In park lunches; small plates, cocktails, maybe an app

[rentayenta]

As I peruse through the menus, the pickings seem a little slim at MK and DHS for small plate/cocktail or beer/appetizer type lunches. Help! Where do you all eat lunch at those parks? The TS menus look more inviting than the CS but is it difficult to walk up and get a table in early August? We won't order two full meals either.

Thanks!

 

[pitpat]

Hollywood Studios has the Brown Derby Lounge, Tune-In lounge (next to 50's Prime Time) and it sounds like you would like BaseLine Tap House

 

[dixielanfan73]

Our favorites..

Hollywood Studios - Brown derby lounge

Magic Kingdom - leave.. we take the monorail to the Poly for a drink and apps at Tambu Lounge

Epcot - Spice rd table in Morocco or Tutto Gusto wine cellar in Italy

Animal Kingdom - Nomad Lounge

 

[NYCgrrl]

I'd wander over to one of the monorail hotels for a cocktail and apps whilst visiting MK. Many choices between the 3 and easy to get back to MK.

As for HS... another vote for Brown Derby, either the lounge which is outside or the restaurant which is indoors. I'm enamored with the corn and crab chowder and hope it's back on the menu this summer but the beef carpaccio, Cobb salad (comes in 2 different sizes) and ahi tuna aren't shabby either w/i the restaurant. As for the lounge the entire menu looks geared towards tasty sounding small plates.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I, too, am a big fan of Brown Derby Lounge. All the seating is outdoors, so that could become a factor. And while it may have changed, last I was there they were very strict on serving the lounge menu only - i.e. don’t expect to be able to get something off the full menu. I also liked Baseline Tap house - although the menu is more limited.

For MK, if feasible. I’d agree with the previous poster who recommends hitting an MK resort. I’d hop the boat over to Wilderness Lodge and grab a table at Geyser Point - fantastic setting, again somewhat weather dependent. Tambu also a good choice. Not sure what time the lounge opens, but even the Wave proper in the Contemporary might be an option - walking distance, pretty varied menu, rarely crowded. If staying in park is better logistically, Skipper’s Canteen seems to have a good menu, gets positive reviews (I haven’t tried it yet) and walk-ups/day-of ADRs don’t seem to be too much of an issue.

Have fun!

 

[mousestruck]

Love the Brown Derby Lounge! DH and I enjoyed cocktails and a few small plates while watching the crowds go by. It was a lovely way to spend an evening! Only negative is that the lounge is outdoors, so no air conditioning break.

Nothing at MK. You have to venture out to the monorail resorts, but lots of options there - anything from Cali Grill Lounge to Tambu or Trader Sams at the Poly.

Now that our kids are older, we've discovered the magic of taking it slow and relaxing over drinks. A whole new kind of fun!

 

[kastoney]

At the Magic Kingdom we always do Skippers Canteen. We usually order a few apps instead of an entree and enjoy the novelty of an adult beverage in the Magic Kingdom. As others have suggested you can venture to a Monorail resort too, but if you're looking to stay put Skippers is the best bet.

 

[sjrec]

Another vote for Skippers Canteen-great atmosphere, adult beverages and interesting appetizers. You didn’t mention AK, but we loved Nomads Lounge-inside or out on the veranda.

 

[loves to dive]

We also love HBD lounge at HS and Baseline Tap but there really isn't a lot of food choices there.
At MK we leave and go to one of the resort lounges, we also enjoyed Geyser Point at WL but it was in December and very windy and cloudy so a bit chilly since it is outside. We have eaten at Skippers Canteen and enjoy it but they do require ADRs. They are easy enough to get on the spur of the moment most of the time.

While you did ask about the other parks we love Nomad Lounge at AK and Spice Road Tables at Epcot for small plates. We also love the wine bar in Italy (can't remember the name) for small plates. They have some of the best cheese plates we have had on property.

 

[sharonabe]

As I peruse through the menus, the pickings seem a little slim at MK and DHS for small plate/cocktail or beer/appetizer type lunches. Help! Where do you all eat lunch at those parks? The TS menus look more inviting than the CS but is it difficult to walk up and get a table in early August? We won't order two full meals either.

Thanks!

You're free to order as much or as little as you like at any and all a la carte places. However, a walk-up will be hit or miss. You'll do better to just use the MDE app on your phone and make a reservation for where you want to eat in the next hour than you will walking up to the podium and asking to be seated.

I second (or third or fourth, wherever we are) Skipper Canteen at MK. They have some of the best apps and the kungaloosh dessert is one my all time Disney favorites!

 

[Colleen27]

I think Studios is actually one of the better parks for this. The pickings were slim at AK before Nomad Lounge opened and they're just about non-existant at MK, but the Brown Derby lounge has been an outstanding place for a lighter bite and a drink for a long time and the new Baseline Tap House looks like it has potential as well.

 

[rentayenta]

Hollywood Studios has the Brown Derby Lounge, Tune-In lounge (next to 50's Prime Time) and it sounds like you would like BaseLine Tap House

Thank you!!! Baseline menu looks good. DH will like that. I didn't realize Brown Derby had a lounge.

Our favorites..

Hollywood Studios - Brown derby lounge

Magic Kingdom - leave.. we take the monorail to the Poly for a drink and apps at Tambu Lounge

Epcot - Spice rd table in Morocco or Tutto Gusto wine cellar in Italy

Animal Kingdom - Nomad Lounge

I like the idea of maybe leaving MK...I saw a thread about a monorail loop lounge crawl. Looks great!

We are planning on the Nomad Lounge for sure and Epcot has so many options.

I'd wander over to one of the monorail hotels for a cocktail and apps whilst visiting MK. Many choices between the 3 and easy to get back to MK.

As for HS... another vote for Brown Derby, either the lounge which is outside or the restaurant which is indoors. I'm enamored with the corn and crab chowder and hope it's back on the menu this summer but the beef carpaccio, Cobb salad (comes in 2 different sizes) and ahi tuna aren't shabby either w/i the restaurant. As for the lounge the entire menu looks geared towards tasty sounding small plates.

Brown Derby lounge it is! Small plates are our thing; wee get to try more that way. Thanks!

I, too, am a big fan of Brown Derby Lounge. All the seating is outdoors, so that could become a factor. And while it may have changed, last I was there they were very strict on serving the lounge menu only - i.e. don’t expect to be able to get something off the full menu. I also liked Baseline Tap house - although the menu is more limited.

For MK, if feasible. I’d agree with the previous poster who recommends hitting an MK resort. I’d hop the boat over to Wilderness Lodge and grab a table at Geyser Point - fantastic setting, again somewhat weather dependent. Tambu also a good choice. Not sure what time the lounge opens, but even the Wave proper in the Contemporary might be an option - walking distance, pretty varied menu, rarely crowded. If staying in park is better logistically, Skipper’s Canteen seems to have a good menu, gets positive reviews (I haven’t tried it yet) and walk-ups/day-of ADRs don’t seem to be too much of an issue.

Have fun!

Thank you! The Skipper's Canteen is fairly new? We haven't been for nearly 6 years...I missed that! I will check it out.

Love the Brown Derby Lounge! DH and I enjoyed cocktails and a few small plates while watching the crowds go by. It was a lovely way to spend an evening! Only negative is that the lounge is outdoors, so no air conditioning break.

Nothing at MK. You have to venture out to the monorail resorts, but lots of options there - anything from Cali Grill Lounge to Tambu or Trader Sams at the Poly.

Now that our kids are older, we've discovered the magic of taking it slow and relaxing over drinks. A whole new kind of fun!

Ok I totally missed the Brown Derby. I am now super excited to try it. We are not bringing kids this trip. We will be celebrating our 25th anniversary. Some friends think we are nuts but after just relocating back to Southern California from Utah and DH retiring from the fire service, its a fun and fairly affordable trip. We're stoked!

At the Magic Kingdom we always do Skippers Canteen. We usually order a few apps instead of an entree and enjoy the novelty of an adult beverage in the Magic Kingdom. As others have suggested you can venture to a Monorail resort too, but if you're looking to stay put Skippers is the best bet.

I was hoping you'd chime in. Yes, we are going to try it. Just checked out the menu and it looks okay. What do you order here?

Another vote for Skippers Canteen-great atmosphere, adult beverages and interesting appetizers. You didn’t mention AK, but we loved Nomads Lounge-inside or out on the veranda.

Nomad's Lounge is on the list! Its the one we are most looking forward to.

We also love HBD lounge at HS and Baseline Tap but there really isn't a lot of food choices there.
At MK we leave and go to one of the resort lounges, we also enjoyed Geyser Point at WL but it was in December and very windy and cloudy so a bit chilly since it is outside. We have eaten at Skippers Canteen and enjoy it but they do require ADRs. They are easy enough to get on the spur of the moment most of the time.

While you did ask about the other parks we love Nomad Lounge at AK and Spice Road Tables at Epcot for small plates. We also love the wine bar in Italy (can't remember the name) for small plates. They have some of the best cheese plates we have had on property.

Thank you! So Skipper's needs an ADR? Hmmm....I better make one or two. We still aren't sure which will be our MK day as we are waiting for DH's CM calendar to show if any DHS days will be blocked due to Toy Story Land opening a couple months earlier.

You're free to order as much or as little as you like at any and all a la carte places. However, a walk-up will be hit or miss. You'll do better to just use the MDE app on your phone and make a reservation for where you want to eat in the next hour than you will walking up to the podium and asking to be seated.

I second (or third or fourth, wherever we are) Skipper Canteen at MK. They have some of the best apps and the kungaloosh dessert is one my all time Disney favorites!

Thats a great idea, thank you! I do have the app.

I think Studios is actually one of the better parks for this. The pickings were slim at AK before Nomad Lounge opened and they're just about non-existant at MK, but the Brown Derby lounge has been an outstanding place for a lighter bite and a drink for a long time and the new Baseline Tap House looks like it has potential as well.

Brown Derby didn't hit my radar but now its a must. I feel so much better about DHS; sounds silly and I know many will disagree but its always been my least favorite of the 4 parks and that was before all the new stuff at AK.

 

[crazylady]

I don't think MK has what you are looking for. You might need to leave the park and go to Poly or Cont etc to find it.

That said, Friar's Nook (cs) in MK had a veggie and hummus plater that you might enjoy.

 

[rentayenta]

I don't think MK has what you are looking for. You might need to leave the park and go to Poly or Cont etc to find it.

That said, Friar's Nook (cs) in MK had a veggie and hummus plater that you might enjoy.

You might be right. I looked at the menu with awake eyes, DH did too, and its not the best but there are a few things that look good....hmmm......



And I think all the menus are starting to blur together.