Let’s face it, sometimes tackling some of the major stuff you want to do at Disney World requires a game plan. That’s where we can help.

Drink up!

Whether it be traveling advice or tips on what to do (or not do) when you’re at Disney World, here at DFB, we’re here to help make your next Disney World vacation as easy as possible. We even have tips on how to get into that super popular Disney bar/lounge you’ve always wanted to try!

Getting into Disney World’s most popular bars and lounges can be a tough task at times, regardless of whether that bar is in a hotel, inside a Disney Park, or over at Disney Springs. Still, we know a few secrets you can use if you’re looking to grab that elusive seating!

Check the Calendar

©Disney

Despite what you may think, Disney World events that draw crowds don’t always result in busy bars and lounges. We recommend checking the Disney World calendar and circling a few dates if you’re looking for the BEST times to visit a popular bar or lounge. These special days include after-hours events, parties, or other nighttime events. Instead of crowding the bars, guests will be in the parks, giving you some of the best opportunities to either grab a dining reservation or simply walk up. Another tip that falls in line with this piece of advice is to visit during runDisney events. Trader Sam’s Grotto over at Disney’s Polynesian Resort is usually pretty busy but nights before races are fairly easygoing.

Go At Opening

Nomad Lounge

Not a day drinker? Perhaps you should reconsider. Sometimes your best opportunity to get into a bar or lounge is when it opens. For example, Nomad Lounge at Animal Kingdom is a popular lounge that has laid-back vibes, refreshing hand-crafted cocktails, and tasty lounge bites all served in a travel-themed bar. Sounds good, right? Well, other bar-goers agree and this place gets pretty busy while not offering advanced dining reservations. In cases like Nomad Lounge, we recommend rope-dropping and joining the walk-up list when the lounge opens either in person or on the My Disney Experience app.

Try To Avoid Weekends

Hollywood Studios Crowds

This piece of advice is simple — weekends generally bring in larger crowds at Disney World. It’s not just the bars and lounges that will be more filled, as everywhere you go will likely have big lines and longer waits. If you want the path with the least resistance, we recommend doing your bar-going midweek, if possible, to avoid the weekend rush.

Use Waitlists

It wasn’t a long wait at all!

We already touched on this but it can’t be overstated — waitlists can seriously come in handy. They can not only give you situational clarity, but they are oftentimes your best chance at getting into a bar or restaurant. They can be joined in person or conveniently on the My Disney Experience app, which allows you to save a place in line without having to physically be in a line.

Be Willing To Split Up Into Smaller Groups If Your Party Is Large

Oga’s Cantina

A reality about dining in general is that the smaller the party, the better chance you have to be seated. While not ideal in some circumstances, this principle must be kept in mind if you’re trying to get into a must-visit restaurant or lounge. This is especially true if you don’t have a reservation and are trying to get walk-up seating. If you have a large group (let’s say 6+ for example), the more willing you are to break off into pairs or groups of three or four, the more likely you are to be seated.

Show Up On Time If You’re On A Waitlist

White Rabbit

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Show up to your waitlist window ON TIME. You will generally be given a short window once your time is allocated so don’t wander too far off from the bar or lounge, as they will have no problem giving your time away to the next guest(s). You should also keep in mind that sometimes you may sign up for a long wait but get called in much sooner than you anticipated. When in doubt stay within 5-7 minutes walking distance of your waitlisted restaurant.

 Be Prepared To Barhop

Wine Bar George

Sometimes no matter what you do, it can be insanely difficult to get into that bar or lounge you’ve been dying to visit. Instead of getting sad, we suggest barhopping to a different bar! Disney World offers a plethora of great bars and lounges all over the resort that are guaranteed to scratch your bar itch. In fact, making a point to bar crawl can be a seriously fun time! For all things bars and lounges in Disney World, check out our guide below!

Disney World Bars and Lounges

We’re happy to help in any way we can so that you can have that PERFECT Disney World vacation, so be sure to follow us right here at DFB for all the latest Disney World news, tips, and reviews!

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