Aloha, Emily! This mysterious tiki bar is one of my favorites, a true hidden gem at
Walt Disney World Resort. And hidden it is! As part of the planDisney 'ohana, I'm happy to help you find a path that can lead you straight to the tropical hideaway of
Trader Sam's Grog Grotto.
Trader Sam is quite the legend in Adventureland and his appetite for adventure (or is it his adventurous appetite?) has found its way to
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. There's a definite appeal to seeing what's kept hidden behind the closed doors of Trader Sam's Grog Grotto! You are correct - current restrictions make it a little more difficult to pop into different resorts when not staying on property. But I have a few ways you may be able to still enjoy these enchanting libations!
Emily, I would recommend making a
dining reservation at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort prior to your visit, especially if you're planning on driving to the resort. With a dining reservation, you'll be able to enjoy a California roll or glazed chicken wings from
Kona Café before sipping on tropical drinks at Trader Sam's. You might also consider placing a
mobile order through the
My Disney Experience app for the quick service location,
Capt. Cook's! This option may offer you a little more flexibility and spontaneity. The reason why I love making these dining plans is that I'm able to head to the resort, join the queue for Trader Sam's Grog Grotto, then enjoy a light meal while waiting to be called. This way, even your wait is magical! If you're already at a park (like Magic Kingdom Park, which is nearby) you may also find that you're able to take a bus or monorail to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort without issue or need for a dining reservation.
When you arrive at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, you'll be able to walk up to the Cast Member stationed outside of Trader Sam's Grog Grotto and request to be put on the list for the virtual queue. The Cast Member is often ready to start taking names about 30 minutes prior to opening, so I'd recommend trying to arrive at around 2:30 PM if you want to be earlier on the list. Remember, when you receive the text saying that your wait is over (hooray!), you'll want to make sure your entire party is with you. And then, Emily - your adventure begins! My personal favorite drinks (for secret reasons) are the Uh-Oa and the Polynesian Pearl.
I hope I was able to give you some options that will help you experience everything that Trader Sam's Grog Grotto has to offer, Emily. If you have any other questions, please visit us again!
Krakatoa!
Michelle