When I say the words "bowling alley" what images to you conjure up in your mind?...hard plastic benches, ancient rotisserie hot dogs or perhaps smelly rental shoes from the great unknown?
What if I suggested that during your next Disney World Vacation you should make some time to go bowling?
Would you think I was a bit crazy?
Well people...Splitsville ain't your typical bowling alley...it's sure fire Disney-fied fun!
Let's start with a few basics...
Splitsville Luxury Lanes is located over in Downtown Disney. For you Disney repeat fans, it took over the old Virgin Mega store spot. And YES, you did read that right, I said - "Luxury Lanes".
Splitsville is really an upscale dining experience with a side order of bowling.
Think ultimate sports bar, meets gourmet chef, meets live music, meets kitchy-retro vibe, sprinkled with pixie dust and you'll get the idea. It's a fun, fabulous, family friendly night out for kids of all ages.
There are two levels to Splitsville. When you enter downstairs you'll get the nostalgic fifty's style with a twist of modern. Downstairs is much more family friendly. Instead of hard plastic benches, there are semi-circular red and black leather diner style booths overlooking your own bowling lane. Regular table service is also offered as well as a sushi bar and a cocktail bar.
Upstairs at Splitsville has a much more grown up vibe with dining, DJ's, dancing, 3 additional bars and billard tables. And of course, do not forget to hunt for the hidden Mickeys!
Families arriving at Splitsville will be greeted by a "lane concierge" and directed to an area where they can request shoes. Bumpers and rolling ramps are available to help kids (or bowlers like me) bring on their best A game. Your concierge will help you size your fingers and find your perfect bowling ball. All the balls here are color coded according to their weight which makes life easy. All the smaller balls that the kids use have portraits of Mickey or Minnie for a little extra touch of Disney delight.
Guests can elect to dine at a regular table first and then bowl. The other option is to gather in a lane booth and bowl dine while your bowling. Bowling costs $15-$20 per person depending on the time of day. For this admission, you can have the lane for a certain amount of time depending on the size of your party. 1 to 2 bowlers get an hour, 3 bowlers get 1 hour 15 minutes, up to 5 bowlers get 1.5 hours and parties up to 8 get 1 hour and 45 minutes. If billiards are more you game the cost of a table is $9 per hour.
Most of our parents prefer the lane booth option. Mom and dad can relax, enjoy a cocktail and a fantastic meal. They don't have to worry about keeping the kids occupied while dining out because they can bowl to their heart's content. Menu options include Steak Chimichurri, Mahi Mahi with Voodoo shrimp, roasted pulled pork or wood fired pizza with homemade dough. Entrees range in price from $12 - $30. Pizza runs $13-$16 and Sushi $11 - $15. Of course there are kid menu options from $7. Even better news... Splitsville is also part of the Disney Dining plan and accepts Tables in Wonderland.
Just one word of caution here...if you take your kids to Splitsville luxury lanes, I have a feeling the next time you suggest a trip to your neighborhood local leisure lanes it's going to be a hard sell. No doubt, splitsville will raise the bar and forever change the idea of bowling for your family.
