Hi Kay!
Thank you so much for dropping by planDisney with your Disneyland Resort vacation planning questions! It sounds like you're looking forward to some patio fun in the
Southern California sun, and I fully support this great plan!
Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar is such a great hangout! And I love that it's right in the middle of the historic
Disneyland Hotel. Be sure to have a look around the lobbies of the various buildings for all kinds of cool treasures and mementos. The answer to this question is 'it depends'; if you're visiting on a Saturday night with a prime-time dining reservation, then yes, you might be reminded that others are waiting, especially if everyone in your party has already finished their drinks and bites. However, if you get there right at opening time and it's a slow start on a midweek day, then you might be permitted to stay a while. At either rate, you can certainly have more of a relaxing experience than say at
Oga's Cantina in
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge where there is not only a very strict timed 90 minutes no matter when your reservation, there's also a two-drink
maximum limit per guest.
When it's time to take the fun elsewhere, you can certainly get a roadie and relocate to the nearby sitting spots around the pool or to the couches in the lobbies of each hotel tower building. There are multiple outdoor non-pool seat setups at the
Disneyland Hotel, too, along the North-most tower. (When looking at a map, head to the tower that houses
Disney's Fantasia Shop.) One of my favorite places to relax at the Disneyland Hotel is in front of the big fireplace and patio just steps away from Trader Sam's; you actually can't miss it when you enter the restaurant. And the best part about hanging out hEAR is you can still get drinks to go from either the Trader Sam's walk-up bar window or the quick-service dining location next door,
Tangaroa Terrace; they don't have as big of a selection of beverages, but they do offer the classic Pineapple Dole Whip with a floater of rum which is my version of the perfect Disney day.
Bonus Tip: Another fun poolside patio is the
GCH Craftsman Bar at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. They even sometimes have live music on weekend evenings! Or, if you're looking for somewhere to linger even longer, the
Hearthstone Lounge also in
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is a kind of hidden gem. And best of all, you can grab drinks to go from this lounge and enjoy them from a big, comfy couch in the just-as-beautiful hotel lobby around the corner!
I hope this helped to add some relaxation and refreshments to your upcoming Disney days, Kay! Be sure to follow the
official planDisney Panel Instagram account for even more tips and tricks. And if you have any more Disneyland Resort vacation planning questions, We're All Ears!
~Kristen