So how do I get into a lounge?

[leebee]

I'm planning a solo trip for late August. Besides being solo, I am a small eater (bariatric surgery) AND I like to chat with people at bars, so I'm considering skipping ADRs and hitting up the lounges. ALSO...I am thinking of only doing one or two park days and just roaming the property the rest of the time. Lounge meals seem ideal. How do I get INTO a lounge? Do I need to make an ADR? Can I just go to the restaurant and ask if there is bar/lounge seating available for a party of one? Any suggestions of where to try at the resort hotels?

 

[Eastern]

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[AussieFan8]

My daughter and I are fairly small eaters as well, and we like the relaxing vibe of lounges, so we do this more and more each trip. Our favorites are Nomad Lounge and Territory Lounge. Even at a busy time, we were able to get a table for two at Nomad within about 10 minutes. On a prior trip, we sat at the bar at Nomad, and the bartender was very friendly and chatted with us. Great service. You can walk right in Territory Lounge. We have found both the staff and other patrons to be very friendly there. At Hollywood Brown Derby, we were able to be seated immediately outside. Geyser Point is nice as well. Planning to try bluezoo next trip.

 

[gharter]

Lounges are generally first come or waiting list.
Agree with Nomad being one of our favorites.
Geyser Point is a close second.

 

[Marthasor]

You can walk up without an ADR. For WDW resorts, if you don't have a car, just make sure to arrive via WDW transportation (or your feet if you are walking to a resort from MK/EP/DHS). As others have mentioned, Nomad and Geyser Point are great. I did a solo trip in Feb. and walked into Steakhouse 71 without issue after a day in MK. As a party of 1, your chances of getting a seat are excellent. If you would like to try Trader Sam's at Poly, I would just make sure to be there around 2:00/2:15 pm to get in with the first wave of people at 3:00 pm (unless you don't mind waiting an hour or so later in the day/evening and just hanging around the resort). I would also recommend Enchanted Rose and Citricos at GF. At Swan/Dolphin, Il Mulino and bluezoo are pretty lively and have excellent food.

 

[gregskellington]

Remember that not all lounges are created equal. Hollywood Brown Derby is the outside patio with no bar seating. Youd be placed at your own high top here.

Save the bars like Trader Sam's, I find the hotel lounges easiest. They are always walkups in my experience. Some of the popular lounges like Nomad Lounge and Brown Derby use waitlists that can fill up really, really fast.

 

[holden]

Another vote for Nomad as the best lounge. We arrived around 10:30am to get in line. We were seated as soon as they opened at 11am. There were approximately 15 people in front of us.

Trader Sam's is challenging to get into, but it's worth it. I'd recommend getting in line at least 45 minutes before opening. We went one time long after opening and it was at least a two hour wait.

I've never seen the lounge at Beach Club crowded (Martha's Vineyard?). Not sure how good it is.

 

[Lori Duck]

Steakhouse71 is supposed to have an excellent lounge...went there when it was The Wave and it was a nice, relaxing vibe with good drinks. Love Geyser Point!! Not easy to get to, but worth the effort. Both of these have great food.

 

[daisylovesdisney]

Pre-covid I sat at a bar/lounge area outside of Sanaa and "Ohana and a place at the Beach Club (maybe it was in between the Beach and Yacht Clubs). I like to just have an appetizer and a drink so it was perfect, never had to wait or had a problem. Have also enjoyed Trader Sam's (pre-covid), I had maybe a 30 minute wait for that one.

 

[smwisc]

Following, as I have a similar short solo trip planned in July and am hoping to do the same thing!

I was able to easily get in to Nomad Lounge on our trip last summer (while the family was in line for a ride) - very nice option if you're in AK.

 

[Skippyboo]

I think the only lounge that you need an ADR is Space 220. Nomad is nice, Geyer Point at WL, 3 Bridges at Coronado Springs are good , Tiki Terrace at Poly is nice alternative if you can’t get in to Trader Sam’s.

 

[loves to dive]

I agree with all of the above. I was there in April and did both Nomad and HBD. Both have walk up wait lists or wait lists through MDE depending on the time of day. For HBD I was walking around HS around 11:30 and just hopped on MDE and booked a wait list. My table was ready in about 5 min. For Nomad, it was around 2:30 or 3 in afternoon. As soon as I entered the park at that time, I got on MDE and booked wait list. My table was ready before I could get through the park to it. I went to La Cava around 2:00 (on Easter Sunday) and waited about 20 or 30 min. to get a table. They only have chips and queso and guac but it was more than enough for a meal for me, especially combined with F&G booths. I was at CS in Dec. and did the wait list for 3 Bridges. It is only open later in the day and only has wait list. I did it around 6:30 or so from my room and my table was ready before I could walk down. If you are at CS, I highly recommend 3 Bridges, I have eaten at a lot of WDW restaurants in over 35 years of going and it was one of the best meals I've had. If you are willing to eat at off hours, you have a better chance of getting a table.

 

[JCornell]

Like others touched on, some are first come, first serve and others (e.g. Nomad Lounge, Hollywood Brown Derby, Geyser Point, Three Bridges) utilize the online waitlist option. Sometimes they take walk-ups too but it's best to just check MDE for a walk-up list (Check Dining Availability / Party Size / Today / Now) and it'll tell you what waitlists are nearby. Generally you can only get on a waitlist if you're on property (need to be at Wilderness Lodge to get on Geyser Point), so if you're visiting a place, hit that option as soon as you arrive. Many times the wait is short.

 

[kkediana]

Enzo’s Hideaway is nice.

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

I'm planning a solo trip for late August. Besides being solo, I am a small eater (bariatric surgery) AND I like to chat with people at bars, so I'm considering skipping ADRs and hitting up the lounges. ALSO...I am thinking of only doing one or two park days and just roaming the property the rest of the time. Lounge meals seem ideal. How do I get INTO a lounge? Do I need to make an ADR? Can I just go to the restaurant and ask if there is bar/lounge seating available for a party of one? Any suggestions of where to try at the resort hotels?

I've visited most of the lounges and based on what you are saying I'd put Trader Sam's at the top of your list. It's a lot of fun and there's great interaction with staff and other guests. Geyser Point is also great but I'd recommend the evening for late August. Enchanted Rose is a tougher one for me as you may find there is no one sitting at the bar. If you're at a table you may find it tough to strike up a conversation with others. Enchanted Rose is nice though and worth checking out.