Disney Bar Crawls (That AREN’T “Drinking Around the World!”)

Bar crawl at Walt Disney World! If you’re this author or one of many of our loyal readers, this may sound like a perfect or even a dream scenario. For others, it might elicit chuckles and sly comments about the duties of parenting children. But a bar crawl at Walt Disney World is certainly a feasible idea for Orlando area locals or those looking for an out-of-the-box destination bachelor party or adults-only night on vacation.

When you set your mind to something along the lines of a Walt Disney World bachelor party (or bachelorette party for that matter…this article is only written from a male perspective because I am one, you can apply any of these scenarios to a female maneuver) your mind likely turns to the one place in the World where drunken revelry is not only not out of place but borderline encouraged: Epcot. “Drinking Around the World” is an unofficial attraction at Walt Disney World these days and with specialized drinking “passports” available for purchase on Etsy and at least one yahoo passed out in the World Showcases bushes nightly, it’s the first thing that probably pops into your mind when you consider an adults-only Disney World excursion. But I think we can all push past this cliche and consider a few other options that are just as good.

All of the following plans can be accomplished in the span of three to five hours (not including stops for dining.) They are also meant to be selective and not inclusive, hence the general exclusion of things like pool bars. You can certainly feel free to add or subtract anything you see fit. All of these plans can be accomplished through either walking or the Walt Disney World transportation system. PLEASE do not attempt to drive yourself during or after these crawls. If you must use your own transportation, designate a sober driver. If you are not an experienced barfly, consider sharing drinks with a friend or splitting them among a group. Also make sure to drink water in between each stop. Not only will this help you keep your wits about you, it will also stave off dehydration in the hot Florida weather. Finally, these touring plans were in no way tested by any of our statisticians. The only software they ran through was this author’s brain (which we all know is the only energy source that will never run out – thanks Ellen!)

Now, without further ado, let’s get to the bar crawls…

The Magic Kingdom Resort Bar Crawl

The generally regarded “number two” bar crawl on property is one that takes revelers around the monorail loop, to hotel bars surrounding the Magic Kingdom. Our version kicks things up a notch by adding two stops around Bay Lake with Disney’s wilderness offerings: the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. This loop lends a very “Disney” feel as bar crawling can be combined with fireworks and castle-views.

Plan:

1. Start the crawl at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. The festive atmosphere and tropical drinks will get everyone into gear for a fun night. Space is very limited inside and if you don’t want to wait, consider grabbing a drink from the patio outside. If you can’t get into Trader Sam’s, or need somewhere else to go while you wait, grab a drink from Tambu Lounge outside the popular ‘Ohana.
2. Ride the monorail to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for a quality cocktail at Mizner’s Lounge. Nobody wants to ruin the vibe of an upscale place by showing up blitzed too late in the evening. So this is a good early spot. Take in the music of the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra and sip a classy mixed drink.
3. (Optional) I don’t necessarily recommend this step, but the interest of being a completest, you could visit Magic Kingdom for dinner and a drink. There are no standalone bars or lounges at Magic Kingdom, but as of 2016, you may now imbibe at five locations in the park: Be Our Guest, Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, Liberty Tree Tavern, Skipper Canteen, and Cinderella’s Royal Table. Be Our Guest was the first spot in Magic Kingdom park to serve alcohol. Drinks can’t be ordered to go. Park admission is required, and, with the exception of Skipper Canteen, dining reservations are nearly certainly necessary to get in.
4. Take the boat from the Magic Kingdom to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and enjoy a cold beer at the Territory Lounge adjacent to Artist Point or the new Geyser Point, (reviewed here). Maybe even grab something to eat from their extensive pub menu.
5. If time permits and seasickness isn’t a fear, return to the boats and take a launch to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and have a rustic drink at Crockett’s Tavern inside Pioneer Hall. If pressed for time you can skip this step and take the boat back to the dry land of the Contemporary Resort.
6. Trade in the sea for the sky and proceed upstairs to the 4th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort and enjoy a drink at the Outer Rim bar on the Grand Canyon Concourse. Depending on the time, you might even spot the Electrical Water Pageant floating by!
7. Return to where you began the crawl, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and have a drink at the Tambu Lounge. If you didn’t make it inside Trader Sam’s at the start of the crawl and you feel up to it, put in your name and try to gain admittance before the end of the night.

The Crescent Lake Bar Crawl

Plenty of bars and nightlife are within walking distance of the Epcot resorts, mostly centered on Disney’s Boardwalk. This tour requires a bit of walking and if you are staying at a Disney resort that is not part of the tour, you will need to find your own transportation back to your resort at the end of the night. Transportation can be arranged in the lobby of any of the Disney resort hotels around the crawl.

Plan:

1. Begin at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts with a laid back mixer (or perhaps a Sam Adams beer) at either Martha’s Vineyard inside the Beach Club or Ale & Compass inside the Yacht Club. If you’re a completest, visit both!
2. Continue to the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort. Enjoy a cocktail in the chic atmosphere of Todd English’s bluezoo Lounge. Or, if sports and cigars are more your style, head to the bar inside Shula’s Steakhouse.
3. Make your way across the courtyard to the Walt Disney World Swan Resort for a drink with a Far East vibe at Kimonos Lounge. Karaoke is offered here nightly. If it’s happening during your visit, croon your favorite Disney classic before continuing on.
4. Head over to the Boardwalk Resort for a beer brewed in-house at Big River Grille and Brewing Works.
5. Visit the newest bar on the crawl and have a magical specialty cocktail at Abracadabar.
6. Catch the 4th quarter of tonight’s big game with a brew or two at the ESPN Club. This would be an excellent time to consider having a burger or some wings alongside your drinks.
7. Enjoy the always entertaining dueling pianos at Jellyrolls. (Trivia fact: while the dueling pianos are, in fact, “always” entertaining, they are even more so when viewed as part of the seventh stop on a bar crawl!)
8. Dance the night (and your buzz) away at Atlantic Dance to conclude the crawl. And for the love of (Pegleg) Pete, arrange a cab or Uber to get yourself home!

The Animal Kingdom Bar Crawl

For something different, consider taking a crawl around the exotic themed restaurants and stands of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. Valid park admission is required and these locations will only be open along with the park, so make sure to plan your visit for the daytime or early evening when the park is open late.

Plan:

1. Start off at the park entrance and set the mood for your booze-filled safari with a drink inside the bar at the Rainforest Cafe.
2. While you’re still in a respectable condition, stop by the upscale Nomad Lounge inside Tiffins restaurant.
3. Continue your journey in Asia at either the bar inside the Yak & Yeti restaurant or the outside drink stand Yak & Yeti Quality Beverages.
4. Head over to the riverside to the Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks. Enjoy a specialty cocktail or craft beer (Yeti Stout! Kungaloosh Spiced Excursion Ale!)
5. While you’re meandering through Asia, consider a stop at the Warung Outpost for a margarita. Note that this stop is only open seasonally.
6. Stroll the Harambe Market with a drink in hand. (Perhaps a local Floridian Reef Donkey Pale Ale or a frozen concoction in a musical mug!) Maybe consider grabbing a snack as well.
7. Finish the day at fan favorite Dawa Bar. Enjoy specialty cocktails, bloody marys, or the park house draft Safari Amber. If you could make it into Rivers of Light, see if your buzz improves the quality of the show.
8. *After Pandora – the World of Avatar opens, you’ll be able to add Pongu Pongu to your list and enjoy themed food and beverages including “bioluminescent” (market speak for “with glow cubes”) cocktails.

Have you ever attempted any of these bar crawls or have you done a different one altogether? Let us know about it in the comments and make sure to share any other additional tips that you might have, to help us make these crawls even better. If you’re venturing to Walt Disney World to attempt any or all of these: cheers, salut, and prost!