Warm greetings from the tropics, Laura! Welcome to planDisney!
A visit to
Trader Sam's Grog Grotto is a fun and unique way to cap off your Disney day. You really do have to see it to believe it! You're welcome to sail over to
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort to try and snag a spot in the bar, but there are a couple of things you'll want to keep in mind as you plan your visit. If you'll be driving to the theme parks during your stay, remember that only Guests who are staying in the Resort hotel or have a dining reservation are allowed to park there. Your best bet is to travel by boat or monorail from the Magic Kingdom Park to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. You can also park in the main Magic Kingdom parking lot at the Transportation and Ticket Center and walk right over to the Resort hotel from there.
Also, Trader Sam's Grog Grotto is open to the whole fam until 8 p.m., but Guests must be 21 and over to enter after that time. And it's a good idea to get there as early as possible, since there's often a line of eager patrons waiting to experience Trader Sam's fine establishment when it opens for the day.
Laura, since you're thinking about doing some Resort-hopping, one of my favorite ways to enjoy
Walt Disney World during the holidays is to pop into the Resort hotels and see all of the amazing décor! Two can't-miss sights I recommend are the five-story Christmas tree in the lobby of
Disney's Wilderness Lodge, and the incredible, edible gingerbread house at
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. In fact, my Christmas season isn't complete until I snack on a gingerbread shingle sold in the shop nestled at the back of the house. It's the essence of the holidays for me!
I hope this helps you explore all the fun to be had at the Disney Resort hotels, Laura! If you ask me, it's almost more fun than hitting the parks! Thank you so much for stopping by to see us, and I wish you a magical Walt Disney World Resort vacation.
Keep Disney Dreaming,
Kathy K.