Great Lounges on Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom Monorial Loop
It's 4pm and you're in the Magic Kingdom, your stomach is rumbling and you're yearning to kick back with a relaxing drink before dinner. Yet even though there are many places within the Magic Kingdom that are designated as "Saloon" or "Tavern", much like Captain Jack, you'll find that the rum is always gone. Though there are over 50 great places to grab a drink in Walt Disney World, the Magic Kingdom is completely dry.
When Disneyland opened Walt Disney had a vision for kids of all ages to be able to enjoy the park together, in keeping with that vision of family fun for all ages when the Magic Kingdom opened it shared the same policy. So where should you go when you're ready to kick back, but don't want to stray to far from the Magic Kingdom? Why not try one of the many resort lounges located just off of the monorail line.
The Monorail Offers Convenient Transportation
Polynesian Resort offers a tropical get away that's right off the monorail stop. The Tambu Tambu Lounge is probably the fastest spot to grab an early evening drink, and they offer a great selection of appetizers to nosh before you head back to the park. If you're still looking for the rum, you'll find plenty of it here in the unique tropical drink that's served here, the Lapu Lapu.
The Lapu Lapu
The Contemporary Resort has several great spots for you to stop and quench your thirst or relax during your evening meal. On the grand concourse level you can sit back in a comfortable lounge chair at the Outer Rim, down on the lobby level the subdued Wave Bar & Lounge offers great selections of organic beers and craft brews, and if you stop by early you may even be able to snag a table at the California Grill Bar & Lounge for a magnificent view of the sunset.
The Wave Bar Seating
UPDATE 9/12/19 - Mizners closed in 2019 to make way for the new Enchanted Rose Lounge. Mizner's Lounge at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is located just off the Lobby and tucked behind the performance stage for the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra. Mizner's is one of my favorite places to just sit back and relax. From 4pm until 10pm you get the added bonus of listening to live jazz, and the spiced nuts make for a great nosh before dinner at Citricos, Narcoossee's or the Grand Floridian Cafe.
Grand Floridian Society Orchestra
No matter which of these lounges you chose, you can be assured that they're just a quick jaunt back to the Magic Kingdom on the monorail to catch even more magic on your vacation. If you have a little extra time, why not stroll out to the Resort Marina and catch a boat back to the park? It's a lovely trip across the seven seas lagoon and I find it a worthwhile journey.
If you want to learn more about these great lounges be sure to follow the links to read our earlier reviews. Where's your favorite lounge on the monorail crawl route? Is there some place special that you like to go when escaping the crowds of the Magic Kingdom? Leave me a comment and let me know which is your favorite!
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Mary wrote on Sat, 03/10/2012 - 00:01:
All of these are great! My husband and I have done the Monorail "pub crawl," hitting all of these spots, and it's great fun. The Polynesian is a beautiful spot to watch the fireworks if you don't want to fight the Cali Grill crowd. And the Wave Bar and Mizner's are two of the more intimate, adult spots in the World.
My only wish is that each one would have its own "signature" drinks. All the WDW bars tend to have a similar menu -- although the pineapple drink at Lapu Lapu is about as themey as you could possibly get. On our last pub crawl, we went with glowtinis at the Outer Rim for that futuristic feel, the pineapple at Lapu Lapu and old-fashioned cocktails at Mizner's. Good times.
Kristen K. wrote on Mon, 03/12/2012 - 20:17:
Try the French Martini at the California Grill Lounge too, it's fantastic!
Ken wrote on Mon, 03/12/2012 - 23:39:
Our favorite is Mizner's at the Grand Floridian. We've made a tradition of their mudslide martinis, and we often make a meal out of the shrimp cocktail and tapas offerings. Very relaxing to sit and listen to the orchestra and watch the people passing on the walkways outside- especially the little princesses!
Mark wrote on Mon, 03/17/2014 - 01:43:
We are definitely doing this crawl next time. I have to try this Lapu Lapu. I love Pineapple!
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