REVIEW: It Just Got Easier To Go to Nomad Lounge at Disney World

 

Do you smell that? The smell of actually good Disney World churros?! That’s right, one of our FAVORITE Disney World lounges has changed, so you know we had to check it out!

We recently stopped by Nomad Lounge at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to check things out now that you can make reservations here, and we’re bringing you our FULL review. Is it worth a stop on your next trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth? Find out here!

Atmosphere

Big news at Nomad Lounge: you can now make reservations! The lounge was previously walk-up-only, but reservations are now available, giving guests another way to enjoy this popular spot at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We learned there’s no difference in seating between reservation and walk-up guests. Both can be seated anywhere in the lounge. The real difference is how long you’ll wait.

With a reservation, you’ll check in with the host and wait for a text letting you know your table is ready. Our reservation was at 2:50 PM, and we got the text at 2:55 PM that our table was ready. That’s just a five-minute wait!

Walk-up wait times depend on the day and your party size. On the first day reservations were offered, waits ranged from about 30 to 75 minutes.

When we asked the host for their advice, they recommended making a reservation whenever possible. Walking up is a nice option if you’re already exploring Animal Kingdom, but if you know you want to visit, we’d book ahead. You’ll likely save yourself a lot of waiting!

Menu

Hand-crafted cocktails, as well as non-alcoholic specialty drinks and small plates, are offered here. African, Asian, and South American wines and beers are served, and these regions also feature in the flavors of the specialty cocktails.

And now, onto the main event — the food!

Drinks

To drink, we picked up the Balinese Breeze for $7. This is made with mountain berry tea, simple syrup, and lemon juice. The Balinese Breeze tastes a lot like iced tea with a splash of lemonade. The lemon adds a nice tartness, and we didn’t notice much of an aftertaste. That said, we found it a little too bland for our liking. If you prefer something less sweet and closer to plain iced tea, this one could be right up your alley!

We wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for kids, though. They’ll probably be happier with a soda or a classic lemonade.

Eats

To start off our meal, we grabbed the Charcuterie & Cheese Plate for $24. There are SO many options packed onto this board! Between the cheeses, meats, and crackers, there’s plenty to pick from. Everything tasted fresh, with no stale crackers or soggy ingredients in sight.

That said, this is definitely something we’d recommend if you’re looking for something light or are planning on ordering multiple small plates. But if you love a good charcuterie board and want one at Animal Kingdom, this is a solid choice.

The Chinese Five Spice Wings are $16 and were hands-down our favorite thing at Nomad Lounge on this visit! The skin was crispy without being too hard, and the chicken inside stayed moist and tender.

The sauce has a little kick, but nothing overpowering. It adds just enough flavor without stealing the spotlight from the chicken. You could easily make these a meal or share them with the family as an appetizer. Heads up: they get messy, so be ready to wash your hands afterward. But honestly? They’re worth every bit of the mess, and we’d absolutely order them again!

We finished things off with the iconic Nomad Lounge Churros for $11. We’re not usually big Disney World churro fans, but these are consistently our favorite in the parks! We’re used to churros that are stale with a rock-hard crunch, but these were wonderfully soft.

They’re generously coated in sugar (always a plus!) and come with two dipping sauces. The apple butter sauce is thin, light, and a little sticky, while the vanilla creme is smooth and creamy. Both were delicious with the churros.

These make a great dessert or snack, especially for the kiddos! Just be warned: that sugar is going to get EVERYWHERE, including all over your fingers. Keep some napkins handy!

Nosh or Not

This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if…

• You want cocktails that aren’t just pure sugar and blue curaçao.
  We lovingly make fun of Disney’s constant use of blue curaçao in cocktails, and if you’re in the same boat, Nomad Lounge’s menu is perfect for you. These drinks are strong and well-balanced overall.
• You want one of the best outdoor tables in Disney World.
  There is nothing as peaceful as the outdoor patio at Nomad Lounge. The calm water, the greenery, the Nomad Lounge vibes — it doesn’t get much more relaxing than that!
• You want to try a variety of dishes.
  Since there are mostly small plates here, you can order more and therefore try more! From sweet to savory, you can have the entire experience here. Don’t forget the Churros!

You should skip this Disney World spot if…

• You’re really hungry.
  You can easily make a meal out of the small bites, but sometimes, you’re so hungry, you want to sit somewhere and feast on your own plate. If you’re looking to fill up, head to Tusker House — it’s all-you-can-eat, plus they have characters!
• You want something quicker.
  Even though this is a lounge, you may have to wait a little bit to get seated since it is popular. If you aren’t looking to use up any precious time during your park visit, there are Quick Service locations that could help you save that time.
• You’re tight on money.
  The cocktails here are delicious, but that comes at a price. When you add that and a few snacks, you’re looking at a hefty bill.

Overall

Nomad Lounge is a favorite of ours for a reason, and we’d gladly return for the Chinese 5 Spice Wings and Churros. They were our two favorites, mess and all, and we’d happily order them again as a meal or snack.

The Balinese Breeze and the Charcuterie & Cheese Plate weren’t bad by any means, but nothing we’d go out of our way for on a Disney day. With so many snack options around Walt Disney World, we’d maybe save that $24 for something more filling.

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!

Every Disney World Change I’m Not Prepared For in 2026

Have you eaten at this Disney World restaurant before? Tell us in the comments!