PHOTOS - Disney reveals new lobby design and Trader Sam's lounge for the Polynesian

[ford91exploder]

Doesn't the idea of have a barstool "Locked In!" to your schedule relieve all months of stress and worry leading up to your trip that you'll be forever locked out if you're not "Locked In!"? I mean seriously, if you don't want to be standing outside, all puffy eyed and a tear stained face, peering into the Golden Grotto you will never be in, ADRs are the only answer. ADRs are truly a Godsend.

Get with the program, man!

I'll be skipping that particular program thanks!

 

[ford91exploder]

Making ADRs for a bar? Screw That, Check please.

Same here.

 

[ford91exploder]

You really think they'll add a bar to the ADR system?

Yes - think of all those delicious cancellation fee's WDW will collect when people are too tired to make their 11PM ADR...

 

[Sage of Time]

Yes - think of all those delicious cancellation fee's WDW will collect when people are too tired to make their 11PM ADR...

I have my doubts. Having ADRs for a bar just kills off the concept for the thing entirely. They'd basically be making Tambu their main bar again, and I don't think they want to do that.

 

[Figment82]

My husband and I decided to stop by last night on our way home. It was right after Wishes had ended, and the kind security guard let us in to park (as he warned us of 3 hour waits - ha!). We opted for the patio, as we wanted a quiet experience this time, plus the weather last night was just too perfect to be inside. It was just us and 3 other groups (one of which had younger children and tried to order chocolate milk...). We ended up knowing one of the servers, so it was great to catch up with them, and the ukulele music made for some great atmosphere.

My husband chose the Krakatoa but said it was a bit too weak for him. I am not into alcohol but based on others' recommendations, I chose the Pearl and found it to be quite tasty. I'm sure that means it was also incredibly weak, but I wasn't complaining! We stopped by the Grotto to pick up our mug, and the CM manning the door was trying to do his schtick for us, acting like it was some super secret club he wasn't going to share with us. While that was a bit over the top, it was nothing compared to the over-dramatic acting of the guests who were leaving. The obnoxious little scene that played out between them and the CM let me know that we made the right choice in opting for the patio.

On our way out, we were asked to take a fairly lengthy survey. Although we all know how they love to spin the results, it was promising to think that they're looking for feedback.

 

[RayTheFirefly]

Party line over and over.

Was the old lobby not someplace to relax? I mean running water, exotic views and sounds... Totally sounds stressful and nonrelaxing....

I could care less about squinting to see the castle at the end of the hall... I came to the poly.. Some me polynesia

Ok, nobody jump all over me, because I am NOT a fan of taking the fountain and lushness out of the lobby, but here are a few examples of hotel lobbies in Polynesia.

Hotel Bora Bora:

Outrigger hotel in Fiji:

Intercontinental Resort in Tahiti:

Hotel Iririki Island Resort in Vanuatu:

Nary a fountain in sight.

While the new lobby is definitely a downgrade (in my opinion) and I agree that the situation at the Poly is different because it is not actually in Polynesia, it still 100% gives guests "Polynesia."

 

[Sage of Time]

My husband and I decided to stop by last night on our way home. It was right after Wishes had ended, and the kind security guard let us in to park (as he warned us of 3 hour waits - ha!). We opted for the patio, as we wanted a quiet experience this time, plus the weather last night was just too perfect to be inside. It was just us and 3 other groups (one of which had younger children and tried to order chocolate milk...). We ended up knowing one of the servers, so it was great to catch up with them, and the ukulele music made for some great atmosphere.

My husband chose the Krakatoa but said it was a bit too weak for him. I am not into alcohol but based on others' recommendations, I chose the Pearl and found it to be quite tasty. I'm sure that means it was also incredibly weak, but I wasn't complaining! We stopped by the Grotto to pick up our mug, and the CM manning the door was trying to do his schtick for us, acting like it was some super secret club he wasn't going to share with us. While that was a bit over the top, it was nothing compared to the over-dramatic acting of the guests who were leaving. The obnoxious little scene that played out between them and the CM let me know that we made the right choice in opting for the patio.

On our way out, we were asked to take a fairly lengthy survey. Although we all know how they love to spin the results, it was promising to think that they're looking for feedback.

What sort of questions did they ask?

Glad you had fun.

 

[71jason]

It's funny that some people think TSGG will be so busy that it might require ADRs and others think it will will be empty because there is no target audience for it. I think it might be reasonable just see what happens once the bar officially opens and has been around for a few months.

I agree it will take a month or so to see how things shake out. But I personally have logged more time in WDW bars than anyone else I've met outside of bartenders. My predictions are based on real life experience with the target market, including several visits to TSGG, not just what I've read online.

Also, I think people are being overly critical about the show and effects. It's been open a week and the CMs have to get into the groove, both learning to work together and seeing how it works with the customers. Some of the critiques on here seem to ignore the entire point of a soft opening.

Completely agree, true of any live show, but especially comedy. Best example I can think of is Bill & Ted at Halloween Horror Nights--I've seen opening night shows absolutely bomb only to have it be reasonably funny by the end of the month, as the actors learn to perfect their timing and gags that don't work are dropped.

That said, the "show" here is always going to play second banana to the drinks and the decor. These aren't Equity actors, they're bartenders first and foremost. Some enjoy hamming it up more than others, but this is never going to be Hoop De Doo or ... the other closed bar I'm tired of hearing it compared to.

 

[Sage of Time]

Ok, nobody jump all over me, because I am NOT a fan of taking the fountain and lushness out of the lobby, but here are a few examples of hotel lobbies in Polynesia.

Hotel Bora Bora:

Outrigger hotel in Fiji:

Intercontinental Resort in Tahiti:

Hotel Iririki Island Resort in Vanuatu:

Nary a fountain in sight.

While the new lobby is definitely a downgrade (in my opinion) and I agree that the situation at the Poly is different because it is not actually in Polynesia, it still 100% gives guests "Polynesia."

And, heck, look at the views out of the window! Oy!

 

[RayTheFirefly]

And, heck, look at the views out of the window! Oy!

The third one even has what looks like a "Tiki" guy in the center of the lobby.

 

[Sage of Time]

The third one even has what looks like a "Tiki" guy in the center of the lobby.

Irony.

But, like I keep saying... the new lobby ISN'T a bad product by any means. It's just not what SHOULD be in the lobby, given the waterfalls defined the space for 43 years.

 

[Figment82]

What sort of questions did they ask?

Glad you had fun.

He asked us to rate our overall experience, food/drinks, interactions with our server, and atmosphere. Then he gave us extensive lists of negative things regarding the atmosphere (long waits, no seats, etc.) and server (unknowledgeable, inefficiencies, etc.) and asked if we encountered any. There were a couple questions about how the atmosphere contributed to our enjoyment (the live music, etc.). He also asked what could be improved and we said the price was a bit high for what you get (especially regarding the appetizers) and my husband mentioned the drinks could be a bit stronger (I do not agree with him on this, lol!). At the end he asked if we were DVC Members.

 

[doctornick]

I have my doubts. Having ADRs for a bar just kills off the concept for the thing entirely. They'd basically be making Tambu their main bar again, and I don't think they want to do that.

There is literally zero reason to think that ADRs are coming to TSGG. Someone on this thread tossed the idea out and others have run with it -- including people chastising Disney for doing so even though there is no reason to think that it is even being considered. It's absurd.

It's a bar, it's not going to have ADRs.

 

[ford91exploder]

Irony.

But, like I keep saying... the new lobby ISN'T a bad product by any means. It's just not what SHOULD be in the lobby, given the waterfalls defined the space for 43 years.

It IS a bad product because it took an immersive environment and made it bland and generic with some crappy glass bits hanging overhead which will be filthy in months because no one will ever clean them due to access issues. They are not hanging from a theatrical grid to facilitate lowering to ground level for cleaning. Just a cheap and nasty redo of a formerly iconic space.

 

[ABQ]

There is literally zero reason to think that ADRs are coming to TSGG. Someone on this thread tossed the idea out and others have run with it -- including people chastising Disney for doing so even though there is no reason to think that it is even being considered. It's absurd.

It's a bar, it's not going to have ADRs.

Exactly. And like the bar outside The Brown Derby @ HS, no ADR's, yet still wait times for food or drink there are not insane. Once the shiny luster wears off, TSGG will be the same.

 

[ford91exploder]

There is literally zero reason to think that ADRs are coming to TSGG. Someone on this thread tossed the idea out and others have run with it -- including people chastising Disney for doing so even though there is no reason to think that it is even being considered. It's absurd.

It's a bar, it's not going to have ADRs.

Wait and see, I'm sure ADR's will be along presently, So the soccer moms can be 'guaranteed' their TS:GG experience.

 

[ford91exploder]

Exactly. And like the bar outside The Brown Derby @ HS, no ADR's, yet still wait times for food or drink there are not insane. Once the shiny luster wears off, TSGG will be the same.

Who goes to the mess formerly known as DHS anymore besides the FP for TSMM???

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Wait and see, I'm sure ADR's will be along presently, So the soccer moms can be 'guaranteed' their TS:GG experience.

I get what you're saying and I don't think I'll be a fan if they DO decide to implement ADRs, but how else is the soccer mom supposed to compete with the lifestyler? If the only two options are make a reservation or camp out for hours in the hopes of MAYBE getting in, which is the lesser of two evils?

 

[ABQ]

Who goes to the mess formerly known as DHS anymore besides the FP for TSMM???

Hopefully at least some peeps with cameras to provide us GMR Spire Replacement watch imagery.

 

[doctornick]

It potentially is though, in the long-run. The people lining up are (duh-duh-duhhhhh) lifestylers (or CMs), curious to try to place and tweet about so they can prove they've been there. They'll all buy at least one mug, so nice opening month bump, but the long-term success of TS:GG will depend on guests, either hotel or restaurant. Guests at the Grand have trouble finding Mizners, which has two doors and plenty of open windows. TS:GG is hidden behind a non-descript door, half the time guarded by a CM. And I'm not sure those looking to chill after a long day in the park are looking for Sam's unique atmosphere.

We all knew the fans would swamp this place for a week or two. Again the question is, who will be the crowd come September?

I think it depends on whether "word gets out" and this is viewed as a unique, cool experience for WDW. For me at least, just an ordinary guy in my late 30's, it looks pretty cool and I can't wait to check it out. I would never make it a point to go to Mizners or any ordinary hotel bar, but TSGG looks like a place worthwhile to make an effort to get to. I love the idea of effects, show when pouring drinks, decorations on the walk to check out and discover, etc. I would make a special trip to go there. I often will go to a monorail resort for dinner at some point during a WDW trip and this looks like a nice add on after the meal.

I've got to think that there's the potential for ordinary Disney guests to add this to the collection of "stuff to see during a visit". Given the size of the bar, it wouldn't take that many people to be fairly crowded. And if it is regular vacationers, they often will be willing to buy the expensive drinks to get the show experience and souvenir mugs. We'll see.

Edit: I would think that if you are a fan of the Tiki Room and Jungle Cruise (as my family is), than this would potentially be a nice draw for you. My dad doesn't really drink and hates bars and I think he would absolutely love this.