Tell me about Gurgling Suitcase!

[Simba's Mom]

I think that's the name-the small bar at OKW. How late is it open? Does it get crowded (It's so small, wouldn't take much to be crowded!)? And last, what do you recommend? We really want to try it when we're there during MH week.

 

[KNWVIKING]

It is small, but I've never seen it over crowded..... more of a cozy feel. The bartender did make good drinks, you got a full shot plus a little extra. The prices were a little higher then some other on-property watering holes, but we all know there are no bargains at WDW. I also seem to remember the hours being fairly flexible. If people were drinking, the bartender kept pouring. I don't know of the published hours, probably the latest we were there was 1:00 am.

 

[BWVDee]

I have not had one in awhile, but I personally think they have excellent mud slides! Yummmmmmm!!!! Matter of fact the first mudslide I ever had was at Gurgling Suitcase!
I am not sure what time they close but I know we have been there in the evening, not real late but definitly after we came back from the parks. I think this is one of the prettiest areas at OKW when the sun is setting and you are sitting with a drink in hand overlooking the marina, lighthouse etc. This part of OKW definitly reminds me of Key West, especially at sunset. I am very anxious to see how the new pool enhancement adds to this area.
You are right it does not take alot of people to fill up the Suitcase, but you can also get some great and fun conversations going in this bar because of the intimate/close atmosphere. Some of the bartenders have been there for years and they are a riot!
We also enjoy getting drinks from the Suitcase and snacks from the snack bar and sitting outside at the tables--very pretty and relaxing.
Enjoy, and have a mudslide for me! LOL!

 

[Doug Wolfe]

Last summer it was very easy to walk the few steps from the pool to pick-up drinks from this little bar.

We also went in the evening for a couple of drinks. We were the only ones in it. Kind of cozy.

 

[JoEllen]

The few times we tried it we didn't care for it. Too small and crowded. We much prefer to drive over to POR and have a drink in their bar (forget the name!) and listen to the piano player.

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by JoEllen
The few times we tried it we didn't care for it. Too small and crowded. We much prefer to drive over to POR and have a drink in their bar (forget the name!) and listen to the piano player.

I agree the River's Roost at POR with Bob the piano player is heads above the Gurgling Suitcase at OKW. But the Suitcase is still a very nice place to relax with a drink. We have always found the Gurgling Suitcase to be a great place to go without leaving the resort that is great for a relaxing drink and usually some interesting conversations with other guests and the bartenders.

 

[nydizfan]

Being a member now 10 years..whoa.. we love the suitcase . been there at least 100 times.. had many great times having drinks.. watching people .. just having fun .... ps .. try the rum runner .. 3 and ur done........dave

 

[Ksp]

Since we're just back from OKW, I looked up the hours for Gurglin' Suitcase in our Keynotes Directory of Services. (yup, I'm a packrat...save all that stuff.)
Hope they won't change them in the near future....we were there first week of April
Hours are: 11:30 a.m. - midnight.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks, just what I wanted to know. And even without knowing what it is, I'm going to want to try the "mudslide". Since a "Fudge mudslide" is my favorite sundae, a "mudslide" has got to be good!

 

[spiceycat]

one of the concern of the CM's was the new slide - he though the lifeguards would not allow drinking near the pool - but the ones at BWV don't have a problem with it - I have been given a drink that I order earlier in the hot tub there.....

this felt so strange that I never it did it again.....

 

[KNWVIKING]

Why ???

 

[Towncrier]

My kids' photo is in the back corner of The Gurgling Suitcase. It was relocated there when the remodelled Olivia's. I can't recall ever purchasing a drink there, but I did attend a DVC member gathering a few years ago.

 

[Halle]

Do they still serve the Turtle Crawl? We had one the first years we were members and got a cute glass turtle swizzle stick.

 

[mrsdon]

We used to spend a LOT of time and $$$ at the GS.
Our checkout bill would have so many charges there.
We dont go as often now that Robbie, Russ and Emilo no longer work there,
Sniff, sniff..
I used to make biscuts and gravy every trip and take it to Russ in the morning..

 

[Canman]

Does anyone know if the slide construction is completed at the main pool? I don't want to be bothered by that construction mess.

 

[Ksp]

They hadn't even started it when we were there (week of 4/4). I thought it was slated to start in September, 2004.

 

[BWVDee]

We dont go as often now that Robbie, Russ and Emilo no longer work there,

That is a shame, I am sorry to hear that. They were really nice guys and a great asset to the bar. I hate when Disney switches around CMs like that. The same thing happened to a really good bartender from Hurricane Hannahs at SAB, but that ended up working out to our advantage because he got moved to Leaping Horse Libations at BWV!

 

[brownsoup]

Originally posted by spiceycat
one of the concern of the CM's was the new slide - he though the lifeguards would not allow drinking near the pool - but the ones at BWV don't have a problem with it - I have been given a drink that I order earlier in the hot tub there.....

this felt so strange that I never it did it again.....

Yes - I find this interesting too. Strange like you were buzzing and bubbling or strange like you were doing something wrong?

I'm still at work so a drink and a hot tub sounds great to me! - Steve

 

[TDC Nala]

say hello to Ramona, my favorite bartender in WDW.