Solo DIY Monorail Lounge Dinner vs Staying in One Place

[Pygoplites]

For an upcoming solo trip, I'm thinking about doing some lounge-dining instead of having a full meal in a dining room. Which would you choose? (Open to other suggestions, too). Must include sushi somewhere along the way. Any logistical problems I should be aware of (crowds, times to avoid, etc.)?

1. Monorail Meal: Start with cheese plate/wine at Citrico's Lounge, next stop sushi at California Grill Lounge, and finish at Tambu Lounge (bread pudding!). Watch fireworks from Poly beach unless I can go back to CG deck by showing my receipt (do they still allow this?).

2. Poly Crawl: Start with snack/drink at Trader Sams' (Tiki Terrace or Grog Grotto, depending on the wait), next stop sushi at Kona Island, finish at Tambu Lounge. Watch fireworks form Poly beach.

3. Chill at the Grill: Just do the whole meal at California Grill Lounge. This is probably most practical, but I've done this before.

4. Alternate Plan - Epcot resort area: App/cocktail at blue zoo, sushi at Kimonos, dessert (and possibly another appetizer) at Flying Fish counter seating.

 

[Disnsyncey]

I vote 1! But I would stay at the poly to enjoy all the different spots before and after the fireworks

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I vote for #1, but I would still try to get a drink or something at Trader Sam's Grog Grotto (seriously, even if it's just a $4.99 mocktail). If you haven't been, it's freaking cool!

I believe you can still show your receipt from CG to get back up to the observation deck. If not, the view from Poly is lovely as well.

We LOVE monorail crawls! Walking around the Boardwalk is fun, too, but there is something magical about that monorail.

 

[Pygoplites]

I vote for #1, but I would still try to get a drink or something at Trader Sam's Grog Grotto (seriously, even if it's just a $4.99 mocktail). If you haven't been, it's freaking cool!

I believe you can still show your receipt from CG to get back up to the observation deck. If not, the view from Poly is lovely as well.

We LOVE monorail crawls! Walking around the Boardwalk is fun, too, but there is something magical about that monorail.

Thanks! I will definitely check out Trader Sam's, even on another night if necessary. I haven't been to WDW since they opened and I'm a huge fan of the original at the DLH. I love retro Tiki culture as well as all things Hawaiian/Polynesian.

Maybe I should do my #1 choice, but add on Trader Sam's maybe right when they open for just a drink: Trader Sam/Citricos Lounge/CG Lounge/Tambu Lounge.

 

[si-am]

#2 sounds like more fun to me but that's because I love all those places!

 

[TeresaWen]

The only issue could be getting up to the CG lounge. If is crowded you will need to wait before they allow you up.

Love the Epcot crawl. We have done something similar.

 

[nezy]

When will you be there?

 

[CraigInPA]

#1 if you can be assured of getting into CG (perhaps with an ADR)
otherwise, #2.

 

[Tinkbum]

For an upcoming solo trip, I'm thinking about doing some lounge-dining instead of having a full meal in a dining room. Which would you choose? (Open to other suggestions, too). Must include sushi somewhere along the way. Any logistical problems I should be aware of (crowds, times to avoid, etc.)?

1. Monorail Meal: Start with cheese plate/wine at Citrico's Lounge, next stop sushi at California Grill Lounge, and finish at Tambu Lounge (bread pudding!). Watch fireworks from Poly beach unless I can go back to CG deck by showing my receipt (do they still allow this?).

2. Poly Crawl: Start with snack/drink at Trader Sams' (Tiki Terrace or Grog Grotto, depending on the wait), next stop sushi at Kona Island, finish at Tambu Lounge. Watch fireworks form Poly beach.

3. Chill at the Grill: Just do the whole meal at California Grill Lounge. This is probably most practical, but I've done this before.

4. Alternate Plan - Epcot resort area: App/cocktail at blue zoo, sushi at Kimonos, dessert (and possibly another appetizer) at Flying Fish counter seating.

#1!
We did the Highway in the Sky dining event last year and we loved it, but this year we might try doing it ourselves. We'll see...