If Disney needs ideas for themes for more bars and restaurants, all it has to do is look at its own rides and attractions for inspiration. That’s exactly what the company did with Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar – a lounge themed after Indiana Jones’ frequent pilot – which is set to open this fall in Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney area.
Indy’s the star of the Epic Stunt Spectacular at Walt Disney World as well as the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland, and every element of the new bar is set to fit within the Indy storyline. Aviation décor will fill the room, vintage travel posters will adorn the walls and correspondence between Indy, Jock and other adventurers will also be on display. But what other characters and stories can Disney tap for new places to eat and drink? Here are some ideas for eight more bars and restaurants based on rides and attractions:
1. The wildest bar in the wilderness
Imagine being able to head straight to a bar after departing from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – or maybe hitting the bar first for some liquid courage before embarking on the journey. A bar based on this popular ride — which has versions at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris – could feature moonshine similar to what was illicitly made during the 1800s, when gold was found on that big mountain in the American Southwest. Of course, the Magic Kingdom would have to have a non-alcoholic variety…
2. Good old country rhythm (and cooking)
Country Bear Jamboree is a perfect backdrop for a Southern-themed eatery. Country-fried steak, chicken livers (inspired by Liver Lips) and plenty of sweet tea could be served to guests. Disney could also take some inspiration for a new dinner-and-a-show experience from its wildly popular Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue, held nightly at Walt Disney World’s Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.
3. Haunted by hunger
One of the many memorable sights in the Haunted Mansion is the dining room scene, when ghosts come out to dance during dinner. Disneyland even offered a special Club 33 event in 2013 where guests could eat inside the ride on a table that was a replica of the one in the Haunted Mansion ballroom. Mansion fans would flock to a restaurant for a similar experience, with fancy plates, tablecloths and goblets. The menu could follow the Club 33 event’s lead and feature foods based on the stretching portraits in the ride’s elevator such as a “Quick Sand-wich” and a “Tightrope” salad – so guests could have a “well-balanced” meal.
4.It’s a small plates restaurant
Small plates is a dining concept that has been gaining in popularity, and versions of it are offered throughout the globe – making it a perfect concept for an It’s a Small World-themed restaurant. The dishes, which resemble appetizers, are ordered a la carte and are often shared, which also fits in with the theme. The restaurant could serve tapas, the small plates offered in Spanish countries; antipasti, served in Italy; mezze, part of Turkish and Greek cuisines; and the dishes usually shared at an izakaya, a Japanese pub.
5. Yo ho, yo ho and a bottle of rum
If there’s an Indiana Jones-themed bar, surely there should be a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed bar as well. The theme song to the ride even features the words “drink up, me ‘earties, yo ho” 10 times. The ride has so many intricate details that could be re-created in a bar. For example, the bar could feature a rushing waterfall, the bones of pirates past, and maybe even a version of Captain Jack Sparrow himself, pouring out wit and wisdom along with the drinks.
6. Expedition eating
Embarking on an expedition would make any explorer hungry, and a trip through the peaks of the Himalayas is no exception. However, there aren’t a lot of restaurants along the way on a typical trip, so meals must be planned in advance, and they have to be easy to transport. An eatery based on Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom could offer picnic-style meals, similar to what was offered in the World of Color Picnic Packages at Disneyland and the Fantasmic picnic package called A Taste of Hollywood Grab & Go at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests could choose from a few pre-packaged options and take the meals with them as they explored the rest of the parks.
7. Stitch’s great plates
It’s disappointing that Stitch’s Great Escape, the attraction featuring the lovable Experiment 626 at Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom, is not well-loved by his fans. Perhaps Disney should instead turn the ride into a restaurant with Hawaiian dishes and ice cream cones as well as sandwiches – in honor of Reuben, also known as Experiment 625.
8. Journey into imaginative eating with Figment
A restaurant based on this ride could easily combine two things that Epcot is known for: imagination and food. The innovative ideas of Disney chefs could be displayed here, maybe as a testing ground for items that could be featured on future menus at Disney restaurants.
Would any of these places be worth a trip on a future visit to the parks? Or do you have other ideas for more dining and drinking options? Share your thoughts below!
