[MerlinMatt]

So, DW, the kids and I are watching the Patriots game yesterday and it occurred to me that I hadn't made arrangements as to where we can watch the Monday night game between Miami and New England the week that we're in the World.

We were thinking about the ESPN club, but do they have age limits after a certain hour?

Also, are there any other good spots for watching a game? We'll be at the PC that night. We're not against watching it in the room, but I'd love to be around Miami fans so that I can rub it in their faces.

[gcbdad]

MerlinMatt:
I can't imagine that there is an age limit at the ESPN Club. If you do not want to go there, I am sure that you can go to other resorts that have a bar and watch the game. I do not know if PC or any Value resort has a bar or not but I know that the Moderates and Deluxe resorts do.

I am not sure if you would find any Miami fans this year.

[mickey]

ESPN does not have any kind of age limit. I took my 10 and 7 year old for dinner one night around 9 PM, and the place was about empty. However, MNF is a big deal, and I remember walking by before during the game, and it is packed, with a decent line outside. Would be a great place to watch it, and the food is quite good as well. They do not take reservations, so you will need to show up early to get a decent table.

[Park Hopper]

As Mickey said, there are no age restrictions at ESPN, but it can be very crowded on Monday nights during the NFL season. Another good place to watch the game would be the Official All Star Cafe at Disney's Wide World of Sports. It's very similar to ESPN -- large screen TVs, etc. -- but it's a little more off the beaten path. As with ESPN, there are no age restrictions, but they do take priority seating.

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by Park Hopper

As Mickey said, there are no age restrictions at ESPN, but it can be very crowded on Monday nights during the NFL season. Another good place to watch the game would be the Official All Star Cafe at Disney's Wide World of Sports. It's very similar to ESPN -- large screen TVs, etc. -- but it's a little more off the beaten path. As with ESPN, there are no age restrictions, but they do take priority seating.

But there are two problems. They don't have bus service (or do they) and they close at 9pm (which is when the game starts.

[Park Hopper]

Originally Posted by MerlinMatt

But there are two problems. They don't have bus service (or do they) and they close at 9pm (which is when the game starts.

Sorry, didn't know you weren't going to have a car. At any rate, I've heard that there is no Disney transportation between the resorts and Wide World of Sports, but that you can get there from the theme parks. Don't know for sure, though.

As for the operating hours, their Web site blurb says the operating hours are subject to change based on event days. I'm not exactly sure what that means, but it seems pretty useless to me to have a sports bar/restaurant that closes just when the Monday night NFL game is starting. Of course if you can't get there to start with, it doesn't much matter.

I'll try to give them a call and get some clarification for you.

[disneyguy]

I would imagine wost case scnario, Matt, you have to go PC to MK, MK to TTC, TTC to WWoS. That seems crazy to go such a short distance. I cannot imagine them not having bus service to WWoS, there has to be something better than doing what I described.

[Park Hopper]

Originally Posted by Park Hopper

I'll try to give them a call and get some clarification for you.

I just got off the phone with Disney regarding bus service to the All Star Cafe and its operating hours. Bottom line: Forget about it. The Cafe's fall operating hours went into effect Sept. 1, which means the place is closed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Guess that shoots down Monday Night Football, huh? Not that you care now, but I was told WDW bus transportation to the Wide World of Sports is available from the theme parks, but not from the resorts. Go figure!

If you want a sports bar atmosphere, I guess that leaves you with ESPN. Just make sure you get there early.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by Park Hopper

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

You're kidding right? The fact that you made the phone call puts you in the "more helpful than I could possibly expect" category.

Thanks for all the info.

Well, I'm not even sure about ESPN club now either. I mean, it's just a game and while the 4 of us are huge football fans, I think we're even bigger Disney fans.

We're having a birthday dinner for DW that evening at Portobello YC and we had plans to possibly go to MK after dinner because it's Christmas week and AFAIK, MK will be open late, possibly until 11pm.

I think I might just sign up for an cell phone messaging service that will text message the scores to my cell phone.

[crystalrp]

If for some reason you decide to visit the All Star Sports Cafe or the sports complex when it is open, there is a direct bus from MGM Studios.

[Disnatic]

there is a bar by the pool @ PC with a TV but I don't know how late it is open.

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by Disnatic

there is a bar by the pool @ PC with a TV but I don't know how late it is open.

That may definately be an option. But again, if MK is open.. maybe we'll get back in time for the 4th quarter.

[Park Hopper]

Originally Posted by MerlinMatt

You're kidding right? The fact that you made the phone call puts you in the "more helpful than I could possibly expect" category.

Thanks for all the info.

Well, I'm not even sure about ESPN club now either. I mean, it's just a game and while the 4 of us are huge football fans, I think we're even bigger Disney fans.

We're having a birthday dinner for DW that evening at Portobello YC and we had plans to possibly go to MK after dinner because it's Christmas week and AFAIK, MK will be open late, possibly until 11pm.

I think I might just sign up for an cell phone messaging service that will text message the scores to my cell phone.

I'm just sorry that my original suggestion didn't work out. I never dreamed a sports bar wouldn't be open for Monday Night Football.

As for making the call, no big deal. We live here, so it's not like it's long distance or anything.

I think your idea of getting the scores on your cell phone is a good one. I'm a sports fan, too, but WDW would win out every time if I have to choose between the two.