4/23/21 4/23/21

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Dinner Review

Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar, located in Disney Springs, is a Disney owned and operated bar & lounge that serves small bites and shareable plates -- all in an Indiana Jones themed bar. It's one of our favorite spots in Disney Springs. In the past, we've often dined there before or after a movie at the AMC Dine-In Theater nearby. We especially like going there during the holidays, since the last few years they've offered festive holiday decorations along with holiday drinks and food. On this visit, we stopped by in the late afternoon to opening to check out the holiday inspired fun.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in November 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at Jock Linsey's Hangar Bar

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

The Hangar Bar does not take dining reservations and seating is on a first come, first served basis. The restaurant itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. We were asked to wait outside before our table was ready to ensure social distancing. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. If you prefer outdoor dining, the bar/lounge features ample outside seating so that you can enjoy without having to dine indoors. If you do dine indoors, there are several doorways that are open to the outside seating, so there is a good amount of airflow there too.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to several of the Disney Resorts, including the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk Resort, Contemporary Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Old Key West Resort, Polynesian, Riviera Resort, and Wilderness Lodge Resort along with all of the theme parks. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

The bar/lounge itself has a super fun Indiana Jones theme to it -- with 1940s aviation, as it's dedicated to a very minor character in Raider's of the Lost Ark, Jock Lindsey.

Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

During the holiday season, this theming is taken one step further with fun vintage/retro decorations, including nods to travel and aviation. If you love holiday decorations, you won't find any shortage of them while the Holiday Hangar Bar is operating!

As you can see, there's a lot to look at and explore. You'll find the traditional decor still in place at the Hangar Bar and a ton of additional holiday decorations on top of all of that!

Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar - Holiday Decorations / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Garland abounds throughout the bar/lounge in just about every color! And, there's tons of holiday and aviation themed ornaments.

You'll also find quite a few both cute and slightly creepy elfs all around the bar/lounge. This little elf was watching us dine while we ate in the diving bell booth found inside the restaurant.

We may have take a ton of photos at the bar/lounge but that's because we absolutely love the holiday decorations here. As you can see it truly is festive and well decorated to help get you in the holiday spirit. We especially love that they play retro holiday music too.

The Food

Though Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar is owned and operated by Disney, it does not currently offer an allergy-friendly menu. But, not to worry. You can speak directly to a chef about options, including modifications and customizations, which we did on this visit. The chef was very helpful at answering our questions and making recommendations for food items safe for our special dietary needs. We do recommend talking to a chef at any Disney owned restaurant, especially if you have questions or concerns -- even if the restaurant offers an allergy-friendly menu.

Up first, we had to try the holiday inspired drinks at the Hangar Bar. Brandon ordered the Mistletoe Mule, which is essentially a Moscow Mule (which includes vodka and ginger beer) with cranberry. He liked it so much that he ordered a second one!

Based on the recommendation from our server, I ordered Jock's Holiday Nog (which contains dairy) that was made with Tito's Vodka (which is gluten free). While I wouldn't get this on every visit, it was perfect for the holiday season and a nice version of nog that wasn't overly creamy and dairy filled. It was one of the best nogs that I've ever tried, so I would highly recommend.

For an appetizer, we had to order one of our favorite appetizers at the Hangar Bar -- Doctor Astorga's Queso Dip, A Skillet of Melted Soft Cheeses topped with fresh Pico de Gallo and Cilantro served with Corn Tortilla Chips. This dish is gluten free (contains dairy), fish/shellfish free, peanut/tree nut free, chicken & turkey free, and cabbage free. The chips are made in a dedicated fryer too.

If you like chips and dip, this is a great option. Both Brandon and I love the nacho cheese style dip, and this dish has become a must order for us on just about every visit we make to the Hangar Bar. It was just as good as ever and super filling. It's a great shareable dish!

For my entree, I ordered the Taco al Pastor with Citrus-Chipotle Pork Belly, Pineapple Pico de Gallo, Red Cabbage, and Grilled Corn Tortilla. The tacos are gluten free, and though I forgot to ask on this visit, I believe they are also dairy free too. I was super impressed by these tacos. The flavors were outstanding, and I loved the combination of salty, sweet (from the pineapple salsa), and savory. These were an absolute winner with a great portion size. I would definitely order these again.

Brandon ordered one of the seasonal options -- The Venison Sliders. These were made safe for Brandon's allergies: fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken & turkey, and cabbage. These were a winner in Brandon's book. He loved the flavors including the cranberry chutney on the dish. Like me, he said he'd order these again on any future visits during the holiday season.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Tiffins, we did film our visit for our YouTube channel.

Overall

We both always really enjoy dining at Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar. The theme is fun and the food is always excellent. Add to it the holiday seasonal options, and you have an excellent dining spot in Disney Springs during the holiday season. We can't wait to go back again when the holiday theme is back and enjoy all the small plates and drinks offered there for guests with special dietary needs.

Have you been to Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar? What did you think of the special diets options available during your visit?

9/15/17 9/15/17

Territory Lounge -- Dinner -- Wilderness Lodge Resort

*This dining experience took place in August 2017.

Dinner at Territory Lounge

Territory Lounge, located at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort, is a charming and cozy lounge area with drinks and limited food options. Brandon and I stopped by here recently for a late evening nightcap and a bite to eat after a movie at Disney Springs. We hadn't been to Territory Lounge in a while, and I'd never tried any of the food offerings there, so with that in mind, we decided to check things out.

Atmosphere

The Wilderness Lodge Resort is one of my all-time favorite resorts at Disney. I just love the rustic theme. It always feels like you're in the Pacific Northwest and far away from the palm trees and humidity of Florida -- so it's a welcome place to visit and even chill and relax when you need a break from the parks.The Territory Lounge has always been a favorite Disney bar/lounge for me because of how dark and cozy it is. It just feels like a good place to sit with a drink, chat with friends, and relax.Unfortunately, on this visit, we noticed one major change. The lighting.It was super bright and almost a bit jarring when we walked in. We asked a server about the lighting, and said that they recently had to increase the lighting for security reasons. This seems slightly odd given that there are plenty of other dark-ish locations on property, but I suppose it's up to the resort whether they want to keep the lighting more brightly lit or not.I kind of hope they go back to the dimmer lighting, but for now...it's bright.Territory Lounge does have lots of artwork in it, and I love the mural of a map on the ceiling. It's all very cozy, and you feel like a roaring fire should be going while you enjoy a good drink.

The Food

Having only ever dined at Territory Lounge for drinks before, we were curious about the food. Unfortunately, we arrived a bit too late in the evening, as Artist Point had just closed. And, certain dishes are only served during Artist Point's business hours.As we mulled over the options, we did get some drinks. One of my favorite things about Territory Lounge are the drink swizzle sticks. Check out the adorable Wilderness Lodge branded ones. They make terrific (and free!) souvenirs for trip. I have a nice little collection of Disney themed swizzle sticks at home, so I can have a bit of Disney with me when I make drinks at home.Brandon ordered the Poutine, a classic dish of fries, cheese curds, and gravy. Unfortunately, they were not gluten free. They looked amazing though, and I totally wish I could have ordered them.I didn't have a lot of options available since Artist Point was closed, so I ended up getting the Gourmet Burger with Land Lettuce, Tomato, House Pickles, Truffle Fries, and Aïoli. This dish is served on a gluten free bun and can be made dairy free by omitting cheese.First up, the good part of this dish. The truffle fries and aioli (aka mayonnaise). Holy moly. These were outstanding. Truly delicious and amazing. Dipping the fries in the aioli was the perfect combination, and I never turn down a delicious plate of fries smothered in truffle oil. So good. I would hands down order these again, and honestly, probably just ask for a side of these if I needed a snack.The bad part of the dish was the burger. It was, unfortunately, a bit of a disaster. It's not often that I have a truly terrible dish at Disney, but this one was pretty bad. The bun was poorly heated and very crumbly. But, the real bummer was the burger itself which was super dry, bland, and very overcooked (I ordered it medium).Worst of all was the condiment on the burger. It didn't note that it had any sauce on it on the menu. But, it came with this dreadful, almost marinara-like sauce. It was not quite marinara and not quite a tomato jam. It was sweet but odd tasting, and just not good. As a self-proclaimed condiment queen, I almost never dislike a condiment, but this one was just terrible.While I would hands down order the fries again, I would not get the burger again, unless it was radically changed. One thing we learned from this visit. Stick to the appetizer basics and staples and go someplace else for a more substantial and flavorful meal, like Geyser Point Bar & Grill at the Wilderness Lodge DVC villas.

Overall

While I adore the theming of Territory Lounge, this visit had some major bummers -- including the bright lighting and not so great burger. This used to be such a favorite spot for me, that it makes it even more of a bummer. We'll probably be skipping this lounge for a while and stick with some of our favorites like the Wave or Hangar Bar -- both of which have better lighting, atmosphere, and food.Have you been to Territory Lounge? What did you get when you dined here?

2/20/17 2/20/17

Nomad Lounge -- Snacks -- Bar/Lounge -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in February 2017.

Appetizers and Drinks at the Nomad Lounge

The Nomad Lounge, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, offers appetizers, small plates, and drinks. The Nomad Lounge opened in 2016, and is located next to Tiffins, the new signature dining location in the park. I've been dying to go to the Nomad Lounge for a while now, especially after reading Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures review of the lounge. Brandon and I decided to stop in to check out the offerings before we caught a showing of the Rivers of Light.

Atmosphere

I have to say that the Nomad Lounge is one of the most relaxing and calm lounges I've ever been to at Disney. It's beautiful interior reflects the world travels of Disney Imagineers, and I love that. Plus, there are some really cool signs and quotes decorating the entire lounge from Disney guests who love to travel the world too. The color scheme is bright but subtle, and you truly feel calm the moment you enter the lounge.The bar area is the most elaborate with travel flags from Disney guests.I love that they thought of the theming right down to the menu and drink guide. It looks like an old travel journal and notebook. And you'll see from the inside notes from the Imagineers.Thought I didn't get a photo of the outside, the Nomad Lounge does have a charming outdoor seating area, overlooking a small bit of water. It's perfect for a Florida winter day or a cooler evening in the park.

The Food

But let's get to the food and drink. The important stuff, right?!Up first, our server Spencer got us some water. Interestingly enough, you can get still or sparkling water here, and the sparkling water is free of charge. That's pretty rare for most restaurants, so I asked for a sparkling water with some lime in it (my favorite!). It's so refreshing.Brandon and I each got one of the specialty drinks. I ordered the Spice Trader Classic with gin, vermouth, lemon juice, strawberries, and soda water. I loved that this drink was not overly sweet. A huge gin fan, I always look for unique gin options. This one was perfect, and I will definitely be ordering it again.As a side note, if you aren't sure if you can have or can tolerate a certain alcohol, do check ahead or on your phone when you are there. Disney does not typically offer information about gluten free options for alcohol.Brandon got the Tempting Tigress. I stay away from whiskey, bourbon, and other similar alcohol because I don't tolerate them very well. Brandon said this one was phenomenal though and even our server said this is one of us his favorites.Because I've been reintroducing dairy back into my diet, we also opted to get the Cheese Plate. At $14, it was a wee bit pricey, but the quality of the cheese was very good. It included an aged gouda, a feta cheese, Purple Haze goat cheese with fennel and lavender, and a strong blue cheese -- served with cardamon smoked marcona almonds and house-made raisins. The dish also had 2 small berry gelees that were to be eaten after you finished your cheese. They tasted like concentrated fruit snacks.The cheese plate is completely gluten free, according to the chef. In fact, almost all of the dishes on the small plates menu at the Nomad Lounge are gluten free, which is huge. Even the dishes that contain gluten like the sliders, just need a slight modification (like a gluten free bun). How cool is that?The cheese plate was perfect for us. I am a sucker for aged cheese, so I loved the gouda. But, I also really enjoyed the blue cheese and the goat cheese. The feta was good, but really bland and nothing special compared to the other cheeses. The almonds and raisins were nice compliments to the cheese too.

Overall

I have to say, I'm a Nomad Lounge convert now. It's a bit pricey, but the atmosphere and quality of food and drinks really do make it stand out from some of the other typical Disney bars and lounges. I adore that they have such unique drink options too. Plus, it's just a quiet, calm, and relaxing place to chill after a hot day in the Animal Kingdom. I'm a little worried it may become really busy once Pandora: The World of Avatar opens because it is located at its entrance, but hopefully, it will remain a quiet gem in a busy park.Have you been to the Nomad Lounge? What did you think of the food and drink there?

1/13/16 1/13/16

Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Disney Springs

*These dining experiences took place in October and November 2015. Get ready to go on an adventure fit for Indiana Jones on this epic journey into Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, located at Disney Springs. Opening in the fall of 2015, Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar is the newly opened bar, aptly named and themed after the frequently trusted pilot for Indiana Jones. With a fantastic back story (check out the Disney Food Blog for more details), the Hangar, as it's often referred to, has quickly become a very popular hangout spot at Disney Springs.It's pretty surprising that I haven't blogged about it yet, as it's quickly become a favorite among my family and friends. I've been countless times and am still wowed by the level of detail throughout the lounge.When it first opened, I was pretty dubious about any dining options, especially after reading Gluten Free in Orlando's opening review which indicated a lack of gluten free options. Still, I knew it would be a great place to meet friend and enjoy a drink or two.On our first visit, I ordered the Hovito Mojito because I'm a huge mojito fan. Unfortunately, this version couldn't live up to others I've had on Disney property, especially my favorite - the African Starr Mint Mojito, found at Sanaa.Lately, I've been enjoying the gin and tonics served there. I love the glasses these are served in. They are actually slightly tilted (even before you've had any alcohol!).On one of my visits, a group of us had a variety of drinks that included the Scottish Professor, the Safari Sangria and a Gin and Tonic. Overall, everyone loves the drinks there - even if they still don't have the cute souvenir glasses available. One day, I'm getting an Indy inspired drink in a monkey head...There are several gluten free options, and the menu has changed since last I ordered food here, so keep in mind that there may be others as well (including the new shrimp flatbread). The Snacks of Ra, made of African salads and dips, can be served with Udi's Gluten Free pizza crust. This was very nice, especially considering all the dips are naturally gluten free and dairy free.The favorite salads and dips have to be the curry chicken and the bean and pea hummus. They were all very tasty and unique, and I would definitely order this again.Brody's Brats is another gluten free and dairy free dish without modifications. I thought the brats were nicely spiced (very mild and not overly spicy), with the cornichons and mustard being great additions. I wasn't too jazzed about the pickled slaw but would have loved to have seen less brats and a bread component added. No one in our group was a big fan of this.The Good Dates are also gluten free but not dairy free. They do contain goat cheese.When you visit the Hangar, check out all the details. There's even a newspaper framed with an entire back-story for the lounge. As a librarian, I loved seeing old card catalogs being repurposed. And, if you're an Indiana Jones fan, you'll love all the hidden nods to the films; we've noticed things like the voodoo dolls from the Temple of Doom to prop replicas and more. We've spent hours in here and are still finding new things.On our very first visit, we joked that the bar seemed so authentic to the Indiana Jones films that we half expected Indy himself to pop in for a nightcap. Little did we know that Indy really would make an appearance that first night.Nearing closing, Indy strolled in, saddled up to the bar with his trademark fedora hat and trusty whip at his side to order a drink. We initially thought it was a part of the lounge experience, but the look on the bartender's face told otherwise! Turns out, a guest who had been to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party popped in post-party for a drink. Well played, faux Indy, well played!Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar is definitely a great place to visit. We often pop in for a quick drink while heading to a movie at the AMC Disney Springs. It's the perfect spot with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and great theming. It's also owned and operated by Disney, so you'll actually get to speak to a chef if you have special dietary needs, which is another nice bonus.I'm looking forward to seeing the offerings here evolve and, of course, enjoying a cold beverage with Dr. Jones.Have you been to Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar? What did you think of it?