Around The World (Cup)
Many people (like myself) are probably glued to the World Cup, following every game live on TV (unless they are fortunate enough to be in Germany for a game or two). Being in Orlando for much of the tournament so far has been a fun experience, as much for all the different places (some of them, perhaps, unexpected) we have found to watch games. Being around Walt Disney World (and other Orlando venues!) has meant a real variety of fun options, with many bars and restaurants opening early (because of the time difference), and creating a lively atmosphere.
It’s tempting to give places a rating (out of 10) for their World Cup style, but the honest truth is only a handful of places have made a significant effort for the World Cup. It has been more the other fans themselves who have helped to make this tournament memorable.
Sticking purely with Disney for now, our top mark would have to go to the Raglan Road Irish pub and restaurant at Downtown Disney, who have opened early for England games and been packed out with fans in red-and-white. Special breakfast menus, two huge-screen TVs and the bars being open from 9am (!), have all made for a great atmosphere. For England-Paraguay, they couldn’t quite get the sound working properly, but England-Ecuador was ideal (even if the game was less than enthralling). Their special bacon sandwiches were also a real highlight!
Of course, with the games being screened in the USA on mainstream channels ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, people can always watch games back at their hotels, but it does seem that the majority still prefer to go out and watch them in the different bars and restaurants. And the ESPN Sports Club at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort has been another prime location (although not for the 9am kick-offs).
Back at Downtown Disney, we were slightly surprised to find Planet Hollywood showing the England games on their large screens inside the main restaurant (for a charge - and not cheap, either). Fans of other countries were happier to find the smaller TVs in the bar area showing all the other games, and we were able to watch both the Argentina-Ivory Coast game and Argentina-Mexico in the 2nd rd there - with a handful of enthusiastic Argentina fans!
For the big Holland-Portugal 2nd rd clash (which produced so many histrionics and such bad refereeing), we were at the bar at House of Blues, which turned out to be an excellent choice. There were few people in (at 3 in the afternoon), but we had an excellent barman and three TVs to ourselves, one of which also had subtitles (as HoB doesn’t allow the TV sound to be on).
It will not surprise anyone to know none of the Disney theme parks have TVs, so there was no way to keep tabs on games there. However, a visit to Universal Orlando revealed soccer fans could still keep up with events there. At Universal Studios, the New York-Irish themed Finnegan’s Bar & Grill had TVs on in the bar area, while over at Islands of Adventure, there was a choice of the Backwater Bar (adjacent to the Confisco Grille restaurant) or the Alchemy Bar (part of the Enchanted Oak Tavern) for games. I managed to see all of the Italy-Australia game in the Backwater Bar, virtually on my own for most of the time (I guess not surprising with an 11am kick-off). There probably weren’t too many Australians or Italians in the park that day!
Most notable, though, was the huge signs for live showings of all games at the NBA City venue in Universal’s CityWalk (a short stroll from both parks). Given their basketball style, it was slightly surprising to see such a venue touting soccer games, but it made for a good combination.
Regular Orlando goers will also be unsurprised to know that all the typical British-style bars have wall-to-wall TV for the duration of the World Cup. The Cricketers Arms in The Mercado on International Drive is a typical example of this style and is always popular with soccer fans. However, the big new name on International Drive is the Best of British Soccer World (right opposite Ripley’s Believe It Or Not), which opened only two months ago and already has quite a following in the area. With their mix of flat-screen TVs, big cinema screen, video arcade (for the kids!) and typical British pub menu, this proved a great venue for the opening game (Germany v Costa Rica) and USA v Czech Republic. However, for the big England games, they had to turn people away as they frequently reached capacity before kick-off!!
Roll on the quarter-finals……….!