pugmalion1]

Well, the pictures in the shot from Disney's website seem to suggest that that is the case:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/espn-club/

I can't say for sure that they are all that large, but I would imagine that any smaller TVs would be located in a spot where the relative size would lend well to a smaller screen, like maybe right above your stool at the bar, or against the wall in your booth. Something like that. Otherwise, the screens will probably be at least large enough for several tables to have a good view.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thank you for that link.