Lounge Dining at Walt Disney World
Disney Lounges are our go-to when we need to feed a hungry crew or wet our whistle… all without needing a reservation.
Seasoned Disney veterans have enough tips and tricks up their sleeves to power trips of any size and season.
From where to stay, how to get around, how to beat the crowds, and especially how to get a coveted boarding group when the clock strikes 7a.m. Still, one of our top tricks of the trade is hidden at the lounge next to the restaurant where you may not have been able to snag a reservation.
Walt Disney World lounges are one of the best-kept secrets on property. Often nestled next to a larger restaurant or resort lobby, lounges are first-come, first-serve bars or salons that serve up unique cocktails and food options. Dining menus are often only a few dishes deep, but feature fan-favorites like Polynesian potstickers at Tambu Lounge, or the famous bread service at Sanaa Lounge.
These locations are often smaller, quieter, and much more intimate than their larger counterparts. Guests have the freedom to come and go on their own timelines, and can order drinks or a few small plates instead of committing to the time or cost of an entire sit-down meal. In several cases, you can even take drinks or snacks to go, satisfying a sweet tooth or indulging in a late-night cocktail from the comfort of your Disney Resort hotel room.
Disney lounges have garnered such a niche following that guests now make a point to grab a seat in lieu of a formal reservation.
We spoke with Matt of The Disney Cocktailor to find out more about what makes these not-so-hidden gems so special.
Matt first visited Walt Disney World in 1996. From 2006 onward, he returned almost annually, alongside his wife and twin daughters, and saw their trips evolve as the girls grew up and as tastes changed.
“Lounge dining was never really a priority while my daughters were kids,” he said. “Now that they’re grown – they’re 23 now – we make more of a point to stop by the lounges. In addition to favorites like Nomad and Top of the World, we’ve ‘dined’ at Trader Sam’s, Enchanted Rose, Geyser Point, Abracadabar, Oga’s Cantina… the list goes on.”
Matt hails the intimate atmosphere and flexibility as a huge draw for himself and his family. They enjoy being able to find a comfy seat, and often order right off the main dining menu without having to reserve a table or commit to full table-service meals.
“If Advanced Dining Reservations are hard to come by,” he said, “lounges offer you the luxury of walking up on a first come, first serve basis. Not being tied down by an ADR makes for a more relaxing visit where we can ‘pop in’ to a lounge.”
Aesthetically, Walt Disney World lounges are just as full of character as the resorts and restaurants they complement. From the colorful, Tiki charm of Trader Sam’s, to the illusionism of Abracadabar or futuristic vibes of Oga’s Cantina, these bars and bistros can become attractions within themselves.
“My favorite spot to relax with a cocktail (or two) is Belle Vue Lounge at the BoardWalk Inn, he said. “It’s tiny – easily missed if you’re not aware of it – and unassuming. No glitz, no gimmicks, no loud music… It feels like chilling out in someone’s living room. And in the late afternoon, the light that comes in from the windows is gorgeous. I just love it.”
His praises continue for heavier-themed lounges, as well, like Trader Sam’s at the Polynesian or the (former) Top of the World Lounge at Bay Lake Tower. Though the space has since been converted to a stricter, DVC-only perk, the Cocktailor family would always try to leave time to take in the atmosphere, small plates, and exclusive view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
In fact, many of these quirky spaces were inspiration for Matt to launch the Disney Cocktailor, where he reviews not only the handcrafted drinks and ambiance, but also helps fellow Disney fans to recreate their favorite sips at home.
And as much as we recommend our guests explore lounges as a creative and noncommittal pitstop, they may not be the right choice for all ages.
“While many lounges do welcome children, I wouldn’t recommend lounge dining for parents with young kids,” Matt said, citing the shorter list of kid-friendly menu options compared to other eateries on property.
We suggest perusing the online menus to best determine if a lounge or bar fits your group, taking into consideration environment, location, size and dietary preferences or restrictions. If you’re still unsure, consult a travel agent before your trip or ask your resort concierge for recommendations based on your needs.
To round out the discussion, we challenged Matt to imagine new lounges he’d like to see come to Walt Disney World… aside from the return of Top of the World.
As it turns out, it wasn’t much of a challenge.
His ideas include a spectrum of new opportunities, from a Bug’s Life-themed bar to take over the existing “It’s Tough to be a Bug” attraction, a Caribbean-style lounge along the Skyliner route, and a Riverboat-inspired watering hole right on Tom Sawyer’s Island.
Perhaps our favorite is the idea of The Snuggly Duckling making it’s way to the popular “Tangled Bathroom” area of Magic Kingdom. “It’s a total no-brainer,” he said. “This makes so much sense to put in a tavern styled after the scene from Tangled – and with the entertainment, too!”
