More details revealed for the upcoming Trader Sam's Grog Grotto at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Mar 23, 2015 in "Trader Sam's Grog Grotto"

Posted: Monday March 23, 2015 2:17pm EST by WDWMAGIC Staff

Concept art for the new Trader Sam's Grog Grotto at Disney's Polynesian Resort

One of the most anticipated additions to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is set to open before the end of the month and we’ve got some new details about what you can expect at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto.

Following on from the the hugely popular Trader Sam’s at Disneyland, Walt Disney World’s Grog Grotto is located in the former arcade space, next-door to Captain Cook’s, just off the main lobby area.

The lounge will serve both food and drinks, with an emphasis on specialty cocktails and small bites.

The lounge will operate daily from 4pm to midnight, and will be available exclusively to guests aged 21+ after 8pm.

The drink line-up includes 12 specialty cocktails, a rum flight, and 3 non-alcoholic specialty drinks, along with a range of beers and wines. Keeping with the Polynesian theme, a Kona beer flight will also be available. Most drinks come in souvenir tiki glasses.

Bites to eat include pork tacos, sushi roll, chicken lettuce cups, fried Portuguese sausage bites, dumplings with sesame soy dipping sauce, and tuna poke.

There is seating both indoors, and outdoors on a patio. Just like at its Disneyland sister location, inside space is limited, with seating for 50 guests. Outside on the patio there is seating for 80 guests. To put the size into context, the Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar lounge at Epcot’s Italy Pavilion seats 96 guests. There will be no advance reservations at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, so be prepared to wait to get inside, at least during the first months of operation.

The interior theming is tiki through and through, with artifacts and artwork throughout. Completing the authentic Polynesian style theme is a range of audio and lighting effects that will come to life when certain drinks are ordered.

Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is just one of the new additions to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, part of a multi-year renovation project. The new Bora Bora Bungalows and Deluxe Studios will be opening April 1 2015, joining the newly redesign lobby area, Pineapple Lanai, and the soon-to-open new pool area.

Concept art for the new Trader Sam's Grog Grotto at Disney's Polynesian Resort

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KordovaJDMay 13, 2015

There was a line 50 people long to go in at 4:00 last Friday. I didn't go during my stay, but seems popular. I didn't have any problems with the lobby, but I hadn't been there for 15 years, so I don't really remember it.

asianwayApr 29, 2015

I know the ladies was called polynesian princess - can't remember the men's or jeweler

COProgressFanApr 29, 2015

Nice reference. Ah, memories.

kkockaApr 29, 2015

Would be too large. Service is managable now, although I feel the inside bar is still shorthanded a bit and that's including the fact that one is almost exclusively making drinks for the rest of the room. Even though Enchanted Tiki Bar is a success in CA, how this bar will play out in FL is still sorta experimental. There's definitely a big tiki culture in SoCal and around Disneyland. That bar could be open at 10am and it would still have a flood of people at opening. I've read a lot on how many lookyloos there are, those that sip on water or a single drink then just socialize, and people not tipping. Come on! If you're not willing to tip on a $52 drink you shouldn't have any business soaking up space.

Sage of TimeApr 29, 2015

Oh no. What happened?!

PhotoDave219Apr 29, 2015

Correct. I have the button. They had all the glasswear for sale. Then I went to the airport. Zombie heads are meant to be in checked luggage....

asianwayApr 29, 2015

More like the old men's wear store

Sage of TimeApr 29, 2015

I still think they should have knocked down the wall to Captain Cook's and just made it into one big facility... and moved the quick service to some other location, like Tangaroa Terrace.

Rose&CrownerApr 27, 2015

Inside capacity is 51, with no standing room, only seats. Though I stood the whole time.

englanddgApr 27, 2015

Ahhh, I know exactly where it is then. Thanks!

TuvaluApr 27, 2015

It is in the space formerly occupied by the game room. And it is TINY.

englanddgApr 27, 2015

I thought it was off to the right, around where the old South Seas room was... Derp!

englanddgApr 27, 2015

That makes sense. I was basing it on these:

TuvaluApr 27, 2015

It is on the left if you enter from the front doors. Just past the Trader Sam's entrance is another door to the outside, but you aren't on the terrace, you are just outside and need to turn right to get to the terrace.