Picture yourself at Walt Disney World, pushing a stroller around, possibly on a multi-generational family trip, and you find nap time is quickly approaching – for everyone. You just want a little Me Time. There’s nothing wrong with that. Parents need to stay sane and take advantage of down time, or even treat themselves to a visit to the parks WITHOUT the kids. Family travel can get crazy, so why not ask a family member to watch the kids, so you and your spouse can have a few moments of adult time.
Did you know here are nearly 400 places to dine across Walt Disney World Resort? And that’s not counting the portable food carts. In all, more than 6,000 different food items are available. And chances are, if the restaurants aren’t in the Magic Kingdom, they just might have an adult beverages on the menu for you to enjoy. If wine is your poison of choice, then you’ll want to know that more than 600 sommeliers have been awarded the Court of Master Sommelier Introductory Certificate at Walt Disney World Resort, with more than 300 sommeliers currently in restaurants.
With so many restaurants and dining choices, where should you go for that “special” drink? Here are just of few of our top choices for a cocktail, beer, or wine while at Walt Disney World.
Epcot’s World Showcase
United Kingdom – The Rose and Crown Pub and Dining room brings visitors into Victorian England with its etched glass panels, dark mahogany bar and authentic dart board. If you are looking for hearty ale, this place offers specially designed ale warmer can heat your Guinness to 55 degrees, the temperature favored by Brits.
Mexico – The pavilion features a festive and colorful celebration of the beauty and culture of Mexico that is fun for guests of all ages. “Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros” is an excursion by tour boat through the vibrant, eye-filling sights and lively music of Mexico. This will get you in the mood to grab a delicious margarita from one of the nearby stands. If you are looking for a tequila bar, TravelingMamas.com hears that’s in the works for 2010.
Japan – In the Matsu-no-ma Lounge, visitors see a majestic view of Future World across the lagoon while sampling sushi, Japanese pickled vegetables, tempura and exotic specialty drinks.
Germany – Biergarten, an indoor German “courtyard” featuring a German Oktoberfest buffet. At lunch and dinner time, yodelers, dancers and other lederhosen-clad musicians perform an Oktoberfest dinner show. Guests are invited onstage to join in the musical fun. The wine shop nearby offers samples of Ice Wine for a few bucks. Definitely worth a try.
Other Venues at Disney with Alcohol
Victoria Falls at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Down a flight of stairs from the lobby, this mezzanine lounge serves wine and spirits imported from Africa, including Windhoek beer from Namibia and Imoya Brandy from South Africa. The specialty drink is a Victoria Falls Mist, with tangerine, melon and banana liqueurs. Animal Kingdom Lodge has the largest offering of South African wines anywhere in the US. Be sure to check out Jiko, The Cooking Place, too!
The Wave at Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Trendy cocktails are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Start the day with a Pomegranate Splash (vodka, pomegranate liqueur, cranberry juice and soda water) or the Ultimate Bloody Mary (organic vodka, Bloody Mary mix and a dash of red chili sauce). The Pure-tini mixes organic vodka with organic mango and passion fruit liqueur. The Antioxidant Cocktail features wild berry vodka, black raspberry liqueur, açai juice with agave, lychee, aloe juice and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Tune-In at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, next door to 50’s Prime Time Cafe, looks like a family den from the ’50s, with black-and-white TVs and campy retro furniture. You can choose kitschy drinks from “Dad’s Liquor Cabinet” like Uncle Tim’s Melon Margarita, Scooter’s Long Island Iced Tea or an Electric Lemonade. Beer and wine is offered, too.
Dawa Bar adjacent to Tusker House Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Sit in the shade and sip a hard-to-find Tusker Beer from Africa or Safari Amber, brewed just for Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. South African wines are on the drink menu, too, along with cocktails like Lost on Safari with rum and fruit juices.
Mizner’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa - A live orchestra plays nostalgic Big Band sounds just outside the doors of this lounge tucked away on the second floor of the hotel. The lounge’s namesake is architect Addison Mizner, whose designs launched a “Florida Renaissance” in the 1920s, so the sophisticated drinks are apropos: champagnes, caipirinhas, mint juleps and cosmopolitans, along with nine vodkas, seven different single malt scotch whiskeys and after-dinner cognacs and ports.
There are more than 50 lounges in Walt Disney World hotels and three theme parks (no alcohol in Magic Kingdom. Again I stress. No alcohol in Magic Kingdom), making this list just a sampling of the many great place for big kids like parents to have their own magic time at Walt Disney World. If there’s a place you like us to know about, be sure to leave a comment, helping our readers discover new places to sample alcoholic libation.
If you find yourself wandering around looking for a place to buy alcohol at Disney, all you have to do is ask one of the friendly cast members, who can point you in the right direction. Be sure to drink plenty of water while you’re in the parks also, as alcohol is dehydrating. Designate a driver or take advantage of Disney’s resort transportation. Cheers!
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This is essential information that Disney downplays in their corporate brochures.
I got a strange midday call from my 30-something daughter a couple of months ago. “Mom, guess what? I’m in Africa!” For a minute, I was afraid I’d have to on a long-distance rescue mission.
Instead (I should have known) she was at the bar adjoining the Tusker House, following which she rode Everest many times in succession. She swears she didn’t get sick. I hope not.
I agree! So important to know. My hubby and I were drained and thirsty for a beer at the end of a long day at the Magic Kingdom. We hauled kids over to Epcot just so we could enjoy the biergarten in Germany!!
This is a fantastic post, Shannon. There is nothing like kicking back with a beer at Disney and people watching – one of my favorite things to do.
This is fabulous! Also, I would recommend Epcot France… You can get tastes/buy glasses of good French wines inside the wine/gift shop there.
At Hollywood Studios you can get a drink at the 50s PrimeTime Café bar “to go” and drink it outside. My favorite spot is one of the tables/chairs next to the lake (by the big dinosaur).
I also love Italy, they sell wines by the glass in the shop out front, and there is almost always a table free. Great people watching, and a bonus: free entertainment cycles through every 20 minutes or so.
Ah…. drinking “around the world” at Epcot. Does it get any better than that??
>>specially designed ale warmer can heat your Guinness to 55 degrees, the temperature favored by Brits.<<
Not by this Brit … or, indeed, anyone else I know.
Guinness, like most other beers, should be served chilled (not ice-cold) but should be able to hold its flavour up to room temperature, so you don’t have to skull it in one.
Don’t shoot the messenger Keith. I like my Guinness chilled also, but this is what the Rose and Crown Pub offers. Maybe we can find out how many customers actually ask to have their Guinness heated.
Love it. When I read Mexico, I felt all dreamy… This goes right along with our Tip #5 of our Ten Tips for Road Tripping with Kids: Pack a Flask.
(http://familyroadtrippers.blogspot.com/search/label/10%20Tips%20for%20Road%20Tripping%20with%20Kids)
Can’t wait for next winter’s school vacation…
Dan
http://www.familyroadtrippers.com
The only time I have been to Disney World I was 5 months pregnant so there was no drinking for me but I find this info particularly important for the next time I go. Around day 3 of Disney I think we all could use a stiff drink to get us through the week. Okay, lets be honest. I think I would start on day one. I remember the restaurant at the Disney resort that was tropical themed had alcohol and really good food. The name of the place escapes me because I was pregnant at the time and that is when I lost my memory.
Hello! We are Lydia and Victor the authors of http://objetivolima.wordpress.com (also nominated by Lonely Planet in the Best Spanish language blog cattegory). We would like to congratulate you for your blog and congratulate you on your nomination and wish you all the best.
Kind regards
Lydia and Victor
Hi Lydia – Thank you for your kind words and congratulations to you also on the nomination. We’re very excited to have made it this far. Thanks for your support
>>Don’t shoot the messenger Keith. I like my Guinness chilled also, but this is what the Rose and Crown Pub offers. Maybe we can find out how many customers actually ask to have their Guinness heated.<<
Well, you know how I feel … people can drink their beer how they like, as long as they don’t expect me to do the same.
But, I did mention this to an Irish friend … after a lot of ‘God Save Ireland!’ and ‘Faith and Bejazus!’ he said something about Ireland breaking off diplomatic relations with Florida.
(Remember Stig Andersen? He has a policy that, if he doesn’t like the way a retailer treats his beer, he won’t sell it to him)
Hi Cajun Mama -
I heard you mention this post on the TRavel Writers call last night and I had to add my West Coast info
Disneyland does not serve alcohol in the park, but I can suggest going to ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney – there are three bars in the park (Ariel’s Bar, The beer cart at the pier, or at the winery). Enjoy westcoasters
Awesome idea for a blog!
Knocking a few cold ones back in Epcot is a great feeling. Keep up the great work.
Grand Floridian says no more minibars in the rooms. Wow, huge disappointment after 15 trips there. What I wanted to know is where one can purchase a bottle or several small bottles of vodka (especially), rum, tequila, and all that other grown-up goodness in Disney World. E.g. – does the shop at France carry Grey Goose? Does United Kingdom carry Beefeater gin? Please let me know asap, I’m leaving for the Grand Floridian/Disney World in 6 days (staying for a week and a half) and I can’t believe I might not be able to have my screwdriver in the room at night!
Jac,
All of the deluxe hotels have a sundries shop that sells various spirits. I still think the best way is to beg the driver to stop at a liquor store on the way to the hotel from the airport.
Great post!! I just have to copy it
To all of my fellow drinkers who go to Disney, I’ve been there three times in the last three years for a total of six weeks. My wife enjoys the Parks much more than I do. We kept alcohol in the room and would pack some for road when spending long days at Magic Kingdom. My wife calls a place called “We-Go-Shop” and they take orders for anything you would be able to buy in a Super Walmart, including beer, wine, and liquor. The fee is minimal, and the person delivers it directly to your room. I usually buy more than I would need and give any leftovers to new arrivals. You end up paying a fraction of the price that you would if you shopped on Disney property.
to #20 John.
I am heading there on 9/20. can you and i touch base before I go? how can we connect?
One suggestion, this past year I went with a buddy on a Disney Golf Trip / ESPN The Weekend. We embarked on what I call the “Epcot Pub Crawl” in which we took an afternoon and sampled a native beer in each Epcot “Country”. It was a blast, but I don’t recommend it if kids are traveling with you.
If you get the wine and dine deluxe dining package, can you get wine to take to your room and drink it there instead of at a restaurant in the park?
My girlfriends just took a vacation to Disney land and had a fabulous time! The told me that the Margaritas at Mexico in Epcot made the trip that much better!
Busch Gardens used to give away free beer in the house near the cart horses, but only in thimble sized cups and you couldn’t order 10 at a time ! I think they stopped though. By the way, it is the Irish who set the temperature of Guiness, it being an Irish drink. The English go for real ale, which should not be chilled.
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