Disney's Animal Kingdom's Nomad Lounge

After a long hot and tiring trek through the jungles of Animal Kingdom, as evening settles across the land, the the throngs head toward the glowing land of Pandora, you'll notice an oasis. As you approach the bridge to Pandora, an oasis exists to the right that would call any exhausted traveler. Large comfy chairs on a cooled covered deck overlooking the river.

It called to me and I responded, dropping my heavy pack and collapsing on the couch.

But then a lady appeared and said "Can I take your order?" Oh. It is that kind of a lounge.

"What do you have for frozen drinks?" I asked. The evening was very warm and a frozen drink would hit the spot.

"I'm sorry, we don't do frozen drinks". She then produced a giant book... a menu of sorts... that had all kinds of drinks in it I have never heard of before. "We do have a Watermelon margarita on the rocks."

I was parched. I was tired. I didn't care. "Yes, that's fine."

She tried to upsell "How about some sliders?"

I just wanted to be left alone to slowly die in this paradise. "Yes, fine. Sliders"

I knew I was in trouble when she returned and had to explain what I was about to eat "glazed blah blah blah seasoned blah blah crushed blah blah". If it isn't obvious to me what I am about to eat? There is something wrong. No one should have to explain what you are about to consume - it should go without explanation.

First up, the sliders. They were... like... wow. (And for $15 they had better be!). Don't let the tiny potatoes in the picture fool you - these were small sliders. But they weren't hamburgers. They were heaven. Seasoned. Crushed tomato. I could have put away 5 or 6 of those things, no problem. The vinegar potatoes were outstanding - and I'm not a big vinegar fan. There was just enough vinegar to give it flavor mixed with the other seasonings. Now for $15 you'd think you might get a fork for those potatoes. Nope! This is high class finger food.

Next up... the $14 margarita. Who would have thought to make a water melon rita? It just sounds absurd (and a little gross, honestly).  But the watermelon flavor was not overpowering. It was just the right amount to make it refreshing on a hot summer night. 

Was the food worth the expense? Of course not - are you nuts? I wasn't paying for the food. I was paying for the escape! The escape from the mad crowds and the incredible heat. The escape from everyone trying to step on you and over you. Escape from following the family in endless circles around the Animal Kingdom. I kicked back and relaxed while the rest of the family did... whatever, I honestly didn't care what they were doing. And the longer they were doing it, the longer I got to enjoy the Nomad Lounge.

See the video here.