The Contemporary Resort has been a Disney World icon since the beginning. Literally, the beginning. Along with the Polynesian, the iconic A-frame building opened as one of the resort’s first hotels on opening day, October 1st, 1971.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
The hotel is well-known for its unique architecture – the monorail literally goes right through the building, its beautiful views of the Magic Kingdom, the massive Grand Canyon Concourse, and its five-legged goat, and some beloved eateries including Steakhouse 71. However, what many don’t know is that Steakhouse 71 has its very own lounge.
Steakhouse 71 opened at the start of the the decade, replacing The Wave as part of Walt Disney World’s 50 anniversary. History is everywhere at the restaurant, as the 71 is symbolic of 1971 when Disney World and the Contemporary opened. The hallways are filled with pictures of the construction of Disney World, which obviously fits the theme. The restaurant has become a popular spot to grab breakfast, lunch, and dinner, especially before or after heading to Magic Kingdom.
Steakhouse 71
Don’t get us wrong, we love Steakhouse 71, but sometimes we don’t want to sit down for a big meal and just want a quick bite. That brins us to the Steakhouse 71 has a lounge! It is hidden behind the host stand and can be overlooked.
Steakhouse 71 Lounge
This lounge serves popular cocktails found inside the dining room, like the 1971 Sunset, which is made with Herradura Reposado Tequila, POG Juice, Rosemary Simple Syrup, and House-made Grenadine. You can even get a caffeine boost, as the lounge also makes espresso drinks like cappuccinos and lattes.
1971 Sunset
While it does not serve the full menu found in the dining room, it has a great selection of light bites. You can get crab cakes, onion rings, burgers, shrimp cocktails, and more! We especially like to get the crab cakes and onion rings to share.
You can even get one of our favorite Disney World meals: The Stack Burger! This $24 gem is made from a signature beef blend, topped with pork belly, American Cheese, lemon aïoli, red onion, house-made pickles, all on a brioche bun and served with choice of Petite Caesar Salad, Steak Fries, or Pasta Salad
Stack Burger from Steakhouse 71
If you’re in the mood for something a bit more breakfasty, how about some Bacon & Eggs. However, this $15 dish isn’t typical diner fare. Instead, it features maple-lacquered pork belly, and smoked cheese grits.
So so good
This spot is open daily from noon to 11 PM, making it a solid choice for a late-night snack after a day at the parks. You can even stop at the Steakhouse 71 Lounge if you want to participate in the monorail hotel bar crawl!
If you are in the Magic Kingdom and don’t want to deal with the lunch rush, you can either take the resort monorail or walk over to Steakhouse 71 for a quick bite to eat and enjoy the cool AC. You can even find something for the kids, as while the restaurant’s kids’ menu isn’t “officially” a part of the lounge menu, we have seen children be allowed to order from said kids’ menu in the lounge with our own eyes.
Loaded Macaroni and Cheese
Steakhouse 71 Lounge is a hidden gem of the Contemporary, and we are so glad it was added. We love to dine here!
Steakhouse 71 Lounge
Beyond the Steakhouse 71 Lounge, The Contemporary is home to quite a few dining locations. In the Grand Canyon Concourse, you will find Chef Mickey’s, which is a buffet-style character dining meal. Right next door to Chef Mickey’s, you’ll find Outer Rim, which is a bar, and Contempo Cafe, which is the Contemporary’s quick-service location. Outside by the pool, the Contemporary has The Sand Bar and the Cove Bar. You can even find Joffrey’s coffee inside the resort at Contemporary Grounds, which is located inside the first-floor lobby.
Chef Mickey’s
For more dining tips on Waat Disney World’s hotels, continue to follow along with Disney Food Blog!
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“You can even get one of our favorite Disney World meals: The Stack Burger! This $24 gem is made from a signature beef blend, topped with pork belly, American Cheese, lemon aïoli, red onion, house-made pickles, all on a brioche bun and served with choice of Petite Caesar Salad, Steak Fries, or Pasta Salad”
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NOOOOOO! Don’t reveal OUR SECRET. We stay at Bay Lake Tower, and the Wave Lounge (YES, we STILL call it that) offers great drinks and the fabulous Stack Burger. Stay AWAY! Go ELSEWHERE!
Where is the sticky Mickey from the old days of the original Steak House under the Monorail. That was great.