ok not my concern - but do any parks have a sports bar?

[Skywise]

I don't think there would be many down times. There's always a game being played - baseball, soccer, football, hockey, basketball, the Olympics, the World Cup. Heck they can even show the Little League World Series. I think the bigger problem would be deciding how many TVs to put up and which games to show.

Yeah - you've got pretty much 24-7 games going these days but I was thinking along the lines that people really only want to go out to watch the BIG games or the finals and then only on weekends!

 

[Funholiday]

Does he have to watch? We streamed the audio broadcast through Sirius while we were in lines (Disney and Packers are top priorities in my life and there's no need to give up one for the other).

With earbuds of course.

Good idea and it is the Packers for us too.

 

[Funholiday]

There is also a bar just off the Lobby of the Dolphin that, on a Sunday afternoon, is almost assured to have a football game on. OP: Do you know for certain that the game your DH wants to watch would be the one broadcast by the local Florida station? If not, he would definitely want to go to the ESPN Club where they would likely have a choice of games. Otherwise, any other TV is just going to have whichever game the local Orlando Fox or CBS station is contractually obligated to air.

It's the packers v. Tennessee so right now that doesn't seem like it would be a marquis game.

 

[MomtoGKC]

We had this problem in January when we wanted to watch an NFL playoff game. We were also staying at the Dolphin.

ESPN is WAY too crazy during games, there are always lines out the door. They do have some kind of VIP package you can get to reserve a table for the entire length of the game but it was sold out by the time I called so I don't know exactly what you get. I do know that it took me about 3 calls before someone knew what I was talking about - Disney Dining is supposed to be able to reserve it for you but the CM didn't know what I was talking about, I called direct to ESPN who sent me back to the dining line and I finally got somebody who knew what it was.

We ended up at the bar by the pool - it worked out for us because there is a little area to the right of the bar that is like a cabana lined with couches and it had 2 or 3 TV's. We were able to watch the game (with waiter service) while the kids played in the pool and on the basketball court that is right next to the bar.

 

[JimmyV]

It's the packers v. Tennessee so right now that doesn't seem like it would be a marquis game.

ESPN Club (or off site) will be your best bet. That is a 1:00 game on Fox. Also at that time will be the Bears at Tampa Bay on Fox. Between those two games, the Orlando station is almost guaranteed to show that latter. The only way to catch the Tennessee v. Green Bay game is to go someplace that has an "NFL Package" that allows them to show every game. No bar at a WDW resort will have that. ESPN probably does, and a number of places off site will.

 

[Funholiday]

We had this problem in January when we wanted to watch an NFL playoff game. We were also staying at the Dolphin.

ESPN is WAY too crazy during games, there are always lines out the door. They do have some kind of VIP package you can get to reserve a table for the entire length of the game but it was sold out by the time I called so I don't know exactly what you get. I do know that it took me about 3 calls before someone knew what I was talking about - Disney Dining is supposed to be able to reserve it for you but the CM didn't know what I was talking about, I called direct to ESPN who sent me back to the dining line and I finally got somebody who knew what it was.

We ended up at the bar by the pool - it worked out for us because there is a little area to the right of the bar that is like a cabana lined with couches and it had 2 or 3 TV's. We were able to watch the game (with waiter service) while the kids played in the pool and on the basketball court that is right next to the bar.

I like this option if the weather is good

 

[Funholiday]

ESPN Club (or off site) will be your best bet. That is a 1:00 game on Fox. Also at that time will be the Bears at Tampa Bay on Fox. Between those two games, the Orlando station is almost guaranteed to show that latter. The only way to catch the Tennessee v. Green Bay game is to go someplace that has an "NFL Package" that allows them to show every game. No bar at a WDW resort will have that. ESPN probably does, and a number of places off site will.

I note shades of green has a sports bar and that is close to magic kingdom. I am seeing conflicting reports on the need for a military Id. My husband was in the reserves for ten years and he may get a kick out of watching a game there

 

[JimmyV]

I note shades of green has a sports bar and that is close to magic kingdom. I am seeing conflicting reports on the need for a military Id. My husband was in the reserves for ten years and he may get a kick out of watching a game there

From the official Shades Of Green Website: http://www.shadesofgreen.org/eligibility.htm

Categories of eligible guests include:

Retired from active duty, Reserves, and National Guard with or without pay (gray area)
ID is DD Form 2, 1173 or 1173-1

This for booking a room and checking in. If there is a sports bar there, it is hard to see why the same or similar rules would not apply.

 

[Skywise]

ESPN is WAY too crazy during games, there are always lines out the door. They do have some kind of VIP package you can get to reserve a table for the entire length of the game but it was sold out by the time I called so I don't know exactly what you get.

There's an FP+ opportunity!

 

[Funholiday]

From the official Shades Of Green Website: http://www.shadesofgreen.org/eligibility.htm

Categories of eligible guests include:

Retired from active duty, Reserves, and National Guard with or without pay (gray area)
ID is DD Form 2, 1173 or 1173-1

This for booking a room and checking in. If there is a sports bar there, it is hard to see why the same or similar rules would not apply.

He does not have a military Id. He didn't really retire from reserves just didn't reenlist.

 

[JimmyV]

He does not have a military Id. He didn't really retire from reserves just didn't reenlist.

I found this image of the "Sports Bar" at Shades of Green on line. Not sure how current it is. But it doesn't look like the kind of place that would have a choice of multiple games to watch:

 

[Lisa R]

ESPN Club VIP seating is actually pretty cool. My sister and I did it for a Packers game a couple of years ago. We called a couple of weeks ahead of time - and I think back then it was $65 per person - it might be $75 now - you get a great seat in the ring above the regular tables - perfect for viewing the big screens and a dedicated waiter to get your food and drinks. The price per person is like the minimum you need to spend - so all the food and drinks you order go against it. It sounds like a lot of money - but if you're watching a game for 3 hours and getting appetizers, drinks, entrees, and desserts - it's about right. It's a lot better than waiting in line - which I wouldn't do. My husband and I watched an LSU/Alabama game in the bar there, too - and that was fine, also.

 

[Funholiday]

ESPN Club VIP seating is actually pretty cool. My sister and I did it for a Packers game a couple of years ago. We called a couple of weeks ahead of time - and I think back then it was $65 per person - it might be $75 now - you get a great seat in the ring above the regular tables - perfect for viewing the big screens and a dedicated waiter to get your food and drinks. The price per person is like the minimum you need to spend - so all the food and drinks you order go against it. It sounds like a lot of money - but if you're watching a game for 3 hours and getting appetizers, drinks, entrees, and desserts - it's about right. It's a lot better than waiting in line - which I wouldn't do. My husband and I watched an LSU/Alabama game in the bar there, too - and that was fine, also.

We have three drinkers and a kid. I do see somewhere that somebody was given a separate price for kids. Going to see how serious he is about this game.

 

[Funholiday]

I found this image of the "Sports Bar" at Shades of Green on line. Not sure how current it is. But it doesn't look like the kind of place that would have a choice of multiple games to watch:

Yeah I don't know about the real sports bar experience here

 

[Funholiday]

We had this problem in January when we wanted to watch an NFL playoff game. We were also staying at the Dolphin.

ESPN is WAY too crazy during games, there are always lines out the door. They do have some kind of VIP package you can get to reserve a table for the entire length of the game but it was sold out by the time I called so I don't know exactly what you get. I do know that it took me about 3 calls before someone knew what I was talking about - Disney Dining is supposed to be able to reserve it for you but the CM didn't know what I was talking about, I called direct to ESPN who sent me back to the dining line and I finally got somebody who knew what it was.

We ended up at the bar by the pool - it worked out for us because there is a little area to the right of the bar that is like a cabana lined with couches and it had 2 or 3 TV's. We were able to watch the game (with waiter service) while the kids played in the pool and on the basketball court that is right next to the bar.

Did the cabana have the nfl package? Worried our game would not be on.

 

[Funholiday]

We watched our game in our room, but we are lazy

He really enjoys the camaraderie of watching Packer games out of town, finding other Packer fans, rooting against other teams fans. We may be biting the bullet with ESPN. Wonder if I can get any discount ESPN gift cards lol

 

[JimmyV]

Did the cabana have the nfl package? Worried our game would not be on.

Not that I recall. It isn't that kind of "vibe". A bar really needs 6 or more TVs to make buying the NFL Package worthwhile. Perhaps a cab to the Ale House (or equivalent) would do the trick. But honestly, I wouldn't fear the ESPN Club. The only time that I have ever been there where it was a mob scene was during a Florida/Florida State Game. Otherwise, if he arrives early enough to grab a seat, he'll be fine, and he is absolutely going to find other Packer fans to enjoy the game with.

 

[MomtoGKC]

I'm not sure if the pool bar had the NFL package- we were watching a playoff game so that was the only game on at the time. I guess you'd have to call and see if they can transfer you to that bar.

I understand wanting to watch with other fans- every person in the cabana area that day were Patriots fans- it was so juch more fun to cheer with lots of people! Plus we had "small world" connections with both of the other groups there which was crazy!

 

[WEDWDW]

This is the best VIP seating at ESPN Club!

It is so awesome,but it is a "Pixie Dust" kind of thing.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I was going to mention the VIP Package at the ESPN club, but it looks like others have already supplied that info.

Hope something works out for you...I've not been at Disney during football season, but I'd definitely want to catch the game if I were!

GO PACK GO!