We’re halfway to Halloween, and we’re getting ready to celebrate. What better way to celebrate than by grabbing a tasty drink in a spooky souvenir mug?

We’re always down to celebrate Halloween… Even in April! (Photo from 2022)

The Trader Sam’s Haunted Mansion Gargoyle Tiki Mug has been a huge hit for Haunted Mansion-loving Disney fans for the past two years. The first edition of this mug came out in 2021, and the second edition came out in 2022. In honor of Disney’s 2023 Halfway to Halloween celebration, a third edition of this mug has arrived, and we’re off to try to snag one! While this is the third mug that Disney has released in this set, this is the FIRST one that has arrived at Disney World! Follow along to see what the process of purchasing one is like so that you can get one of your own.

Disney told us that the Haunted Mansion Gargoyle Tiki Mug would be available daily starting at 12PM at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort. You can get the mug and a seasonal beverage for a whopping $80. Despite the high price, that’s all we needed to know before we packed our park bags and headed to the Polynesian Village Resort.

Aloha, Polynesian Village Resort!

When we arrived at the hotel, we found a Mug Release sign in the lobby near the back doors where you’ll find Pineapple Lanai.

Mug Release Sign

The sign pointed us to Trader Sam’s, where we found a Cast Member distributing wristbands. Wristband distribution begins at 12PM each day until supplies last. These wristbands guarantee you a mug, and you can get up to two wristbands per person, allowing each visitor a total of two mugs.

Wrist band distribution

Once we secured our wristband, we waited until 2PM, which is when you can join the traditional virtual queue to enter Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto like normal. This is where you can order the drink that goes along with your mug, and where you’ll pay for both! You can also order the drink and mug outside at Tiki Terrace, if you’d like.

Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto

You can either get the Look Alive Mai Tai cocktail, which features rum, blackberry brandy, passionfruit-orange-guava juice, almond, and lime, OR the Ghoulish Delight “zero proof” cocktail, which is a drink made of agave, passionfruit, grapefruit, lemon juice, and soda water. (This drink isn’t technically nonalcoholic because of the very small percentage of alcohol that is still in the agave spirit.)

Drink options

We decided to go with the Look Alive Mai Tai. It was definitely fruity, but not overly sweet. Blackberry was the main flavor we were picking up on, and unlike most of the drinks at Trader Sam’s, the alcohol taste was not super strong. The rum wasn’t noticeable and the blackberry brandy and passionfruit-orange-guava juice worked well together.

Look Alive Mai Tai

After we finished our drink, we decided to head outside and grab our mug! When we arrived outside, the line was growing longer by the second. It stretched way out past the lawn at the resort! It stretched way out past the lawn at the resort. However, we didn’t have to wait in this line, and we’ll tell you exactly how we avoided it.

Mug distribution line

If you want to pick up a mug, you have two options: (1) Line up outside at Tiki Terrace, order your drink at the window, and pay for the mug there. In this case, you’ll pick up your mug at the tables right by the window. (2) Join the virtual queue for Grog Grotto at 2PM and go inside to order your mug. Once you finish your drink, you’ll take your receipt outside to the same tables and pick up your mug without having to wait in line (because you waited in the virtual queue earlier).

Both the Grog Grotto and Tiki Terrace opened at 3PM. We’d definitely recommend the virtual queue option, since we got to go inside the Grog Grotto and didn’t have to stand in a physical line.

Look at that line!

After a while, we finally made it and were able to secure our mug. Check it out!

Haunted Mansion Trader Sam’s Mug

It’s super heavy and seems to be very fragile, so this is definitely the type of mug that’s better suited for top-shelf home decor. Make sure you pack it carefully as you take it home!

The mug

What do you think? Will you be securing your own Haunted Mansion tiki mug?

Side view

Here at DFB, we’re always on the lookout for cool Disney souvenirs! If you’re headed to Disney soon, follow along for more so that you don’t miss anything! If you’re looking for more snacks and treats at Disney for the Halfway to Halloween celebration, click the link below.

Looking for some spooky treats? Click here!

Will you be heading to the Polynesian to purchase your Haunted Mansion mug? Let us know in the comments!