Lounge crowds and recommendations

[TTFNTigger]

Hello! Taking a quick trip to WDW area in just a couple of weeks. Staying on property, but no parks this time. Wondering about what resort lounges are like now. What are the crowds like and ease of getting into ones at other resorts? If you had to pick just 3 to visit, which 3? Not looking to do an actual bar crawl, but thought it would be nice to visit a few different resort lounges. Any suggests and recent experience is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Not all lounges are open but of those that are, we haven't run into many issues. The caveat is getting to the resort. The best/safest bet is to use Disney transportation (or walk). There have been reports of people being turned away when trying to drive and park at the resort if they weren't staying there and didn't have an ADR. Typical dinner hours are obviously more crowded. The one time we couldn't get in was at Ale & Compass (Yacht Club) on a total washout of an evening ... but we did visit later in the trip and it's very good.

Of the lounges that are open, my picks would be California Grill (recommend going right at open for best chance of getting in -- very limited seating), Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge, and Enchanted Rose over at the Grand Floridian.

My three faves are currently closed (Crew's Cup - Yacht Club, Victoria Falls - Animal Kingdom Lodge, Bellevue Lounge - Boardwalk) but if any of these open while you're there, they're worth checking out.

Have fun!

 

[TTFNTigger]

Not all lounges are open but of those that are, we haven't run into many issues. The caveat is getting to the resort. The best/safest bet is to use Disney transportation (or walk). There have been reports of people being turned away when trying to drive and park at the resort if they weren't staying there and didn't have an ADR. Typical dinner hours are obviously more crowded. The one time we couldn't get in was at Ale & Compass (Yacht Club) on a total washout of an evening ... but we did visit later in the trip and it's very good.

Of the lounges that are open, my picks would be California Grill (recommend going right at open for best chance of getting in -- very limited seating), Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge, and Enchanted Rose over at the Grand Floridian.

My three faves are currently closed (Crew's Cup - Yacht Club, Victoria Falls - Animal Kingdom Lodge, Bellevue Lounge - Boardwalk) but if any of these open while you're there, they're worth checking out.

Have fun!

Thank you so much!
After reading a few other threads, is it likely to be turned away from resorts we are not staying at if we don’t have ADRs? We plan to use the Disney transportation (bus, ferries, skylines etc) and we are staying at a hotel on property. Worried they may crack down on people visiting other resorts, even if it is to shop and dine.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Thank you so much!
After reading a few other threads, is it likely to be turned away from resorts we are not staying at if we don’t have ADRs? We plan to use the Disney transportation (bus, ferries, skylines etc) and we are staying at a hotel on property. Worried they may crack down on people visiting other resorts, even if it is to shop and dine.

If using Disney transportation, there's no need for concern. There are no "checkpoints" on Disney transportation to verify where you're going or why. Security only stops individual cars at the gates to the resorts from the main road and asks what your purpose is. They're definitely pretty strict about allowing parking (particularly at the resorts within walking distance of parks) and there have been mixed reports of success at being allowed to enter if in a taxi or ride share. But if you're arriving by bus, monorail, ferry, skyliner, or walking, you will have no issue. Have fun!