Wondering where to watch the Super Bowl LVII at Walt Disney World? In this post, we cover the best places to see the Big Game on February 12, 2023. From Disney Springs sports bars with huge screens to more obscure resort options that won’t have huge lines or ridiculous crowds.
Note that as the phased reopening of Walt Disney World continues for its second year, some options available in the past either won’t be operating at all or won’t be doing anything special for the Super Bowl this year. (If you’ve looked at another guide recommending the ESPN Club, it’s out of date–that venue has permanently closed.)
In addition to that, face masks and staffing shortages mean you’re not going to find the jam-packed, raucous atmosphere of a sports bar at Walt Disney World anywhere when trying to watch the Super Bowl. The good news is that there are still great options for watching the Kansas City Chiefs square off against the Philadelphia Eagles.
A few years ago, we were staying on-site at Walt Disney World during the Super Bowl. We started out at Planet Hollywood Observatory in Disney Springs, which went from a ghost town in mid-afternoon to quite crowded by the time we left.
Also worth noting that part of the restaurant was reserved for a private event that night–presumably a Super Bowl viewing party. Private events consuming space in popular venues is something to be mindful of when choosing a place to watch the game.
After that, we ended up watching part of the game from Gurgling Suitcase Libations & Spirits at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. For those unfamiliar with Gurgling Suitcase, it’s a smallish bar in the pool area, and not the first place that would come to mind for many people when choosing where to watch the Super Bowl at Walt Disney World.
Because of this, Gurgling Suitcase actually was a good choice for watching the game–a good crowd to give the event some energy, but not unpleasantly crowded. There was also no line to get inside. The situation will be similar at other random bars, lounges, and pool bars at hotels that are not within walking or boat distance of one of the theme parks. Think places like Saratoga Springs or Coronado Springs.
Speaking of which, Gran Destino & Coronado Springs Resort is another solid option, in large part because it has several bars and restaurants. We’d recommend giving the open-air Three Bridges Bar & Grill; the weather should be nice and occupancy is low at Coronado Springs right now.
If getting to one of these resorts from the parks is too complicated, we’d recommend the bars at Swan & Dolphin (walking distance of both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios) over BoardWalk and Beach or Yacht Club. Our Magic Kingdom area pick would be Contemporary Resort or Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge. All of these are now open.
At every Disney Vacation Club Resort, you can also watch the Super Bowl in the Community Room. This tends to draw a modest crowd, with a large television broadcasting the game, plus food and beverages available for purchase. This is a great route for families, particularly if you don’t want or need the sports bar atmosphere.
Along these same lines, many of the Deluxe Resorts have spaces like this. For example, the Solarium at Beach Club now has a large television, potentially making it a good option for the Super Bowl. We don’t have any experience with these resorts during the Super Bowl, so check with your hotel’s front desk to see what options, if any, they have (and report back in the comments!).
Aside from those, your hotel room is the obvious place to watch the game, and the only place where you won’t encounter a crowd (unless you want to) or a line to get in (unless something goes terribly wrong). Of course, that’s not really a helpful tip, since you (hopefully) already knew your hotel room has a television with broadcast stations in it.
Here are a few of the ‘big name’ bars for watching sporting events (Super Bowl and otherwise), at Walt Disney World…
City Works Eatery & Pour House – Now that ESPN Club is permanently closed, this relatively recent addition to Disney Springs is your best option for watching Super Bowl LVI. This is a truly superb game-viewing experience–one of the few at Walt Disney World–with great bar food and a massive selection of beers.
Located on the West Side of Disney Springs (the far side from most shopping, this sprawling space features classic American food, almost 10 varieties of beers on tap, indoor & outdoor seating, and enormous HDTVs with state of the art audio & visual. It doesn’t quite have the same vibe of ESPN Club, but it’s a suitable alternative.
Splitsville – Normally a pretty under-the-radar-spot to watch sports, Splitsville will be very busy for the Super Bowl. It’s the first place Walt Disney World reservations recommendations to people who don’t want to fork over the $100+ per person, and it’d be popular irrespective of that.
It’s nonetheless a good option so long as you arrive early or score an Advance Dining Reservation. The atmosphere won’t be quite the same, but it’s definitely a good option with a surplus of televisions and a sports bar vibe.
End Zone Food Court – If you’ve ever spent any amount of time in the food court of All Star Sports during any given breakfast rush, you have a rough approximation of what this is like. Why anyone would seek that out is beyond us, but it’s definitely an option that will have the Super Bowl (projected) on a big screen.
Also perfect for Cleveland Browns fans who would be uncomfortable with a viewing experience that doesn’t include some degree of unpleasantness. (I kid, but I’m a long-time Detroit Lions fan, so I know your pain.)
Martha’s Vineyard or Crew’s Cup Lounges – Every Deluxe Resort has an intimate lounge that will have a certain atmosphere of watching the game in a friends’ place. With that said, this duo within walking distance of Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are our favorites. Seating in both is extremely limited, so arrive early.
Ultimately, there are a ton of viewing options for the Super Bowl, or any sporting event, at Walt Disney World. Which is the right option depends upon how much you’re willing to spend, the kind of crowds (or lack thereof) you want to deal with, and how much time you’re willing to dedicate to the experience.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Have you watched the Super Bowl at Walt Disney World? Where’d you view it, and what’d you think of the experience? Do you agree or disagree with our game-day viewing tips? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
