On 22 November, the Sports Bar & Lounge reopened its doors with a brand-new concept, a redesigned space, and Cast Members ready to put their expertise at the service of the guest experience.
It’s 8:45am, and the Sports Bar & Lounge at Disney Village is already buzzing with energy. Morning team leader Manila kicks off the briefing, covering the day’s key points: essential information, procedure reminders, staff assignments, and, of course, the matches that will be broadcast. After all, the Sports Bar & Loungeshowcases live sports throughout the day, in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The wait staff and bartenders gathered for the morning briefing listen attentively.
‘Team spirit is essential,’ she says. ‘You can’t help others unless others help you.’Here, everyone is responsible for their assigned section and tables, while mutual support remains a core value.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, the first pastries come out of the oven, while the Cast Members in the dining room are busy setting up for the 9am opening. The first guests of the day are warmly greeted as they arrive. Mornings gives front of house teams, like Nicolas, a waiter, the time to fine-tune their coordination and work for the rest of the day.
On the breakfast menu, some culinary creations immediately catch the eye, like The Croissant to share. The chefs also offer savory options, such as Avocado Toast or eggs and bacon, prepared to order.
By 11:30am, breakfast winds down and the full menu takes over, showcasing what makes this place unique: it’s not just a bar, but a lounge as well.
At the bar, Megan, a bartender with three years of experience at Disneyland Paris, is thrilled with the new offering. She confirms that the venue has been ‘upgraded’ with cocktails that are “much more elaborate” and come in a variety of flavors (fruity, spicy and sweet).
The team takes the concept even further, with the creation of drinks, inspired by some of the greatest sporting icons, all made on site. These recipes require precision, creativity and technical skill, abilities that the Cast Members refine every day.
For example, the Rugby Mastermind:
A mocktail with the fruits of French regions: pear, apple, orange (orange peel).
The cocktail is green , just like a rugby field!
Or the Pistol Pete Smash:
Inspired by the American tennis star of the 1980s and 1990s.
This mocktail is green like the grass tennis courts.
A mocktail with cucumber and basil!
Back in the front-of-house area, Nicolas, a Cast Member at Disneyland Paris since 2007, makes sure every guest fully enjoys the new experience. Having spent his entire career at Disney Village, he has witnessed the transformation of the Sports Bar into the Sports Bar & Lounge. He emphasizes the importance of service in this new environment, highlighting both quality and the inviting ‘lounge’ atmosphere.
While attentive service and expertly crafted drinks take center stage, the kitchen is bustling with activity. XXL dishes, shareable finger foods, and fresh salads are all crowd-pleasers: just the day before, around fifty Hot Pretzel Sandwiches were sold.
Francesco, a chef de partie, serves as a bridge between the kitchen and the front-of-house team, ensureing thatservice runs smoothly.
His career is a great example of learning on the job. After starting at Casey’s Corner in 2007, his passion led him to observe the kitchens at Walt’s – an American restaurant during his breaks. He gained experience in several restaurants before becoming chef de partie at Hunter’s Grill, the buffet at Disney Sequoia Lodge Hotel. Francesco has also played a key role in several restaurant reopenings. A memorable moment: a mother and her two daughters once called Francesco into the dining room to praise the kitchen and apologise for not finishing their dessert!
In the cold dishes section, Manuella, demi-chef de partie, draws on her 13 years at Disneyland Paris to prepare platters of cold meats, salads, and sandwiches. Like the bar, everything here is made on-site.
Meanwhile, Chanbotha, commis de cuisine, is responsible for the made-to-order salads, giving them a creative twist with ingredients like Chinese cabbage.
From outstanding cocktails to fresh, diverse cuisine and service that blends warmth with modern style, the Sports Bar & Lounge team appears to have achieved a successful reopening. Thanks to its dedicated Cast Members, the Sports Bar & Lounge is ready to start a new chapter as the place to be in Disney Village.
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