There’s a certain kind of magic to a Disney Monorail Bar Crawl.
Maybe it’s the promise of fantastic drinks. Maybe it’s the novelty of Disney transportation doubling as your designated driver. Maybe it’s just the idea of hopping from resort to resort, sipping handcrafted cocktails, and feeling like an absolute pro at this whole “Disney for adults” thing.
Whatever it is, if you’re ready to embark on a night of monorail-fueled fun, we’ve got you covered.
Love a good Disney World Bar Crawl? After you’ve finished reading about How to Do a Monorail Bar Crawl, make sure to check out our Bar Hopping at Hollywood Studios Guide, or our Complete Guide to the mother of all drink crawls – Drinking Around the World at Epcot.
How This Works (Or, The Art of a Classy Disney Bar Hop)
This crawl takes place along the Resort Monorail loop, which means you’ll be stopping at three deluxe resorts:
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort (modern vibes, great views)
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (tropical drinks, tiki goodness)
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (fancy cocktails, classic elegance)
Each resort has at least one must-visit bar, and the monorail makes it incredibly easy to hop between them. No buses. No long walks. Just vibes.
Now, some people take this casually—stopping for a drink or two before heading back to the parks. Others? They commit to the bit. They make it a whole evening. If you’re in the latter camp, I salute you. And we’re here to help.
Stop #1: Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Sleek, Chic, and Strong Drinks
Your monorail bar crawl kicks off at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, a place that literally has a monorail running through it. (If that’s not a sign that you should be drinking here, I don’t know what is.)
The Contemporary has a sleek, modern aesthetic, but more importantly—it has some A+ drinking spots to get this crawl started.
Option 1: Steakhouse 71 Lounge (Our Favorite)
Vibe: Mid-century modern cool, with bartenders who actually know what they’re doing.
Why It’s Worth a Stop: It’s a hidden gem that serves seriously strong drinks and some of the best old-school cocktails at Disney. Plus, they have a solid food menu if you’re feeling hangry.
What to Order:
- Espresso Martini (not on the menu) – Espresso Martini with a strong espresso flavor. You can request it without Baileys.
- Not a Pop – Made with Averna Amaro Liqueur, Bacardí 8 Gold Rum Essence, House-made Grenadine, Angostura Bitters, and Soda Water. Tastes like a rum and Coke.
- The 1971 Sunset – Herradura Reposado Tequila, POG Juice, Rosemary Simple Syrup, House-made Grenadine, aka the perfect way to start this crawl.
Bonus Tip: If you’re feeling snacky, the Steakhouse 71 Stack Burger is a next-level, juicy, burger dream (we like to split it between the 2 of us with a side of waffle fries). It’s also a great idea to get some food in your system because this crawl is just getting started.
Option 2: California Grill Lounge
Vibe: Sophisticated, incredible views, and your best shot at catching Magic Kingdom fireworks with a cocktail in hand.
Why It’s Worth a Stop: If you time it right, you can sip a handcrafted cocktail while watching Happily Ever After from above. The lounge seating is first-come, first-served, so plan accordingly. There are several options for for sushi and appetizers if you’re craving some food.
What to Order:
- California Grill Sour – A whiskey sour with a twist—bourbon, amaretto, and a splash of port give this one rich, nutty, and slightly sweet vibes.
- Old Fashioned – A fruity, tart, and just-sweet-enough twist on the classic. Blueberry vodka, lemon, and pomegranate make it bright and refreshing.
- Ancho Rancho Spicy Margarita – A smoky, spicy take on a margarita. Añejo tequila, chile liqueur, lime, and agave come together for a slow burn in the best way.
Pro Tip: If you’re here right before the fireworks, don’t rush to the next stop. Take your time, soak in the atmosphere, and enjoy the moment. The monorail isn’t going anywhere.
Other Drink Spots at the Contemporary
If those spots are too busy, here are a couple others you might like:
- Outer Rim – Chill concourse spot with Bay Lake views and beers, wines, and lots of mixed drink options.
- Cove Bar – Pool bar with pre-mixed frozen drinks and pool-vibe cocktails like Piña Coladas and Mai Tais.
Next Stop: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Once you’ve soaked up the Magic Kingdom skyline views (or downed that burger), it’s time to board the monorail and head to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for tropical drinks and tiki bar vibes.
Next up: Trader Sam’s, Tambu Lounge, and why rum is about to become your best friend.
Stop #2: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – Tiki Drinks and Island Vibes
After kicking things off at the Contemporary, it’s time to take this monorail party somewhere tropical.
Enter Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, where the drinks are strong, the vibes are immaculate, and the rum flows like water. If you love tiki bars, fruity cocktails, or drinks served in ridiculous mugs, this is your place.
You’ve got two very solid drinking options here, depending on your mood and patience level.
Option 1: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto (Our Favorite)
Vibe: Chaotic tiki bar energy meets Disney-level storytelling. The bartenders put on a full show, drinks come with special effects, and the entire room transforms based on what people order. It’s wild. It’s immersive. It’s one of the best bars at Disney.
Why It’s Worth a Stop: Drinks with theatrics—from erupting volcanoes to enchanted tiki curses.
What to Order (If You Want the Full Show):
- Uh-Oa! – A sharable rum cocktail served on fire. When you order it, everyone in the bar has to chant.
- Nautilus – A giant blue cocktail served in a submarine-shaped mug. You’re gonna want to take this one home.
- Zombie – Rum. More rum. A little more rum. A splash of fruit juice. (Don’t say I didn’t warn you.)
Pro Tips:
- This place is small. It only seats about 50 people, and there’s usually a waitlist. If you can’t get in right away, grab a drink at Tambu Lounge and wait for the text.
- Outside seating is an option. If the indoor wait is crazy, you can still order from the Trader Sam’s menu on the Tiki Terrace (just without the theatrics).
How to Get Into Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
If you think you can just waltz into Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and grab a seat, bless your heart. This place is tiny, popular, and fills up fast—so here’s what you need to know:
Step 1: Arrive Stupidly Early
Trader Sam’s opens at 3:00 PM, but the waitlist starts forming around 1:30–2:00 PM. If you roll up at 3:05 thinking you’ll get in, you’ll probably be sipping your drink at the Tiki Terrace instead (which is fine, but not the same).
Step 2: Find the Cast Member Running the Show
There’s no virtual queue, no reservations, just old-school, in-person, first-come, first-served vibes. A Cast Member will be outside managing the list—if they’re not, just pop your head in and find them.
Step 3: Get on the List & Give ‘Em Your Digits
You’ll give your name, party size, and phone number. When your table is ready, they’ll text you. You have 15 minutes to return once you get that text, so don’t wander too far (looking at you, monorail bar crawlers).
Step 4: Kill Time Like a Pro
You don’t have to loiter outside like a lost tourist. Grab a drink at the Tiki Terrace, take in the Polynesian vibes, or strategically plan to join the waitlist before a meal at ‘Ohana or Kona Café—by the time you finish eating, your spot might be ready.
Step 5: Show Up & Hope for a Seat
Seating is limited, so you might get a table, a bar seat, or have to stand awkwardly—but trust me, it’s worth it. Expect a wild, interactive experience where the bartenders are part-time actors and your drink order might trigger a storm, a volcano, or some other nonsense.
Bonus Tips:
- After 8 PM, it’s 21+ only. No kiddos, just pure tiki bar magic.
- Bigger groups = longer wait times. If you roll up with 8 people, settle in for a while.
- No show? No sip. If you miss your return window, back to the waitlist you go.
And there you have it—your no-stress, get-in-or-bust guide to Trader Sam’s. Now go forth and secure that Uh-Oa!
Option 2: Tambu Lounge
Vibe: Laid-back island bar, right next to ‘Ohana, with classic Polynesian drinks and comfy seating.
Why It’s Worth a Stop: It’s easy to grab a seat, the drinks are legendary, and the bartenders pour with a heavy hand.
What to Order:
- Lapu Lapu – A giant pineapple filled with rum. Yes, it’s served inside an actual pineapple. Yes, it’s as amazing as it sounds.
- Backscratcher – Rum, tropical juices, and an actual backscratcher as a garnish. (Disney is out here giving you souvenirs and a drink.)
- Polynesian Mai Tai – If you’re a sucker for a classic, their Mai Tai hits all the right notes.
Pro Tips:
- This is a great spot to grab a drink while waiting for Trader Sam’s. If your name’s on the waitlist, this is the place to hang.
- You don’t need a reservation. Just walk up, order a drink, and enjoy the chill vibes.
- You can also order food here. Select items from Ohana (Pot Stickers and the Noodles specifically) are available. Again, don’t forget to fuel up during your crawl!
Other Drink Spots at the Polynesian Village (And Polynesian Villas) Resorts
If our top picks are too busy, here are some other solid options:
- Barefoot Pool Bar – Typical pool bar drinks and snacks
- Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace – Outdoor version of the Grog Grotto. No antics, and even though there are patio umbrellas, it can be H-O-T.
- Wailulu Bar & Grill – Sips, scenery, and serious island vibes—Wailulu Bar & Grill serves up tropical drinks with stunning Seven Seas Lagoon views.
At this point, you’ve had strong tiki drinks, a few questionable life choices (did you need that second Lapu Lapu?), and maybe even a free backscratcher. Time to class things up a little.
Next stop: Grand Floridian—where the drinks are fancy, the bartenders wear vests, and you suddenly feel the need to speak in a British accent.
Stop #3: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Fancy Drinks & Bougie Vibes
After two rounds of strong drinks and tiki chaos, it’s time to step into Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, where everything suddenly feels very upscale. The lobby smells expensive, people are sipping champagne like it’s no big deal, and for some reason, you feel underdressed—even though you’re literally at Disney.
This is where we class things up (sort of) and sip cocktails like we belong here.
Option 1: Enchanted Rose
Vibe: A “Beauty and the Beast”-inspired lounge that looks like the kind of place where someone would dramatically swirl a glass of bourbon while discussing their inheritance. The whole space is divided into sections, each with its own unique design—the library, the garden room, the bar, and a whimsical lounge with gilded chandeliers.
Why It’s Worth a Stop:
- It’s stunning. If you’re looking for a Disney lounge that feels elegant without being stuffy, this is it.
- The cocktails are next-level. This is where you order something handcrafted, something with a fancy garnish, something that makes you feel important.
What to Order:
- Lavender Fog – Gin, crème de violette, English breakfast tea, and vanilla. It’s floral, delicate, and tastes like a rich person’s afternoon tea.
- Island Rose – Grapefruit & rose vodka, lime, orgeat, pineapple, bitters. Refreshing but sneakily strong.
- Manhattan – Whistle Pig 10yr Straight Rye Whiskey, Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth, Angostura Bitters, and Orange Bitters. Bold, smooth, and guaranteed to make you feel like a classic cocktail connoisseur.
Pro Tips:
- This is a lounge, not a bar. Meaning, there’s not a ton of bar seating, and the vibe is more “relax and sip” than “crowd around the counter and order shots.”
- If you want food, get the truffle fries. They’re crispy, salty, and pair perfectly with a cocktail.
Option 2: Citricos Lounge (If You Want to Be Extra Fancy) (Our Favorite)
Vibe: Bright, airy, and subtly themed to Mary Poppins Returns. This is a great “wild card” option if Enchanted Rose is packed (which it sometimes is).
What to Order:
- Pineapple Daiquiri – Ron Zacapa 23 Rum, Aperol, pineapple & lime juice, bitters. A tropical getaway in a glass—smooth, citrusy, and just the right amount of boozy.
- La Rosa – 7 Misterios Mezcal, Aperol. Smoky, sultry, and dangerously sippable—this one’s for the mezcal lovers.
Pro Tip: If you’re ending your crawl here, you can also grab a glass of wine and take it to the Grand Floridian lobby. Find a comfy chair, sip slowly, and let the live piano music make you feel fancy before heading out.
Other Drink Spots at the Grand Floridian
If those spots are too busy, there is one other spot that might work:
- Courtyard Pool Bar – Standard Disney pool bar with a little bit more sophistication.
Wrapping Up Your Monorail Bar Crawl
At this point, you’ve:
Now, how you end the night is up to you. Some options:
- Monorail back to Magic Kingdom for some post-drinks park time (if you’re still functioning). You can also grab a bus back to your resort from here (if staying onsite).
- Call a Minnie Van or rideshare back to your resort.
- Collapse into bed and dream of rum-soaked pineapples.
However you wrap up your night, congrats—you’ve officially conquered the Disney Monorail Bar Crawl. Cheers to that!
Final Thoughts: Monorail Bar Crawl Like a Pro
And there you have it—three deluxe resorts, endless incredible drinks, and a monorail as your designated driver. Whether you went all in or just stopped for a couple of cocktails, you’ve now experienced one of the most fun (and underrated) Disney adult activities.
From strong sips at Steakhouse 71 to tiki chaos at Trader Sam’s to bougie vibes at the Grand Floridian, this crawl has a little something for everyone. You might leave with a souvenir tiki mug, a newfound love for pineapple drinks, and maybe even a backscratcher (because Disney is wild like that).
However you wrapped up your night, congrats—you officially conquered the Monorail Bar Crawl.
Want More Disney Drinking Adventures?
Ready for round two? If you’re up for another legendary Disney drinking challenge, check out our Complete Guide to Drinking Around the World at EPCOT and start planning your next crawl.