Hi Steven! Welcome to planDisney!
I hope your arrival day has been everything you imagined it would be! With all the planning that goes into a
Walt Disney World vacation, I'm sure the excitement level is at an all-time high. Let's dive right in and answer this great question you asked.
Whenever you get a chance to stay at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, a visit to
Trader Sam's Grog Grotto is always a must. It's one of the most unique experiences you can have at any dining location on-site. The theming, aesthetics, and playful Cast Members make it a ton of fun.
This location opens at 3 PM each day, but Guests begin lining up early (sometimes up to an hour and a half) to put their names on a waitlist. Unfortunately,
Advanced Dining Reservations are not accepted here, so the only way to visit is by stopping by the location. A Cast Member will come out at some point before it opens and take down your name and mobile device number. You'll receive a confirmation text message to confirm your place in line and then you can enjoy your day while you wait for an additional message that your table is ready. Once you are notified that your table is ready, you'll have 15 minutes to arrive back at the location to claim your spot. The wait can be rather long depending on the day. On my last visit, we waited up to three hours for our table to be called, which gave us plenty of time to enjoy the Lava Pool and other recreation offerings. The Cast Member should be able to provide an approximate return time, although this will be their best estimated guess.
Unfortunately, your plan to visit the Magic Kingdom and return in the evening will most likely not work. You'll need to stay somewhat close to Trader Sam's Grog Grotto in order to make it back in time. I usually recommend trying this place out during a resort day. If you have a day built into your trip that you plan to spend at the Polynesian, this would be the day to put your name on the list. One thing to keep in mind is that after 8 PM, only Guests 21 years and older are allowed inside Trader Sam's. If you are traveling with little ones or even older kids, you'll need to visit earlier in the day.
Steven, I hope you have a magical time during your stay!
Stop back and see us again when planning your next Disney vacation!
Greg