One of Disney World’s newest lounges is winning plenty of fans over…but will it be worth the visit for you and your family?
Magic Kingdom’s The Beak and Barrel is a new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge with an atmosphere that completely leans into the ride and movie franchise, packed with fun easter eggs, lively music, and special effects. Offering a menu full of tasty options for pirates of all ages, this is also the first lounge in Magic Kingdom that serves up exciting cocktails for guests ages 21 and up. Sounds great, right? Well, there are some notable caveats to visiting this rambunctious tavern.
While there are plenty of perks to a Beak and Barrel visit — it’s one of the rare places you can get an adult beverage in Magic Kingdom, for example — our team here at AllEars has our own reasons for occasionally passing.
One of the major issues keeping fans away from The Beak and Barrel is its seating situation.
There’s quite a bit of combined seating…if you’re lucky enough to get seating at all. Lack of guaranteed seating is a major problem, and if there’s nowhere to sit and dine, you’re pretty much out of luck anyway, and can’t visit.
Advanced reservations are required, and space is limited.
But let’s say your goal is to experience as much of Magic Kingdom as possible. This is a dining experience, and it could take some time out of your day. There’s more to do in Magic Kingdom than in any other Disney World park, and a stop here will force you to devote some time that could be spent exploring the park.
On the flip side, there is a time limit of 45 minutes, and it’s easy to feel rushed. Not unlike the situation of Hollywood Studios’ Oga’s Cantina, it does feel like Cast Members are trying to get you in and out, so it’s not like you can explore the tavern at a leisurely pace.
There’s a lot to see here, and for the prices you’re paying, getting rushed is the last thing you want to experience.
This bar is high-tech with lots of effects, but some of our reporters have visited when nothing was working, so it was just a pirate-themed bar. Like Disney World rides, The Beak and Barrel will operate in a B to Z mode — and like Disney World rides that aren’t operating as intended, they cost the same amount to experience. You won’t be getting a discount if the full slate of effects isn’t working when you visit.
And then there are the prices. $19 to $20 a drink doesn’t sit right with everyone, especially for pre-mixed drinks. It’s almost like you’re paying more for atmosphere.
And then there’s the reality that if you’re traveling with babies or small children, The Beak and Barrel may not have the vibes you’re looking for — especially if you have to stand up. While this is a kid-friendly tavern, it’s still a tavern and a more mature spot at Magic Kingdom — despite all the swashbuckling hijinks!
All in all, The Beak and Barrel is definitely worth a visit at least once, and we plan on returning many times in future visits. With that said, maybe — just maybe — it’s not a mainstay for every single Disney World guest.
We’re constantly visiting The Beak and Barrel and other Disney World restaurants to get the latest updates and tips to help you plan for your next Disney World vacation, so keep it posted right here at AllEars to stay in the know!
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Have you visited The Beak and Barrel? Share your review in the comments below!
we hit the Beak and Barrell on our recent (dec) trip. contrary to the review, the menu is extremely limited. If you want a drink, you have options but there’s little on the part for food. On the plus side, our wait pirate was delightful, but the effects were limited and with 45 minutes , you don’t get much of them
Cast members are trying hard, but Beak and Barell doesn’t offer much to work with. next time, we’ll probably skip it