9 Hidden Gem Lounges to Eat and Drink at in Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World is full of tasty treats like Mickey-shaped ice cream sandwiches and rose-colored churros. We want to let you in on a little secret though: Some of the best eats and drinks can be found at the hotel lounges throughout the resort. Away from the hustle and bustle of the parks, these lounges offer reprieve from the hot Central Florida sun (plus have out-of-this-world menu options), which is why we think they should be on your must-do list next time you visit The Most Magical Place on Earth.
1. Geyser Point Bar & Grill, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Overlooking the gorgeous Bay Lake, this poolside bar and grill has views and food that make it worth the trek to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Tip: Geyser Point Bar & Grill is an open-air location, so we recommend visiting from late fall to early spring.
Small Bites to Try:
- Cheesy barbecue brisket with house-made chips
- Salmon rillette with sourdough crisps
Specialty Cocktail to Try:
- Huckleberry Punch: 44° North Mountain Huckleberry Vodka, Bols Crème de Cassis, fresh lemon juice, and cranberry juice
2. AbracadaBar, Disney’s BoardWalk: Supposedly a former magicians’ hangout, AbracadaBar features spellbinding sips. Tip: While this lounge doesn’t serve food, we suggest taking a stroll down the boardwalk to Ample Hills Creamery, an ice cream joint beloved by both Oprah and Disney CEO Bob Iger.
Specialty Cocktails to Try:
- Pepper’s Ghost: Ciroc Pineapple Vodka and habanero lime
- The Conjurita: a color-changing cocktail of El Mayor Tequila, Cointreau, simple syrup, and lime juice
3. Ale & Compass Lounge, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort: This recently renovated lounge boasts a sleek new design with nautical touches — and some of the most unique oven-fired pizza pies at Walt Disney World Resort.
Small Bites to Try:
- Hearth oven “pie” with white clams
- Parker house rolls and spreads with bacon jam, pub cheese, and smoked trout spread
- Roasted buffalo-style cauliflower with hearts of romaine and herb ranch for dipping
Specialty Cocktail to Try:
- Galleon Gimlet: Plymouth Navy Strength Gin with fresh lime juice and simple syrup
4. Tambu Lounge, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: If you can’t get into ‘Ohana next door, you’ll find some of its most popular items on the menu at Tambu Lounge.
Small Bites to Try:
- Potstickers: wok-seared pork and vegetable dumplings with a creamy soy-ginger sauce
- Sticky wings: glazed chicken wings with tangy mustard drizzle and toasted sesame seeds
- ‘Ohana bread pudding
Specialty Cocktail to Try:
- Lapu Lapu: Myer’s Original Dark Rum and tropical fruit juices served in a fresh pineapple, topped with Goslings 151 Rum
5. Scat Cat’s Club, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter: Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter will make you think you’re in N’Awlins instead of Central Florida. This watering hole is a great place to sit for a spell and enjoy live jazz music. Tip: Head to the nearby Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory to pick up a piping-hot order of beignets.
Small Bites to Try:
- Mardi Gras Fritters: pimento cheese fritters with pepper jelly
Specialty Cocktail to Try:
- Ramos Fizz: Hendrick’s Gin, fresh lemon and lime juice, half and half, orange flower water, and agave nectar topped with soda water
6. River Roost, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside: A short walk or boat ride from the French Quarter area, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside feels a world away. With grand planation-style buildings and ample rocking chairs, it’s a great spot to relax. If you can, try to time your visit to River Roost around when the resident pianist Yehaa Bob performs.
Small Bites to Try:
- “Drunken Flatbread:” Steak with drunken goat cheese and pepper jelly
- Loaded Potato Puffs: Carolina pulled pork, Abita beer cheese, and pico de gallo
- Hummingbird Cake: River Roost’s signature dessert, a pineapple-banana cake soaked with Bayou-spiced rum, with roasted pecans and cream cheese frosting
Specialty Cocktails to Try:
- Sazerac: Bulleit Rye small-batch American whiskey, agave nectar, and Peychaud’s bitters with a splash of Pernod
- Southern Hurricane: Myers’s Original Dark Rum, Bayou Silver Rum, and tropical juices topped with a float of Southern Comfort
7. Mizner’s Lounge, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: Located behind the bandstand on the second floor of the Grand Floridian’s lobby, this is a fantastic spot to take in a live band while enjoying small bites. As a bonus, it’s a short monorail ride from Magic Kingdom. Mizner’s Lounge has several appetizers from nearby Cítricos’ exquisite menu, and desserts are confectionary works of art from the Grand Floridian Pastry Team lead by Master Pastry Chef Erich Herbitschek.
Small Bites to Try:
- Arancini: crispy risotto, mascarpone, and zesty garlic
- Slow-roasted Snake River Farms pork belly with Beluga lentils and hibiscus glaze
- Citricos flatbread, wild mushrooms, truffle cheese, tomatoes, guanciale, and roasted garlic creama
- Warm chocolate-banana torte with handcrafted Belgium couverture chocolate crown
Specialty Cocktail to Try:
- Mizner Cooler: St-Germain, Nolet’s Gin, lime juice, simple syrup, soda water, and fresh mint
8. Victoria Falls, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: Tucked between floors, this cozy lounge is the perfect spot to sample South African wine from an extensive list. Tip: Be sure to take a walk around the resort to watch for animals in one of the three savannahs.
Small Bites to Try:
- Goat cheese dip with assorted breads and crackers
- Wood-fired mushroom flatbread with forest mushrooms, soetpatats (stewed sweet potato), orange-scented goat cheese, and Cipollini onion
- Sweet and spicy crispy chicken wings served with spiced tomato jam and Shropshire blue cheese
Specialty Cocktail to Try:
- Victoria Falls Mist: Van der Hum Tangerine liqueur, melon and banana liqueurs, sweet-and-sour, and Sprite
9. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: Inside, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is an fantastically immersive tiki bar. Outside, Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace is a more relaxing experience with live music and a view of Seven Seas Lagoon. We recommend visiting both! Tip: Try to time your visit so you can view the Magic Kingdom fireworks spectacular, Happily Ever After, from the resort’s beach.
Small Bites to Try:
- Corn-battered Portuguese sausages served with curry ketchup
- Headhunter sushi roll
- Hawaiian poke with sriracha aioli
Specialty Cocktails to Try:
- Uh-Oa!: Myers’s Original Dark Rum; Bacardi Superior Rum; orange, passion fruit, guava, pineapple, and grapefruit juices; Falernum; cinnamon; and fresh lime juice (this drink is recommended for two or more and is served in a souvenir tiki mug)
- Hippopotomaitai: Coruba Dark Rum, Bacardi Superior Rum, Bols Orange Curaçao, Orgeat (Almond), organic agave nectar, and fresh lime juice (served in a souvenir tiki glass)
- Spikey Pineapple: Barbancourt Pango Rhum blended with pineapple soft-serve
What’s your favorite thing to eat at Walt Disney World Resort? Tell us @BritandCo!
(Photos via Disney Parks)
