Any ideas on Final/Frozen Four viewing options in Disney World?

Submitted by ramenboy on

Booked a Disney World trip well before thoughts of either the basketball or hockey tournaments were dancing in everyone's heads.

Are there any Disney vets out there who could recommend a viewing place for either of the Frozen / Final Four near Saratoga Springs?  

Thanks in advance

MGoBoard
Other

Cville Blue

March 29th, 2018 at 10:27 AM ^

I've only taken my family once, but it was during the College World Series and the World Cup. In both cases the bar in our hotel was more than happy to turn them on. We were in the Bay Lake Towers.

Joined: 11/24/2011

MGoPoints: 961

Gucci Mane

March 29th, 2018 at 10:31 AM ^

ESPN restaurant at the boardwalk resort might be a good choice. But I would expect that you could likely watch it at Saratoga Springs. Source: I have been to Disney a total of 75+ days.

Joined: 02/10/2014

MGoPoints: -99957423

jswavel34

March 29th, 2018 at 10:34 AM ^

My wife’s a Disney travel planner and this was her recommendation. Another option is the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill at the ESPN WWS complex but you have to pay an entry fee to get into the complex.

Joined: 10/15/2008

MGoPoints: 1429

SyracuseWolvrine

March 29th, 2018 at 5:07 PM ^

ESPN grill at the wide world complex is only open during events at the complex, and there aren't really any evening events. Unless you want to go watch Disney employee rec league softball (not recommended) ESPN Zone at the boardwalk is the best sports atmosphere. Some of the bars at Disney springs will probably have the games on. The local UM alumni club location is Friendly Confines, on Edgewood in Orlando, but not really close to Disney.

Joined: 10/20/2008

MGoPoints: 1229

outofbounds

March 29th, 2018 at 12:48 PM ^

I was in Disney during the Penn State debacle this football season.  I went to some bar where UM Alumni Club was hosting the party.

It made a miserable John O'Korn football game kinda enjoyable.  They treated us like family.  Even let my kid pull names out of the hat when they were picking prizes.  

Highly recommend to anyone ever in Disney during a big UM sports event.  

My family enjoyed it. And it was nice to get away from Disneyville central for a few hours.  

Joined: 01/18/2011

MGoPoints: 653

MaladjustedStrong

March 29th, 2018 at 10:50 AM ^

Are there any options to watch the 6:00 News in Detroit if I'm in Detroit this weekend?

I won't be, but I'm just curious.

Joined: 03/18/2018

MGoPoints: -149

NCWolverine

March 29th, 2018 at 10:52 AM ^

Been in your spot in the past. ESPN on Boardwalk is terrible place to watch anything that you care about. Don’t limit yourself to staying on Disney property for the best non-Disney experience, I.e. Final Four, etc.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 134

Nickel

March 29th, 2018 at 10:59 AM ^

Come watch the final four with the central Florida alumni club. (U of M Club of Central Florida if you need to search for it on facebook). We'll probably have a frozen four watch party too.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 2750

JCass

March 29th, 2018 at 11:09 AM ^

ESPN Club is fine. I watched Football Armageddon there. Getting there from Saratoga Springs without your own car will suck.

You could also take the boat to Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney) which has a TON of different bars.

Saratoga Springs unfortunately only has the one restaurant/lounge bar, which usually has ten kids clanging pool balls together and some parent who will inevitably just change the channel to Disney Jr. regardless of what is going on.

Joined: 09/08/2010

MGoPoints: 338

Tom Snow

March 29th, 2018 at 11:18 AM ^

If possible, especially for the Final Four games. It tends to be crazy for any event. Since you are close to Disney Springs, I'd recommend finding a bar there. 

Joined: 07/13/2017

MGoPoints: 2614

Bisquiteen Trisket

March 29th, 2018 at 11:19 AM ^

Just go on all the rides and have a good time.  Go on the ride inside the big ball.  Then go on the Star Wars ride.  Those are the two rides at Disney World so make sure to enjoy them.

Joined: 12/30/2013

MGoPoints: 136

jdon

March 29th, 2018 at 11:58 AM ^

Show up early, like 7 am.

Be all dressed up in disney shit

Have Cute Kids.

Get selected.

 

If you get selected, you get in early, you get to meet Mickey and a ton of other shit, including a ride to the castle.

Worked for me two Julys ago. Not that we had a basketball game to watch, but it made for a relaxing day.

Fast Pace is key as well.

jdon

 

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 5905

huntmich

March 29th, 2018 at 12:27 PM ^

So I'm not gonna start my own thread, but what's everyone favorite Michigan alum bar in Chicago? I was thinking of going to westend bar to watch, but I'm fairly new to town and haven't really found a favorite establishment. Opinions welcome.

Joined: 10/18/2015

MGoPoints: 18173

Tozmo

March 29th, 2018 at 2:02 PM ^

I wouldn’t put much faith in Disney Springs. I can’t recall a lot of tv-bars and you can get stuck on an island if you can’t find the game. I describe Disney buses as “efficient but slow.” Hotel bar is best option, with possibly one of the Boardwalk / beach/yacht resorts as viable. Magic kingdom resorts least viable, and all star and pop as not viable (no bar). Not sure about Coronado or Caribbean beach. Port Orleans is least traveled for this type of thing. If you care that much about Frozen Four, you ought to leave the property to find the game.

Joined: 07/14/2008

MGoPoints: 320

TheFranchOfDressing

March 29th, 2018 at 2:50 PM ^

and enjoy the game in silence. no shitty msu, osu, etc. etc., fans that want to pick at every little thing. i watched puntgate alone in cali, sent them all to the beach for the day. met up with them after. didnt let a lack of harbs preparation destroy our outing.

Joined: 01/16/2018

MGoPoints: 313

VintageBlue

March 29th, 2018 at 5:35 PM ^

I'd hit Geyser Point at the Wilderness Lodge. Open air bar facing Bay Lake. Only a quick boat ride to the Magic Kingdom to meet back up with the fam.

Joined: 08/04/2011

MGoPoints: 3392