Splitsville?

[Sparkly]

I think it sounds great! It costs just as much to play mini golf and works out to £27 for all three of us. Not terrible for 1 1/2 hours entertainment.

 

[Senator Tressel]

Will Splittsville be a good place to watch the BCS National Championship game? This will be the 2nd time we will be at WDW while Bama plays for the National Championship.

The ESPN club was very crowded, and the seats were very hard to sit in for hours.

The thought of bowling and watching the game sounds much better.

Your hotel room is the only good place to ensure you will have any easy time watching a sporting event. Every room has ESPN.

 

[jhaig]

Splitsville is definitely no Crystal Lanes (I was born and grew up in Corning!) but I think it will hold its own.

This is very true. However, if the scent-wizards at WDW are on the ball, they could pipe in realistic odor into Splitsville, like sweat, stale beer, and foot fungus to give you a true bowling experience.

 

[minniebeth]

I'm sure Splitsville has done its due diligence and has made sure that they can be reasonably successful at DTD before investing all that money. Upscale bowling/dining has definitely gained in popularity busting the old stereotype of stinky shoes and beer breath!

We are thrilled with the option! My kids love to bowl and can't wait to see the new Splitsville! We go to Disney often and always look for new things to do. Sure we can bowl at home but not at such a cool venue! Same can be said about mini golf which someone already mentioned.
If you go at off times $15 pp for 1 1/2 hrs. is not unreasonable, especially for teens. They can spend that at the drop of a hat at an arcade or other teen/kid friendly venue! Ever been to Chuck E. Cheese? Bet you spent more than that in that amount if time!

If bowling is not your cup of tea then fine, but I hope it helps bring vitality and good things for the DTD area. I want them to be successful!

We will be there bowling in a little over 2 weeks!!!!

 

[MrRomance]

Jeesh, cranky much

If you must know, I am simply "struggling" to figure out what the appeal for this venue will be long term. I can't imagine many people going to Disney World and wanting to bowl. I can see it as being a great rainy day activity and something extra for the locals, but will that be enough to sustain it long term

I guess I am "struggling" to understand the business model behind it. I am sure it will be a nice place, but I still don't quite understand what someone would get out of the experience to pay that kind of premium to do it? I can comprehend why people may or may not perceive value out of the Grand Floridian versus an Allstar or Victoria and Alberts vs a Rainforest Cafe (not that I may necessarily agree with them but I can understand why they might feel one way or another) but I guess I just don't know enough about Splitsville to understand what a "premium" bowling alley is. KWIM?

For me, it's a brilliant idea. We go the WDW for 2 weeks, we don't want to spend our entire vacation trying get blisters on top of blisters, walking around parks day in and day out. We like to hit the movie theater while we're there and we'll love bowling too. It's something fun to do that doesn't involve exhaustion. Too many people spend their vacation chasing around the parks non-stop and don't bother doing the other stuff on offer (mini golf, movies etc.) I can't wait to go to Splitsville on our next trip!

 

[JimmyV]

It appeals to me.... but then again I am local so we don't count.

Actually, you count more than the tourists.

It should do very well long term. Again, its a public entertainment complex and not just for resort guests and a bowling alley should fit in well with the restuarants/bars, movie theater, cigar bar, etc there.

Upscale bowling alleys are actually becoming quite popular. We have one here in Charlotte - Strike City at the EpiCentre entertainment complex and it is doing very well.

A question for locals, as well as those who are accustomed to this new upscale bowling alley concept. Does the pricing concern you at all? If you are local, how often are you going to drop $100 (bowling plus a few refreshments) for 1.5 hours of bowling for 4 people? For those of you who have tried this out in other parts of the country, is Disney's pricing competitive? I know nothing about the concept, other than having seen the "boys" on Entourage go to Lucky Strike in Hollywood. At first blush, the execution of this idea appears to me to fall into the trap set by the original Pleasure Island, which is to say, it needs the support of the locals to survive, but the locals are going to rebel against the (seemingly) high price and stay away in droves after the novelty wears off. While I can't say that I am "struggling" with the concept, I will say that I am curious about the long term viability given the price structure. Is this the norm for new-wave bowling alleys?

 

[Herfnerd]

The pricing is actually pretty decent for what you get.

At Strike City here in Charlotte, its $6 a game plus shoe rentals. A twosome can easily play a game in 15-20 minutes so that could be 4-5 games in an hour and a half or $24-$30 per person. It would be closer to a half an hour (or more) a game for a group of four but that would still make the $15-$20 Splitsville charges reasonable......

JMHO and YMMV.......

 

[JimmyV]

The pricing is actually pretty decent for what you get.

At Strike City here in Charlotte, its $6 a game plus shoe rentals. A twosome can easily play a game in 15-20 minutes so that could be 4-5 games in an hour and a half or $24-$30 per person. It would be closer to a half an hour (or more) a game for a group of four but that would still make the $15-$20 Splitsville charges reasonable......

JMHO and YMMV.......

That would appear to compare favorably. I wonder if bowling leagues will be needed to fill in the "empty" hours. Most bowling alleys' livelihoods depend on leagues to keep them afloat.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Giving my input here.. From a business point of view, I'm not sure the bowling alley was built with those vacationing in mind. Sure, it's great for a rainy day, and it will attract some attention from those visiting Disney (heck, I may go play if the parks get too crowded next week), but I think it's aimed more at locals.

I think by opening the lanes, it's more of a ploy to bring in locals who are not interested in attending the parks. I also think it's a first step in restoring or bringing back Pleasure Island, or at least the area' success. As a PP said, high-end bowling is very trendy right now, and it'd be great to add another dynamic of income other than the normal park revenue.

 

[LucyBC80]

Bowling has always been an expensive experience for me because it's a typical past time in my country and the few bowling places we have here charge WAY too much for the hour. But I love it and I pay the price so paying the same price at Splitville won't make a difference for me.

 

[si-am]

The bowling alleys around here at kind of dodgy. I'd totally go to a nice one at WDW! Hoping we can find some time to go there during our March trip.

 

[Kimmers127]

I think it looks fun... But we like to spend some time in Downtown Disney on our trips. We generally see a few movies and we also go mini golfing sometimes. It's true that we can do these things at home, but that doesn't make them less enjoyable on vacation. It's nice to get a break from the parks now and then.

 

[DisHmsklMom]

My son has already put in a request to go to Splitsville, mini golf and Disney Quest for his next birthday while we're visiting Disney. I'm looking forward to it being a day where I can put my feet up while the kids and my husband have fun. Bowling has become much more family friendly since the smoking ban has kicked in.

 

[artemis908]

I use to do a lot of upscale bowling when I was working in Manhattan. We use to go to a place for work outings and it was great. Nice and clean + good food. Under normal circumstances I would feel a need to bowl at WDW but my husband's grandmother lives in FL and will be coming down to DD. I was planning out what we can do and Splitsville was on the top of my list along with a boat ride. I also read an article from the Disney Food Blog (with pics--http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/12/10/first-look-splitsville-at-downtown-disneys-west-side/) and I thought the food looked pretty damn good!

 

[JDUCKY]

Actually, you count more than the tourists.



A question for locals, as well as those who are accustomed to this new upscale bowling alley concept. Does the pricing concern you at all? If you are local, how often are you going to drop $100 (bowling plus a few refreshments) for 1.5 hours of bowling for 4 people? For those of you who have tried this out in other parts of the country, is Disney's pricing competitive? I know nothing about the concept, other than having seen the "boys" on Entourage go to Lucky Strike in Hollywood. At first blush, the execution of this idea appears to me to fall into the trap set by the original Pleasure Island, which is to say, it needs the support of the locals to survive, but the locals are going to rebel against the (seemingly) high price and stay away in droves after the novelty wears off. While I can't say that I am "struggling" with the concept, I will say that I am curious about the long term viability given the price structure. Is this the norm for new-wave bowling alleys?

We'll probably do it once or twice a year. Maybe more for "date night" type things for the later hours.

There's a bowling alley about 10 mins from us in Winter Garden but every time we go there, we run into issues with them having lost our reservation, not having a lane available, not wanting to give us the Groupon discount, taking forever for a couple of pizzas. Last three times we've had issues so it would be worth a little more money to not have to worry about all that hassle.

Plus, their menu is quite expansive and appealing.

Probably work out to about the same cost as doing the Fork and Screen at the AMC complex.

 

[artemis908]

Probably work out to about the same cost as doing the Fork and Screen at the AMC complex.

Yeah see I have a harder time figuring out the movie thing vs. bowling. I can't see myself going to see a movie on vacation at WDW, even if it were raining. But to each their own, it is obviously making money and I am sure the movie theatre is nice and big, probably bigger and nicer than what we have at home!

 

[JDUCKY]

Yeah see I have a harder time figuring out the movie thing vs. bowling. I can't see myself going to see a movie on vacation at WDW, even if it were raining. But to each their own, it is obviously making money and I am sure the movie theatre is nice and big, probably bigger and nicer than what we have at home!

Depends on the type of visitor, eh? Someone here for 7-10 days or even 2 weeks or finding themselves w/a spare afternoon after coming back from a cruise or something...taking in a movie or going bowling would be much less expensive than a day in the parks.

And, for us locals, another reason to enjoy the Disney atmosphere.

 

[disnut8]

I am really struggling hard to see what the appeal of Splitsville is beyond a rainy day activity (although I am glad to see an empty building filled)? I just feel like I must be missing something

Wow - I was born and raised in Reading! Spent the first 18 years of my life there. Never bowled there, though.

However, later in life, I did belong to a bowling league and $15 for an hour and a half? My husband and I could easily do a good three games if not more in that time frame. We won't do it on a short trip but when we are down there for a week, those bowling balls are going with us!

Bowling is one of the highest participation sports so there are more people out there who like to bowl than you think. Plus, it's much easier to shrug off a gutter ball than a miniature golf ball hit into the drink. I've seen a guy bowl a 299 (yes, he was *that* close to a perfect game and he was on my team) and the next week, roll a gutter ball. Bowling is for everyone - even if you roll the ball down the lane from a stance between your knees.

And don't get me started on duckpin bowling which is even more awesome.

 

[KristenFNJ]

Bumping this up... (doing a lot of bumping today!)

Does anyone have any experience so far with wait times for a lane? Did I read a PP correctly that they had to wait an hour and a half? We wouldn't plan to eat there, so while the option of eating while you wait works for some, we'd definitely opt out if that's the average wait time...

Thanks!!!

 

[rkdahl]

We went to Splitsville last week. Had a great time bowling. It was Christmas week so DTD was very crowded and Splisville was packed. When we checked in around 1 pm there was a 2 hour wait for lanes. It didn't matter to us since we had no schedule. We walked around DTD for an hour or so then went back. We were number 12 on the wait list. They give you a pager while waiting.

They have a neat wait list monitor where you can see how many parties are ahead of you. The monitor is on the first floor near the check in area. When you number comes up your pager goes off. You head to the check in spot and they get you set up. They load all your party's shoes in a bin and you get escorted to our assigned lane, 1-30. They get you to your lane, explain the system to you and you start bowling. All scores and tracking is automatic. You get 90 minutes at your lane and can bowl as much as you want during that time. The balls are all in racks and you just pick one that matches your size and weight you want. $15/person during afternoons and late evening, $20/person during prime time hours around dinner.

You have waitress service at the lanes and can order food or drinks as you want. After you are done you just leave your shoes at the lane and head out. It's pretty organized and works well. I am sure after Christmas things slowed down a lot. If we get back over there I'll check the wait times on a normal day. You can also make reservations on the Splitsville web site. During holiday times they do not take reservations. They offer no discounts on food or bowling other than Cast members.

Now as far as food and drinks, we just had appetizers and bar drinks. The appetizers were OK, nothing special. Our bar drinks were pretty bad. We had several varieties and they all sucked. Mixed wrong, wrong amounts of stuff, some in plastic glasses, some in glass. I am hoping it was an opening issue but these were pretty poor.

Other than that we had a fun time and would go back. Holler if any questions.

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