One of my favorite spots to stop for a drink or a bite at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is back in business, and The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge looks better than ever! The outdoor lounge has reopened following a refurbishment that began earlier this summer, and while the overall look still feels wonderfully Brown Derby, Disney made some pretty substantial changes to the patio.
The biggest improvement is impossible to miss. A large covered awning now stretches over the outdoor dining area, replacing the much more exposed setup guests were used to before the refurbishment. Disney also added beautiful hanging lanterns underneath, giving the whole patio more of a permanent, finished look while providing some very welcome protection from the Florida sun and those afternoon rainstorms that tend to show up exactly when you’ve just ordered lunch.
And can we talk about all that seating?! The refreshed patio is filled with tables, including plenty tucked underneath the new covering. White tablecloths and the familiar black metal chairs keep everything feeling true to The Hollywood Brown Derby, but the new setup looks much more inviting than before. The pavement was also redone during the project.
The lounge’s bar is back in its usual spot, with the full setup polished and ready for business. We’ve got a good look at the menu, including specialty cocktail flights, classic cocktails, Scotch and bourbon selections, and nonalcoholic drinks.
Guests can order from the full menu here, which is one of the reasons I’ve always liked this spot when I want something more substantial without necessarily committing to the full Brown Derby dining room experience.
The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge’s regular patio had been unavailable since late June while the project was underway, although Disney kept the lounge operating from a temporary outdoor location nearby. Now that the construction walls are gone, the difference is pretty dramatic.
I think Disney did a great job with this upgrade. The lounge still feels like The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge, but now it has weather protection. The new awning and ample seating create a nice outdoor area where you can relax. A shaded table, a cocktail, and watching people on Hollywood Boulevard sounds pretty darn good right about now.
