Enthusiastic fans of Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel are celebrating the soft opening March 28 of the East Coast version. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is located off the main lobby of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort; the adjacent Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace offers views of the marina and Seven Seas Lagoon. Official opening is set for late April, when the coveted Tiki souvenir glassware arrives. (Tiki fans go bananas for the collectible mugs.) As soon as the official date is set, we will share on the Disney Parks Blog.
Founded by Adventureland’s famous “head” salesman, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto has some similarities to the Anaheim original. But at Walt Disney World Resort, the magical theming reflects its new resort location. This enchanted South Seas hideaway welcomes guests to explore a menu of “magical tropical drinks and food,” and while this new version shares a few cocktails and small plates, Beverage Manager Brad Ward, Chef Lenny DeGeorge, and the Concept Development team have created new menu items just for the Walt Disney World Resort Trader Sam’s.
The famous Trader Sam cocktails, available in Disney collectible Tiki mugs, are a mix of old and new. We won’t share ingredients, but the names might give away the concoctions.
Only at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto:
- Polynesian Pearl
- Nautilus
- Castaway Crush
- Tahitian Torch
- Dark & Tropical Stormy
Favorites imported from Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar:
- Krakatoa Punch
- Uh-Oa!
- HippopotoMai-Tai
- Shrunken Zombie Head
And there are Sam’s No-Booze Brews:
- Schweitzer Fall
- Skipper Sipper
- Polynesian Punch
Small bites are on the menu, with a couple inspired by the Disneyland Trader Sam’s menu – the chicken lettuce cups with hoisin ginger sauce and the Hawaiian poke with Sriracha aioli and wonton chips. New to the Walt Disney World Resort menu are kalua pork tacos with shredded cabbage and pickled vegetables; pan-fried dumplings with soy-sesame dipping sauce; roasted chicken and pork pâté bánh mì sliders with pickled vegetables; salmon oshizushi (press sushi); corn-battered Portuguese sausages with curry ketchup and a Headhunter Sushi Roll.
The lounge has 50 seats inside and 82 on the patio. No reservations are required.
Comments
Ryan #13 — I had the same question about kids. I found this on tikimanpages : “While the Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at Disneyland allows kids on the patio and inside the bar, at 8:00 PM kids are not allowed in the inside bar area and they are never allowed to sit up at the bar. After 8 it will be 21 and older. Families are welcome but I would not think unattended kids will be allowed to hang out at the bar or patio.”
Seriously doubt it would be since it’s a bar. If Disney did that, that would be the last straw in shutting out local passholders to me.
I have heard that it is very difficult to get a table at Trader Sam’s. Will this be added to Disney’s dining reservation system?
I miss the old Adventurers Club, so I think Trader Sam’s will fill that void nicely. I can’t wait to visit it.
Hmmm, I didn’t see the Kungaloosh on the drink list. Hope that makes the return trip.
As a local, I’m so excited to have this venue at WDW!!!! I’ve heard so many positive things about Trader Sam’s in Anaheim but I’ve never been. I’m hoping Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto has as many backstories and neat stuff on the walls as I’ve seen posted about Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar!!!! Will definitely be checking it out soon!!!!!
Hi,
I was just wondering we are visiting in June, but staying off property 🙁 but really want to go here, is it okay for an off property guest to visit Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto ????
Absolutely! One way to visit Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is to take the resort loop monorail from the Ticket and Transportation center. You can also take the resort loop monorail from Magic Kingdom Park.
Will they have the Tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki, Rum drink?
It’s my favorite from Disneyland?
Yes! 🙂
I enjoy Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Resort and look forward to visiting Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto on my next trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. I hope that Grog Grotto takes another page from the Enchanted Tiki Bar’s menu and adds at least one vegetarian item.
What date in April will it be open?????
The Hours are: 4pm – Midnight
Will this be a part of the dinning plan?
I hope there will be at least one vegetarian item on the menu. Something, anything!
Are there hours listed for Trader Sam’s ?
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is open from 4p.m. to midnight, and is 21+ after 8:00p.m.
Can’t wait to get there. But since it is so small and the seating will be really tough to get, they need to do ADRs at least for a while. TiW would be great or an AP discount, or DVC, or chase visa, I get ’em all. But we will be there 2JUL to 19JUL and I’d like to know I have a chance of getting in. Kids in tow, and they won’t want to leave MK to see if we can get in, only to be disappointed. Son with autism especially is a Jungle cruise superfan. Please reconsider ADRs.
Trader Sam’s No-Booze Brews are really great alcohol free drinks. They have nice mixes of flavors, I have gotten all three. I really wish there were more No-Booze Brews to choose from, though. Not all adults who enjoy nightlife drink booze. And there really needs to be some vegetarian food items on the menu. I have a large collection of Trader Sam’s tiki mugs from all my visits. I love sitting and checking out the decor and the animatronic effects! I wish there were some other Trader Sam’s themed items to buy, like shirts, etc. I hope to make it out to Grog Grotto some day!
Really like the menu at the Disneyland Hotel Trader Sam’s, yet the new dishes at the WDW Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto looks very tempting! Would any of those dishes find their way out here to the west coast?
Pam, I know you wrote that there are WDW-exclusive drinks for the Grog Grotto. Are there plans to eventually bring these to Disneyland too? (especially since they have some of DL’s drinks!). We’ll be going to DL this summer, and it’d be great to try some of these new offerings from TS.
I have to agree with #4 Ryan. That being said, Ryan don’t forget that there are two outside areas at Trader Sam’s (the original), which expands the overall seating capacity. The lanai area, and then further out, on the lawn.
I think this looks like the coolest place ever! I have never been to the Disneyland counterpart though so I have a question. Is this typically an adults only type of place? I know it is 21+ at a certain time, but how about prior to that? I think my kids would think it was cool but don’t want to be out of place. Thanks!
Will there be a host regulating seating or how many people are allowed inside?
I LOVE the theming and the food sounds delicious! One nice touch would be if you would also serve some funky, non-alcoholic drinks for those who can’t or don’t consume alcohol. Something along the lines of the LeFou’s Brew at Gaston’s Pub, only more tropical style.
Hi Terry, you might enjoy Trader Sam’s No-Booze Brews: Schweitzer Falls, Skipper Sipper and Polynesian Punch.
We’ll be there the week after Easter. I’d really, really like to take home some tiki glassware….
I’ll be staying at the Poly the 16th-21st of April. Here is my question. Once the soft opening begins tomorrow, will Trader Sam’s be unofficially open from tomorrow till the Official opening date? Basically will I be able to enjoy it while I’m there.
Do we know what ‘soft opening’ entails? Limited hours? Regular hours without the mugs?
can’t wait, will be there in August. Hope they have a large supply of tiki mugs to get. I will be getting all the ones we don’t already have. How exciting for the Polynesian and Disney. Can you get the mugs at the lobby store also or just at Sam’s?
Hi Debbie, the mugs are exclusive to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto.
Hi Debbie, these mugs are exclusive to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto.
we shall see this ourselves in oct
Will the Nautilus drink and Mug be available for the soft opening tomorrow?
I like Trader Sam’s at the Disneyland Hotel, and it’s great to see it opening at the Polynesian Resort. One thing about the Disneyland version, though, is that it is way too small. I often find there is little to no available seating. Having said that, why wasn’t Trader Sam’s built a bit larger when it seems there was enough room to expand toward the Frontier tower? Also, will the new Trader Sam’s at WDW be a larger version than the one at DLR?
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is slightly larger in size than its Disneyland counterpart. The lounge has 50 seats inside and 82 additional seats on the patio.
Is there any word on whether or not tables in wonderland will be accepted here?
Excited that it’ll be open for our trip in May!
Late April?! 🙁
Official opening is in late April, but soft opening begins tomorrow. 🙂
Hi Pam…..So Trader Sam’s is soft opening tomorrow? And no souvenir glasses until mid April? Did I read that correctly. Do you know the hours for the soft opening. Thank you!
Hi Tracey, Yes soft opening for Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto begins tomorrow (March 28) and the official opening will not be until late-April, when the souvenir glasses are available for purchase.
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