Disney World Monorail Bar Crawl: The Ultimate Guide
The Monorail Bar Crawl at Walt Disney World is fun way to see several Disney resorts and indulge in some tasty cocktails along the way.
Everyone knows that Walt Disney World is a fabulous family destination. Over the years, we’ve taken our kids several times and done ALL the family friendly rides, restaurants, and character encounters. But, what do you do at the Happiest Place on Earth sans kiddos?
We recently took our first trip to Disney without kids for a work conference. It was the middle of summer high season. Temps were around 100° and we didn’t feel like fighting the crowds or the stroller brigade. So, we opted not to buy park tickets and looked for other ways to experience Disney World.
So, how do you stay cool, avoid the crowds, and enjoy some adult time at Disney World? A monorail bar crawl is the answer! Read on for the ultimate guide to a fun Disney World Monorail Bar Crawl.
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What is a Monorail Bar Crawl?
The Monorail Bar Crawl is an unofficial challenge similar to “Drinking around the World” at EPCOT, where guests visit the 11 countries in the World Showcase and order one drink in each pavilion. Only our version does not require park tickets and takes you to the three Magic Kingdom Area Resorts along the monorail line.
You will visit Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. At each stop, you hit a Disney lounge (or two) for a drink and some light bites.
Our Monorail Bar Crawl Itinerary
There are no rules to the Monorail Bar Crawl. Start and finish wherever you like. The Resort Monorail travels a complete loop, so you can’t get lost.
We were staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian, so we wanted to finish our pub crawl at our home resort.
Also, we wanted to start the crawl with Trader Sam’s at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. It’s the most popular lounge and wait times can be long if you get there after opening.
To make all this work, we boarded the monorail at Grand Floridian and rode the loop all the way around to Disney’s Polynesian. Next, we moved onto the Contemporary, and finally ended up back home at the Grand Floridian.
If you choose to start at Magic Kingdom or the TTC, be sure to take the Resort Monorail, not the Express. The Express train runs directly from TTC to Magic Kingdom and back, skipping the resorts.
Keep in mind that the Resort Monorail starts running 30 minutes prior to Magic Kingdom Park opening and runs 1 hour past closing.
No Baggage Required Travel Tip
OK – There is one rule for the Monorail Bar Crawl: Indulge Responsibly
If you are not staying at a Disney resort, make sure you have a designated driver or plan to call an Uber or Lyft.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Stop #1: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is a hidden gem at Disney World with a cult-like following. Located off the lobby of Disney’s Polynesian, next to Capt. Cooks, the entrance is almost nondescript except for the simple sign. There are no windows to tease the fun inside, so you just have to line up and see for yourself.
And, we do mean line up. Trader Sam’s waitlist is no joke. The tiki bar has only 51 seats and the queue starts lining up well before opening, making Trader Sam’s one of the hottest tickets in all of Disney World. We recommend making this your first stop on your Disney resort bar crawl or you may not get in.
Trader Sam’s opens at 3:00pm. Cast members start taking names for the waitlist around 2:30. Put your name on the list early and explore the resort for a half hour while you wait.
Showing up just a couple of hours later can mean even longer lines – as in a 4 to 6 hour wait, with no guarantee that you will get a seat. And, trust me – you don’t want to miss this place.
Trader Sam’s is worth the hype.
The best way I can describe Trader Sam’s is if The Jungle Cruise and the Enchanted Tiki Room had a baby and that baby was a bar. Expect volcanic eruptions, some lightning storms, a little chanting to the tiki goddess, hilarious servers, and a whole lot of crowd participation.
The menu of specialty drinks captures the spirit of the south pacific with multiple rum concoctions but also includes beer, cider, and wine options.
Ashley’s Pick
HippopotoMai-Tai – Plantation Original Dark Rum, Bacardi Superior Rum, Bols Orange Curaçao, Orgeat (Almond), Organic Agave Nectar, and fresh Lime Juice. You can also purchase the souvenir mug.
Jason’s Pick
Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum – Pyrat XO Reserve Rum, Cream of Coconut, and Pineapple and Orange Juices dusted with Cinnamon and Nutmeg
Our Bar Menu Picks
Thai Chicken Flatbread with bacon and peanut sauce
Pan Fried Dumplings with soy-sesame dipping sauce
TRADER SAMS QUICK FACTS
Stop #2: Tambu Lounge
Next stop on your monorail bar crawl is also at the Polynesian Resort. Head upstairs to the Tambu Lounge, located on the second floor.
Tambu Lounge is located right next to Ohana and close the Polynesian’s other table service restaurant, Kona Cafe. As the prime pre-dinner cocktail lounge for both, the bar can get busy. But, there is plenty of seating at the bar, in the lounge, and outside in the waiting area.
The island vibe is strong at the Tambu Lounge. The bar itself has a thatched roof, tiki carved columns, and the lounge is outfitted with rattan furniture. Huge windows look out over the tropical gardens, so its easy to forget you are in Orlando – not French Polynesia.
Tambu Lounge has Hawaiian themed bites and sushi on the bar menu as well as some pretty fun non-alcoholic drinks.
The Lapu Lapu is probably the most instagrammed cocktail in the entire Disney World Resort. The popular rum drink is served in a fresh pineapple.
Ashley’s Pick
Backscratcher – Bacardi Superior Rum, Plantation Original Dark Rum, and Guava-Passion Fruit Juice topped with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and a Bamboo Backscratcher
Jason’s Pick
Golden Haze Margarita – Teremana Blanco Tequila, Grand Marnier Liqueur, Smoked Chili Bitters, Lime, Agave
Our Bar Menu Picks
Kaikane’s Barbecued Pork Ribs with Korean-style Barbecue Sauce, Pickled Peppers, and Pineapple Slaw
TAMBU LOUNGE QUICK FACTS
Other Options at Polynesian Resort
- Tiki Terrace – If you can’t get a seat at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto or you prefer your mai tai without the special effects, the Tiki Terrace is located right outside and serves the same tropical drinks with views of Seven Seas Lagoon.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Stop #3: Outer Rim
Our next stop was the Outer Rim at the Contemporary Resort. Fun fact – This is Disney World’s original hotel and where my family stayed on my very first trip to Disney. Not that I remember much of that trip – I was six weeks old.
The Outer Rim is located on the 4th floor of the resort, which is the center of just about everything. You’ll find shopping, entertainment, and a couple of restaurants. The bar is tucked in the corner next to Chef Mickeys.
If you can swing it, grab one of the chairs next to the enormous windows overlooking Bay Lake.
This floor is the base of the open A-frame, so the area can get rather loud. The Outer Rim is not your intimate, cozy bar. But, it is a cool place to grab a drink with your friends. With no over the top theming to distract us, this is where we got to relax and just talk.
The Outer Rim does not serve food, so be sure to have something before you stop here.
Ashley’s Pick
Smoked Turkey – Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, Red Stag Black Cherry Bourbon, Grenadine, and Minute Maid® Premium Lemonade with a hint of Hickory Smoke, garnished with Luxardo Gourmet Maraschino Cherries
Jason’s Pick
Blood Orange Margarita – Sauza Conmemorativo Añejo Tequila, Cointreau, Lime Juice, and Blood Orange Sour
OUTER RIM QUICK FACTS
Other Options at the Contemporary Resort
- Steakhouse 71 Lounge – Steakhouse 71 is a casual, family friendly steakhouse that pays homage to Walt and Lillian Disney. Add the Steakhouse 71 Lounge for a traditional gimlet or French 75.
- California Grill Lounge – The California Grill is located on the 15th floor and boasts one of the best views in Disney World. The restaurant does have a dress code, so if you are looking for a casual date night stick with one of the other bars.
- Contemporary Grounds – While not your typical stop on a Disney World monorail bar crawl, this spot does serve an interesting spiked coffee. The Kahlua Tini is a cold coffee topped with Coffee Liqueur, Vodka, and light cream. As a coffee shop, Contemporary Grounds is only open until 1pm, so that might strike it from your plan.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Stop #4: Enchanted Rose
The final stop on our Monorail Bar Crawl was the Enchanted Rose at The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. And, in our opinion we saved the best for last.
The Grand Floridian monorail platform is on the 2nd floor, which is also where Enchanted Rose is located. But, if you aren’t staying in the resort, take time to walk downstairs and explore the gorgeous lobby.
If you have stayed in the resort before, you may remember Mizner’s Lounge. Imagineers reimagined that bar into Enchanted Rose with four distinct spaces based on Beauty and the Beast.
The show stopping chandelier over the bar is inspired by Belle’s ball gown. The Library has French furnishings in soft velvet and the Terrace is based on the castle’s patio. We were seated in the Garden Room with large windows overlooking the terrace and woodland murals on the walls.
Our server was very knowledgeable about all of the cocktails and appetizers. We took his recommendations on both and were not disappointed. We are huge fans of charcuterie and cheese plates. These were some of the best we have ever had. Each flavor blended perfectly with the others. I’m still trying to recreate the citrus mustard. It marinates for 3 days before serving and was absolutely delicious.
We stayed longer at Enchanted Rose than any of our other stops. We savored the cocktails, cheeses, and charcuterie as well as our time together.
Ashley’s Pick
Seasonal Old Fashioned – Widow Jane 10yr Straight Bourbon Whiskey, House-made Seasonal Syrup, and Bitters. The syrup flavor changes every few weeks. Mine was cherry and it was garnished with rosemary. It was divine.
Jason’s Pick
Rye Not – Whistle Pig 10yr Rye Whiskey, Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge, Cinnamon, Pineapple, and Lemon
Our Bar Menu Picks
Charcuterie with duck rillettes, bresaola, serrano ham, sopressata, tomato jam, cornichons, citrus mustard, pickled carrots, olive crostini, grissini
Artisanal Cheese Selection with four chef-selected tasting portions, honeycomb, quince paste, apricot jam, pumpkin seed brittle, cranberry bread
ENCHANTED ROSE QUICK FACTS
Other Options at Disney’s Grand Floridian
- Cítrico’s Lounge – Located behind Victoria and Alberts, Citrico’s Lounge is a great spot to get a glass a wine and enjoy the resort’s garden views. Or, if people watching is more your speed, take your glass to one of the sofas in the beautiful lobby to watch the comings and goings.
Monorail Bar Crawl Tips
There is no right or wrong way to do a Disney World monorail pub crawl. There are no rules (except the one about having a DD). But, there are some tips that will help you make the most of your night.
- First and foremost, take your time. We aren’t 21 anymore. Nor do we want to party like its 1999.
- Go slow and take time to enjoy each resort. Wander through the lobbies and public spaces.
- Drink a glass of water between cocktails and order some light bites at several stops along the way.
FAQs About Disney Monorail Bar Crawl
best spots to watch
Magic Kingdom Fireworks on Monorail Bar Crawl
Keep an eye on the time as you hop from resort to resort. Wherever you are when the Magic Kingdom fireworks kick off, we have the perfect spot for you to catch the show.
I hope this Monorail Bar Crawl guide has given you some ideas for your next trip to Disney World. We had such a great time exploring the Walt Disney World Resort, sampling amazing cocktails, and enjoying our time together.
Have you tried a Walt Disney Monorail Bar Crawl? What were your favorite spots?
Trip Planning Checklist
- Find a deal on a hotel
- Choose an apartment or home to stay
- Book a rental car
- Pick up our favorite Disney Travel Guide
- Sign up for airport lounge access
- Learn to make a destination inspired cocktail
- Find tours and other fun things to do
- Book an audio tour to explore on your own
- Download some conversation starters for the trip
- Pack your carry on with all the essentials
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