Lounges vs full restaurants

[GPC0321]

Has anyone gone the lounge route instead of full restaurant? I'm looking specifically at Tune In (50's PT's lounge) and Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar. We're 3 adults. Are these places usually crowded? I like the idea of having a full service menu available without an ADR.
Thoughts?

 

[LJSquishy]

We sat at Tune In Lounge before Fantasmic to each get a drink and share a couple of appetizers (instead of eating at a counter service). We were able to get 2 seats right away at the bar, but within 10 minutes or so more people came in an couldn't get seats so it's very hit or miss. They do have a full menu there, and while we were sitting there, a lady came up and asked for the fried chicken dinner to go and they brought it out to her all boxed up in a Styrofoam take out container. We probably would have done something similar and then found a bench to sit and eat instead if we knew we could have done that.

 

[GPC0321]

Oh, that's cool to know you can order to go from there!

 

[kastoney]

Lounges can be hit or miss in terms of crowds. We've only done tutto gusto once but didn't have issues with seating. We also love territory lounge and the bars at citricos, California grill, and Jiko for great meals at bars

 

[pixarmom]

We absolutely love doing this! Great menu options - including small plates from the lounge menu - and complete flexibility. It's far easier when traveling with a smaller group, like a party of 3. I do this with the kids or on a date night with my husband, but it's not as easy if we're all together. So some of our favorites:

Tune In - This was easy for a party of two! Got drinks and appetizers from the 50's menu. It does get quite crowded, but we found seats relatively quickly because the seats seemed to turn over frequently. Fun atmosphere and the CMs at the bar were great.

Tutto Gusto - An absolute favorite! We could order from the Tutto Italia menu, but we prefer the small plates on the Gusto menu. Love this location and have always been seated immediately - I'm guessing we've been there at least five times since it opened. I think the last couple times we were there, they brought out the full Tutto Italia menu right away.

Il Mulino Bar / Swan- Very non-theme-park atmosphere, quiet, relaxed. Friendly bartender and neither crowded nor rushed. Love it!

Crew's Cup / YC - Another good spot - cozy and warm. We've not seen it crowded at all, and have always been seated right away. Again, could order from Yachtsman menu, but we prefer the Crew's Cup menu anyway.

Tambu Lounge / Poly - I don' think a full menu is available there, but love the pork nachos on the appetizer menu. Usually crowded, but worth it if you can find a seat!

Territory Lounge / WL - One of our favorite lounges for warm, cozy atmosphere, great app menu and flexibility to order from Artist Point. Love that they bring out the full menu right away and are more outspoken about that option. Seating has been quick sometimes and not-so-quick at other times. So crowd levels seem to vary.

I'd love to try the lounges at Blue Zoo and California Grill - heard that full menu is available at both, but no personal experience - yet!

 

[hsmamato2]

If I went to a lounge with my 16 y.o. kid,is that allowed?

 

[pixarmom]

If I went to a lounge with my 16 y.o. kid,is that allowed?

I know Trader Sam's does not permit under-21s beginning at 8pm, but our kids have been welcome at the other lounges. At Tutto Gusto and Territory Lounge in particular, they bring out crayons and offer for our youngest to order from the corresponding TS restaurant's kids' menu. Our teens (ages 15 and 16) enjoy the lounges - good theming, break from the parks, great appetizers and fun non-alcoholic beverages.

 

[Ewoks]

The bar at the Wave is great too. Cool atmosphere and you can order the full menu. We've met so many nice people there and always had great conversations! It's one of those places that most people don't think to try, so it's rarely too crowded. We look forward to at least having a drink there every trip.

 

[happymommy]

If I went to a lounge with my 16 y.o. kid,is that allowed?

I sat at the Tune In Lounge with my kids at the bar when they were about 6 and 8 years old, and there was no problem. We were just ducking in out of a sudden downpour, and ended up ordering from the dinner menu. They offer the full menu at the bar.

To the OP: for 3 adults, it's hit or miss if you can find 3 bar stools together, but at an off hour it's definitely worth doing at that place! The food is good, and they split one adult entree onto two separate plates for me and DD to share (I find the portions too large, but my DS ordered a kids' meal which was great).

 

[hsmamato2]

do the lounges keep the same hours as the restaurants?

 

[kaitlin-n-mom]

Is there, by chance, a list of all the restaurants that have lounges that do not require ADR's. We're a party of 3 adults who are not big eaters while on vacation. It would be great to be able to take a break on a bar stool and grab some appetizers and drinks.

 

[purple figment]

do the lounges keep the same hours as the restaurants?

Not necessarily. Some do, but not all. I think the in park lounges are more likely to have hours fairly close to the adjacent restaurant. The lounges at the resorts, however, can vary quite a bit from the restaurant.

Is there, by chance, a list of all the restaurants that have lounges that do not require ADR's.

None of the lounges take reservations. That is one of the advantages of dining in the lounge and having access to the restaurant menu in many cases. Here is a list of the lounges on the Disney dining page:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/#/lounges/

 

[Uncleromulus]

Mrs U and I ALWAYS eat the bar.

Almost all have the full menu available and no reservation is needed. HOWEVER--the bars are not large and if they are full, you cannot be seated. So we always go early to avoid that scenario.

IF you are interested I'll give a list of places where we go---

 

[Uncleromulus]

Mrs U and I ALWAYS eat the bar.

Almost all have the full menu available and no reservation is needed. HOWEVER--the bars are not large and if they are full, you cannot be seated. So we always go early to avoid that scenario.

IF you are interested I'll give a list of places where we go---

 

[DSLRuser]

we had an ADR for lunch at 50's PTC..... they were way behind.....we made it to the lounge / bar just as a couples beeper went off for their meal. Sat at the bar and the bar keeper gave us the full table menu. It was crowded, but it was a 45 min lunch vs a 90 min lunch. But you can't bank on that be possible each time.

 

[kaitlin-n-mom]

Mrs U and I ALWAYS eat the bar.

Almost all have the full menu available and no reservation is needed. HOWEVER--the bars are not large and if they are full, you cannot be seated. So we always go early to avoid that scenario.

IF you are interested I'll give a list of places where we go---

That would be wonderful. I'm not sure why I never thought of eating at the lounges before. This sounds so much better than planning all our meals.

 

[Uncleromulus]

California Grill, Flying Fish, Fultons, Territory Lounge, Narcoosees, Citricos, Jiko, Crews Cup Lounge, Blue Zoo, Shulas, Il Mulino, Yak and Yeti, T-Rex, Wave.

 

[waffocopter]

Territory Lounge was very nice and a CM even pointed out a hidden Mickey on the ceiling! I regret not making another stop for those wings and soup...

 

[suchaclassylady]

We've gone to Tune In Lounge with our 5 year old and sat at the bar. There were other children there as well. The bartender was great and he made our daughter a Bibibop (looked like Sprite and cherry syrup) with a blinking ice cube. We ordered chicken dinners and they were yummy. There was a short wait for a seat, but worth the wait. No as many hijinks, actually no joking at the bar like you would get in the restaurant. That was fine with us. We were just desperate to eat something decent in DHS without an ADR.