Welcome to this month’s Blogorail Green Loop. Today we are discussing some of the best bars and lounges at the Disney Parks.
What better way is there to bring out your Adult Disneyside than to visit all the great lounges in Walt Disney World? Each one offers a different atmosphere with that second to none Disney Flare.
Two of my favorite places to enjoy a delicious adult beverage and a scrumptious snackatizer in an atmosphere I could never find back at home, are the Tambu lounge which is nestled in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and the California Grill Lounge found at the tippy top of the Contemporary Resort.
How does a trip to the South Seas Sound? The Tambu lounge is where you will feel you’ve been whisked away into the South Pacific as you hold a pineapple filled cocktail in your hands.
The newly renamed and re-imagined Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has been on the scene since 1971 as one of Disney’s original resorts. For me, part of its charm is its 1971 flare which lends to its nostalgic feel. But this isn’t the only reason I continue to return to Tambu lounge. It’s definitely the snackatizers, aka pub food – South Pacific style.
My last visit was during the 2015 Princess Marathon Weekend; where else would four famished runDisney princesses go to stuff their faces after a race?
You will find Tambu Lounge on the second floor of Poly’s Great Ceremonial House adjacent to ‘Ohana. Cocktails are served about 4:00pm but food doesn’t start flowing until 5:00pm. It is best to plan on getting there early to grab a seat because this is a popular place for many, including native Florida residents.
So what did the four famished princesses order?
Chicken Wings, Crisp Breads and Dips and Pulled Pork Nachos!
‘Ohana and Tambu lounge are known for their chicken wings or as some refer to them- Sticky Wings; you can choose from Honey-Coriander or Spicy. For me Honey-Coriander always wins and never disappoints. The sticky sauce not only sticks to the chicken wings but also your fingers and your ribs. It is a sweet goodness that is not to be missed.
I can’t go on enough about their nachos. I couldn’t stop reaching in for more. It tasted like there were potato chips mixed throughout the nacho chips. They are loaded with pork, cheese, pineapple salsa and drizzled with spicy mayo – what’s not to love?! This was a delicious plate of nachos amped up with some delicious flavors and it hasn’t seen the last of me!
Lastly the assorted breads and dips, (Sun-dried Tomato Pesto, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, and Baba Ghanoush) were enjoyable, but next to the South Pacific wings and nachos they really became invisible. I rather of had this by itself with a glass of wine as a mid-afternoon snack.
So, if you are ready to take a trip to the South Seas and experience a little relaxation and enjoy some delicious flavors, visit the Tambu Lounge and order up a Lapu Lapu to get the party started.
My next NEW favorite is the stunning California Grill Lounge. Why? The view is jaw dropping! This is another lounge that you must arrive early because it is also on a first come first serve basis. To find your way there, check in with the hostess on the second floor then ride the elevator to the 15th floor, the very top of the Contemporary Resort.
My first visit was in February of 2015 and it was one I will not forget. How often do you have the chance to sit on top of “The World” and look out upon Cinderella Castle and Space Mountain? I could see the steam rising from the Walt Disney World Railroad and the Liberty Square River Boat.
During this lounge visit we opted not to order food and just enjoy a cocktail. Nicole suggested the Cucumber Fizz, I fell in love. I am not one for mixed drinks, but this cocktail was refreshing and delicious. What was in it? Gin, Limincello, cucumber water, and a splash of Lemon Lime Soda, I could have easily had two without blinking an eye.
Before we ended our visit, we ventured out to the observation deck. It was just amazing to be in the open air so high up looking out and over the Magic Kingdom. I didn’t want to leave, it was so peaceful and quiet and I wanted to soak every moment in so I could return home with it locked in my heart.
I look forward to enjoying more Disney lounges each time I return “home”, after all …… what better way than to show your Adult Disneyside?
check out the other great posts from the Blogorail!
Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Green | Disney Bars & Lounges Loop:
- 1st Stop – What’s the Point? | Jellyrolls
- 2nd Stop – Rolling with the Magic | Crew’s Cup Lounge
- 3rd Stop – DISTherapy | Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar
- 4th Stop – Two Moms and a Mouse | Tambu Lounge & the California Grill Lounge
- 4th Stop – Bibbidi Bobbidi Booze | La Cava del Tequila
Whoa! These both look like awesome experiences, but the Tambu Lounge at the Poly appears to me the most. I love that you can get the chicken wings from ‘Ohana and the nachos look amazing as well. And who wouldn’t want to drink out of a pineapple?! Who am I kidding? The Poly is my dream resort – one of these days, I’m going to actually stay there!
Poly is mu fave too Heidi! and I also dream of staying there… one day 🙂
I’m going to the Top of the World Lounge for the first time this November! Is it ok for me to bring my son for the fireworks?
I don’t see why not Roseanne … though I have only been there once.. and because it is on a first come first serve basis.. if the lounge is at it’s limited of people, they may not let you up.
I love both of those spots! The cucumber fizz really makes me want to visit the California Grill again soon. We’re staying at the Poly in January and I plan on spending some time at the Tambu Lounge and Trader Sams.
We LOVE LOVE LOVE the tambu lounge. We will easily find or way there after a day at the Magic Kingdom. It is just our relaxation spot. And my husband cannot get enough of those nachos. They also sell them at Captain Cooks if you get there before the lounge opens.
ChEARS to your adult Disney Side girls! I will admit to having a post-race beverage or two at both these spots, but I’ve never sampled the fare. The menu at the Tambu Lounge looks quite tantalizing and just different enough from the tropical offerings at nearby Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. (One would NOT want to tick off those tiki gods!!) The California Grill Lounge is the perfect place to unwind or wait for your dinner table; ESPECIALLY if you are lucky enough to score a chair. I will have to keep my eyes open for you gals during my next runDisney weekend!
I can’t believe you managed to find two Disney bars I haven’t been to yet. 🙂 I really need to try out the California Grill Lounge, and Tambu Lounge always looks great, but I’m usually so excited to get to Ohana for dinner I breeze right past it!