Collectable Glasses & Drinking without ADR's

[DevSnow]

HI everyone, I'm very green when it comes to Disney dining so got a couple of questions. My wife and I are really not fans of ADR's as we hate the idea of being tied down to a time where we may have to rush off and miss a show or ride. We did have a couple during our first trip which my best friend set up for us, though we had to cancel our 50's Diner one so we could get to Fantasmic as they were about 45 mins behind. We did end up going to Kona and we loved and later in life we may do a dining plan and ADR's but for now were more about the sites & sounds.

One of our favorite kind of souveniers though are collectable glasses. My first question is does anyone know of any good ones or maybe a list or thread that mentions them? I saw there was one for The Potion of the Gods which I would love to have but didn't know if it was still offered or if you had to eat there to get that or if they just have a lounge.

Were not huge drinkers but love unique drinks like many of the places at WDW serve. So my other question is do alot of the restaurants have lounge areas or bars where you can just grab a drink or is it pretty much dependents on ADR's?

If anyone can offer any advice I'd greatly appreciate it, I'm trying to get a souvenier budget in mind as last time I went a little bonkers

Thanks,
Dev

 

[HelenParr]

I don't know about collectioble glasses -- but eagerly await others' info.

I do know about some lounges! Most of the resorts with sit-down restaurants have a lounge nearby or attached. No ADRS needed to drink and they have limited appetizer menus (usually after 5pm). The ones I have tried and liked include:

Contemporary: Wave, California Grill (only if not crowded night, you need to be taken upstairs).
Grand Flordian: Narcoossee's
Poly: Tambu Lounge right next to Ohana's
YC: Crew's Cup off of Yachtsman Steakhouse
Dolphin: Bluezoo has a big lounge in the restaurant
Swan: Kimonos and Il Mulino have lounge/bar areas

Many Disney Downtown restaurants have lounges: Fulton's, Portabello, Wolfgang Pucks (sit down version) to name a few. ADRs not required, first come first serves. Lounges are less common in park restaurants, although not unheard of. Prime Time has one. There is a bar in Rose & Crown. All walk up.

 

[DevSnow]

Thanks Helen, I appreciate the info. We're definetley going to hit a few of the lounges this time as I've seen way too many yummy looking drinks on this site now to not check out several of them. I've been looking over a few of the menu's over at allears and noticed that at the Petal's Pool Bar as well as many of the resorts bars they offer souvenier glasses at around 9.50 each, I'm wondering what those look like, same goes for a a souviner mug at Rose & Crown. I'm hoping to find out lots more before we go, though if I get too many I'll have to ship them back lol.

Thanks in advance to anyone who could shine some light on this subject

Dev