Disney Hotel Lounges that are Kid friendly

[SwanVT2]

I know this is a paradox, but DH and I are bring DD to Disney and we don't want to be restricted by evening dinner reservations. We are staying at the BCV. The Trader Sam's Grog Grotto looks fun and tasty as does the YC Crew's Cup Lounge. Can we bring a toddler and will it be OK? Early dinner fare and drinks kind of thing? Any other lounges that you would recommend? TIA!

 

[brinkley07]

When we went to Trader Sam's there were people in there with their children and I have also seen them in the Crew's Cup. I think anywhere you chose will be fine.

 

[hiroMYhero]

No small children are allowed in Trader Sam's in the evening - after 8:00p. There is an outdoor patio area or an early dinner will work.

 

[kastoney]

You'll definitely be fine at both. We haven't done crews cup, but saw kids when we peered in. And we took our 4 year old to Trader Sam's with no issues. We ended up sitting outside because we didn't want to wait for an inside table. They had live music, which she and we enjoyed. Another favorite of ours is the territory lounge at wilderness lodge.

 

[cluvsdisney]

The river roost at PORiverside is fantastic for families with young kids. Bob Jackson performs a few nights a week and his show is a complete blast for all ages. He also engages with the kids and brings them up on stage and all that jazz.

 

[MonoMan]

We have taken our son to several lounges at different resorts and it has never been a problem at all. Territory Lounge at WL is one of our favorites.

 

[Tigger's ally]

I see my hidden gem (TL) is a fave of many. SSSSSHHHHHHHH

Remember one day when my wife was sick and asleep in the room, I spent the afternoon there, had a wonderful time conversing with the bartender. Had ressies at Whispering Canyon that night and went back to get ready but wife wasn't up to it. Went back to have another drink and the bartender ended up sending me back to the room with some chicken soup from the kitchen and some ribs for me. Made the day.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

You can go to any of the lounges! As PP noted, only Trader Sam's has a no children after 8 pm policy.

 

[awalker1015]

Love Territory Lounge at WL!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

The question should be, "Which kids are bar-friendly for resort lounges?"
. . . no lounge at WDW in un-friendly toward kiddies.
. . . most of the bars would be uninteresting to the kids, as they can be relatively quiet and/or dull for kids
. . . so, it kind of depends upon how well the kids can be "un-bored" with Mom & Dad, and don't start to fidget
. . . places like Scat Cat Lounge (POFQ) and River Roost Lounge (POR) have live entertainment on certain days do appeal to kiddies

 

[vinotinto]

All of WDW is family-friendly. My DH and I did a monorail crawl in October (without the kids) and we've tried to eat a number of times or have a drink at some of the bars/lounges (with and without kids). I think the biggest challenge of the lounges is waiting for a seat. My experience is that the waits can be long and some of the lounges have very limited tables and the bar seating can be awkward for families.

Here is what I can report:
1) The bar seating at The Wave is extensive, but would have been awkward for a family. I think there's a lounge area, but not sure if they have waiter service. Seems that it's used mostly to have people wait to get seated at The wave.
2) Trader Sam's had an hour wait (which we waited in our room).
3) Mizner's was completely full. Not a single seat at any of the few tables or at the bar, so we actually left without trying it.
4) We struck out twice trying to get a table at Territory Lounge for 4 while staying at WL. Full every time.
5) Victoria Falls (AKL) is mostly bar seating, although they have some 2-tops along the balcony.

 

[DLgal]

Does Disney actually allow children to sit AT the bar? I would hope not...

 

[happymommy]

Yes they do - my kids sat at the bar at the Tune In Lounge when they were 4 and 6. We had ducked in to get out of a sudden downpour, and there were seats. I asked the bartender if they could sit there, and they did. We ended up ordering from the dinner menu and having our dinner there.
They've also sat at the Dawa bar at DAK.

 

[BlueFairy]

All of WDW is family-friendly. My DH and I did a monorail crawl in October (without the kids) and we've tried to eat a number of times or have a drink at some of the bars/lounges (with and without kids). I think the biggest challenge of the lounges is waiting for a seat. My experience is that the waits can be long and some of the lounges have very limited tables and the bar seating can be awkward for families.

Here is what I can report:
1) The bar seating at The Wave is extensive, but would have been awkward for a family. I think there's a lounge area, but not sure if they have waiter service. Seems that it's used mostly to have people wait to get seated at The wave.
2) Trader Sam's had an hour wait (which we waited in our room).
3) Mizner's was completely full. Not a single seat at any of the few tables or at the bar, so we actually left without trying it.
4) We struck out twice trying to get a table at Territory Lounge for 4 while staying at WL. Full every time.
5) Victoria Falls (AKL) is mostly bar seating, although they have some 2-tops along the balcony.

We waited out a thunderstorm in TL during our afternoon break at WL. I believe we arrived around 4:30. There was only 1 other couple in the lounge. Plenty of tables where the kids and I sat away from the bar. We had the Hidden Mickeys book with us and they were fine.

People should be aware that most of the lounges don't accept the Dining Plan. At least not according to the website or our experience at TL.

Does VF have any 4 tops? Or is it convenient to let the kids hang out around the fireplace or explore the lobby while a parent orders a beverage? We visited there last before kids and I don't remember the sightlines. Just that it seemed small.

What about kids in the wine lounge at Jiko - Cape Town? I really don't remember this space. I thought there was just the chef's bar. Do they seat walk-ups in the wine bar. Or serve off of a limited menu?

Yes they do - my kids sat at the bar at the Tune In Lounge when they were 4 and 6. We had ducked in to get out of a sudden downpour, and there were seats. I asked the bartender if they could sit there, and they did. We ended up ordering from the dinner menu and having our dinner there.
They've also sat at the Dawa bar at DAK.

Good to know about Tune In.

Is Dawa the pool bar? Again, trying to picture the lounges at AKL.

Also, I think I've read in more than one place that the Brown Derby will seat walk-ups in the lounge at lunch.

 

[happymommy]

Dawa bar is at the Animal Kingdom theme park. We had the nicest bartender! He talked to us the whole time - both kids were asleep in the stroller, then son woke up (he was 4) and we got him a Sprite, which he loved but honestly didn't drink as my kids found soda fun but never drank it).

 

[100acreHiker]

We brought our kids to the Wave lounge at CR. The staff was awesome and welcoming. It was before the dinner rush, and they put a soccer game up on the screen at my boys' request.

 

[SwanVT2]

Ok. Good to know about the waits. I don't think we will go out of our way to visit the lounges in case of this happening. I will aim to secure some more early dinner reservations insteads. Thanks for all the feedback!

 

[scrapquitler]

I know this is a paradox, but DH and I are bring DD to Disney and we don't want to be restricted by evening dinner reservations. We are staying at the BCV. The Trader Sam's Grog Grotto looks fun and tasty as does the YC Crew's Cup Lounge. Can we bring a toddler and will it be OK? Early dinner fare and drinks kind of thing? Any other lounges that you would recommend? TIA!

When we were at Trader Sam's there were people with smaller (maybe 5 or 6 years old) kids in there. It was early, maybe 5:00 or so.