Trader Sams

[AswaySuller]

Hi all,
i have a reservation for Ohana in May and wanted to go to Trader Sam's for a drink before.
Is this possible or will it be crazy busy?
I called Disney reservations and they told me I couldn't make a reservation for trader sam's

Ash

 

[Duckberg]

Ash, I think you'll probably get a better overall quality drink (Tiki ) @ Trader Sam's Grotto than at the Tambu Lounge just outside of Ohana's. Sam's Grotto is a more compact version of the existing Trader Sam's @ Disneyland. This bar was set up for on property guests to support the newly refurbed Poly.

 

[AswaySuller]

thanks for your help duckberg

 

[tecowdw]

My guess is Trader Sam's will still be busy then - it will still be the "new" place to go. If you are good with the outdoor seating versus the inside, you'll have a better chance I'd think.

I'm sure Disney could have anticipated the popularity of the place (since I hear it's DL counterpart is) so I don't understand why they didn't build it to have a much larger occupancy. They certainly could have encompassed the outdoor seating area and more as indoor seating. Or even could have put it upstairs replacing the three merchandise locations up there. Up there turnover might be quicker as it would be a larger percentage of dining guests waiting for their reservation time. I think the downstairs spot will be more geared toward people just having drinks/apps and wanting to linger longer. Time will tell.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

My guess is Trader Sam's will still be busy then - it will still be the "new" place to go. If you are good with the outdoor seating versus the inside, you'll have a better chance I'd think.

I'm sure Disney could have anticipated the popularity of the place (since I hear it's DL counterpart is) so I don't understand why they didn't build it to have a much larger occupancy. They certainly could have encompassed the outdoor seating area and more as indoor seating. Or even could have put it upstairs replacing the three merchandise locations up there. Up there turnover might be quicker as it would be a larger percentage of dining guests waiting for their reservation time. I think the downstairs spot will be more geared toward people just having drinks/apps and wanting to linger longer. Time will tell.

I for one am really glad that Disney did not make the Trader Sam's at WDW a bigger place. Part of the charm of the original in Disneyland is that it is small and intimate. It is supposed to be a tiki dive bar. So by being small it leads to a more personal and relaxing experience. I was really worried that they would supersize the one at the Polynesian and make it less charming. When I finally get to WDW to see the new one for myself, part of me will probably want it bigger so I can get a table faster, but it just wouldn't be what I expect if it was bigger.

 

[tecowdw]

I for one am really glad that Disney did not make the Trader Sam's at WDW a bigger place. Part of the charm of the original in Disneyland is that it is small and intimate. It is supposed to be a tiki dive bar. So by being small it leads to a more personal and relaxing experience. I was really worried that they would supersize the one at the Polynesian and make it less charming. When I finally get to WDW to see the new one for myself, part of me will probably want it bigger so I can get a table faster, but it just wouldn't be what I expect if it was bigger.

Good point!

 

[Tuvalu]

At 8 p.m. tonight there was at least an hour wait to get into Trader Sam's. We grabbed our drinks from the Tambu Lounge and relaxed in the lobby.