Territory Lounge vs. Geyser Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
I visited Disney’s Wilderness Lodge a few weeks ago. My party and I decided to take a leisurely stroll around the gorgeously renovated property, check out the new cabins, and kill a little time before our reservation for Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue…at least, that was the plan. As we started to make our way towards the exit gates of Magic Kingdom, my friend decided he wanted to take one more tour of Tomorrowland on the Peoplemover since there wasn’t any wait, so we did! After nearly 20 minutes of sitting on the broken-down attraction, we knew we had to hustle if we wanted to make our reservation.
We made it to the exit of the park and JUST as the Wilderness Lodge boat docked, another one of my friends simply could not wait another second- let alone a 5 -minute boat ride- to use the restroom. We all got out of line and waited as she used the restrooms near the park entrance…and waved at the boat as it pushed off. By the time the next boat arrived 25 minutes later, we were officially in a time crunch. A general consensus in the group decided to cut out one of our two planned drink stops. All eyes turned to me as my friend asked “You’ve been to both, so you pick. Territory Lounge, or Geyser Point?”
Territory Lounge
I’ll preface this whole darn thing by saying this: I love both of these bar/lounges. They are both brand-new and are two of the spots I so often recommend…so having to choose just one really had my head spinning! My mind first went to Territory Lounge- so should I go with my first instinct? The indoor lounge is located on the second floor of the absolutely stunning lobby, and if you’ve never had a chance to explore the interior of this rustic-yet-immaculate Resort, this is a great chance to do it!
The lounge is intimate and, considering the bright expansiveness augmented by huge floor-to-ceiling windows, has a surprisingly woodsy and rustic vibe going on inside. The themeing is unmistakably ‘Americana’, and the giant unfinished wooden struts and beams across the ceiling definitely make you feel like you’re in a cabin in the mountains! This spot is never too crowded and on all of my visits I’ve had my pick of seemingly any table or bar stool my heart desired. If your party wants to get a real feel for this Resort’s main building and is more akin to AC than Florida heat, this might be your best play.
Yes, I absolutely took themeing and location into consideration, but the real reason we were going was for a drink and snack! The signature cocktails here are again, very ‘Americana’ with choices like a Manhattan Rye and a Moscow Mule topping the menu. I’m a big fan of rum, and the Captain’s Mai Thai is probably my second favorite rum-based drink on Disney property…and that’s saying a lot! I know my friends are always down for a signature cocktail, and since we were going to Hoop Dee Doo, the lounges’ small plate menu would be all we’d need to hold us over until then.
Geyser Point Bar and Grille
Even newer than the newly-renovated Territory Lounge is Geyser Point Bar and Grille. Both are lounges/bars, both have signature drinks, both offer food, both are at Wilderness Lodge…yet they could not be more different! Remember the woodsy, intimate feel at Territory Lounge? Well, Geyser Point is the exact opposite atmosphere! Located on the quiet shores of Bay Lake, the open-air, patio-style bar is about the most relaxing and chilled out vibe you can find on property. The big bar is shaded from the sun and surrounded by oversized comfy chairs and tables, and the light breeze coming from the water provides the best natural AC you’ll find in Central Florida.
I knew my friends and I wanted to order a snack or two to enjoy with our drinks before the show, and to me, the offerings at Geyser Point were much more suited for our appetizer course than the heavier options over at Territory Lounge. I could just picture us all sitting on one of those big, comfy couches, watching the boats, and munching on some healthy edamame before we headed to dinner…with a drink in hand.
Speaking of drinks, Geyser Point has a slew of signature cocktails, beers, and wines for you to choose from! One of my very close friends would have my head if I didn’t recommend the Black Cherry Lemonade (her favorite Resorts drink), and I can personally vouch for the beauty of enjoying a relaxing glass of wine on that enormous patio. There are well over a dozen specialty cocktails on the menu that feature every alcohol under the sun, and since I had a group of friends with very different tastes, I knew that was a factor to consider.
The Verdict?
I chose Geyser Point for its long list of beverage offerings, lighter snack options, and outdoor seating. The evening we visited was a gorgeous one with just a taste of an off-the-water breeze, and since we would be sitting inside for dinner, I couldn’t pass up the chance to enjoy the weather! If we had more time, I know we would have absolutely visited both lounges, and quite frankly I was a little sad to skip Territory Lounge. The two lounges are so unique and varied that I had a really tough time choosing one, but watching the sun set past the tree line of Bay Lake reassured me that I made the right call. My friends and I were thrilled with the outcome, but I want to know: would you have made the same decision? Which of the lounges is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
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Special thanks to Maria Salerno for writing this article: Hiya pal! I am a NYC-based writer/musician thrilled to be bringing you all things Disney! I’m a WDW Annual Passholder, so you can find me in the parks regularly throughout the year. In addition to being a Disney Parks loving girl, I’m also a Disney toy and merchandise collector, a runDisney enthusiast, and Disney music and movie aficionado. You can follow me on Instagram: NYCtoAP and find me on YouTube: NYCtoAP. Thanks for reading, hope to see ya real soon!