Happy Guinness Day, theme park fans

September 24, 2009, 10:38 AM · Apparently today, Sept. 24, 2009, is the 250th birthday of Guinness, the famous Irish beer.

Haven't heard if there are any special celebrations planned at Orlando's theme park pubs, though today is the "preview day" at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, and I would assume that folks would be gathering at the Rose & Crown for that, at least. If anyone wishes to file a report from there or from Universal's Finnegan's, the comments are open to you.

Just do so before the third pint, please.

Replies (18)

September 24, 2009 at 11:46 AM · Well I guess I'll have to go to the Rose & Crown later when I go to Epcot for the Employee preview of the Food and Wine Festival.

The 250 yr special edition guiness is horrible btw.
Rather stick with the original one!

September 24, 2009 at 11:54 AM · That's a HORRIBLE question to ask!

Just HORRIBLE!

I first dropped in at the R&C at the EPCOT Center cast preview night in September 1982.

But while working on Men In Black, I spent so many evenings (especially around the holidays) at Fins.

This is like asking me which one of my parents do I like more.

September 24, 2009 at 12:10 PM · I voted for Finnigans over Rose and Crown.

Why? The food is better.....

September 24, 2009 at 12:17 PM · Wait a minute ... they serve "food" at these places?
September 24, 2009 at 12:28 PM · Haven't been to Finnegan's, so can't cast my vote. Love the Hat Lady at R&C, though.

Raglan Road was promoting and selling the Guinness 250 on my recent trip. Beyond that, haven't heard much about it.

September 24, 2009 at 1:33 PM · You left out Grogan's at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
September 24, 2009 at 1:51 PM · I just went with the two big year-'round pubs for the poll. But, yes, fans of other theme park pubs, including all those seasonal ones, should feel free to jump in the comments. Talk about favorites pubs near theme parks, too.
September 24, 2009 at 1:53 PM · Wait a minute... special edition Guinness? Lemme get this straight: "We've got a product that's so beloved, it's been around for 250 years. So let's celebrate that by... making something else!"

After how many pints does this make sense?

September 24, 2009 at 1:56 PM · Raglan Road is the place to be...wish I lived in Florida
September 24, 2009 at 2:05 PM · I would give Rose and Crown the entertainment factor

I would give Finnigan's the food. I was very impressed.


Still like Raligan Road the Best, good mix!

September 24, 2009 at 2:56 PM · Rose and crown has the best snakebite in orlando, period.
For like $10.

Finnegans has awesome food, awesome bartenders and a happy hour. And they make pretty sweet snakebites too, and those are only 6.

Finnegans wins this for me, hands down.

September 24, 2009 at 7:29 PM · OK, I submitted my vote for this tread. I wish to also impose a question to ALL readers. Instead of creating a separate post, (which I can if needed), I would like to know how many of you out there would think that Busch Gardens Williamsburg should have some form of connection to the Guiness brand of beer? Look they have a "Ireland" section to there park, and serve food to the same as well as have entertainment geared toward Ireland, so I say, what is the problem with a slight contract with Guiness to serve that beer, etc.... Ya ya ya..... I know, Inbev may have to compete, but what if??? I'm just thinking...as far as I'm concerned, I'd rather drink a true Guiness in Ireland than a rice brewed Bud Light! Especially since it would be served with Bangers and Mash!!! I mean....come on.... I can't see this as being too hard to accomplish!
I pose this post as a suggestion to see what the readers of this site might think and feel!!!
OK... lets hear it!
September 24, 2009 at 8:03 PM · I'd go with R&C, but really just because you can watch Illuminations from the patio if you time things right.

I agree with Mr. Murphy, though, step out of the parks and go to Raglan Road at Downtown Disney. It is the best by far...

September 25, 2009 at 3:23 AM · It's always a difficult task to get themed pubs or bars just right.

I'm a Londoner and EPCOT's Rose and Crown makes a decent enough effort to reproduce an English pub without really nailing it totally.

Finnegan's also has a good stab at re-creating an Irish bar. Believe me when I say I've seen far worse attempts in England.

I have to say that we once spent a great afternoon ( yes most of the afternoon) in Finnegan's. The food was comparable in quality to the Rose and Crown but edges it because of the variety on offer. The Guinness flowed and we all sang along with the excellent guy with the guitar ( Who was as far removed from Ireland as chalk is from cheese). But no matter. We drank and sang in unison ( and some disharmony ) and had a good laugh. The beauty of staying onsite allows for missing ride -time and also allows for a beer or two as you can walk safely ( albeit unsteadily) back to your Hotel.

So where would I prefer to have a pint ? Finnegan's to be sure.

ps We were handed free Guinness vouchers in Leicester Square last night and had a couple of pints for free. So cheers Arthur.

September 25, 2009 at 7:16 AM · Robert, yes, check this
http://beergirlsblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/guinness-250.html

S. after 250 years we'll mess around with it again, remove the head and stick a more foamy one on! WTH!!!

I went to the food and wine festival last night, went to Rose & Crown and paid $8, EIGHT BLOOMIN DOLLARS for a Guiness, rip off.

September 25, 2009 at 6:24 AM · The Rose & Crown is nasty..
Went in there and it was like i was in a rough London Pub.. There were so many brits in there drinking Stella

horrible place.

Finns is nicer by far

September 25, 2009 at 7:15 AM · Even though it's not in the vote, Raglan Road at Downtown Disney is the best pub. Awesome food, great band, river dancers and one of the best Poor Man's Black Velvet ever concocted. Get the deep fried sausages. Fantastic.
September 28, 2009 at 3:58 AM · Steve's right about the disturbing number of Brits propping up the bar at the Rose & Crown. Don't agree that it reminds anyone of a genuine English pub though.

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