We are stopping into The Crew’s Cup Lounge for a light bite!

Located in Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, The Crew’s Cup Lounge is a wonderful little spot to take a breather and beat the heat for a bit. In fact, if you’re ever looking for me and I’m not wandering the parks with my camera, I’ll most likely be in a Disney resort lounge somewhere hiding in the blessed coolness.

This spot has a surprisingly awesome menu (dinner’s pretty darn fancy, even), a great staff, and a relaxed atmosphere. I headed in for lunch on a recent trip after arriving from the airport famished!

 

Atmosphere

The Crew’s Cup Lounge is tucked into the hallway between Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts. It’s easy to miss if you aren’t paying attention.

See what I mean? There’s no flash here, folks. It almost feels like a private club. And that definitely enhances the relaxing atmosphere.

Step inside and you’re surrounded by the same decor you see elsewhere in the resort — lots of light-stained wood everywhere, from floor to ceiling.

You’ll find comfortable seating throughout the fairly small space. The wooden chairs are generous and cushioned, making them perfect for lingering.

The bar is tucked into one corner of the room.

Since there’s no outside light here, surroundings are a bit more dim than they are in lobby area; but it’s by no means dark. You’ll have no trouble reading your menus. 🙂

But while you’re looking up at the lights, check out the brass surround depicting — what else? — rowing. The rowers are sculling along a smooth river, their perfect reflections mirrored in the water below. Don’t you love the detail? Well, we aren’t finished yet!

Check out the racing shell suspended from the ceiling! That big “window” is a view of the Yachtsman Steakhouse meat cutting room; the Crew’s Cup is often a waiting area for those awaiting their table at the restaurant.

Rain slickers hang frompegs along the wall, adding a little color to the space.

Booths along the wall offer a little privacy if it’s cozy conversation you’re after.

Now that we’ve had the tour, let’s get to the important stuff — the food!

Eats

Dishes here tend to cycle in and out, so you may even encounter the same or similar items when you visit.

It was five o’clock somewhere, so I decided to start my meal with a new selection from the standard Disney Cocktail Menu — the Pineapple Caipirinha.

Having tried the Frozen Caipirinha at the Brazil Marketplace during the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, I figured this one would be a hit. And I was right! With a blend of Leblon Cachaça, Agave Nectar, Pineapple, and Lime, this potent drink packs a SERIOUS punch. Like…so serious that I couldn’t finish it. Well poured, Crew’s Cup bartender; well poured!

I decided we couldn’t pass up something salty to complement the tropically sweet drink, and the Hand-Cut Truffle Fries were calling my name! Crew’s Cup and Captain’s Grille both have these awesome fries. Rich and crisp with a fluffy center, they’re a must-try. I get them every time.

The Fries are served with a Roasted Shallot Mayonnaise. I’m not a big mayo fan (this you know) but the extra flavor punch from the sweet Shallots made this dip an entirely different matter. It was fabulous.

And hooray for one of my favorites — Buffalo Chicken Nuggets! Boneless Pieces of Breaded Chicken Breasts are doused in traditional spicy Buffalo Sauce. They’re served with creamy Blue Cheese and Carrot and Celery Sticks. I can’t help but get these every time they’re on the menu somewhere.

I know…not an original, but you just can’t beat Disney Chicken Nuggets — especially when they’re Buffalo style! (Note that Crew’s Cup uses the same kitchen as the Yacht Club room service, so these will be the same bites you’ll get when you call the room service line.)

Next, I couldn’t pass up the Lobster Roll. Served with your choice of Vegetable Orzo Salad or Fries, I opted for the latter.

The sandwich was prepared in the traditional manner. Big chunks of tender Lobster Meat were dressed simply with a Mayo-based Dressing, and piled onto a Roll, which had been split, buttered, and grilled. The grilled Lemon Wedge was a nice touch, too.

Currently, the Lobster Roll has been replaced on the menu with New England-style Lobster Sliders. They’re basically smaller versions of the Lobster Roll.

The sandwich was perfect, and capped off another great experience at Crew’s Cup Lounge.

After all that? Definitely time to head to Beaches and Cream for a No Way Jose, right? ;-D

Overall

With all of the restaurants in Disney World, you might be tempted to pass right by bars and lounges like The Crew’s Cup. But that would be a mistake. If you haven’t taken in snacks and drinks, or even a meal, at Crew’s Cup, I can definitely recommend that you do it. Not only is the food consistently great, but the atmosphere is a great respite from the crazy of the parks — especially during the day. Let’s be honest: it’s getting hard to find places in Disney that aren’t crazy crowded. To be able to walk in, get a table, and enjoy a meal in peace and comfort could be just the thing to revive your tired vacation spirits.

Whether you’re ducking out of Epcot for a quiet respite, you’re meeting friends for drinks, or you’re looking for a great meal on arrival day, check out Crew’s Cup. They haven’t failed me yet!

Is The Crew’s Cup Lounge one of your favorite go-to spots at Disney like it is for me? Let us know your thoughts in comments!