Review: Join the Expedition at the Amazing Territory Lounge

If you are looking for a unique place to relax at Walt Disney World, you have to check out this lounge!

Lounges at Disney World

Walt Disney World truly can be a vacation trip that is different each and every time you visit. For some trips, it makes sense to focus on experiencing attractions, character meals, and other park based experiences. For other trips, guests might want to enjoy their resort and all of its amenities.

These preferences are often dictated by your group and overall interests. Trips with small children might look very differently than trips with adults. Shorter trips may look different than longer Walt Disney World vacations.

One of the many offerings at Walt Disney World that might not be as readily appreciated on trips with children are the various lounges on property. Many resorts have relaxed lounge spaces that offer drinks and food options with no reservations required.

Though children are certainly welcome in this space (we saw a family with a small baby in the lounge while we were here), the overall feel of the lounges on property is vastly different than the brightly themed, character-based experiences elsewhere on property. This can be a welcomed change for many visitors!

On a recent trip to the Wilderness Lodge, I was afforded the opportunity to experience the Territory Lounge. This may have been my first visit to the Territory Lounge, but it certainly won’t be my last!

Getting to Territory Lounge

Territory Lounge is located within the main building at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge just off of the entrance to Artist Point restaurant, a space that is home of Story Book Dining with Snow White.

Wilderness Lodge is a gorgeous resort that truly does not get the hype or credit it deserves. Located in the Magic Kingdom area of resorts, it is often overlooked because it is not on the monorail line. However, this amazing resort is simply a boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom and packs so much appeal in its charm, recreation, amenities, and overall experience. Susan wrote an exceptional guide for the resort which you can read here.

As mentioned above, the best and quickest way to the Wilderness Lodge is via boat from the Magic Kingdom. The boat ride itself is so enjoyable and is very quick. On the boat, you are afforded the most beautiful and unique views of the Contemporary Resort, the Polynesian Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort as you sail through Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Wilderness Lodge can also be accessed by car but only with an accompanying hotel or dining reservation. If coming from a different resort or park other than the Magic Kingdom, it might be best to access the Wilderness Lodge through Disney bus transportation.

Lounge Atmosphere

Open daily from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m., the Territory Lounge is as rustic and charming as the entirety of the Wilderness Lodge resort. From the wood carved bears serving as columns behind the bar to the various Americana and Pacific Northwest artwork smattering the walls, it is easy to tell that this space is different than any other place on Disney property.

Walking in, your eye is immediately drawn to the large map at the entrance to the lounge that shows various mountain ranges and other geographic landmarks of the Pacific Northwest. The dark wood covering the walls, tables, and chairs creates a relaxed and subdued atmosphere, which is enhanced by the dimmed lighting in the space.

Memorabilia of expeditions past cover the walls in featured shadow boxes. The most eye catching and unique decor, however, is the map that graces the ceiling. I found myself looking up throughout our time at the lounge to study the map and its artistry.

Food and Drink Options

The food menu at Territory Lounge offers small bites and sweets. Small bites include:

• Mushroom Bisque for $12
• House-made Potato Chips with Chimichurri Ranch Dip for $6
• Chipotle BBQ Glazed Ribs $13 for three bones or $17 for five bones
• Artisanal Cheese and Charcuterie for $22
• Oregon Chardonnay Fondue for $14 including pretzel bread and grapes on the vine

Sweets include:

• Flourless Chocolate Cake Cauldron for $9
• Seasonal Pie for $8

Featured cocktails and draft beers are also served at the lounge for prices ranging from $7.50-$15 a drink.

My Experience

My mom and I arrived at the lounge at about 6 p.m. on a Saturday night during a particularly busy week at Walt Disney World. While there were definitely people at the Territory Lounge, it was far from full. People around us were enjoying their food and drinks, watching one of the televisions in the space, or working on their laptops. The atmosphere was quiet, relaxed, and warm, which matched the overall energy of the Wilderness Lodge so well.

We had dinner planned at Geyser Point, so we opted for drinks and a small bite option to share. We ordered the house-made potato chips with chimichurri ranch dip and the Our Neighborhood cocktail, which was a mix of Don Q rum, blackberry cordial, strawberry puree, orange juice, and blackberries.

The drink was fresh, fruity and delicious. The house made chips were also great. The star of the dining experience for me, however, was the chimichurri ranch dip. The dip was so good that I would have eaten it by itself! It combined perfectly with the house made chips for the perfect bite. I would travel out of my way to go to the Wilderness Lodge just for this dip!

Overall, we spent about an hour in the lounge enjoying our drinks and snack.

Top Tips and Suggestions

I highly recommend making the trip to the Wilderness Lodge to check out the Territory Lounge. This isn’t a well known spot and definitely is a hidden gem on property. I suggest visiting before or after a dinner reservation at Story Book Dining at Artist’s Point or even as a way to take an early evening break from the hustle and bustle of the Magic Kingdom.

Carve out at least an hour and a half to travel to the resort and enjoy the space and make sure you order some of the chimichurri ranch dip!

Have you visited the Territory Lounge? What was your experience? What is your favorite lounge on the Walt Disney World property? Comment below or on our Facebook page to continue the conversation.