When it comes to dining at Disney World, you’ve got a TON of options. Want something quick and easy? You’ve got it. Something middle-of-the-road and comforting? Yep, that too. And if you’re looking for something upscale and luxurious, you can find that as well.

We recently stopped by Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto to see what was cookin’, and now we’re bringing you our FULL review. Is it worth a stop on your next trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth? Find out here!

Atmosphere

Trader Sam — the famous Head Salesman of Jungle Cruise fame — has collected artifacts from all over the globe in his travels and has brought them to his “happy hideaway” in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort!

Disney details abound all over Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto — a 51-seat bar which also features interactive elements from special effects throughout the room and zany antics from the bartenders in response to the ordering of certain libations (many of which are served in highly collectible souvenir tiki glasses)!

Until 8PM, this restaurant is available to the whole family. Only those 21 and over are allowed admittance afterward. The spot is extremely popular, and Advance Dining Reservations are not available here, so you may want to read up on the Walk-Up Waitlist option for the in-demand tiki bar before you go!

But enough about the restaurant — what’s on the menu here?!

Menu

The food menu here is inspired by South Pacific and Polynesian eats like Kalua Pork Tacos, Sushi, Dumplings, Spicy Honey Pork Wings, and more.

As far as drinks go, this is a tiki bar, so you can expect to find classic tiki drinks — with a Disney twist, of course. The Uh-Oa! is a crowd favorite, along with the Zombie and Hippopoto-Mai-Tai. You can also find non-alcoholic specialty drinks, beer, and wine.

And now, onto the main event — the food!

Drinks

Starting with drinks, we picked up the Polynesian Pearl for $24.50. This is made with RumChata Cream Liqueur, Grand Marnier Liqueur, and Cinnamon with Tropical Juices. The Pearl is yours to keep — and if you’re lucky, you might get a black pearl, just like we did on this visit!

This is a FANTASTIC tiki drink, and was our reporter’s favorite of this visit — and maybe their favorite drink they’ve had at Disney World, period. If you like piña coladas, you’ll most likely enjoy this. Though it’s not frozen, the creamy coconut flavor was very reminiscent of one. It was not overly strong, though the alcohol flavor was present. There is a little spice to it thanks to the cinnamon. It’s fruity, creamy, and you get to keep the pearl!

We also grabbed the Krakatoa Punch for $19.50. This drink is made with Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Pyrat XO Reserve Rum, Orgeat (Almond), Sam’s Gorilla Grog, and Hibiscus Grenadine.

The spiced rum has a really nice kick that kind of sits on your tongue for a little after you drink it. We couldn’t really taste the hibiscus grenadine. We were searching for a floral, pomegranate flavor, but it never really reached past the rum, for better or worse. The presentation is really cute with a glow cube to simulate a bubbling volcano, too!

There were some eats on our mind, too, of course.

Eats

First up, we tried the Kahuna Tuna Sushi Roll for $19. This is essentially a basic tuna sushi roll you might expect at your local spot.

The tuna on top tasted fresh, was smooth to bite through, and was pretty flavorful. The rice was unfortunately dry and at some points a little hard. It wasn’t a huge portion, only eight small pieces of sushi, so not a lot of value for the price. It wasn’t unlike the sushi you would get at the grocery store. The vegetables inside were fresh with a nice snap. It also comes with ginger, wasabi, and a ramekin of soy sauce. These were all very standard.

And, we also had the Kalua Pork Tacos for $11.50. These were very flavorful, with a fresh jalapeño slice garnish on top. There was quite a bit of pork in each of the three tacos. The slaw is fresh and chilled, adding a really nice crunch. The creamy sauce has a little kick, but it is also sweet. The flour tortillas are not dry and taste fresh, though they’re most likely prepackaged. The tacos are served with a slice of lime to squeeze over the top, which we recommend. We would definitely get these again, as they’re a pretty good value — especially compared to the sushi.

So, is Trader Sam’s worth a visit on your next Disney World trip?

Nosh or Not

This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit…

• If you want the most “I can’t believe this is real” bar experience on property, this is the one.
  It’s an intimate tiki hideaway packed with shrunken-head decor, corny-in-the-best-way Skipper banter, and drink orders that trigger in-bar effects (aka your cocktail arrives and suddenly the room has opinions). Disney basically begs you to arrive early, and they mean it.
• If you’re doing a monorail evening or an adults-first resort hop.
  It’s a perfect stop because it feels like a whole attraction without needing a park ticket. It’s tucked at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, so you can roll in, soak up the vibe, and pretend you’re a glamorous explorer whose biggest problem is “do we order the pineapple drink or the other pineapple drink?”
• If you like cocktails and small plates, the menu is built for “snack dinner” or “pre-dinner warmup that accidentally becomes dinner.”
  Think sushi roll, dumplings, lettuce cups, flatbread, and tacos, plus fun non-alcoholic options too.

You should skip this Disney World spot…

• If you hate waiting,
  This place is TINY. Like, “about 50 people” tiny. That’s why it’s magical, and also why it’s frequently a whole situation to get in, especially at night.
  
• If you’re trying to keep things budget-friendly, this place is a danger.
  Drinks are specialty, snacks are shareable, and it’s incredibly easy to turn “just one” into “well, now we need an appetizer to keep it company.” (Also: Dining Plan meals are not accepted.)
  
• If you’re counting on it as a late-night family hangout.
  There is an 8:00 PM cutoff for under-21s inside. The outdoor terrace is still an option, but the full “indoor show” experience becomes adults-only after 8.

Overall

If you’re a fan of tropical drinks, Trader Sam’s is not to be missed. Plus, you really can’t beat the atmosphere. It’s a step above your average tiki bar, thanks to the interactive elements and bartender shenanigans. While the food isn’t worth a visit on its own, it is decently tasty and is a great spot for pre-dinner snacks. It’s also a great spot for some late-night vibes, especially if you’re staying at the Polynesian or want something to do after leaving Magic Kingdom!

In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disney World and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!

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Have you eaten at this Disney World restaurant before? Tell us in the comments!