The Ultimate Foodie’s Monorail Crawl

One of the most beloved forms of transportation at the Walt Disney World Resort is the monorail which whisks silently across the sky to bring Guests between a variety of locations. The main monorail lines are the Resort Line and Express Line which circle Seven Seas Lagoon with the Resort Line stopping at the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Transportation and Ticket Center, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and the Express Line stopping only at the Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center. Thousands of Guests enjoy a ride on the monorail every single day, and foodies who use the transportation can enjoy a delicious monorail crawl with stops at all three Disney Resorts on the line. For the sake of being able to enjoy and sample as many foods as possible on the monorail crawl, this list features only lounges and quick service locations where Guests can still enjoy tasty bites, but be able to save some time to enjoy as much as possible! Let’s check out all of the amazing things that foodies can try on the ultimate monorail food crawl!

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Disney’s Contemporary Resort

The first stop on the foodie’s monorail crawl is Disney’s Contemporary Resort where Guests can enjoy two locations that serves up some American classics while enjoying the modern and unique atmosphere and theming of the Disney Resort.

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Steakhouse 71 Lounge

The ground level lobby of Disney’s Contemporary Resort is home to the popular table service Steakhouse 71 as well as the Steakhouse 71 Lounge, a more laid back spot where Guests can pop in without a reservation. The Steakhouse 71 Lounge is celebration of both the history of the Walt Disney World Resort as well as an homage to the year it opened and Walt and Lillian Disney’s favorite dishes and sips from the era. The interior of the lounge features a crisp white marble bar top, comfortable stool seating, bright lighting, and overhead televisions for Guests who might want to catch a game while dining and drinking. The menu at the Steakhouse 71 Lounge is limited to small bites, but each one packs some serious flavor that foodie’s will want to try them all! The Steakhouse 71 Stack Burger is a popular item with beef, American cheese, lemon aioli, red onion, and house-made pickles on a brioche bun served with either a side of the Petite Wedge Salad, Parmesan Fries, or Pasta Salad, and the burger pairs perfectly with the Steakhouse 71 Onion Rings which are served with a spicy ranch dipping sauce. Foodies can also enjoy a classic Shrimp Cocktail, Bacon & Eggs with maple-lacquered pork belly, smoked cheese grits, and a perfect egg, or Loaded Macaroni & Cheese with applewood-smoked bacon and jalepeno. A totally unique option that foodies must be sure to try at Steakhouse 71 Lounge are the PB&J Chicken Wings which are coated in a sweet peanut glaze and served with jelly powder for an unforgettable bite that pays homage to the childhood classic.

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Contempo Café

Upstairs in the Grand Canyon Concourse at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is the quick service Contempo Café where Guests can enjoy American cuisine and grab-and-go snacks throughout each day. The restaurant features an open air dining area with beautiful views of the monorail gliding by above and Mary Blair’s iconic mural towering nearby. The menu at Contempo Café is fairly extensive, so foodies have plenty of options to choose from when enjoying this stop on their monorail crawl. For those who are looking for a grab-and-go snack to enjoy, there are plenty of options such as fresh fruit, hummus and vegetables, yogurt pretzels, granola bars, and ice cream options. Foodies who are looking to try something more substantial at Contempo Café can dig into menu items such as the Contempo Caesar Salad with Chicken, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Hot Turkey Sandwich, All-Meat Flatbread, Tomato Soup, or Grilled Tofu Bowl. Foodies who are looking for an indulgent sweet treat absolutely have to order the Peanut Butter Pie from the Contempo Café as it fills a vanilla tart shell with custard and peanut butter filling topped with chocolate ganache and crispy chocolate pearls.

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Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Next up on the foodie’s monorail crawl is Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort where several locations offer up unique bites that are infused with island flavors in a serene setting that transports Guests to the Seven Seas.

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Tambu Lounge

Located on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House is Tambu Lounge, a laid back lounge that features open air seating looking out into the lobby and nearby ‘Ohana as well as through mssive floor to ceiling windows onto the grounds of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort with the Magic Kingdom in the distance. Guests who visit Tambu Lounge can sit at the bar which features beautiful stonework and a thatched roof or settle in at a nearby table with comfortable lounge seating. The menu at Tambu Lounge features many tropical cocktails including the popular Lapu Lapu and Backscratcher as well as a limited menu of small bites that are served between four and ten each evening. The classic Pot Stickers are pork and vegetable dumplings that are coated in a delicious chili-garlic sauce and the popular California Roll features jumbo crab, citrus mayonnaise, cucumber avocado, and tobiko for a light and refreshing bite. Some heartier options that feature big island flavors are the Big Kahuna’s Hot Wings that are smothered in buffalo sauce and served with celery-ranch slaw and Kaikane’s Barbecue Pork Ribs which are marinated in a Korean-style barbecue sauce and served with pickled peppers and fruity pineapple slaw.

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Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto

Just downstairs from Tambu Lounge at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is the very popular Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, a unique lounge location that is immersive and lots of fun. Named after the character from the Jungle Cruise, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is a small lounge that features quirky and tropical theming complete with props and special effects that are triggered when Guests order up certain specialty beverages. The Cast Members at the lounge are all in on the antics, and might find themselves swimming underwater or zombie walking to tables depending on what an order is. Foodies who stop by Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto can order up an array of unique cocktails with fun names and also enjoy a limited menu of appetizers that are flavorful and perfect for sharing. Sushi lovers can enjoy the Kahuna Tuna Sushi Roll and Veggie Rainbow Rolls and the popular Pan-fried Dumplings are cooked to perfection and served with a soy-sesame dipping sauce. The Thai Chicken Flatbread features bacon and peanut sauce for a perfect nutty and smoky flavor profile. Foodies can also enjoy the Kalua Pork Tacos for a heartier option or the Chicken or Tofu Lettuce Cups that are served with a hoisin-ginger sauce. A stop at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is absolutely necessary on any foodie crawl for the entertainment and delicious bites, however the location sometimes can have lengthy wait times due to its popularity and small size. Foodies who want to still have the dining experience without the wait can opt to dine at the adjacent Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace which features the exact same menu on an outdoor patio overlooking the Lava Pool.

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Capt. Cook’s

The final dining location on the foodie’s monorail crawl at Disney’s Polynesian Resort is Capt. Cook’s, a quick service restaurant on the lower level of the Great Ceremonial House that is open throughout each day at the Disney Resort. The menu at Capt. Cook’s features a combination of American classics infused with tropical flavors and Guests have plenty of delicious options to choose from. The Pulled Pork Nachos are a truly indulgent option that take kettle chips and top them with mounds of pulled pork, cheese, spicy mayonnaise, pico de gallo, and pineapple salsa for a savory, creamy, and fresh option. Other great choices at Capt. Cook’s are the Pan Asian Noodles and Vegetables, Bacon Cheeseburger, Asian-style Noodle Salad, and Chicken Wings which can be customized with a variety of sauces. Also popular are the Aloha Pork Sandwich which tops a brioche bun with pulled pork, cheddar, Asian slaw, cucumbers, and tomatoes with a side of French fries and the Thai Coconut Meatballs which features all-beef-chili-garlic meatballs with a coconut cream and white rice. Also available at Capt. Cook’s are bakery items, specialty treats like cupcakes and cookies, fresh fruit, and other grab-and-go snack options that can be enjoyed while exploring Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

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Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

The final stop on the foodie’s monorail crawl is Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, a gorgeous Disney Resort that is filed with Victorian charm and elegance and several quick service and lunge locations that offer up amazing food options.

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Enchanted Rose

A stunning lounge location at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is the Enchanted Rose which brings Guests into the regal elegance of the classic Disney animated film Beauty and the Beast. The lounge features four distinct rooms- the ballroom, library, garden room, and garden terrace- each of which features opulent furnishings and touches including the enchanted rose itself behind the bar. The menu at Enchanted Rose features inventive and elegant cocktails as well as a limited menu of small bites that are served from five to ten each night. Foodies are sure to love digging into the Crab Macaroni & Cheese which features lump crab, gnocchetti sardi, mornay sauce, and citrus breadcrumbs and the Truffle Fries topped with shaved black truffle and eighteen month aged parmesan. The Artisanal Cheese Selection at Enchanted Rose features several diverse cheeses paired with pine nut bread and raisins on the vine, perfect for sharing amongst foodies. Some hearty options also include the Mini Smoked Brisket Sliders with blue cheese and onion marmalade and the House-made Flatbread which is topped with charred broccolini, seasonal mushrooms, fennel sausage, ricotta salata, and tomato confit. Each bite at Enchanted Rose features an elegant combination of delicious flavors and foodies who enjoy the lounge are sure to enjoy the perfect combination of menu selections and atmosphere.

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Gasparilla Island Grill

The main quick service location at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is Gasparilla Island Grill which serves up American classics throughout each day in addition to convenient grab-and-go items. The interior of the restaurant features elegant booth and table seating, ornate overhead light fixtures, and a light an airy color scheme to welcome Guests in to relax and dine. The menu at Gasparilla Island Grill features a decent selection of options including choices like Four-Cheese, Sausage, and Pepper Pizza, Smoked Ham Sandwich, Roasted Turkey Sandwich, Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Tomato Soup, Impossible Burger, and Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad. A unique flavor combination can be found on the Chicken and Brie sandwich which is served on a brioche bun and features a piece of grilled chicken with ham, spinach, raspberry mustard, and mayonnaise with a side of French fries. Foodies can also enjoy an assortment of grab-and-go options as well as fresh pastries and baked goods prepared daily at Gasparilla Island Grill.

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Citricos Lounge

The final stop on the foodie’s monorail crawl is at the beautiful Citricos Lounge which is located adjacent to Citricos itself and features the same elegant décor that is inspired by Mary Poppins Returns. Featuring airy colors, floral patterns, and subtle nods to the favorite film and characters, Citricos Lounge welcomes Guests to stop by for a specialty cocktail and also serves up the entire dinner menu from Citricos itself, so Guests can enjoy the meal without a reservation. Some appetizer options at Citricos Lounge include Berkshire Pork Belly, Sweet Corn Bisque, Wild Mushroom Arancini, and Strawberry Salad. The indulgent main course offerings include Oak-grilled Filet Mignon with potato puree, broccolini, cipollini, and borelaise, Guava Barbecued Short Ribs with aged cheddar creamy grits, roasted poblano, curtido slaw, and brussel sprouts, and House Made Rigatoni with Bolognese, seasonal vegetables, mushrooms, and egg yolk. Foodies will also appreciate the menu enhancements offered at Citricos Lounge including Truffle Macaroni & Cheese, Smoked Cauliflower, and Grilled Marble Potatoes. Citricos Lounge features such an incredible menu that it absolutely can’t be skipped on the foodie’s monorail crawl at the Walt Disney World Resort!

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