Eating dinner at resort lounges?

[hurleysweety]

I was looking at the menus today and discovered that a lot of the resort lounges have delicious food/appetizers. There are a couple nights that I have us eating CS, but nothing specific, and I thought maybe we could eat at one of the lounges (we are staying at WL, and Contemporary looks good too).

My question is this - what are these lounges like? Even though this is my fourth trip in four years, I've never set foot in one . We're not much of a drinking crew, so I always considered the atmosphere a bunch of adults relaxing, away from kids, and enjoying a snack and a drink. Would you ever find a group of adults having dinner in there? Places like the Yacht Club's lounge sound incredibly delicious. Almost like a relaxed, nicer and comfier CS restaurant. And if we're not all drinking, does that seem even more strange? I'm all for new things, but don't want to feel uncomfortable doing this..

FWIW, our group is me and DH, and his parents (neither of them drink mich either, but we all love delicious food!).

Thanks for your help!

 

[rlovew]

We are not big drinkers but there are times when the sports I want to see only seem to be available in the lounges at the resorts we are staying at. We have eaten dessert at the bar in Jiko's because we wanted to try it and didn't have a reservation- they thought it might take awhile to get a table so they suggested we eat at the bar. We enjoyed it and since then we have done that from time to time at different places.

Two nights ago it was raining hard and when we arrived at the Wave for our reservations lots of people were trying to do walk up (probably instead of going somewhere in the storm) and they kept saying that it would be a 25 minute wait at least or they could be served immeadiately at the bar and back lounge (lots of people went with going to the bar/lounge).

I find the bar an interesting place to eat- if I feel like having a drink I might order one otherwise I order a virgin daquari or a soda.

We have been in the Yacht Club lounge while waiting for Yachtmen's to open (the bartenders were very nice) and we just had a drink I think. We have enjoyed the lounge at WL with family and had some appetizers there before we went elsewhere for dinner. I know the bartender at the Yacht Club lounge said we could basically order anything off the restaurant menus during the hours they were open- otherwise we were limited to the bar menu.

 

[hurleysweety]

We are not big drinkers but there are times when the sports I want to see only seem to be available in the lounges at the resorts we are staying at. We have eaten dessert at the bar in Jiko's because we wanted to try it and didn't have a reservation- they thought it might take awhile to get a table so they suggested we eat at the bar. We enjoyed it and since then we have done that from time to time at different places.

Two nights ago it was raining hard and when we arrived at the Wave for our reservations lots of people were trying to do walk up (probably instead of going somewhere in the storm) and they kept saying that it would be a 25 minute wait at least or they could be served immeadiately at the bar and back lounge (lots of people went with going to the bar/lounge).

I find the bar an interesting place to eat- if I feel like having a drink I might order one otherwise I order a virgin daquari or a soda.

We have been in the Yacht Club lounge while waiting for Yachtmen's to open (the bartenders were very nice) and we just had a drink I think. We have enjoyed the lounge at WL with family and had some appetizers there before we went elsewhere for dinner. I know the bartender at the Yacht Club lounge said we could basically order anything off the restaurant menus during the hours they were open- otherwise we were limited to the bar menu.

Thanks! That helps a lot. I enjoy a glass of wine every once and awhile, or perhaps one of those specialty Disney cocktails if I can pretend that I don't see the price...haha. Good to know that people are encouraged to eat in the bar area when the restaurant is full - makes me feel like its nothing out of the ordinary. I know people have reported at eating at the Tune-In lounge when they couldn't get into 50s prime time. Seems like eating at these bars/lounges, whether separate or connected to a TS place, is kind of a hidden gem! Get away from the crowds, enjoy fresh food from a kitchen in a relaxing, less noisy atmosphere, but no need for an ADR.

 

[BoomNLeon]

The experience at the lounges at the resorts can be vary tremendously. I still have not figured out the reasoning.

We enjoy eating at the bar at many places. Jiko, Tune-In Lounge, Yak and Yeti, Martha's Vineyard, The Wave and Cali Grill are our favs. Sometimes, if you ask, Sanaa will allow the dining room menu in the bar area. There are light options at many of the lounges - our favorite light fare being Top of the World at BLT.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you're on DDP, you may or may not be able to use it to pay for meals at the lounges. (some lounges will accept it for payment - I think the Tune In lounge will and Yak & Yeti - but some won't.)

 

[MartyM]

I could be wrong, but I don't think that the lounges at the TS restaurants can be enjoyed for a CS credit. Is that right?

 

[TDC Nala]

I could be wrong, but I don't think that the lounges at the TS restaurants can be enjoyed for a CS credit. Is that right?

That's correct. At a number of lounges you can't even use a TS credit.

You might have better luck using DDP at a lounge if the lounge is actually attached to the restaurant (like Tune Inn Lounge) and is not a "separate entity" with its own menu (like Tambu or Territory Lounge).

 

[hurleysweety]

No, we won't be using DDP. I should have mentioned one of the reasons I was looking at them was we have TiW and all the lounges accept that for food and beverage!

 

[hurleysweety]

The experience at the lounges at the resorts can be vary tremendously. I still have not figured out the reasoning.

We enjoy eating at the bar at many places. Jiko, Tune-In Lounge, Yak and Yeti, Martha's Vineyard, The Wave and Cali Grill are our favs. Sometimes, if you ask, Sanaa will allow the dining room menu in the bar area. There are light options at many of the lounges - our favorite light fare being Top of the World at BLT.

Interesting about the varying experiences. I would guess it would just depend on the time of day, and who else was in there. All it would take is one group of people to kinda "ruin" it for everyone else. No offense, I'm sure I've been in that "group" at some point in my life. I guess I will be strolling early on in my trip to check out the "scene" and see if its something that we would enjoy.

Thanks everyone for the help/suggestions/advice.