All hail the monorail loop!

[pditullio]

We just booked 9 (nine!) nights at Bay Lake Tower in March, so this next trip will most definitely have a Monorail Loop-themed vibe! What are your favorite restaurants/lounges/activities/pool areas at the monorail resorts that are must-do to incorporate in our plans?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

TOTWL has really become our favorite but Poly's Tambu Lounge is one we will fit in occasionally and always enjoy. Kona Cafe is as close to a must do as we have....well, actually, California Grill is the closest to must do but Kona Cafe is right at the top.

Poly pool is now closed to pool hopping so GF/VGF would be the only other options on the loop other than what you'll have at CR/BLT.

 

[pditullio]

Poly pool permanently closed to hopping? I knew it was sometimes due to volume, but didn't know it was off-limits all the time. Bummer.

Thanks for other suggestions - we adore TOTWL, too! <3

 

[pditullio]

So far we have on the list: mini speedboats, water parade, Outer Rim, Mizner's, boatride to VWL for dinner at Whispering Canyon, breakfast at Kona Cafe, TOTWL snacks/drinks/Wishes... maybe Ohana. We also love 1900 Park Fare. I think it's one of the most overlooked restaurants at WDW.

Can Wishes still be viewed from Poly beach or has that changed?

 

[Sparrow624]

Poly Beach is great for wishes.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I did hear something like they were going to be restricting guests going over to watch fireworks from the Poly. I haven't heard if that happened or not though.

I was coming back to say don't forget Bay Lake boats for FW and WL. We also like the the lounge at WL and there are some good apps there. And for a throwback we love to go to FW, visit the horses, play some checkers and then either eat at Trail's End or get a drink at Crockett's Tavern.

 

[Sparrow624]

Citricos or Narcoosees at the Grand. Feeling really adventurous? Victoria and Albert at the Grand. Wishes dessert party? Trader Sam's at the Poly?

 

[bethifoody]

I really enjoyed sitting in Mizner's, sipping a glass of wine, while listening to the band play in the lobby. Heavenly! We skipped the Poly, as my last experience at the Tambu was less than even fair. At the Contemporary, we enjoyed The Wave (great breakfast!) & Cali Grill. A quick boat ride over to WL for a drink at Territory was nice too - very quiet & nothing extra special as far as 'the experience' went, but the boat ride was nice & so was the quiet time.

 

[DenLo]

I love many of the suggestions above. In May we enjoyed drinks on the Trader Sam's Terrace and really enjoyed it, but it might even better in the fall in cooler weather. The remodeled Tambu Lounge looks like it might be something to consider when we stay at the Poly in November.

BTW, our favorite Monorail restaurants are Kona Cafe at the Polynesian and Narcoosees at the Grand Floridian. We have not tried California Grill since the remodel and new menu. And our favorite bar is still the Top of the World Lounge at BLT.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We enjoy eating at The Wave!

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Contempo Cafe, by far, is our favorite quick service location on the monorail loop. If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, then you can certainly maximize your entitlements at this location.

If you enjoy a full breakfast, the Grand Floridian Cafe offers a delicious French toast dish.

 

[automaticsoap]

Afternoon tea at the GF!

 

[dizfan]

Since PVB opened, the only time they have enforced the main Poly beach restricted to Poly guests was July 3/4 fireworks. They may do the same during the NYE fireworks.
I believe the Poly beach area near the luau (GF side) was open during the July 3/4 fireworks.

I believe Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace (outdoor seating area) has some seats with a view of the fireworks. We really enjoyed the live music out there during our May stay.

Lots of great choices for restaurants and lounges. Hope you have a great trip.

 

[RipperSB]

Our next trip, in Jan 2016 is for a whopping 21 nights (our longest stay in the World yet) and we have activities planned all over the loop! We'll have our arrival ritual at the Contempo Cafe, of course - hard to resist those flatbreads and cupcakes! We'll be doing breakfasts at 'Ohana's, Kona Cafe & Chef Mickey's; we'll be having afternoon tea at the GF; dinners include the Spirit of Aloha luau, 'Ohana's and the California Grill. As far as the pools go, we generally stick to BLT.

 

[pditullio]

Thanks for the tips, everyone!! Our plan is really shaping up - ready to make some ADRs in a couple days!

Question: We tend to do big lunches and for dinner, just grab a snack somewhere rather than another TS. Often we'll be in the parks or at the pool, but for this trip we hope to be doing some serious RELAXING. What is the general acceptance level for bringing our 15yo with us to get a drink/snack at Tambu/Mizner's, etc. in the evenings?

Please note that this is not a "I think I should be allowed to take my kid along to a night club" type question -- I saw a crazy heated thread about that in the Dining Forum (yikes!). Our travel party is DH and me, my parents (not big drinkers), and my 15 year old. Just looking for some options to chill out.

 

[maburke]

Activity: parasailing from the pier beside the CR pool. I did it once a few years ago with my nephew, and loved it. Then this summer I made my sister and nieces go with me & two of my kids, and they absolutely loved it. They all agreed it was the #1 highlight of the week. You might think you can go parasailing anywhere, but being able to see as far as Tower of Terror and Expedition Everest, to say nothing of the enormous backstage area of MK, was unique.

 

[moericus]

I love being on the monorail loop. Having quick easy access to Poly and GF are awesome.

At least once a trip we usually end up at the GF just soaking in the atmosphere whether we have reservations or not. If the weather is right the lobby has a second floor terrace with iron tables and chairs outside. It's a great place to catch your breath and actually converse with your party before you finish the day. Don't underestimate giving yourself a half hour to do just that somewhere nice and out of the way from the crowds.

 

[pditullio]

Anyone have any advice re: my question above? We're making ADRs today so I will make some if I can't count on drinks and snacks at lounges those couple of nights. ..

 

[Geomom]

Anyone have any advice re: my question above? We're making ADRs today so I will make some if I can't count on drinks and snacks at lounges those couple of nights. ..

I dont' know about the other lounges, but we took our kids to Territory Lounge at the Wilderness Lodge when they were 9 and 13 and got appetizers for dinner for all of us on our arrival day. (The food is really yummy there!) There were plenty of other families with kids there at the same time. I think it's partly 'what time' are you going to the lounge. If you'll be there between 5-8PM, I think it's fine, but after that I imagine they would have more of a bar feel.

 

[pditullio]

Great - thanks. This is what I was expecting, but didn't want to assume. I'm guessing we're looking at 6:00-8:00, post pool but pre-Wishes.