It’s always exciting when a new bar opens in Disney World because there’s that cool thing where we get to visit it for the very first time (which is something we’ll never get to do again).
Drinks from The Perch
Now, we’ve been pretty excited about all the changes happening in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, but the biggest thing we’ve been looking forward to is visiting the birdcage-inspired bar aptly named The Perch. Well, The Perch soft opened early (it’s supposed to officially open on November 10th), and we had a chance to have a few drinks and try it out.
Atmosphere
If you’ve visited Disney’s Grand Floridian recently, you might have noticed a lot of construction happening in the lobby. The idea is a kind of over-the-top Victorian elegance thing happening in the lobby, and Disney has doubled down on the theme with the lobby’s new look.
Updated Grand Floridian lobby
The lobby includes The Perch, a new bar inspired by the birdcage that used to be in the Grand Floridian. It’s done up in gorgeous wooden tones.
The Perch is open
The bar counter features marble with neutral chairs that have a pretty floral pattern on them.
Marble counters
You’ll find some seating at the bar, although it’s pretty limited. But there’s nothing stopping you from grabbing your drink and sitting in the massive lobby to drink it.
Not a lot of seating at the bar
You’ll find USB ports and outlets at the bar so you can charge your devices while you enjoy a drink. There are also hooks beneath the bar where you can hang your purse or bag.
Charge your devices while you enjoy a drink!
The lighting fixtures are these gorgeous crystal orbs. Everything about this bar feels like old money.
The lighting fixtures are GORGEOUS
There’s a stunning stained glass window behind the bar itself.
Stained glass window behind the bar
But enough about this bar’s atmosphere. What’s on the menu?
Menu
The menu here features some specialty cocktails, unique to this location, as well as wines, beer, and a non-alcoholic drink.
The menu
So let’s talk about those drinks!
Drinks
To start, we ordered the Sunshine State Rum Sazerac for $17.50. It’s made with Siesta Key Coffee Rum, Demerara, Absinthe Rinse, Peychaud’s Bitters, and Lemon Essence. Now, the Sazerac is a drink you don’t want to miss out on. It’s unique, and the rum in it has a low coffee taste. It’s a drink made with good quality ingredients, which means it’s worth the price.
Sunshine State Rum Sazerac
We also tried the Floridian 75, made with Fords Gin, Florida Citrus Cordial, and Lemon topped with Taittinger ‘La Francaise’ Brut Champagne for $22. It’s got a bumbly champagne feel in the mouth, but it’s also punchy, citrusy, and zesty. It’s like an elevated version of the French 75 you would get at a restaurant like Be Our Guest.
Floriidan 75
Finally, we tried the non-alcoholic Blueberry and Basil Iced Tea for $8. This one surprised and delighted us. It’s made with brewed Twinings Iced Tea, Lemon, Blueberry, and Basil. It’s a nice blueberry iced tea with some elevated notes to take it up a notch. You have that familiar taste of the tea, but then you get that nice fruitiness of the blueberry with just a hint of the basil’s earthy flavor.
Blueberry and Basil Iced Tea
If you want something that isn’t alcoholic, you’ll still feel like you’re living large if you order this drink.
Overall
We were blown away by The Perch. Not only is this bar just beautiful, but it serves drinks that are elevated in the best pay possible (and would you expect anything less at the Grand Floridian?). It’s on par with some of our favorite luxe-feeling bars like Enchanted Rose and GEO-82. If you need to get away from the chaos of Magic Kingdom, this bar could make for a nice midday break where you can chill with a drink and experience a little elegance away from the hot and sweaty crowds.
In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disney World and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!
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Stunning venue. This is a great enhancement to the property.
Disney’s recent obsession with alcohol really takes away from the family feeling. The beautiful, exceptional Enchanted Rose is a quick, short elevator ride away and not so “in your face”. What message are we sending to the children visitors when they see alcoholic drinks everywhere? I’m sure its a lovely bar, and as an adult I appreciate a nice bar, but did it have to be in the center of that beautiful lobby? Did the unique birdcage I’ve visited for years really need to be replaced? And what about the absence of the infamous Gingerbread House that we wait to see appear every year in the lobby? We sacrifice that family treasure for yet another bar? I know Disney makes a lot of profit selling alcohol. I just don’t think a bar everywhere you look fits into the family theme and feeling WDW USED to give us. To say WDW has sold out the nostalgia, charm and class of years gone by for the almighty dollar is an understatement.
It’s very pretty but the location in the lobby makes me wonder a couple things. Where / how will the amazing giant Christmas tree be situation in that space or will it be a casualty to yet another bar.
and
how long till it becomes the norm to see empty drink glasses and napkins all over the lobby because people don’t bother to clean up after themselves expecting someone else to do it for them.
and
what will it be like when monorail crawlers make it their last stop and decide to hang out there after hitting several lounges on their crawl. It’s one thing when their final / later stops are a more tucked away location but this one is in your face, front and center in that grand lobby. there will be no hiding it when guests over indulge.
Hopefully I’m just cynical and will be wrong about all of it.
Disney doesn’t care about families anymore. They wonder why there are so many fights with bars everywhere. I am dvc at grand Floridian but I am selling my contract.
Can’t see that giant holiday tree fitting in here. Another high priced Disney gin mill that is not fan friendly. Totally not needed.
The negative comments are ridiculous. Ohana at the Poly along with a bunch of other resort bars have been in existence for a very long time. The Grand didn’t have a bar open during the afternoon other than going to the pool. The Enchanted Rose doesn’t open until 3:30pm. Some people may enjoy sitting there waiting for friends and family to arrive. I know some people who have historically made comments that the Grand isn’t kid friendly because the lobby is too fancy and stuffy. Apparently now it isn’t kid friendly because there’s a beautiful bar.
As for the Christmas tree and gingerbread house, construction has impacts and those items were always in the works by this point in November. The bar isn’t impacting the space that much in comparison to the bird cage that was there. I’d be surprised if both aren’t in the normal spots next year. Not having them this year should just make them more appreciated, but on the other hand all most people seem to do is grip about absolutely everything. I remember when people could just be happy rather than criticize and complain about every single thing. Apparently to some here, construction projects aren’t supposed to impact anything.