Best DVC Bars and Lounges

Let’s face facts. You’re on vacation. You want to drink, lounge around, soak up the atmosphere, and relish in the ambiance. You’re here for the vibes. So, where should you go at Disney to keep the party going? Here are the best bars and lounges at Disney Vacation Club resorts. 

GCH Craftsman Lounge

The introduction of the below video demonstrates everything I want at a DVC bar. In a perfect world, this place will be close to the action, and it will provide a view of the surrounding area. That way, I can people-watch to my heart’s content as I nurture a beverage.

Since Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is already a fun hang in and of itself, putting a bar right by the pool is a masterstroke. You can sit outside, enjoy the more temperate California weather compared to Florida, and simply soak up the sun. There’s even a television at the bar if you want to catch some live sports. 

This place also features a solid menu since it shares space and a kitchen with GCH Craftsman Grill. So, just sit back, relax, order a pizza, and a Craftsman Garden, or Wayfinder, or Grand Mai Tai…or all three. Hey, you’re on vacation! In terms of hangout spots, GCH Craftsman Lounge is tough to beat. 

Enchanted Rose

DVC fans will never get enough of Beauty and the Beast, the timeless 1991 film from the height of the Disney Renaissance. Multiple Disney theme parks host Beauty and the Beast sing-alongs, and you can relive the story at Enchanted Tales with Belle. 

Still, for my money, you’ll find the best tribute to Beauty and the Beast at the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. On the second floor, you’ll find the relatively new lounge, the Enchanted Rose. 

Disney has split this space into multiple rooms, akin to the design of Be Our Guest Restaurant. In each room, the theming honors seminal elements of the movie such as Belle’s library, the surrounding forest, and the Beast’s garden terrace. 

As for the food, options include Truffle Fries and White Sturgeon Caviar. Yes, it’s just that fancy, and it’s also an exquisite place to take a break from Magic Kingdom. You simply hop on the monorail, hop off at the Grand Florida, and you’re in the lounge in a matter of moments. Plus, on sunny days, you can relax outside and admire the stunning view. 

The Gurgling Suitcase

You’ll recognize this place by its charming logo, quite possibly my favorite one at Disney. It’s an attention-grabbing blue backdrop featuring a very happy man holding his beer. This visual has been making DVC members smile since the early days of Disney’s Old Key West Resort.

That statement applies to the small bar itself, which includes a popular outdoor sitting area. Members come here, order something ridiculous, sit down, and savor their vacations. If you don’t believe me, check this simple visual:

Yeah, if you drink that down, all your troubles will vanish. For my money, that’s an essential for any sort of DVC bar. You want the experience to be fun and more than a little bit ridiculous. Ordering that drink is akin to calling for the Kitchen Sink at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. You’re about to overdo it, and that’s by design. This place is just plain silly, a kind of spiritual cousin to Whispering Canyon Café, another DVC favorite. 

Tambu Lounge

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort hosts two of the best bars and lounges at Walt Disney World. I’m not picking the obvious one, as I’m saving that for a different spot. So, I’ll go with the other timeless classic instead.

While I’ve visited both bars several times, you’re more likely to find me at Tambu Lounge. That’s because I adore its location on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House. From this area, I can wander around and admire the view…and the delightful smell in this hotel lobby. 

Tambu Lounge used to be more of a secret, but its popularity has soared during the 2020s. Now, seats are in demand because everyone has figured out that it’s a wonderful spot to admire the Polynesian. There’s ample, cleverly themed seating, and a television where I’ve watched an NFL playoff game. 

Oh, and it’s the next-door neighbor to ‘Ohana. You can even order some menu items here…and for cheaper! That’s probably why it’s such a popular spot. 

Territory Lounge

I resisted the temptation to list Geyser Point Bar & Grill and instead chose the classic DVC member experience. Since Disney’s Wilderness Lodge joined the DVC lineup, Territory Lounge has provided a reliable spot. It’s somehow rustic and familiar yet also stylish and charming.

Territory Lounge feels like it’s been transported from the days of the Wild West, so much so that you expect to see poker being played at the tables and the sounds of a shootout on the street outside the bar. Despite this fact, it’s somehow an elegant place to drink and dine. You can order some excellent apps like Bacon on a wire, and the menu contains a shockingly good wine list. This entire place feels like a mixed message, and I say that in the most flattering way. 

Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar

Okay, I could have listed Trader Sam’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village as well, but now that we have The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, it works here, too. The Disneyland Hotel’s version of Trader Sam’s features the same glow drinks and absurd experiences that you know and love. 

What I adore about Trader Sam’s is how all-encompassing it is. When you visit this bar, there is nothing else in the world! The immersion is total, so much so that I see fewer people checking their phones here less than anywhere else at Disney.

Oh, and as the second video shows, there’s one distinct difference at Disneyland Hotel. You can order full meals here. They even serve breakfast! Can you imagine starting your day at Trader Sam’s? It’s Five O’Clock somewhere, right?

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