Jump to content

Review: Outer Rim Lounge at Disney’s Contemporary Resort


Disney4me
 Share

Recommended Posts

It’s time to head over to the Outer Rim Lounge for a classic Disney Cocktail!

The Outer Rim is your main, standalone watering hole at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. While there are also lounges at both of the Contemporary’s table service restaurants — The Wave and California Grill — this is the spot to go to when you’re meeting friends, or just taking a load off.

Since this is in a busy part of the hotel, you often see people hanging out here just to take a breather or to wait for someone. It’s a popular stop on the famous Monorail Crawl!

There are some serious ways that Outer Rim differs, however, from its counterparts located on the Monorail Crawl Line. We’ll take a look at those in a minute. But first, let’s have a look around.

Atmosphere

Heading to the Outer Rim? Then you’ll want to take the elevator or escalator to the fourth floor Grand Canyon Councourse.

Yes. You've Arrived.

Yes. You’ve Arrived.

You won’t have any trouble finding the Outer Rim. While one end of the Councourse is given over to retail shops, the other end houses Contempo Cafe and Chef Mickey’s. Outer Rim is located directly across from Contempo Cafe, and is completely open to the rest of the concourse.

At one point, the location of this bar in relationship to its surroundings made a little more sense. There used to be a table service restaurant directly across from it.

Outer Rim Lounge at Disney's Contemporary Resort

Outer Rim Lounge at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Still, it’s a nice place to grab an adult beverage, meet friends, or otherwise relax for a bit. Large chairs and cushy ottomans invite you to linger for a bit, as does the widescreen television. The blue lights overhead are particularly striking at night, and demonstrate the commitment to modern decor.

Windows and Seating

Windows and Seating

If there is a star at Outer Rim, it’s the view of Bay Lake. At night, you may even see the Electrical Water Pageant if you time your martini just right. :-)

View of Bay Lake

View of Bay Lake

The bar is fairly nondescript, with a television overhead and pendant lights in the same cobalt blue was saw a moment ago.

Outer Rim Bar

Outer Rim Bar

I did spy this hand charger tower at the bar as well, making Outer Rim a great spot to juice up before you head out.

Charging Tower

Charging Tower

The seating area looks upon the constant foot traffic flowing to and from Chef Mickey’s. And if you were hoping for a quiet spot to relax, you’ll want to time your visit for the hours outside of dinner service.

Eats (Or Drinks, Rather)

While you can definitely enjoy a drink at Outer Rim, that’s about it. Mizner’s, Tambu Lounge, and Territory Lounge at nearby Wilderness Lodge all offer an interesting selection of pub grub. But during our visit, there were really only drinks available at Outer Rim.

The shelves behind the bar display the selection of Bottled and Canned Beer available.

Beer and Wine Selections

Beer and Wine Selections

Bottled and Canned Beers

Bottled and Canned Beers

There’s a selection on draft as well, including Kona Brewing’s Longboard, Yuengling, and Sam Adams Seasonal.

Beer Taps

Beer Taps

I took a look at the menu, but found only the Standard Disney Bar Menu available.

Bar and Menu

Bar and Menu

But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. After all, there are some real classics on that list, like the Moscow Mule and the Pina CoLAVA. :-) But there’s one that I prefer above either of those, and that’s what I chose. I’ll give you a hint: it kinda looks like the Outer Rim’s lights. :-)

Bartender Making My Drink! (I Swear. It Already Looks Like It's Glowing.)

Bartender Making My Drink! (I Swear. It Already Looks Like It’s Glowing.)

If you guessed a Blue Glow-tini, then you’re absolutely right! This nouveau Disney classic includes Skyy Infusions Citrus Vodka, Bols Peach Schnapps, Bols Blue Curacao, and Pineapple Juice with a Sugared Rim. The “glow” comes courtesy of a souvenir Glow Cube. These are pretty kitschy, I know, but they’re a staple now on Disney menus, so I try to get one every couple of years.

Glowtini

Glow-tini

These are such a fun way to remind yourself that you are, indeed, on vacation. :-)

Overall

If you like to imbibe while being in the “middle of it all” versus tucked away in a secluded corner, this is a good spot. It’s the perfect place to grab a quick drink before heading into Chef Mickey’s, or to catch a few minutes of the game after your meal at Contempo Cafe.

But if you’re looking for a lounge experience, nearly any other lounge on Disney property will offer you more in terms of interesting food and drink as well as setting and themeing. Outer Rim feels to me like the space that Disney forgot. I hope at some point they develop it a little, and go back to offering food. I think there’s real potential here if they just take a little care to make something of it.

Now, I’d like to hear what you think! Is Outer Rim a spot you like to hang out, or do you pass it right by? Leave a comment and tell me your opinion!

Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and:


View the full article

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...