A hidden gem that we love at Disney World is the bars and lounges! These spots are an oasis from the busy crowds of the theme parks. To make them the paradise they are, seating is limited, and you might struggle to get a reservation.
Manhattan in the Morning Mocktail at GEO-82
We spoke with the Disney experts (i.e., our incredible team of writers and reporters) to ask for their tips on securing those coveted spots. Here are the best tricks we have!
Keep on checking
We know it feels unlikely that reservations will open up, but trust us, we’ve seen crazier things at Disney! Be sure to check the Disney My Experience app or website regularly to see if more reservations become available.
Truffled Ahi Tuna at GEO-82
From our experience, we’ve found that the closer we get to the date we want to go, the more likely we’ve seen reservations open. We’ve been lucky to snag a few the day before, but the only way you can do that is to keep checking, checking, checking.
Use sites to give notification alerts
There are a few third-party sites connected to Disney where you can sign up for notification alerts when reservations become available. You can choose the preferred locations and desired date and time range, and you’ll receive a text or email notification when a spot becomes available.
Rosado
This is a great way to “keep checking the app” without having to constantly be on your phone.
Sesid Seltzer at Oga’s Cantina
Sometimes, you’ll need to line up to get a spot
Some locations, such as Trader Sam’s, don’t require reservations. Instead, you need to go to the area and join the waitlist. Be prepared to get there early and be willing to wait if you really want that spot.
Time to get in line!
While we would love to book a reservation in advance, some places are so busy that we would never find an available spot. These types of bars are perfect for your check-in or check-out days when you’re not planning on heading to a park.
Check for walk-up availability
Sometimes, the magic password is going to the host stand and asking for available reservations! Please note that this is not guaranteed, and especially during the busiest times of the year, there may not be a spot available for you. This doesn’t mean it’s not worth asking!
Drinks at Nomad Lounge
Keep in mind that a significant amount of walk-up availability will require you to sit at the bar. If you’re looking for a table, seating may take longer to become available, or it may not be available at all.
Bar seating
When a lounge is new, it’s likely that same-day reservations won’t be available. Currently, GEO-82, the newest lounge to open in EPCOT, does not offer walk-up reservations, regardless of whether you sit at the bar or the main room.
Sit at at the bar…trust us.
Keep an eye on your group size
Sometimes we can’t find a reservation for two people, but we can find one for three! It might be time to invite your bestie to come hang out with you and make the table size a little bigger. This might be frustrating, but if you can be flexible with your party size, you might be able to get a reservation when you want it.
Enchanted Rose Lounge
If you really want to get into that bar, you might have to put a little more work into getting that reservation. It might feel like a lot of hoopla to get it, but once you’re sitting down in a comfy chair with a drink in your hand, you’ll be thanking yourself for all of your hard work. Keep following Disney Food Blog for more tips and tricks for your next Disney World trip.
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What’s your favorite bar or lounge at Disney World? Tell us in the comments!
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My fiancé had never been to Disney World before, and I planned our first trip together earlier this year! We planned to see all four parks over an extended weekend, and Animal Kingdom was our first visit. The park closes pretty early in January (at 6pm), but it was a wonderful first day, because we got “pixie dusted” by a cast member who got us a spot inside the Nomad Lounge 20 minutes before closing!! I was over the moon, and all we had to do was put in our order to the kitchen before 6pm and they did not rush us at all! We even got an empty bus that would take us back to our hotel and it was so peaceful and a magical start to our mini vacation! We are already talking about when we can go back on another trip!