Disney’s Contemporary Resort California Grill Lounge Review

Enjoy Cocktails at the Top of the World!

The California Grill and its associated lounge are located atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort, where you’ll have perfect views of the Seven Seas Lagoon with it’s other Monorail Resorts and the Magic Kingdom.

Disney's Contemporary Resort California Grill Lounge Review

Atmosphere

The decor is modern and the walls are all windows. It’s bright and airy in the day and darkly romantic at night.

The Lounge is co-located with the California Grill, one of the most popular restaurants on property due to the views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.

Disney's Contemporary Resort California Grill Lounge View
Daytime view from the California Grill

There are 14 tall chairs at the bar and a casual seating area with tables and comfy chairs.

Access to the restaurant and lounge is from the third floor of the Resort. From the lobby go up the escalator and from the 4th floor atrium go down. You’ll see a reception desk where those with dinner reservations check in. To visit just the lounge just tell the cast members at the desk that’s what you’d like to do and they’ll let you know if you can go up.

The lounge gets full as the evening goes on and gets closer to the fireworks they cut off letting more people up as those up there already are taking up room while waiting for the fireworks. You’ll want to get there early!

To control access to the restaurant and lounge they have a single elevator that goes that high and it is manned by a cast member. those at the desk will tell you to wait at the elevator for the next run.

Disney's Contemporary Resort California Grill Lounge Review

The Menu

Specialty Drinks

Signature Cocktails

Anaheim Mule – Hangar 1 Mandarin Blossom Vodka and Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Beer with a splash of Orange Juice – $11.25

Sake Martini – Karen “Coy” Sake, Licor 43, and Cruzan Mango Rum with a splash of Orange and Pineapple Juices – $11.00

Twisted Mai Tai – Mount Gay Rum, Crème de Noyaux, Orange Juice, and Pineapple Juice with a splash of Lime – $9.75

Napa Blue Martini – Charbay Vodka and Olive Juice with Blue Cheese-stuffed Olives – $11.00

Cucumber Fizz – Chopin Vodka, Limoncello, and Cucumber Water with a splash of Sprite® – $11.00

Passion Fruit Margarita – Patrón Silver Tequila and Cointreau Noir with Passion Fruit Purée – $11.00

Monte Ray – Mount Gay Rum, Pineapple Juice, and Licor 43 with a splash of Sweet-and-Sour – $9.50

Classic Side Car – Rémy Martin VSOP and Cointreau with a splash of Sweet-and-Sour – $11.50

Santa Monica Cider – Rekorderlig Strawberry-Lime Cider, Hendrick’s Gin with Agave Nectar, Lime Juice, and Micro Basil – $11.50

Disney's Contemporary Resort California Grill Lounge Review

Beers

Classic Beers

Bud Light – $5.25

Heineken – $6.50

Michelob Ultra – $6.50

Amber O’Doul’s (non-alcoholic) – $4.75

Beers and Ciders

Harp Lager, Ireland
This Irish style pale lager features pleasant, aromatic hops and light malt. Its flavor has a balance of sweet, light malts with mellow, leafy, and floral hops
$9.00

Coronado Orange Avenue Wit, California
This craft beer is bolstered by orange zest, coriander, and orange blossom honey. Expect a refreshing, light-bodied brew with a citrus zing and a hint of earthy spice
$8.50

Bell’s Oberon, Michigan
A wheat ale fermented with Bell’s signature house ale yeast, mixing a spicy hop character with mildly fruity aromas. The addition of wheat malt lends a smooth mouthfeel, making it a classic seasonal beer
$9.00

Innis & Gunn Original, Scotland – Made with roasted barley, Styrian malts and matured in oak to produce a smooth Scottish beer with hints of toffee, vanilla, and oak – $8.50

Cigar City “Maduro”, Florida – A Northern English-style brown ale with some American affectations. Maduro features flaked oats in the malt bill which imparts a silky body featuring notes of caramel, toffee, chocolate and espresso – $8.00

Cigar City “Jai Alai” IPA, Florida – Tampa was once home to a bustling Jai Alai fronton but sadly all that remains of Jai Alai in the Tampa Bay area is this India Pale Ale that we brew in tribute to the merry game – $8.00

Napa Smith Crush, California – This seasonal beer draws upon a classic European malt profile and noble hops; it is a distinctly Napa Valley expression by brewing it with Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Well balanced and complex – $9.00

Napa Smith Hopageddon, California – At 144 IBUs, Hopageddon glows with a gorgeous, fiery orange color and showcases a distinct, full white head. Unique flavors and a pleasant bitterness are created from the process of dry-hopping and linger on the palate – $9.00

Corsendonk Abbey Brown Ale, Belgium – Corsendonk Abbey Brown Ale is fermented twice, making it a lively, bubbly beer with a rich head. The flavor is yeasty, fruity, and slightly smoky, with a dry finish – $11.00

Ommegang “Three Philosophers”, New York – Flavors and aromas of roasted malt, molasses, brown sugar, dark fruits, brandied raisins, and chocolate. Three Philosophers has notable sweetness with low hop bitterness – $11.00

Left Hand Milk Stout, Colorado – This English style of beer, also known as Sweet Stout or Cream Stout showcases a well-rounded sweetness in this dark beer – $10.00

Rekorderlig Strawberry-Lime Cider, Sweden – A refreshing cider that perfectly embodies a Swedish summer with the authentic flavor of freshly picked strawberries with a hint of lime – $9.75

Ace Joke Cider, California – A dry, champagne-like cider from Sonoma, CA. It has the aroma of white wine, pear, muted green apple, and a taste reminiscent of champagne and tart apples – $7.00

Disney's Contemporary Resort California Grill Lounge Review

Wines

Featured Wines by the Glass

Frog’s Leap Zinfandel, Napa – $16.00

Heitz Wine Cellars Chardonnay, Napa – $16.00

Honig Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa – $19.00

Banfi Rose Regale Sparkling Red, Piedmont NV – $14.00

Here is a pic of the extensive wine menu:

California Grill Lounge Wine Menu

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Typical Fountain Drinks.

Eats

The Sushi here is excellent as are the pizzas!

California Grill Lounge Food Menu

Last Call

It’s a treat spending time in the California Grill Lounge, especially if you can time it (and get in) to view the fireworks.

California Grill Lounge Night View
Nighttime view from the California Grill

Highly Recommended!

Hours

Open  5 PM to 10 PM

Available Discounts

Here are the Disney Discounts that are available at the California Grill Lounge

Passholder Disney Visa Tables in Wonderland Disney Dining Plan
10% No 20% No

Check out our Disney Drinks and Dining Discounts Page to learn more about all of these different discounts.

Note: Disney is always innovating with their menus and as such our listings are subject to change in availability and price.

Over to You!

Have you tried the California Grill Lounge? Share your review or leave a comment in the comments section below!

Thanks for stopping by the Disney Drink Blog,

Cheers!

 

Related Posts

More Lounges at The Contemporary Resort

Nearby Resorts

Other Posts

  • The Monorail Resort Drink Tour

 


Are You Planning a Walt Disney World Vacation?

The Disney Drink Blog Highly Recommends the following providers:

Need help with your Disney Resort Reservations? Have Ears of Experience make your Disney Resort Reservations at the lowest price possible with no additional cost to you above what you'd pay Disney yourself.

 

Submit your review
1
2
3
4
5
Submit
     
Cancel

Create your own review

California Grill Lounge
Average rating:  
 1 reviews
 by Disney Drink Blog
DDB Initial Review

WDW's premier Lounge. Hard to get into later in the evening without dining reservations, but well worth it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *