Disney Dining Serving up the latest Disney Eats, Treats, News, and More!
Sometimes it is nice to escape the hustle and bustle of the Disney theme parks and Disney Springs for a while and just hang around your resort (or another resort). Many of the moderate and deluxe resorts are home to very nice lounges that have great themes, light bites and drinks to offer. It is a nice place to go in the evening to reflect on your day, or to start off a dining experience. Here are 10 of my favorite resort lounges at Walt Disney World:
10. Outer Rim, Disney’s Contemporary Resort
This lounge is all about location—location within the resort itself that is. The Outer Rim is on the “main” floor of the resort just outside Chef Mickey’s and offers great views through the windows of Bay Lake, as well as prime monorail viewing as it glides through the atrium. The menu features a nice selection of wines and beers (including craft brews), along with several cocktails and mock-tails (in case you are visiting with your kids before dinner at Chef Mickey’s).
9. Belle Vue Lounge, Disney’s Boardwalk Resort
The Belle Vue Lounge is located within the Boardwalk Resort, not on the Boardwalk itself, and is a very comfortable atmosphere that has a dedicated following from patrons. The lounge has breakfast offerings that include continental breakfast items like bagels, cinnamon buns, scones, muffins and other pastries. You can get a Mimosa or Bloody Mary to go with your food. The lounge menu has specialty cocktails like the Belle Vue Cosmopolitan (Belvedere Vodka, Grand Marnier, and Cranberry Juice), along with a variety of wines from various regions and beers.
8. Mizner’s Lounge, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
You can’t get much grander than Mizner’s Lounge located in the heart of the Grand Floridian Lobby. I recommend stopping by when the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra is playing—it will enhance your time in the lounge with beautiful music and make you feel like you are in a grand hotel 100 years ago. The menu at Mizner’s features several light bites to compliment your drinks. Flatbreads, a Cheese Plate, Tuna Tartare, Arancini, and Pate are all on the menu along with desserts like Key Lime Pie. The drink list here is extensive with wines, sparking wines, beers (local & imported), cognac, scotch, bourbon & whiskey, and several cocktails. Signature drinks for Mizner’s include the Grand Cocktail (Ketel One Citroen Vodka, Pomegranate Liqueur, Cranberry Juice, Club Soda) and the Citricos Golden Margarita (Don Julio Reposado Tequila, Grand Marnier, and Fresh Lime Juice) among others. Mizner’s makes a perfect stop before or after dinner at one of the Grand Floridian’s signature restaurants, or as a destination of its own.
For a no obligation, FREE Quote with new bookings contact our sponsor Magical Vacation Planner by calling: 1(407)442-0289
Or for a free no obligation quote with new bookings you can fill out the form by Clicking HERE!
7. Territory Lounge, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Visiting the Wilderness Lodge is one of my favorite things, and I will use just about any excuse to get over there. The soaring lobby with the Pacific Northwest details everywhere make it a gorgeous setting any time of year (but especially when it is decorated for Christmas). Territory Lounge is located just off the lobby and the wonderful theming and attention to detail carry through into the lounge. It is so cozy and comfortable. Like Mizner’s, Territory Lounge offers a delicious selection of foods including some great snacks. The menu features Truffled Popcorn with Sea Salt, Hand Cut Fries, Artisanal Cheeses, Charcuterie, Wings, and Fondue among other choices. Wines and beers are on the drink menu along with an extensive list of cocktails—some are your standard Disney options, but have more of a Wilderness Lodge feel like the Smoked Turkey (Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, Red Stag Black Cherry Bourbon, Grenadine, and Odwalla Lemonade with a hint of Hickory Smoke, garnished with Luxardo Gourmet Maraschino Cherries).
6. Victoria Falls, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Animal Kingdom Lodge is another resort that I love to visit whether or not I am staying there. Victoria Falls is a beautiful lounge located just down from the main lobby. The menu of light bites features a Goat Cheese Dip, Wood-fired Mushroom Flatbread, Cheese & Charcuterie, and even a Cheeseburger. Like many of the restaurants at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Victoria Falls features South African Wines and you can choose from two different flights to sample. Cocktails here feature several location specific drinks like the Victoria Falls Mist, Mt. Kilimarita, and the Nyami Nyami.
5. River Roost Lounge, Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort
The main draw at the River Roost Lounge is the entertainment. On select nights you can find Yee Haa Bob here with his family friendly show. Yee Haa Bob plays the piano and engages the audience with an energy that few people possess. He is so much fun! Many loyal fans make the trip over more than once on their vacations even if they are staying elsewhere. River Roost offers some great appetizers to keep you snacking from 5pm-11pm including Mardi Gras Fritters, Bourbon Burger, Bayou Wings, Mississippi Mud Pie, and Hummingbird Cake among others. The lounge showcases Abita beer from a New Orleans Brewery, and some specialty cocktails like the Southern Hurricane (Myers’s Original Dark Rum, Bayou Silver Rum, and Tropical Juices topped with a float of Southern Comfort). The entire menu ties back into the resort’s theme.
4. Ale & Compass Lounge, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Recently refurbished, the Ale & Compass Lounge at the Yacht Club provides comfortable seating in a refined yet cozy setting. Wines and beers are featured on the menu with cocktails. Unlike many of the lounges, Ale & Compass Lounge has a selection of “original” cocktails specific to the lounge like the Purple Mariner (Hendrick’s Gin, Crème de Violette, Simple Syrup, and fresh Lemon Juice topped with Soda Water), a Maple Old Fashioned (Jim Beam Black Extra-aged Bourbon, Maple Syrup, Orange Juice, and Angostura Bitters), and the “How Dare You” (Fernet Branca Menta, fresh Lemon Juice, and Simple Syrup topped with Tonic Water). This makes it a very fun place to stop by for a drink, and the location within walking distance of Epcot’s International Gateway entrance makes it convenient for post-park drinks. But, you will also find a great menu of food offered here. Hearth Oven “Pies,” Roasted Littleneck Clams, Grape Leaf Wrapped Goat Cheese, Duck Rillette, Oven Roasted Oysters, and more. See why this is close to the top of my list?
3. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Trader Sam’s is probably number 1 for fun atmosphere if you get a seat inside the actual lounge. The interactive elements of this tiki lounge are very fun and engage the entire lounge in the antics. But, the capacity is limited, and overflow area is available on the tiki deck. The tiki deck offers great views in a nice outdoor setting that is much tamer than inside, but the same menu is offered. The drinks are the stars here served in unusual tiki and Disney themed vessels (most of which you have the opportunity to purchase and bring home with you—my HippopotMai-Tai glass is one of my favorite souvenirs). The drink menu also includes non-alcoholic options as you are allowed to take kids into the lounge up to a certain time of night. The cocktails are extensive with the Nautilus, Uh-Oa!, Krakatoa Punch, and Polynesian Pearl, just to name a few. The appetizer menu offers sushi, Hawaiian Poke, Kalua Pork Tacos and other options. This is another spot that is worth seeking out no matter where you are—and it is a convenient monorail or boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom.
2. AbracadaBar, Disney’s Boardwalk
The AbracadaBar on Disney’s Boardwalk is sort-of borderline for being a resort lounge since it is located on the Boardwalk itself. But, it has such a fun theme I really wanted to include it. As you may guess from the name, this lounge is all about magic, and ties to the Boardwalk in a very fun way with the early 20th century seaside theming. Beers and wines are offered, but there isn’t a food menu here. You can find an alcoholic Root Beer appropriately from Coney Island, along with Woodchuck Amber Cider. The specialty cocktails that you can’t find anywhere else are what really make the magic at AbracadaBar. Cocktails include: The Conjurita, Magic Hatten, Pepper’s Ghost, Magic Mirror, and Parlor Trick just to name a few. The Boardwalk is a great place to visit on its own, or walk or boat over while you are at Hollywood Studios or Epcot.
1. Geyser Point, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Geyser Point offers the most amazing outdoor lounge at Walt Disney World. It is situated on the shores of Bay Lake and offers great views night or day. The seating under the covered bar portion of the lounge is comfortable and cozy. You truly would never guess that you are just a boat ride away from a theme park when you are at Geyser Point. Amazing food is featured here on their “Rustic Fare” menu: Fried Oysters, Bison Cheeseburger, Shrimp on a Wire, Teriyaki Chicken Wings, Grilled Angus Strip Loin, Cheesy Barbecue Brisket, Roasted Salmon . . . my mouth is watering. The wine list features wines from the Pacific Northwest, and the beer list is pretty extensive featuring some craft breweries. Several cocktails are specific to Geyser Point and fit the Pacific Northwest theming of the resort: Huckleberry Punch, Northwest Iced Tea, Apple Mule, and WhipperSnapper Sour just to name a handful. Do yourself a favor and take a break from the Magic Kingdom to come over to Geyser Point for a relaxed meal and some drinks, you will love it.
What are your favorite resort lounges at Walt Disney World?
