Which restaurant/bar near Riviera is likely to show the Winter Olympics on TV?

[peacefrogdog]

Doing a staycation at Riviera when the winter olympics is on. Being Canadian, hoping to watch the hockey medal rounds starting Wed Feb 19th.

I know winter is not exactly synonymous with Florida, so wondering which dining/pub venues would be most likely to show ice hockey and the winter olympics, and specifically places that would be close to Riviera or fairly accessible via Skyliner or Disney transportation. Disney Springs could work (maybe City Works or Splittsville)?

 

[RivGirl]

I should know this, but I don’t recall anything about TVs (or lack of) at Bar Riva (on site at Riviera). But if any place at the resort is a possibility, it’s that.

Banana Cabana at Caribbean Beach Resort is a short and pleasant walk from Riviera, and has TVs - two, I think.

The sports bars at DS are a solid bet, but might be more crowded and pre-determined as to what’s on. With the smaller resort bars you might have a better chance of requesting a specific channel.

 

[fla4fun]

Doing a staycation at Riviera when the winter olympics is on. Being Canadian, hoping to watch the hockey medal rounds starting Wed Feb 19th.

I know winter is not exactly synonymous with Florida, so wondering which dining/pub venues would be most likely to show ice hockey and the winter olympics, and specifically places that would be close to Riviera or fairly accessible via Skyliner or Disney transportation. Disney Springs could work (maybe City Works or Splittsville)?

Bar Riva right at the resort has televisions so you might try there first.

 

[zackiedawg]

Bar Riva/Primo Piatto and Banana Cabana will most likely have them on, or could tune in on request as it's sports related. A Skyliner ride away, you could get over to Dolphin Resort - Phins has sports on their TVs. Bourbon Steak might have TVs in their lounge - haven't been there yet to confirm, but Shula's always did. Also, almost all pool bars have sports on TV - so Boardwalk, Beach & Yacht, and Swan & Dolphin pool bars are all good chances to have the Olympics on.

If you really want to ensure that you can see it and don't mind a bus/drive away, Rix Sports bar at Coronado, and City Works & Splitsville in Disney Springs, would be guarantees to have them on.

 

[peacefrogdog]

Thanks all. It sounds like the places in DS with more TVs would be more of a sure thing to be able to watch the olympics. It would be great to not have to venture too far however.

A question for you sports fans, particularly those in Florida and southern US:

I realize I can always ask to change a channel, but if the status quo wants something else it will be challenging. How do you think Winter olympics (specifically) hockey would be prioritized vs these other sports at a pool bar that has limited #'s of TVs? My priority game to watch is a semi-final on Friday that would start either late morning (like 11 AM) or more likely 3 PM. During the time of our trip (mid-Feb): NFL and NCAA football will be done. That would leave NBA, NCAA basketball, PGA/LPGA, NASCAR, and soccer/European football as the major sports that may also be televised.

 

[sponica]

Thanks all. It sounds like the places in DS with more TVs would be more of a sure thing to be able to watch the olympics. It would be great to not have to venture too far however.

A question for you sports fans, particularly those in Florida and southern US:

I realize I can always ask to change a channel, but if the status quo wants something else it will be challenging. How do you think Winter olympics (specifically) hockey would be prioritized vs these other sports at a pool bar that has limited #'s of TVs? My priority game to watch is a semi-final on Friday that would start either late morning (like 11 AM) or more likely 3 PM. During the time of our trip (mid-Feb): NFL and NCAA football will be done. That would leave NBA, NCAA basketball, PGA/LPGA, NASCAR, and soccer/European football as the major sports that may also be televised.

Almost everyone cedes their scheduling to the olympics, so I wouldn't worry too much about competing sports. I think the challenge will be finding what is broadcast over the air vs what is on peacock. I think hockey might be OTA but I have peacock so I never remember what is over the air and what is streamed.

and on a Friday in February, I don't think there will be much sporting wise during the day.

 

[zackiedawg]

Agreed - I think Olympics will get priority over other sporting events at most bars with limited TVs - but likely limited to network coverage. Heavy sports bars like Rix or City Works with many TVs might also have streaming services and possibly more events using Peacock. NBA might be the only sport that might compete at some bars, if the bartender or a big group of patrons is into a game - but I think Olympics will win out over the other categories.

Times like this is when I really really miss ESPN Club at Boardwalk. I watched many an NHL game there, even Stanley Cup finals...plus some Olympics - with so many TVs, they always had every other sporting event occurring. During big events like Olympics, NBA finals, and Stanley Cup Playoffs, those usually got the 'big screen' and the audio for the entire bar, while those who wanted to watch an NBA game could still find it on another TV, just without the sound. And there were always serious sports fans there at big events - I remember being there for Stanley Cups with Colorado v NJ and probably 1/2 of the patrons had jerseys on for one of the teams (the split was nearly equal). The following year, my mother even committed a felony by buying a Detroit jersey (we hated Detroit) - only because they were playing the Flyers (who we hated even more - especially Eric Lindros - as Florida Panthers fans, we had our reasons!) - we were there for the two final games when Detroit won - and though we were cheering with the Detroit folks, my mother threw away the Detroit jersey as soon as we got home, and she cursed their name when they won the following year and two more the next decade (I liked to rub her that it was her fault for buying their jersey, but her hatred of Lindros and the Flyers was deep enough to still make it worth it).

 

[hardcorestitch]

Doing a staycation at Riviera when the winter olympics is on. Being Canadian, hoping to watch the hockey medal rounds starting Wed Feb 19th.

I know winter is not exactly synonymous with Florida, so wondering which dining/pub venues would be most likely to show ice hockey and the winter olympics, and specifically places that would be close to Riviera or fairly accessible via Skyliner or Disney transportation. Disney Springs could work (maybe City Works or Splittsville)?

Bar Riva and Banana Cabana are your best bets for TVs with sports within your immediate resort area and/or Skyliner.

If you’re willing to take Disney buses, you may wish to reserve a spot at Rix SPORTS Bar & Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Almost certain the Olympics will be on in some form. You would take the Skyliner to EPCOT and connect from there to Coronado Springs. The Lava Lounge at Rainforest Cafe in Disney Springs is also an option too, and direct Disney bus service is available to Disney Springs from Disney’s Riviera Resort.

Please note that Italy is roughly 5 hours ahead of Orlando and the Eastern Time Zone. Most events will occur in the daytime where most would take offsite breaks, although some may also occur really early in the morning. No Olympic action will be going on in prime time (except for NBC’s best-of highlights shows).

 

[BorderTenny]

Why limit yourself to Disney property? Make your way over to NBC Sports Grill and Brew at Universal's City Walk. They should definitely be showing all the available Olympic content.

 

[peacefrogdog]

Why limit yourself to Disney property? Make your way over to NBC Sports Grill and Brew at Universal's City Walk. They should definitely be showing all the available Olympic content.

Thought about that, but I won't have a car. As I'm cheap, I'm hoping I can be able to find a place to watch it using the free disney transportation.

 

[peacefrogdog]

Bar Riva and Banana Cabana are your best bets for TVs with sports within your immediate resort area and/or Skyliner.

If you’re willing to take Disney buses, you may wish to reserve a spot at Rix SPORTS Bar & Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Almost certain the Olympics will be on in some form. You would take the Skyliner to EPCOT and connect from there to Coronado Springs. The Lava Lounge at Rainforest Cafe in Disney Springs is also an option too, and direct Disney bus service is available to Disney Springs from Disney’s Riviera Resort.

Please note that Italy is roughly 5 hours ahead of Orlando and the Eastern Time Zone. Most events will occur in the daytime where most would take offsite breaks, although some may also occur really early in the morning. No Olympic action will be going on in prime time (except for NBC’s best-of highlights shows).

Awesome thanks. Yes - I'm hoping Canada makes it to the semis, which will be played at either 11 AM EST or 3 pm EST.

 

[iona]

you’re willing to take Disney buses, you may wish to reserve a spot at Rix SPORTS Bar & Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Almost certain the Olympics will be on in some form. You would take the Skyliner to EPCOT and connect from there to Coronado Springs.

It might be better to get the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios and the bus to Coronado Springs from there - if you go via Epcot you have to walk through the whole park to get from the Skyliner to the buses.

 

[RuntheMouse]

Bar Riva always has sports on when we’re there. There are 3 tvs above the bar.