Best Places to Watch the NFL at Walt Disney World

For many football fans, a Walt Disney World vacation doesn't mean taking a break from the NFL. Fall Sundays can be just as exciting as ever when you're surrounded by Mickey Mouse, Disney attractions and, somewhere nearby, a big screen showing your favorite team.

The good news is that there are several places around Walt Disney World where football fans can enjoy a game-day atmosphere without completely stepping away from their Disney vacation.

One of the most convenient choices is City Works Eatery & Pour House at Disney Springs. Located on the West Side, City Works has the feel of a traditional sports bar, with numerous screens, a large dining area and a menu filled with burgers, wings, sandwiches and other game-day favorites. It's an especially appealing option for groups because everyone can enjoy the Disney Springs entertainment while the football fan in the family gets to keep up with the NFL. Reservations can be a smart idea on popular game days.

Another option inside Walt Disney World is Rex Sports Bar & Grill at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. Rix offers a more relaxed resort setting while still providing the sports-bar experience, with multiple screens and a menu that includes familiar favorites such as wings, burgers and nachos. For guests staying at a Disney resort, this can be a particularly easy choice because you don't have to leave Disney property to catch a game.

It is worth remembering that Walt Disney World once had a legendary destination for sports fans: the ESPN Club at Disney's BoardWalk. The ESPN Club was the place to go for guests who wanted multiple televisions, a true sports-bar atmosphere and plenty of football. However, it permanently closed, and the space is now home to The Cake Bake Shop. 

That change makes planning ahead even more important for today's NFL fan.

For visitors who don't mind leaving Disney property, there are also numerous sports bars in the surrounding Orlando area. Miller’s Ale House in the Lake Buena Vista area is a popular choice, offering lots of televisions, a casual atmosphere and a menu built around classic sports-bar food. It's the kind of place where you can settle in for several hours and follow multiple games.

If you're looking for something closer to the International Drive area, Miller’s Ale House-Orlando on I Drive is another sports-focused option, with plenty of screens and a lively atmosphere during major games.

For the ultimate sports-focused experience, football fans might also be interested in Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. While it isn't simply a sports bar where you can automatically expect every NFL game to be playing, the complex is immersed in the world of sports and includes the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill and other sports-related facilities. Disney describes the complex as a 220-acre destination capable of accommodating 70 sports. 

Ultimately, the best choice depends on what kind of NFL experience you're looking for. If you want to stay completely within the Disney bubble, City Works at Disney Springs is one of the strongest choices. If you're staying at Coronado Springs, Rix Sports Bar & Grill provides a convenient resort option. And if watching football is the main event of your day, one of the larger sports bars outside Disney property may give you the biggest screens, most games and loudest game-day atmosphere.

The key is to plan ahead. NFL Sundays can be busy, particularly when popular teams or nationally televised games are playing. Check the current schedule, call ahead to confirm the game you want will be shown, and consider making a reservation when available.

That way, you can spend the morning riding attractions, enjoying Disney magic and taking pictures with Mickey—and still have a place to yell, "TOUCHDOWN!" when your team takes the field.