Trader Sam’s Disney World Tiki Terrace Review

Need a tropical getaway, but can’t get any farther than Florida? We hear you! Luckily, there’s a little bit of the South Pacific at Trader Sam’s Disney World, and you don’t even need a park ticket to enjoy it. Themed to everyone’s favorite Jungle Cruise explorer, Trader Sam’s features an Adventureland vibe, complete with exotic artifacts, and magical decor. Serving drinks and appetizers in both the Grotto and Tiki Terrace, here’s everything to know about this little adventurous bar at Disney World.

Trader Sam’s Details

Whenever we’re at Disney World, we often resort hop to Disney’s Polynesian Resort for midday breaks. Just a monorail or boat ride away from Magic Kingdom, it’s one of our favorite places to come for lunch, and beach time. As one of the most popular bars at Disney World Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Tiki Terrace offer a fun atmosphere, great food and a nice selection of drinks. And if you’re on the terrace, you can often hear live music, playing all those Hawaiian songs to help set the mood. Here we’re sharing all the details to help you decide if you should stop at this bar on your next trip.

Trader Sam’s Location

Located at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Tiki Terrace can be found on the ground floor of the resort. From inside the restaurant you can take a back hallway to the Grotto entrance, located just next to Captain Cook’s restaurant.

Located outside, behind Trader Sam’s, you can find Tiki Terrace which is a great alternative if you can’t get into the inside bar. Or if you just want to be outside instead of inside the tiny area making up Trader Sam’s. This seating area is right next to the Captain Cooks outdoor seating, and you can easily just walk over to counter to order, or grab a free table.

Trader Sam’s Hours

Trader Sam’s at the Polynesian Resort welcomes children and families from 3PM- 8PM daily. And while drinks are served during all open hours, appetizers are only served 3PM- 10PM daily.

• Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto Hours: 3PM- 12AM
• Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace: 3PM- 11PM

Trader Sam’s Waitlist

Trader Sam’s is known for being quite difficult to get into. Mostly just because it’s so small. But also, because it’s incredibly popular. With interactive drinks, and a fun, quirky atmosphere, it’s definitely a unique experience. Guests wishing to enter Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto should plan to get on the waitlist as early as 12 PM. The bar doesn’t open until 3 PM, but you’ll want your name to be on that list well before opening. 

Trader Sam’s Reservations

Neither Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, nor Tiki Terrace accept reservations. However, if you’re hoping to eat inside the Grog Grotto, this space is small and fills up fast and does have a waitlist. As such, be sure to arrive early. You will most likely have to wait in line outside the bar, if it’s too full to enter.

Tiki Terrace, on the other hand, often has tables available, and offers all the same drinks and food as you would get inside. You may have to wait if you’re there during a busier time, but generally, people don’t tend to linger too long here. They don’t usually even have a walk-up list. Just show up and find an empty table. 

Trader Sam’s Atmosphere

Not only does the terrace offer the same beverage menu as Trader Sam’s, but they also have live music that makes for a very relaxing experience.  If you’re not looking to sit down while you enjoy your beverage, Tiki Terrace is also the pool bar at Disney’s Polynesian Resort! So they have a walk-up window where you can just order drinks, and you can take these back to the pool with you if you’re a resort guest. Or relax elsewhere around the resort, like the beach!

Trader Sam’s Menu

At Trader Sam’s Disney World you can get small plates, featuring flavors of the South Pacific, and cocktails and mocktails too. Ranging from $10- $18 a dish, things like Tuna Sushi Rolls, Flatbread and Dumplings are on the menu. All reasonably priced, be sure to take a look at the full Trader Sam’s Disney World Menu, for all the options.

Thai Chicken Flatbread with Bacon and Peanut Sauce: Another great flatbread from another great Disney lounge. By far one of the most common things we order, this flatbread sometimes changes flavors, but is also cooked fresh and is a good size for sharing or if you’re replacing lunch with a visit here.

Pan-fried Dumplings with Soy-Sesame Dipping Sauce: Just like the amazing dumplings you get at ‘Ohana, these pork dumplings were fantastic. Perfectly fried and with the best dipping sauce.

Veggie Rainbow Roll: This rice roll stuffed with fresh veggies and topped with avocado was to die for! Extremely fresh and light, this was a great alternative to a sushi roll, at about $7 less. Wonderfully shareable, we all loved this appetizer.

A Kahuna Tuna Sushi Roll, Chicken or Tofu Lettuce Cups with Hoisin-Ginger Sauce and Kalua Pork Tacos are also all on the menu here.

Specialty Cocktails

The Specialty Cocktails are mostly themed to match the vibe of the restaurant. Tropical and fun, and many can be ordered in special drinkware that you can take home with you. Ranging from about $16- $40 each, these signature cocktails are sometimes offered with a specialty mug for an extra cost. Select Beer and Wines are also available here.

On this trip we had both the Krakatoa Punch and the Tiki Rum. Both were delicious, with really wonderful and unique flavors. Obviously you’ll be choosing your favorites from the list based on your favorite flavors, but perfectly blended, you won’t be disappointed in any of these.

• Krakatoa Punch: Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Pyrat XO Reserve Rum, Orgeat (Almond), Sam’s Gorilla Grog, and Hibiscus Grenadine.
• Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum: Pyrat XO Reserve Rum, Cream of Coconut, and Pineapple and Orange Juices dusted with Cinnamon and Nutmeg
• Polynesian Pearl: RumChata Cream Liqueur, Grand Marnier, and Cinnamon with Tropical Juices. The Pearl is yours to keep!
• Nautilus: Cruzan Mango Rum, Appleton Estate Reserve Rum, Combier Crème de Pêche de Vigne Liqueur, Tropical Juices, and Falernum. With souvenir mug $63
• Uh-Oa: Plantation Original Dark Rum, Bacardi Superior Rum, Orange, Passion Fruit, Guava, Pineapple, and Grapefruit Juices, Falernum, Cinnamon, and fresh Lime Juice. Recommended for Two or more Guests.
• Spiced Island: Knob Creek Disney Select Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Orgeat (Almond), and Pineapple Juice
• Rosita’s Margarita: Casamigos Reposado Tequila, Bols Orange Curaçao, fresh Lime Juice, Falernum, and Organic Agave Nectar
• HippopotoMai-Tai: Plantation Original Dark Rum, Bacardi Superior Rum, Bols Orange Curaçao, Orgeat (Almond), Organic Agave Nectar, and fresh Lime Juice. With souvenir mug $29.50
• Zombie: Gosling’s 151 Black Seal Rum, Appleton Estate Reserve Rum, Bacardi 8 yr Rum, Tropical Juices, Falernum, and Cinnamon. With souvenir mug $32.00
• Dark & Tropical Stormy: Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, fresh Lime Juice, Ginger Beer, and Falernum
• Mosquito Mojito: Bacardi Dragon Berry Rum, Organic Agave Nectar, Falernum, Mint, and fresh Lime Juice topped with Soda Water
• Tahitian Torch: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Tropical Juices, Passion Fruit, and fresh Lime Juice
• Rum Flight: (3/4-oz pour of each) Bacardi 8 yr, Pyrat XO Reserve, and Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 yr.
• Spikey Pineapple: Cruzan Mango Rum blended with DOLEWhip® Pineapple

Trader Sam’s Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Included in the Trader Sam’s mocktail collection are two signature drinks, specific to the bar as well as Zero-Proof beverage. Remember that zero-proof drinks sometimes still have a tinge of alcohol in them, and are therefore not appropriate for 21 and under. These drinks range from $6- $13 each.

• Skipper Sipper: Tropical Juices, Organic Agave Nectar, Falernum, Mint, and fresh Lime Juice topped with Soda Water
• Schweitzer Falls: Tropical Juices and Sam’s Gorilla Grog topped with Sprite®
• Polynesian Punch: Lyre’s Spiced Cane Spirit, Orange, Pineapple, Passionfruit, Guava, Hibiscus Ginger Beer, Soda Water. ( Zero-Proof)

Trader Sam’s FAQ

Visiting the Disney World Lounges has become a must-do on every trip. Not only because they’re beautiful, but because they often offer unique foods and drinks that you can’t find anywhere else. Perfect for families and adults alike, here’s a few things to know about Trader’s Sam’s Disney World, before you go.

Does Trader Sam’s allow Families with Children?

Yes, children are allowed in the grotto or on the terrace until 8 PM, at which point it becomes adult-only. Anyone is allowed here. Although it tends to be really popular with adults at Disney, it’s also laid back enough to be family-friendly. 

Are there Non-Alcoholic Drinks at Trader Sam’s Available?

Yes, Trader Sam’s offers both No Booze Brews, and Zero Proof Mocktails.

Does Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace and the Grog Grotto have the Same Menu?

Yes! The Menu at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Tiki Terrace are the same, offering drinks, mocktails, and appetizers both inside and outside the bar.

Does Trader Sam’s Take the Disney Dining Plan?

No. Trader Sam’s Disney World does not accept the Disney Dining Plan.

How do you Get to Trader Sam’s at Disney World?

Located at the Polynesian Resort you can simply take the Monorail or Boat from the front entrance of Magic Kingdom to the Resort. You can alternatively take the Disney buses from any Disney Park or Disney Springs to the Polynesian Resort. Disney’s Polynesian Resort is super easy to get to, making this an easy stop during a Park Day, or as part of your Disney Resort hopping, non-park days.

Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace Review

Overall, we loved Trader Sam’s, Tiki Terrace. The laid-back vibe, the outdoor space, and the live music make this a very relaxed lounge space at Disney. Perfect for a nice afternoon break, if you like Polynesian food and an island atmosphere, the Tiki Terrace should be on your must-try list!