UPDATE: News today from Disney states that Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto should be opening officially in late April.
As Disney fans and DFB readers know well by now, plenty of changes have come to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort over the past several months of major resort-wide refurbishment.
New Tiki Statue in Lobby
For Disney food fans, perhaps none of the openings have met with as much anticipation as the eagerly awaited Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto! All sorts of signs (some of them literal!) are pointing to its imminent opening!
Updated Dining Sign with Trader Sam’s
Updated Dining Location Direction Sign with Trader Sam’s
Of course, no sign is more telling than the one on the door to the Grotto itself…
Trader Sam’s door sign
Other signs are less obvious, but bring to mind the nautical theme that we’ve been told to expect for the east coast version of Trader Sam’s, influenced by 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Guests can now see the painting below and oars lining the hallway that starts at Captain Cook’s on the ground floor of the Great Ceremonial House and leads to Trader Sam’s.
Submarine Grotto Painting
Oars lining the wall
Oar on the wall
So, what else do we know? So far, at least five adult beverages will be unique to the Disney World location, including the Castaway Crush, Polynesian Pearl, Tahitian Torch, and the Dark & Tropical Stormy. As is the case at its
Disneyland counterpart — Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar — souvenir cups will be one of the highlights. In fact, Disney shared a few glimpses of the new sure-to-be-collectibles today!
©Disney
©Disney
Indoor seating in the Grog Grotto and outdoor seating on the Tiki Terrace will be available to guests. Special interactive decor elements will be entertaining the folks inside. Order a drink and watch what happens!
Food will also be available, and we understand that Pork Pâté Bánh Mì Sliders, Sushi, Hawaiian Poke, Kalua Pork Tacos and Corn-battered Portuguese Sausages will be among the offerings. Here’s a peek!
Pork Pâté Bánh Mì Sliders ©Disney
Headhunter Sushi Roll ©Disney
Kalua Pork Tacos ©Disney
Details that we’re waiting to confirm include operating hours (it looks like 4 pm – midnight daily, with only guests 21 and over permitted after 8 pm). And also — the biggest question of all — the opening date! While soft openings are expected to begin on March 28th (which essentially means that you may catch the lounge in operation, but it may be closed at any given time to continue any necessary work), Disney has announced that late April will bring the official opening.
Still, much of what awaits remains a mystery… and that’s very much on purpose, as you can tell from this understated door, giving no hint to the treasures that lie behind it.
Trader Sam’s door
Oh, and there was one other sign placed on the door yesterday, greeting hopeful passersby.
Sorry Folks!
I must’ve missed the memo from this guy…
Cephalopod in the Boutiki Window
We’ll see you soon… from inside the GROG GROTTO!!!
What are YOU looking forward to most about Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto? Please let us know with a comment!
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That’s awesome news! Love Trader Sam’s in DLR and I hope the one in WDW will feature similar drink interactions like the one in SoCal – order a Krakatoa Punch and a volcano erupts.
I can’t wait!!! We love the one at Disneyland so much and are looking forward to a similar-yet-different experience here at home. I do wish they’d increased the capacity significantly though, I’m worried about long waits/lineups here, at least for the first few months…..
LOL! “The Cephalopod (moose) out front should have told you!” Love this nod to the original National Lampoons Vacation! Sounds exciting! Can hardly wait! 🙂
would there be reservations required ?
I cannot wait for this to open! We’ll be there in May and I’m going to do my best to get in that door for an Uh-oa! Looking forward to the pictures and videos on opening day =)
Wouldn’t it be cool if they had some of the fun things from the Adventurer’s club at Pleasure Island! Stuff from the Mask Room would be awesome! Kungaloosh!
Where exactly will it be located? Is it going to be taking over the current lounge space on the 2nd floor next to Ohana?
Looks like it opens March 28:
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/03/much-anticipated-trader-sams-grog-grotto-opens-at-disneys-polynesian-village-resort/
The menu and drinks are listed in the link I posted above ^
Stephanie, it is where the old arcade was located.
I’m going to need them to open at 2 pm to allow me a fair shot to try everything before a 6:30 BOG ADR in July lol. Seriously – I love this place. I hope it’s no ADRs … I want this to be a drinking spot not a “tie it up 180 days out” spot ! Works great with no ADRs at Tutto Gusto and La Cava de Tequila !
Anyone know if they will accept Tables in Wonderland ? I hope so, as Tambu Lounge does.
We’ll be there next weekend as AP holders. Maybe this will be a good reason to stalk the Polynesian!
I’m looking forward to all the yummy food!
I’m looking forward to all the yummy dishes!
I’m looking forward to trying those appetizers. They look delicious!!
I’m really excited this is coming to WDW, so many yummy looking drinks and bar food items to look forward to.
I’m just a little sad that it’ll be a while till I make it back to Florida to try it all out *grumbles*
Will Trader Sam’s be on the dining plan?