Much like drinking around the world in EPCOT, creating your own bar crawl around the resort hotels has become popular among vacationers that are 21 and up. And, the best part? You don’t need to shell out cash for a park ticket!
There’s somewhere to grab a drink at every Disney resort hotel, but the monorail bar crawl features some of the very best bars and lounges that Disney World has to offer. You’ll enter the world of Beauty and The Beast at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, laugh your way through drinks at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and relax like Walt Disney himself at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. And, you won’t even need a “DD” — the highway in the sky connects them all for free!
So, are you ready to start planning an EPIC Disney World monorail bar crawl? Let’s go!
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
If you’re hopping on the monorail at the Transportation and Ticket Center (also known as the TTC), then your first stop will be Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort!
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is themed to make you feel like you’ve stepped onto a remote island and it’s home to one of the most immersive lounges in Walt Disney World — Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto!
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is a hidden tiki bar that is an extension of the Jungle Cruise attraction in Magic Kingdom. If you’re familiar with the ride, then you know that Skippers always have a cheesy joke up their sleeve, and that’s the same at Trader Sam’s! And, the antics are leveled up even more at the tiki bar. The entire room comes to life throughout your dining experience with erupting volcanos, chants to a tiki goddess, and special lighting effects — and you get to participate in it all!
The lounge is somewhat of a hidden secret in Disney World, but that doesn’t mean that it’s easy to get in. To keep your experience more intimate, there’s room for only 50 people inside Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. So, you’ll likely encounter a wait when you arrive.
To manage the crowds, Disney has a virtual queue in place. But, unlike the virtual queues you might be used to in the parks, you need to check in with a Cast Member at the front of the lounge to be added to the list.
You’ll usually find the lowest wait right when the lounge opens at 3PM. And, depending on what time of year you’re visiting, the virtual queue can fill up early in the evening. Because of this, the earlier you arrive the better!
So, what on the menu is a must-try? Here are our recommendations:
Best Themed Drinks
- Polynesian Pearl — Made with a mix of RumChata Cream Liqueur, Grand Marnier, and Cinnamon with Tropical Juices, this cocktail comes served in a pearl picked straight out of a giant clam. It’s a sweet cinnamon-tasting drink and you even get to keep the pearl it comes served in as a souvenir. And, you never know — you might be one of the lucky ones who gets a black pearl!
- Zombie — This highly themed tropical cocktail is made with Gosling’s 151 Black Seal Rum, Appleton Estate Reserve Rum, Bacardi 8 yr Rum, Tropical Juices, Falernum, and Cinnamon. It’s more of an acquired taste, but the fun is that it is served by your Skipper-turned-zombie.
- HippopotoMai-Tai — As a fun twist on the classic Mai Tai cocktail, the HippopotoMai-Tai is made with Plantation Original Dark Rum, Bacardi Superior Rum, Bols Orange Curaçao, Orgeat (Almond), Organic Agave Nectar, and fresh Lime Juice and comes served in a hippo-themed mug (which you can pay extra for to take home with you). This one is a HUGE hit among guests because it’s pretty tasty and the whole bar gets involved when it is delivered to you!
- Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum — If you love pineapple, coconut, and rum, then this is THE drink for you! It is made with Pyrat XO Reserve Rum, Cream of Coconut, and Pineapple and Orange Juices dusted with Cinnamon and Nutmeg. The theming isn’t super over the top compared to some of the other drinks served here, but your Skipper will serenade you with the recognizable Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room song when they deliver it!
Best Drinks For a Group
- Uh-Oa — Served in a bowl with a cube in the center that is on fire (literally!), you’ll get to throw cinnamon at the flames while shouting a chant to Uh-Oa, the tiki goddess. Aside from the fun theatrics that the whole bar gets involved in, the drink is also pretty tasty with a mix of Plantation Original Dark Rum, Bacardi Superior Rum, Orange, Passion Fruit, Guava, Pineapple, and Grapefruit Juices, Falernum, Cinnamon, and fresh Lime Juice.
- Nautilus — Your Skipper will swim over to your table with this giant submarine glass filled with a cocktail featuring Cruzan Mango Rum, Appleton Estate Reserve Rum, Combier Crème de Pêche de Vigne Liqueur, Tropical Juices, and Falernum.
The VacationEAR Favorites
- Mosquito Mojito — There’s nothing fancy about this one, but that’s no excuse to pass it over on the menu! The Mosquito Mojito is a simple twist on the classic cocktail featuring Bacardi Dragon Berry Rum, Organic Agave Nectar, Falernum, Mint, and fresh Lime Juice topped with Soda Water.
- Heart of Polynesia — Inspired by Disney’s Moana, you won’t find this one on the menu — it’s on the SECRET MENU! It is a tropical mix of Coruba, Bacardi, Blue Curaçao, Cream of Banana, Orange, and Pineapple and has a color that looks a lot like the Heart of Tifiti Medalian from the movie.
Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace
Get to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort later in the evening and find out that the wait list is full? Not in the mood for all the Skipper antics? You can still get your tropical drink fix!
The full Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto drink menu is also available at Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace! This outdoor bar is located just outside of the lounge and is a great place to grab a drink while you wait to be called from the virtual queue or to grab a quick drink if you’re on a time crunch during your monorail bar crawl.
Just note that you won’t get any big performances with the delivery of your drink as it’s more of a standard bar that serves tropical drinks.
Tambu Lounge
Looking for a lounge that has more to offer than just drinks? Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto does have an appetizer menu, but the food at Tambu Lounge just might be better! Located on the second floor of the lobby right next to ‘Ohana, Tambu Lounge is a full-service bar with a variety of tropical-inspired drinks and Hawaiian appetizers.
You can expect a more standard Disney cocktail menu, but there are still some gems here! For example, the Lapu Lapu is a popular signature drink at Tambu Lounge made with Plantation Original Dark Rum and Tropical Fruit Juices served in a fresh Pineapple topped with Gosling’s 151 Rum. Or, you can order up the Backscratcher — it just sounds fun, right?
But, the real thing that might make you head to Tambu Lounge over Trader Sam’s is the FOOD! The menu features select items from ‘Ohana including Pot Stickers and Big Kahuna’s Hot Wings which are similar to the wings served at the restaurant. Plus, in the past, they’ve even had the famous ‘Ohana noodles on the menu too.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
The next stop is Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa on the monorail loop, where you’ll have drinks inside a fan-favorite Disney fairytale!
Enchanted Rose
The Enchanted Rose Lounge is located on the second floor of the lobby at the Grand Floridian in the former home of Mizner’s Lounge. When the refurbishments took place in 2019, the relaxed lounge was expanded and transformed into an elegant space themed to Disney’s live-action remake of Beauty and The Beast.
And, when we say that it was expanded, we really mean it! What was once a small lounge area in the corner of the Grand Floridian is now a lounge that features four different themed areas filled with hidden details from the movie. The full-service bar is what might be considered the “main space” of the lounge and features a giant golden chandelier that mimics the flowing ball gown that Belle wears in the movie.
Just to the right of the bar is what’s known as the “whimsical garden room” which is inspired by the forest that surrounds the Beast’s castle. And, outside is the balcony that will remind you of Beast’s garden terrace.
The final space is an off-shoot from the Enchanted Rose (you’ll have to exit the bar area to get here) and is themed to be Belle’s formal library. This is where you’ll find some really cool hidden details from the film like a clock that looks like Cogsworth and a candlelight that represents Lumiere.
The menu here features drinks that have more of an up-scale taste, so it might be a bit harder to find a favorite if you’re picky. But, here are some picks that have passed the taste test and gained popularity among Disney fans:
- Rye Not? cocktail made with Whistle Pig 10yr Rye Whiskey, Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge, Cinnamon, Pineapple, and Lemon.
- Floral Bitter Beauty cocktail made with Hendrick’s Gin, St~Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Campari, Aperol, Lemon, and Soda.
- The Grand Cosmopolitan which is a callback to the Mizner’s Lounge menu and is made with Grey Goose Vodka, Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge, and Juices of Cranberry and Lime.
Of course, we can’t talk about the Enchanted Rose menu without mentioning the Truffle Fries. These delicious fries are topped with a tasty blend of black truffle, aged parmesan, and truffle aïoli. And, if you’re celebrating something really special, Enchanted Rose features the most expensive appetizer of all the lounges — Caviar! It features Siberian Caviar, Egg Yolk Spread, Crème Fraîche, Caper Berries, and Brioche and costs a whopping $115 (!!).
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
The last stop (or what might be your first or second, depending on your strategy) is Disney’s Contemporary Resort where there’s not one…not two…but THREE different lounges to choose from!
Steakhouse 71 Lounge
The newest lounge at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is an extension of the new restaurant that replaced The Wave — Steakhouse 71! Inside is a traditional high-end Disney World table-service restaurant, but there’s also a lounge attached if you just want to stop in to sample some of their popular drinks and appetizers. So, no need to wake up early 60 days in advance to secure a dining reservation here if you’re doing a monorail bar crawl!
If you’re not familiar, Steakhouse 71 is themed to all things that relate to the opening of Walt Disney World. For example, the “71” is a nod to the opening year of the resort, 1971, and inside you’ll find retro decor that pays tribute to the 70s and popular Disney icons. Plus, your walk down the hallway to the Cast Member podium is filled with photos and memorabilia from the construction and early days of Disney World making Steakhouse 71 a fun spot to dine at for more than just the food!
When it comes to drinks, there’s a pretty extensive menu. But, if you’re looking to stick with the theme of paying tribute to the grand opening of Disney World, you can’t go wrong with the French 71 cocktail or the 1971 Sunset.
The French 71 (which was previously the “Pear French 75”) is made with Courvoisier VS Cognac, Pear Nectar, Agave Syrup, Lemon Juice, and Prosecco. It’s on the sweeter end when it comes to flavor, but it’s not overly sweet like some Disney cocktails.
And, the 1971 Sunset (which was formerly known as the “Tequila Sunrise for Two” when the restaurant first opened) is served in a huge bowl-like cup and features the very popular Disney drink, POG Juice (a mix of Passion Fruit, Orange, and Guava juices). The full ingredient list includes Herradura Reposado Tequila, POG Juice, Rosemary Simple Syrup, and House-made Grenadine. Consider sharing this one though, because it is pretty big!
Outer Rim
If you’re looking for a less-formal experience, Outer Rim is another bar at Disney’s Contemporary Resort that can be found on the 4th Floor Grand Canyon Concourse next to Chef Mickey’s and Contempo Cafe. There’s nothing all that special about this bar, but it’s a great place to stop if you want to be in the middle of all the action and take in the hotel’s unique atmosphere. Plus, you’ll also have a nice view of Bay Lake while you enjoy your drink.
The menu at Outer Rim is pretty standard with several specialty cocktails that can be found at most Disney World bars including a Watermelon Margarita and a Blue “Glow-tini” that comes with a fun glow cube lighting up your drink. It’s also a full-service bar, so you can order up really any cocktail that you’d like. Or, there’s a selection of beers available as well.
Top Of The World Lounge — A Villains Lair
The most exclusive Disney World bar on the monorail is the Top Of The World Lounge — A Villains Lair. It is located on the top floor of Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and is only open to Disney Vacation Club members.
The lounge pays tribute to the origins of Disney’s Contemporary Resort (as Top Of The World was the original name of California Grill when the hotel first opened), but it was recently rethemed in 2022 to Disney villains. The idea is that the villains took over the lounge when it was closed for two years and now you’re invited into the “devils’ playground.”
Throughout the lounge, you’ll see nods to Disney villains, and the entire menu is themed as well!
Don’t forget that you’ll need to have your eligible DVC Member card to enter and note that there are some dates that the lounge closes for special events (typically holidays) so confirm the hours on Disney’s website before you make your plans.
Well, that’s it — EVERYWHERE you can grab a drink on Disney’s Monorail loop! Keep in mind that resort hopping is a little different since the resort reopened in 2020. Now, all guests either need to be staying at the hotel, have a dining reservation, or have placed a mobile order to park at the resorts. But, you don’t need to worry about this if you’re parking at the Transportation and Ticket Center or taking a bus to Magic Kingdom before you hop on the monorail!
So, get ready for the ultimate Disney World bar crawl and stay tuned to The VacationEAR for more of the latest Disney hotel tips, tricks, and updates!