OK, we've just had the first few games of the World Cup and here are a few more observations.
As well as the previously-mentioned venues for watching the games, you can also catch most of the action (without a cover charge) on the million TV screens of the ESPN Club at The Boardwalk - but NOT the 9am kick-offs (ESPN doesn't open until 10.30am); Planet Hollywood (on their many big screens, BUT with a $50 charge that includes a full breakfast, and all your food and drink); and, most interestingly, the new Best of British Sports Bar & Grill on International Drive (opposite Ripley's Believe It Or Not). Otherwise known as Bob's Soccer World, this new British owned and run pub/restaurant has great football theming throughout, a much larger capacity than most of the other British pubs, NO cover charge for World Cup games, 12 flat-screen TVs, plus a big cinema-type screen, 8 beers on draft, a fully British menu (with a proper English breakfast served all day, from 8am), a more family-friendly style (it includes a video arcade at the back, and internet terminals) and a very eager-to-please attitude (as you would expect from the 'new kids on the block'). I went there for the Germany-Costa Rica game, and it was well attended but not too crowded (I think the England games will be packed - so get there early!). A very good addition to the local scene.
We went to see the England-Paraguay game today at Raglan Road at Downtown Disney (with no cover chargfe), and it was a LOT busier than they expected (owner John Cooke told us he was expecting anywhere from 5-50 people; they had well over a hundred!!). They had two big-screen TVs set up, one in the main Grand Room, and the other in the main restaurant area, and, while they couldn't get the sound right on the main TV, the atmosphere was very good. They served a full (Irish) breakfast for $12, but also tea, coffee, muffins and scones (tea, coffee and two scones = $7.50!). But I think they will add a few more menus items for next time as they really didn't expect to be that busy. Oh, the bar was also open, too
All in all, there is plenty of choice for watching the games, so nobody should miss out.
As well as the previously-mentioned venues for watching the games, you can also catch most of the action (without a cover charge) on the million TV screens of the ESPN Club at The Boardwalk - but NOT the 9am kick-offs (ESPN doesn't open until 10.30am); Planet Hollywood (on their many big screens, BUT with a $50 charge that includes a full breakfast, and all your food and drink); and, most interestingly, the new Best of British Sports Bar & Grill on International Drive (opposite Ripley's Believe It Or Not). Otherwise known as Bob's Soccer World, this new British owned and run pub/restaurant has great football theming throughout, a much larger capacity than most of the other British pubs, NO cover charge for World Cup games, 12 flat-screen TVs, plus a big cinema-type screen, 8 beers on draft, a fully British menu (with a proper English breakfast served all day, from 8am), a more family-friendly style (it includes a video arcade at the back, and internet terminals) and a very eager-to-please attitude (as you would expect from the 'new kids on the block'). I went there for the Germany-Costa Rica game, and it was well attended but not too crowded (I think the England games will be packed - so get there early!). A very good addition to the local scene.
We went to see the England-Paraguay game today at Raglan Road at Downtown Disney (with no cover chargfe), and it was a LOT busier than they expected (owner John Cooke told us he was expecting anywhere from 5-50 people; they had well over a hundred!!). They had two big-screen TVs set up, one in the main Grand Room, and the other in the main restaurant area, and, while they couldn't get the sound right on the main TV, the atmosphere was very good. They served a full (Irish) breakfast for $12, but also tea, coffee, muffins and scones (tea, coffee and two scones = $7.50!). But I think they will add a few more menus items for next time as they really didn't expect to be that busy. Oh, the bar was also open, too
All in all, there is plenty of choice for watching the games, so nobody should miss out.
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