Hey there, Sarah! Welcome back to planDisney! I'm so glad you've stopped by with such an oh-so-fun question.
In a few short weeks, you'll be arriving at the iconic
Disney's Contemporary Resort, ready to begin your magical adventure at The Most Magical Place on Earth. How exciting! The Contemporary is one of my absolute favorite Resort Hotels. With large, modern rooms, fantastic
dining options and location on the monorail loop, it's the perfect home away from home
right in the middle of the magic. Nothing says "vacation" like that first sip of a tropical cocktail from
Trader Sam's Grog Grotto, so let's chat about activating your vacation mode!
While I can't guarantee that you will be able to get a spot at Trader Sam's on your arrival night, I definitely think it's worth a shot! Unfortunately, you cannot call ahead to get your name on the waitlist, but Hakuna Matata! It means "no worries." When you arrive, hop the monorail over to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and check in with the Cast Member at Trader Sam's, which you will find on the first floor, tucked away down the hall from Capt. Cook's. Chances are that you will have to be put on the waitlist, so you will provide your name and phone number to receive a text when your spot becomes available.
A few months ago, my friend and I arrived at Trader Sam's pretty late, put our names on the waitlist and headed upstairs to
Tambu Lounge to have a cocktail and some laughs. Since we put our names on the waitlist late, we weren't sure if a spot would become available, but sure enough, it did! Once we received the text, we had ten minutes to return to Trader Sam's to claim our spot and have the best time. Vacation mode: activated!
Did you know that you can also enjoy the same great cocktails and food from Trader Sam's Grog Grotto outside at
Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace?! While it isn't quite the same experience as being inside the Grotto, it's a great place to spend an enchanting evening!
I hope this was helpful, Sarah, and I hope you have the best time at Trader Sam's. What a way to start your vacation! Please stop by any time with any questions you may have along the way. You've got a friend in me.
Cheers!
Mandy