Best place to watch a game at Disney World
Hey Everyone, For some godforsaken reason my family thought it would be a great idea to do the holidays at DisneyWorld. After a miserable week for me and hopefully an incredible week for the kids I will get the pleasure of watching our team play for a shot at the national title before heading to the airport at 3:30am the following morning. This being the one reprieve that will be available I would love to enjoy it to the maximum while hopefully getting to interact with a few other Michigan or Georgia fans. With the ESPN Center shut down does anyone have any recommendations for a pace to watch while staying at one of the Disney resorts?
December 20th, 2021 at 12:18 PM ^
Road trip to Miami!
December 20th, 2021 at 12:38 PM ^
This is the only answer. Rent a car, go to game, make it back in time for your flight.
No chance I’d be in the state of Florida on NYE and not being going to that game.
December 20th, 2021 at 12:56 PM ^
(edit: my first sentence sounded snarky. My bad. Yes, a lot of us would like to be in the position to attend Disney with our family, but however the OP perceives it is his business, not mine)
But since that trip is ending at the end of the week, and you're in the area, and Michigan plays on Friday, and the original flight is Saturday morning...
I mean...
It's a 3.5 hour drive and I'd be looking for tickets and rebooking the flight for later in the day.
Of course it's pricey, and far be it from me to suggest what other people should do with their hard-earned money, but... already spending a week at Disney.
December 20th, 2021 at 1:25 PM ^
i have a feeling that your first sentence was pretty similar to what my first sentence was gonna be.
December 20th, 2021 at 1:39 PM ^
Man I love Disney and Disney movies but Disney World is a special kind of hell for me. It is a bunch of money to stand in line and ride 4 rides in a day while dealing with crowds, heat and kids that all want to do dozens of different things. I am hoping to see that magic in the kids eyes that makes it all worth it but I just don't know if it will happen. They are excited right now though so we will do our very best to give them everything we can and make it the most special week possible!
December 20th, 2021 at 1:53 PM ^
Once I learned the scheduled pass process, Disney became so much more fun when I took the kids 10 years ago. If the pass is still free, it's actually no wait at all. You go to the ride and put in for the next pass and come back at that time and get right in. Universal didn't have that unless you paid for an all access pass throughout the park.
December 20th, 2021 at 1:54 PM ^
Unfortunately it is now $15-20 per person per day
December 20th, 2021 at 2:15 PM ^
Build the family memories, have a great time. Family together is the best, even if there are some hassles; at least you deal with the hassles together. I appreciate you responding to me more charitably than I initially responded to you.
And, you know, excuse yourself Friday morning and drive down to Miami.
December 20th, 2021 at 12:22 PM ^
good luck, our last visit to Disney you had to have everything booked months in advance to even get into a place. Maybe Disney Springs?
we postponed our trip until they stop with all the facemask BS they are pushing.
not paying that kind of $$$ to wear a mask all day at a place with nowhere to rest.
Both Universal and Disney could help their customers a LOT but putting more park benches in places for people to take a short break. You have people sitting on the ground and curbs trying to rest anyway, why not give them a nice bench?
December 20th, 2021 at 12:50 PM ^
You had to take this topic off into left field, didn’t you?
December 20th, 2021 at 12:56 PM ^
Same guy constantly does this. He responded to the tornado thread saying that Big Solar propaganda exaggerates effects of adverse weather.
December 20th, 2021 at 2:42 PM ^
Big solar? That’s a thing? And there’s a conspiracy theory on it?
December 20th, 2021 at 1:17 PM ^
Don't you mean right field?
December 20th, 2021 at 1:28 PM ^
Maybe foul territory
December 20th, 2021 at 1:14 PM ^
Ok hold on. The "everything is booked months in advance" thing is baloney that Disney tries to use as a marketing ploy. Last time I was there, we stayed at AKL and the hotel desk clerk gave me a lecture about that very thing and how I'd better be ready to have my family eating at 10pm or something because I hadn't booked any restaurants. And then after all that he booked us for a 6 pm dinner right there at the African themed restaurant inside the hotel. And we never had any trouble in the 7 days we were there. Total bull crap
December 20th, 2021 at 1:22 PM ^
I think part of the issue is people DO book things up (often double and triple booking dining reservations especially) months in advance, but then cancel much of their reservations in the days/weeks leading up to their trip as details are worked out. Tons of stuff always opens up in the week leading up to our trips.
Also, we were just there, during 85 degree days and found plenty of nice places to relax at all parks and the INDOOR ONLY mask policy was widely complied with and no hassle at all.
December 20th, 2021 at 1:34 PM ^
Thank you for postponing your trip !
Disney does a ton with make a wish foundation. Granting tons of kids with life threatening sickness, wishes.
Signed ,
A frustrated dad with an immunosuppression child.
December 20th, 2021 at 1:43 PM ^
i'm sure they'll miss your twelve bucks.
December 20th, 2021 at 5:52 PM ^
You do realize you don't have to wear a mask outdoors, which is where you spend the majority of your time?
December 20th, 2021 at 12:25 PM ^
If you're game for driving (or taking an uber) on NYE come join us (the central Florida Michigan alumni club) and watch the game at Friendly Confines.
https://www.facebook.com/events/484935856274067?acontext
If you want to stay at the resorts you'll probably find a few football fans at any of the bars / lounges since the game will be on the TVs but it's Disney so it'll be a total crapshoot as to whether you get to watch it with any other Michigan fans.
December 20th, 2021 at 4:30 PM ^
It's not just about football: the basketball team plays at UCF in Orlando on Thursday eve 12-30! Go there or be square! Should be easy to get there if you're in the area. Magic Kingdom + Basketball + Football = What a week!
December 20th, 2021 at 12:26 PM ^
There are a couple of new Walk On's near Disney now.
December 20th, 2021 at 12:29 PM ^
Hasn't reopened yet, at least as of a couple weeks ago.
December 20th, 2021 at 4:35 PM ^
One of the WalkOn's near Disney is open for sure; my stepdaughter works there. I was going to suggest WalkOn's or YardHouse in ICON Park. Or on the 140-inch screen in the theater room at my house, as long as you don't mind the 2 dogs, 4 cats, 2 screaming nieces, and 10 Spanish karaoke-singing South American women all trying to outdo each other in volume on the 1st floor.
December 20th, 2021 at 12:27 PM ^
I went to Disney World with my wife several years ago during a college football weekend (wife was kind enough to plan it for a Michigan bye week).
The most fun I had was watching college football games during lunch/dinner at the ESPN Club: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/boardwalk/espn-club/.
December 20th, 2021 at 12:55 PM ^
Unfortunately it is shut down currently
December 20th, 2021 at 12:27 PM ^
Cityworks at Disney Springs has a lot of TVs. The pool bar at the Caribbean Beach Resort has some as well.
December 20th, 2021 at 12:59 PM ^
I appreciate the recommendations but it looks like they are completely booked that evening
December 20th, 2021 at 12:31 PM ^
If ESPN Zone on the Boardwalk is shut down I would recommend finding a local Hooters. They’re everywhere in Florida since that’s where they started and typically have some kind of viewing party for big games.
December 20th, 2021 at 3:37 PM ^
Come on, honey, don’t give me that look. I’m just going to Hooters for the “viewing party.”
December 20th, 2021 at 12:35 PM ^
OP: Regardless of your intent, l thought the first couple of sentences were hilarious. I'm pretty sure I'd feel the same way if I were in your shoes. I hope you find a good place to watch the game.
December 20th, 2021 at 12:45 PM ^
I don't have any advice but I feel for you man.
December 20th, 2021 at 12:48 PM ^
Kudos to you for finding a place to celebrate with other football fans, I'd 100% be on the "my own hotel room is carrying the game" train.
December 20th, 2021 at 1:20 PM ^
Room service FTW!!!
December 20th, 2021 at 12:48 PM ^
Your hotel room.
December 20th, 2021 at 12:50 PM ^
If you have a car and want to get away from Disney head to the Universal area.....there is no cost (other than parking) and plenty of restaurants/bars outside of both parks.
or there is this:
https://twitter.com/bhofheimer_espn/status/1472987872848404485?s=21
December 20th, 2021 at 12:51 PM ^
On that day, Disney will be the second happiest place on earth...
December 20th, 2021 at 12:54 PM ^
My wife and I went in 2018 and watching the OSU/PSU game at the pool bar with a bunch of PSU fans was one of the best non-Michigan football game watching experiences I've had. Not caring about the result made it a lot more fun, but the overall atmosphere was amazing. I would recommend checking out your resort pool bar for their closing time on NYE. When we were there it stayed open until 12 but with Covid protocols it might be earlier now.
December 20th, 2021 at 1:37 PM ^
Biggest downside is that you may have a TON of GA residents in town and in the bars, not to mention the rest of the SEC slappies. I grew up in ATL and it's about a 6-7 hour drive to Orlando, so a lot of people go there for vacations.
December 20th, 2021 at 3:33 PM ^
We were staying at Art of Animation during the weekend of the Maize Out game vs. Washington this year. The poolside bar was great. I'd expect they will be open and serving until at least midnight. Well worth the prices were paid for drinks just to watch the Wolverines on a special night (OSU had lost to Oregon earlier that day which made it even better).
Plenty of seating in the bar area and outdoors so no masks.
Just plan on getting there during the Bama game, grab a seat and enjoy. Usually, you can buy food from the nearby cafeteria and just bring it to your table.
December 20th, 2021 at 12:58 PM ^
We are at Disney World several times a year, and without the ESPN Zone (I watched the 2006 edition of The Game from there), the sad answer is that there aren't many places on property that would be a "great" spot.
Parks - straight out.
Disney Springs - you couldn't pay me to go to Disney Springs at NYE. Unless you live rowdy crowds who are a little peeved at how expensive Disney can be and not enjoying how crowded Disney is (that week is one of the most crowded weeks of the year), mixed with locals who are annoyed by tourists, I'd stay away from Disney Springs
Each of the premium hotels (save the Contemporary) have a good bar with several tvs:
Grand Floridian - the Beauty and the Beast styled one SUCKS for service, but is higher quality.
Wilderness Lodge - the bar on the bay is very good for watching
Polynesian - has the bar by the "quiet pool" which I like more than Trader Sams
Contemporary - the bar is next to Chef Mickey's and under the monorail and is a main gathering spot in the hotel. It will be loud and a bunch of people who may annoy the crap out of you.
The biggest issue with all of these are that they are good places for fireworks and given the timing, a place people will be doing a New Year's Countdown.
Animal Kingdom Lodge - the bars by the pool are good and if you are staying there, it'd be a decent place to go.
The Vacation Club resorts usually have some gathering spots with tvs, but it can be hit or miss on what show is on and whether someone will turn on a game (I saw a UGA family LIVID that they couldn't watch the Cocktail Party because 4 kids were watching Lilo and Stitch and the Disney person was "nope, kids win."
Without knowing where you are staying, that's the best I can give you.
December 20th, 2021 at 1:09 PM ^
I should have mentioned that. I believe we are staying at the "All Star Movies" resort
December 20th, 2021 at 1:20 PM ^
There's a pool bar at All Star Sports (walking distance from your hotel, just past All Star Music) which I'm sure would have the game on.
December 20th, 2021 at 1:43 PM ^
I appreciate it but that is also unfortunately closed!
December 20th, 2021 at 1:20 PM ^
See my comment above. That's where we were in 2018 and they have large TVs behind the bar. If you're looking for public but not insane, pool bar is your best bet. You'll probably run into some other M fans as well.
December 21st, 2021 at 1:55 AM ^
Good advice. I'm here now. Plenty of Michigan and Georgia fans around displaying spirit. Too spread out for any one spot. Enjoy it no matter where u end up!
December 20th, 2021 at 1:10 PM ^
There has to be a U of M alumni club in the Orlando area.
I can't imagine they wouldn't be having a watch party somewhere.
I caught the Wisconsin game at the U of M alumni club of Boston watch party...and it made it more enjoyable than watching at some random spot or in the hotel room.
December 20th, 2021 at 1:13 PM ^
Couple thoughts:
1) There is a Buffalo Wild Wings about 10 mins from the entrance to Magic Kingdom if you want to drive- I watched a bball game there last February
2) Parks are pretty much out of the question. I did a NYE pub crawl at epcot 10 yrs ago which was awesome, but none of those bars have TVs. Also, because its NYE, they'll all have some sort of show going on if they are open late
3) Disney Springs has a bunch of Bars/Restaurants but not that many with TVs- I think Cityworks is the best bet
4) Its possible that some resorts will put up a screen to turn the game on. They put up screens at Yacht & Beach, Old Key west, Grand floridian, for kids movies every other night, but you'd have to check
5) Bar at a hotel- Art of Animation has a good one and is accessable from the skyliner. Shula's Steak House has tvs in the bar, but i dont think in the dininig room.
But seriously, you should just get tix and drive down to the game. It will be way better
December 20th, 2021 at 1:30 PM ^
4) Its possible that some resorts will put up a screen to turn the game on. They put up screens at Yacht & Beach, Old Key west, Grand floridian, for kids movies every other night, but you'd have to check
Didn't think of this, but I'd definitely ask around. This would definitely be a fun option, and I wouldn't be surprised if they did it somewhere. Polynesian and Contemporary too do screens at times.
You'll be amazed at just how many people you'll see wearing M gear, especially on game day. The last two times I was at Disney over New Years happened to coincide with our last two Rose Bowl appearances, 1/1/2005 and 1/1/2007.
I certainly don't share the OP's negative feelings towards a Disney trip, but then again I love Disney. Only thing I'd be worried about is the New Years crowds. I've been there at various times of year, including over Easter, and New Years was the most crowded I've ever seen it--and that was 15 years ago, when it was less crowded than it is now. The only thing that might mitigate it somewhat is the pandemic, but I feel like they're more or less back to full capacity on most things. But it should be an awesome time, especially since you're going with your kids, and you'll be surrounded by fellow M fans.
December 20th, 2021 at 1:20 PM ^
Your best bet is probably your hotel room.
Even if something is open do you really want to watch it at a sports bar in DW with a bunch of other dads trying to stave off a nervous breakdown?