Trader Sam's Grog Grotto

[kimlovesfl]

Went there last night for the first time, and thought it was really fun. The drinks are expensive ($21 for one mojito and a non-alcoholic beverage in a souvenir glass), and I've had better mojitos, but I'm a wine drinker and not too much into cocktails. Loved the atmosphere, and it was a fun place for a birthday celebration, and I intend to return. Next time, I'll be on the patio to watch the fireworks.

I would NOT order the food here; mostly appetizers, and for $10-$15 each, I could get a full meal elsewhere. Also, seriously want a Nautilus, but without the alcohol and $50 price tag.

 

[UNIrd]

$21 for two drinks, one being in a souvenir glass? Not bad, actually.

 

[rhino4evr]

Hi! Has anyone gone to Trader Sams recently? We are planning on going this Wednesday. We have a dinner reservation at Kona Café, at 7:30.
If we get to Trader Sams around opening 4pm...will we still need to wait to get in? Or have the crowds died down a bit.

Also, any recommendations on what drinks to order?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Hi! Has anyone gone to Trader Sams recently? We are planning on going this Wednesday. We have a dinner reservation at Kona Café, at 7:30.
If we get to Trader Sams around opening 4pm...will we still need to wait to get in? Or have the crowds died down a bit.

Also, any recommendations on what drinks to order?

4pm you’ll be ok, especially in the off season.

Drinks depend on what you prefer. I’m a fan of the Zombie, Uh Oa, and Mai Tai. Krakatoa is good but sweet. Dark and Stormy has fans. Pearl is hot garbage.

 

[rhino4evr]

4pm you’ll be ok, especially in the off season.

Drinks depend on what you prefer. I’m a fan of the Zombie, Uh Oa, and Mai Tai. Krakatoa is good but sweet. Dark and Stormy has fans. Pearl is hot garbage.

Is the Nautilus worth $50? I was probably going to get a zombie.

 

[jtsalien]

Hi! Has anyone gone to Trader Sams recently? We are planning on going this Wednesday. We have a dinner reservation at Kona Café, at 7:30.
If we get to Trader Sams around opening 4pm...will we still need to wait to get in? Or have the crowds died down a bit.

Also, any recommendations on what drinks to order?

I went last Wednesday night around 5:45. I just needed a spot for myself at the bar, so I had no trouble. It was busy, but not overwhelming like it used to be.

I had the Tahitian Torch, which was good. I also had the pork tacos which I was really impressed by.

My friends were having dinner at the California Grill, so I went up to the lounge at the Contemporary to meet them. We then watched Happily Ever After from outside on one of the observation decks and it was a pretty spectacular experience. It gets very busy though, and I only got into the lounge when I did because I had friends upstairs. So it's tough to get in, but I highly recommend it.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Is the Nautilus worth $50? I was probably going to get a zombie.

It’s $60 with the mug if I’m not mistaken, way less for just the drink. It’s a fine drink if memory serves correct, just not my favorite.

 

[rhino4evr]

we will be in the park on Friday for fireworks, we plan on spending Wednesday night just hanging out at the Poly. I haven't been since the remodel.

 

[rhino4evr]

It’s $60 with the mug if I’m not mistaken, way less for just the drink. It’s a fine drink if memory serves correct, just not my favorite.

So when you order a drink, does it always come in a special mug, or do you have to pay extra for it to be in the mug and you then take it home?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

So when you order a drink, does it always come in a special mug, or do you have to pay extra for it to be in the mug and you then take it home?

It always comes in the mug*, the extra is to take the mug home.

*minus any shortages and a string of thefts/breaking

 

[jtsalien]

we will be in the park on Friday for fireworks, we plan on spending Wednesday night just hanging out at the Poly. I haven't been since the remodel.

Have you been to the Tambu lounge outside Ohana? I don't care for pineapple, but friends got a Lapu Lapu and raved about it. It's served in a pineapple and was apparently a decent pour. It's Barcardi 151 and tropical juices.

 

[rhino4evr]

Have you been to the Tambu lounge outside Ohana? I don't care for pineapple, but friends got a Lapu Lapu and raved about it. It's served in a pineapple and was apparently a decent pour. It's Barcardi 151 and tropical juices.

no I haven't been to the Poly in several years. We will be with my 8 year old, so I don't think we will be lounging very long. Original idea was to go to Trader Sams after dinner, but it's 21 and up after 7 I think. So we are going to hit it when it opens, have a drink/app, and then walk around the resort while we wait for our 7:30 reservation.

 

[jtsalien]

no I haven't been to the Poly in several years. We will be with my 8 year old, so I don't think we will be lounging very long. Original idea was to go to Trader Sams after dinner, but it's 21 and up after 7 I think. So we are going to hit it when it opens, have a drink/app, and then walk around the resort while we wait for our 7:30 reservation.

That's kinda what we did last night. Got drinks at Tambu and headed down to the beach. Didn't plan it but ended up catching Electrical Water Pagent. Definitely a cool place to walk around.

 

[rhino4evr]

That's kinda what we did last night. Got drinks at Tambu and headed down to the beach. Didn't plan it but ended up catching Electrical Water Pagent. Definitely a cool place to walk around.

That's a good idea!!, what time is the Electrical water Pagent?

 

[Brian G.]

Is the Nautilus worth $50? I was probably going to get a zombie.

It's my favorite drink. I believe Nautilus is about $22 or so, but is meant for 2. I usually order it for myself.

 

[rhino4evr]

the nautilus mug is really cool, and very unique to Disney. It's hard to resist it. I have a ton of tiki mugs from Mai Kai and other spots, but nothing quite like that.

 

[jtsalien]

That's a good idea!!, what time is the Electrical water Pagent?

Website says 10:35 for this week.

 

[Yabbadabba Doh]

I have a tiki bar at home (poolside) so my Trader Sams and Hawaiian tiki mugs are the highlights of the bar.

 

[SeventyOne]

Hi! Has anyone gone to Trader Sams recently? We are planning on going this Wednesday. We have a dinner reservation at Kona Café, at 7:30.
If we get to Trader Sams around opening 4pm...will we still need to wait to get in? Or have the crowds died down a bit.

Also, any recommendations on what drinks to order?

Should have no problem getting in at 4. BTW, kids actually get kicked out at 8, tho they start pushing you around 7:45.

Tropical Dark & Stormy is best drink overall, but doesn't have its own mug. Of the mug drinks, Zombie best if you don't mind the taste of alcohol, Hipopotamaitai best if you don't want to taste the booze. Krakatoa is very sweet. Nautilus is a good drink, but at around $30 even without the mug, still overpriced. Uh Oa is the most fun show, but I remember almost nothing about the drink despite having had it many times.

 

[rhino4evr]

Website says 10:35 for this week.

that's for magic kingdom viewing, looks like it's typically at the poly around 9pm, which works perfect with our dinner reservation. Thanks for the recommendation.