Disney World’s Best Underrated Lounges Are a Short Skyliner Flight From the Parks

Walt Disney World’s hottest up-and-coming resort district is the Barefoot Bay Boarding Bailiwick. This place has everything. A cheaper and better version of ‘Ohana. Churro Mickey Waffles. Sarah’s favorite character breakfast anywhere. That thing where loitering locals think the fake library is an actual library, or their local Starbucks (IYKYK).

For reasons unknown, the Barefoot Bay Boarding Bailiwick never caught on. It was the name we coined for the combined hotel district encompassing Disney’s Riviera Resort and Caribbean Beach during construction of the former. I maintain that it was an exceptional name. An awesome alliteration, fantastic phonaesthetics, and an acronym that would’ve one-upped Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. And who doesn’t love the word bailiwick, which deserves a comeback. But I digress. 

As it turns out, the hype was real and the Barefoot Bay Boarding Bailiwick actually does rival the Crescent Lake Resort Area from a culinary perspective. Topolino’s Terrace is transcendent. Primo Piatto is phenomenal. Sebastian’s Bistro is spectacular. Even Spyglass Grill is a sleeper. Then there are the lounges.

In the last several years, Walt Disney World has added a slew of family-friendly lounges that are more food-forward. These are more fairly categorized as restaurants than bars (or at least “and grills”), and are less expensive and lower stakes than fully-fledged table service restaurants.

Despite this, they have robust food menus that arguably surpass some of the regular restaurants at their respective resorts. Many of them do a great job of bringing the outside in and ooze inviting atmosphere. We love these lounges, as they’re the perfect middle-ground between counter service and table service for young families with toddlers.

Examples of such lounges include Geyser Point Bar & Grill at Wilderness Lodge, Three Bridges Bar & Grill at Coronado Springs, Nomad Lounge at Animal Kingdom, and Wailulu Bar & Grill at the Poly’s Island Tower.

Then there are two locations that are a stone’s throw from one another in the Barefoot Bay Boarding Bailiwick: Bar Riva at the Riviera and the reimagined Banana Cabana at Caribbean Beach. Let’s dig in for my two most recent meals at these legendary lounges…

Banana Cabana at Caribbean Beach

Banana Cabana is the fan-favorite bar by Fuentes del Morro Pool in the Centertown or Old Port Royale area of Caribbean Beach. Prior to the resort’s reimagining, Banana Cabana was a modest pool bar. A small square building with minimal space and bar seating under the covered area of the building. Essentially akin to one you’d find at the Value Resorts.

It is now much larger, with a wealth of open air seating and great island atmosphere. But even before, Banana Cabana had a cult following, which had nothing to do with the drinks, food, or even ambiance. It’s all because of the long-tenured Cast Members at this poolside lounge. Just take a look at the Caribbean Beach Banana Cabana Friends group on Facebook.

It should go without saying that the people are a huge part of what makes Walt Disney World a special place, and there are few places where that’s more true than Banana Cabana. Objectively speaking, the old bar was nothing special, but the Cast Members made it special.

Now, there’s even more to love about the location itself, and it’s fantastic food and drinks menu. So much so that Banana Cabana’s popularity has exploded. It even has its own merchandise, which is more than can be said for my beloved Sebastian’s Bistro!

This new bar has considerably more seating, actual theme, lounge chairs, and fun details. It offers the same poolside tropical ambiance, but now also has self-contained atmosphere that takes it to the next level.

Thanks to the Cast Members here, theme, and overall atmosphere, Banana Cabana now belongs in the conversation for the best bars and lounges at Walt Disney World. It’s a fun place and definitely one of the highlights of Caribbean Beach Resort’s reimagining.

It’s also a lovely open-air setting with the sounds of the pool providing background ambiance, Skyliner gliding by in the distance, and a cool breeze coming off the water on a hot day. There were even live musicians on the night I was dining here (Saturday), which is something I don’t recall seeing in a while. Banana Cabana is also a great spot for sunsets and watching EPCOT’s fireworks.

For this visit, I ordered the eponymous Banana Cabana Burger: Tomatillo-Jalapeño Cream Cheese, and Pineapple Salsa with Plantain Crunch served with French Fries for $19.50.

It’s been a bit since we’ve updated our list of the Best Burgers at Walt Disney World (something I’m working to rectify), but this will make the cut.

It won’t be at the top of the list, though.

The Banana Cabana Burger is a high-quality and ambitious endeavor, but it’s nothing truly special.

The upsides are the high-quality and thick patty that was juicy and flavorful, crunch added by the plantain chips, and the sauces.

The biggest downside was that the bun was a tad too chewy and slightly oversized for the burger. Beyond that, the combination of the Tomatillo-Jalapeño Cream Cheese and Pineapple Salsa fell a little flat.

I don’t know what I was expecting here, but “something more than this” would be my answer. It’s basically just a flavorful burger with a pinch of pineapple. All of the other flavors fade into the background. I wouldn’t have been able to tell you there was cream cheese on this without looking at the menu, and it doesn’t have any of the heat you might expect from these flavors. I wish it were a bit more ambitious, but it’s nevertheless delicious when viewed as a relatively straightforward burger topped with pineapple salsa.

I also ordered the Loaded Fries: French Fries topped with Chili, Cotija, and Pico de Gallo for $12.50.

Why I, a solo diner, ordered a double helping of fries is a good question. If anyone knows, let me know. I was hoping it’d be possible to upgrade the standard side that accompanied my burger to Loaded Fries for an added charge. When my server informed me that wasn’t possible, I got flustered and just ordered the standalone dish. Obviously, not the smartest order, but I can never say no to french fries.

And that’s part of the problem. These fries are heavy. The photo is deceiving, but there is a generous portion of chili covering the fries. Enough that I was able to add my burger’s side of fries to the other plate and have a more ‘balanced’ (but larger) order of Loaded Fries.

These Loaded Fries are pretty tasty–good enough that I ate every last bite pictured above. At the same time, they’re regular ole Disney fries with copious chili and a dash of other toppings. There’s nothing remarkable or distinct about them that’ll have you craving these between trips. They’re good, but at the same time, safely skippable.

One thing to note is that the Coconut-Pineapple Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream is no longer listed on the official menu for Banana Cabana. However, it should be available to order.

Banana Cabana shares a kitchen with Sebastian’s Bistro, where the iconic dessert ends each meal. I could’ve ordered it on this evening, but someone made the brilliant decision to devour like six pounds of french fries and chili. (I didn’t inquire as to cost, but last time I had it here, it was $10.)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this is better than the bread pudding at ‘Ohana. This Coconut-Pineapple Bread Pudding has all of the great qualities of the ‘Ohana dish, plus better top texture. It’s rich, it’s decadent, it’s creamy, it’s sweet, and it’s so much more. What makes this bread pudding so good is hard to put into words, but once it hits your mouth...it’s pure Disney culinary magic!

Bar Riva at Disney’s Riviera Resort

Bar Riva is the open-air pool (adjacent) lounge that’s right next door to the hotel’s counter service restaurant, Primo Piatto. Like the rest of the resort, Bar Riva draws its inspiration from the Mediterranean, serving up light European and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine along with a variety of cocktails.

For practical purposes, Bar Riva is about a 5-minute walk from the Skyliner station at Disney’s Riviera Resort. Meaning that you can easily take the “Most Magical Flight on Earth” from Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, or Art of Animation and Pop Century, and be here in a matter of minutes.

It’s also easily walkable from Caribbean Beach Resort, taking under 10 minutes from Centertown, in case you want to walk off about 6 pounds of chili-covered french fries. It’s a nice escape from the crowds, and every time I’ve dined here (exclusively for lunches), it’s been about half-full. I’ve seen Bar Riva busier in the evenings, but seldom slammed.

Simple but stylish, Bar Riva is a lovely location. The indoor-outdoor lounge is a visual feast of vibrant blues and stark whites, which provide a sharp and stunning contrast. We’ve been critical of Disney’s Riviera Resort for being under-themed as compared to the actual French Riviera, but this is exactly the type of chic Côte d’Azur beachfront venue.

Not everything needs to feature an excess of ornamentation or thematic flourishes. The less-is-more design works well here, similar to the other aforementioned open air lounges at Walt Disney World. Bar Riva is sleek and modern, while also managing to look classy and timeless.

The wood ceilings and furniture are lightly-stained, and imbue the bar with a sense of warmth and intimacy. That contrasts with the tilework throughout–on the ceiling, floor, and columns–giving Bar Riva a crisp and cool sensibility. Speaking of which, there are plenty of ceiling fans that literally keep the space cool.

The defining visuals of Bar Riva are, of course, the murals that run the length of the wall. This depicts a sunny scene of a nondescript stretch of coastline in the Riviera (somewhere in France or Italy, which really narrows things down) that has been ‘reimagined’ to feature Disney’s Riviera Resort and Disney Cruise Line ships.

I really like this mural. Despite not being of anywhere in particular, is actually reminiscent of retro Art Deco travel posters that are all over the place in the French Riviera. It’s a nice statement piece, punctuating Bar Riva and giving it even more personality. There should be more art like this inside the lobby, as opposed to those tacky Pixar posters.

Bar Riva is a simple space, but it gets the job done deceptively well. As with Banana Cabana, the ambiance here is fantastic and the understated design is effective. The end result is an inviting place where you want to relax. Now let’s turn to the food, to see whether it’s also a place where you’ll want to refuel…

We’ll begin here, as we did at Banana Cabana, with the Signature Burger: Signature Beef Blend, Brie, Balsamic, Caramelized Onions, Black Garlic Aïoli for $18.29.

For those keeping score at home (and who don’t want to scroll back up), the Banana Cabana Burger is less than 10 minutes away and priced at $19.50.

Without question, the Bar Riva Signature Burger is the superior option.

While the beef patty is about the same (high) quality, everything else here is better. The toppings are superior, and the burger looks and tastes like something you might be served in a French bistro.

The presentation is better. The Parmesan-Herbed Fries are better.

The big thing, obviously, is how it tastes. The Brie, Balsamic, Caramelized Onions, and Black Garlic Aïoli all come together for an incredibly distinct and mouth-wateringly delicious flavor. A “generous” portion of arugula is also present, which did nothing for me, save for providing photo evidence that I consumed my Sarah-mandated daily salad. (Note that there’s also a tomato, so it counts.)

There’s a richness to the Signature Burger, and the depth of flavors is formidable, with the sweetness of the onions cutting the acidity of the balsamic. Even as I type this, my mouth is watering and I’m craving this, which is something I couldn’t say about the Banana Cabana Burger. (And that’s still a decent option!)

Another thing I appreciate about the Bar Riva Signature Burger is that it’s a thick and juicy patty that can be cooked medium. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good smash burger, but it seems that so many of Walt Disney World’s newer lounges have focused on those. It’s good to see variety, and that’s exactly what the Bar Riva Signature Burger offers.

Suffice to say, there’s nothing else like the Bar Riva Signature Burger anywhere else at Walt Disney World. I love everything about this, and it’s easily a top burger property-wide. I’m not going to name it new #1 or attach any number to it, as picking a favorite burger is like choosing a favorite child. This belongs in the elite tier, and deserves to be in the conversation for #1 overall.

My next entree was the Seasonal Pizza: Fontina, Mozzarella, Roasted Broccolini, Lemon Ricotta, Arugula-Oregano Pesto for $17.49.

Ordering this on top of the Signature Burger might seem like a lot for one person to consume, but look at those ingredients. It’s basically another salad.

This is another exceptional entree at Bar Riva that exudes quality.

For starters, the crust is fantastic. The quality, flavor, and chewiness are all just right. And although it may not look like it from the photos, there is an incredibly generous amount of cheese on this pizza. In fact, it’s a downright heavy dish by virtue of all the cheese. (Potentially a dangerous admission after just claiming it’s basically a salad. That’s definitely not true. It isn’t even salad-adjacent.)

This pizza is another rich dish thanks to the cheese, but it’s not one note. The broccolini does its part (first time I’ve ever written that) as does the pesto. There’s a slight zest to this, and also a good texture.

All in all, this is one of the better pizzas at Walt Disney World, and for only a few dollars more than the barely-edible ones you’ll find at most counter service restaurants. It’s fairly sizable for a personal pizza, too, and is shareable. (I only had one slice at the restaurant and took the most back to my resort for breakfast the following morning. I was full from three-quarters of the pizza, and as evidenced above, I eat a lot.)

Although I didn’t order it this time, another personal favorite at Bar Riva is the Arancini: Seasonal Risotto finished with White Wine Butter, Cheese, Truffle served with House-made Marinara.

This is one of the few dishes to survive several menu changes at Bar Riva, and for good reason. The texture is perfect, with a crisp exterior providing crunch but giving way to a soft and chewy interior that is absolutely jam-packed with delicious, cheesy flavor. It’s the perfect execution on this concept and we highly recommend it.

Finally, we have dessert. There are three options on the menu, but the main event is the Riviera Cookie Skillet: Warm Riviera Cookie topped with Pistachio Gelato for $7.99.

If there’s a Walt Disney World Mount Rushmore of desserts, a case can be made that both the bread pudding over at Caribbean Beach and the Riviera Cookie Skillet belong up there. Now, it’d be weird to carve a Mount Rushmore of desserts in the first place, but we’re talking in the figurative sense. (Okay, and maybe literal. It’d be a better addition to the skyline than the exterior of the Riviera!)

This takes the Riviera Signature Cookie, which has quickly developed a fan following, to the next level.

For those who have never tried the underlying cookie, it’s incredible. These cookies are filled with semi-sweet chocolate, dried cherries, oats, molasses, walnuts, and pistachios, and topped with a dash of sea salt.

They’re incredibly well-balanced, so for those who lament the cloying sweetness of the cookies at Gideon’s Bakehouse, these are for you. They’re more subtle and nuanced, while still being soft and thick cookies. I wasn’t sold based on the description, but the Riviera Signature Cookie is, itself, one of the finest desserts at Walt Disney World.

It’s possible that I’m imagining it, but I could swear that the skillet version of the Riviera Signature Cookie is slightly thicker.

Regardless, it’s definitely the definitive version of this dessert. It takes everything about the underlying cookie that we love, and serves it warm in a skillet with pistachio gelato on top. The dessert is decadent, gooey, and addictively delicious. The gelato melts into the crevices of the cookie, somehow making it even better.

Despite being undeniably indulgent, it also has a measured and nuanced quality. Each flavor stands out in this veritable symphony, and it never goes too far in being over the top or excessive. And I say this as someone who polished off an entire burger, fries, and part of a pizza before arriving here. And of course, I ate the whole Riviera Cookie Skillet. Not exactly something you can take back to the room.

Ultimately, Banana Cabana continues to be a great and underrated restaurant at Caribbean Beach, especially when you’re able to order from the kitchen shared with Sebastian’s Bistro. If you’re staying in the Barefoot Bay Boarding Bailiwick and have multiple meals, make this one of them.

The vibe is really good, especially at sunset with the Skyliner in the distance or on the weekends with the live musicians playing. This electric energy is probably the one advantage that Banana Cabana has over Bar Riva at this point.

The only “problem” (and the reason it’s lumped in here as opposed to getting a standalone review) is that Banana Cabana pales in comparison to Bar Riva. Back to back meals at the two really made for a starker-than-expected contrast, to the point that we’ll have a hard time returning to Banana Cabana during our next stay given the fierce competition in this resort district.

Meanwhile, everything about Bar Riva continues to impress and this sleeper lounge continues to move up my list of favorites. Any of the three dishes ordered here would put the lounge on the map as ‘destination-dining’ worthy of a detour during the middle of a day in Disney’s Hollywood Studios or EPCOT. All three at the same spot gives Bar Riva a trifecta that makes me think it belongs in the conversation for #1 food lounge in all of Walt Disney World.

As much as I love Geyser Point, Three Bridges, Wailulu Bar & Grill, or Steakhouse 71, I can’t think of a trio of menu items at any of them that are this good or well-rounded (by my standards). I’m still going to probably pick one of those locations if given the choice as I prefer their ambiance, but Bar Riva has pulled into the lead as my personal favorite at Walt Disney World when it comes to cuisine. And that’s without even trying the salads or pasta (which can be prepared with salmon for a healthier entree) or other intriguing menu options. It’s also without doing dinner, to see whether the atmosphere is even better in the evenings. Clearly more research trips are in order for revised power rankings, so stay tuned.

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!

Your Thoughts

Have you enjoyed a relaxing respite from the weather or crowds in EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Bar Riva or Banana Cabana? Which of the two do you prefer? What are your favorite or least favorite dishes on the menus? Will you make a point of checking out these lounges the next time you’re staying in the Barefoot Bay Boarding Bailiwick or doing a Skyliner crawl? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!