Trader Sam's Grog Grotto

It’s been 5 years between visits and we weren’t disappointed - this still the same great experience.
We were able to sit at the bar and Skipper Gilbert kept us entertained and made some top notch drinks.
We ate to fried dumplings (which were ok), and the tacos (which were excellent).

The one change since our 2019 visit was that you need to be there at 1pm to check in (even though the bar doesn’t open till 3), so we didn’t get there on the first day we tried to visit but once we had this knowledge, we were able to get there nice and early.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Takes forever to get in. Place is cool

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 3

Trader Sam's grog grotto is a bar located at the Polynesian resort that is very popular, in fact it's hard to get into! There's almost always a long line to get onto. They serve amazing fun unique drinks here. Wonderful! WORTH a visit!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I’m disappointed in my experience at this place. My partner and I headed over to Trader Sam’s 30 minutes before they opened, hoping to get in at 3PM. A lady comes out and says “we already have a 2 hour wait”. They added people to a waitlist that started around two hours before they even opened! It was one of the most important things for my trip to stop here, just to be ruined because “the people waiting were blocking the walkway”. Tell them to move?! The employees ruined it for so many other people. We ended up sitting at the terrace and were able to order our drinks/souvenir mugs but would have had to wait over two hours to get in… If you’re going to have rules, make them apply to everyone.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

I wouldn't know how the food is. We never got in. It says they take reservations online. They do not. They open at 4. They start taking names for the "wait-list" at 3. Or 330. Depends on who you ask. We arrived at 320pm. Wait-list full. I was dressed for my birthday dinner at a place that does take reservations. But way to early for that. Either take reservations or see people 1at come, 1st served. Don't ride the fence and do everyone dirty. The hostess suggested we try upstairs at the rooftop "sister" bar. Well... it's raining. I'm clearly dressed for a special occasion, not your typical "I've been sweating and waiting in line all day" Disney attire. No thanks. Not for my birthday or for the way I'm dressed. Crickets. Customer service is dead folks. And it doesn't look like it's coming back anytime soon.

Service: 1

Claim there's a three hour wait but the place is empty with plenty of seating, yet somehow they're at capacity. Staff is rude. Don't waste your time coming this way.
My friends who did get in said it was nothing special and they were confused why this place is so highly recommended.

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

The not so much hidden Grotto is a must for Tiki enthusiasts. While the cocktails and service are great, the atmosphere takes the cake. Be prepared for volcanos, tropical storms, zombies, and the Tiki God's to be awakened. It's a great experience overall.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Pearl, Zombie, Black Pearl

They make you wait 40+ minutes to go inside. They have seats at the bar open.

To get in to Sams line up at the door around 115pm. They will come out to take names at around 2pm. Then lineup again againt the far wall at 245pm...15mins early.
Place holds 52 people so it's the tuffest venue to get into at Disney. Small & cramped. Request a bar seat (only 6 seats)...so even more difficult.
If it's on your bucket list...follow the above strategy & you will be rewarded.

Atmosphere: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Pearl, Zombie

We put our name on the waiting list and were told 2 hours. After 2.5 hours we went to check because we had children in our group and they could no longer get in (not allowed in after 8pm) and were told we weren’t on the list anymore so we must have gotten skipped. They pulled up their texts and confirmed that they never sent one when our table was ready, but must have accidentally taken us off the list. So essentially it was just a “too bad. It’s too late for the kids to come in now.” It was the only night on our trip we were going to be able to go and they could not have cared less that they screwed us over.

Service: 1

10 stars for atmosphere! Almost all the drinks have special effects when ordered and the bartenders (skippers) are great at their jobs

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pearl, Zombie

Great little bar. Can be difficult to get in. Most drinks are themed. The cast members and the room itself react to what drink is ordered. Some of special cups can be purchased and can only be found here (and the outdoor bar nearby). My favorite place to bring new guests who want a cocktail.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Lots of fun. Definitely going to be a wait, but food, drinks and atmosphere were worth the wait. We had the flat bread, tuna sushi, pan fried dumplings and the chicken cups. All were delicious.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

We have been going to Trader Sam’s for years now and every year it has gotten a little more disappointing. This last time we visited made us realize we would not attempt to go again. Imagine waiting hours for a single spot at the bar to be treated poorly by the staff. Not very Disney, so therefore not very me!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 1

Atmosphere is incredible, and food is of course up to Disney’s standards. My family and I have frequented this bar every year since it opened, this last trip in June 2024 was the pitfall, and will be ruled out of bar options for any future trip. Service was horribly unkind to my mom, when her daughters were carded she made a joke saying “need to see mine?” This snarky bartender replied “for what? The senior citizen discount?” We waited over 3 hours for our spot at the bar, for what? To be insulted by none other than disney staff? I expected more. Somewhat heartbreaking when you expect such kind, sweet, and magical staff. Alas, not everyone should work at Disney.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 1