Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is a fully immersive tiki bar located at the Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World. As tiki fans, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is our absolute favorite bar at the Walt Disney World Resort. Rivaled only by its older brother, Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Resort, Grog Grotto is classic tiki and Disney together.
From amazing drinks, out of this world tiki mugs (or submarines), food and decor, the Polynesian Pop of Trader Sam’s is spot on. Mix it with Disney and its location at a tiki themed hotel and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is God’s gift to mankind. In fact, I assess Donn the Beachcomber and Trader Vic would be proud as their legacy continues for generations to come.
We drink and dine at the bar every time we visit Walt Disney World (sometimes multiple times per trip). And with COVID-19 changing the world, all we want to do is stop by for a drink and some fun. The following review will analyze Trader Sam’s background, atmosphere, drinks and food. Grab a Mai Tai as we review the best bar at Walt Disney World.
Background
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto was born after the massive success of Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Resort. The Disneyland Trader Sam’s opened in 2011 following the Disneyland Hotel’s massive refurbishment. The bar instantly became a hit, incorporating the timeless feel of Disney’s take on tiki (think the Enchanted Tiki Room) and the traditional feel, atmosphere and drink culture presented in the tiki theme started by Donn the Beachcomber back in 1933.
The Polynesian Village Resort, one of Walt Disney World’s first resorts, was built near the end of the golden age of tiki in 1971. Although the hotel is known for serving topical drinks at the Tambu Lounge, the hotel lacked a fully immersive tiki bar. With the resurgence of tiki culture in the 2000s and the success of Trader Sam’s at Disneyland, it was time the Polynesian, Disney’s love letter to tiki culture, finally received its own tiki bar.
Walt Disney World removed the Polynesian’s arcade to make room for the new bar. In 2015, four years after the opening of Trader Sam’s at Disneyland, the world changed as Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto opened its doors in Central Florida. Like its predecessor, Grog Grotto became an instant success. Although tiki culture struggled at the end of the 20th Century, it is clear tiki culture is back. With guests desiring complex cocktails, unique flavors and a show, a tiki bar was a prefect fit for Walt Disney World.
Atmosphere
First and foremost, Trader Sam’s is a tiki bar with Disney elements. The bar stayed the course and followed the traditions set by the grandfathers of tiki, Donn the Beachcomber and Trader Vic. The classic tiki bar, like classic Disney, is built on escapism. You enter a tiki bar to take you to a faraway place. And specifically for tiki bars, this place is the exotic South Pacific.
When Donn the Beachcomber launched tiki culture, places like the South Pacific were a dream for most people in the 1930s. Using the knowledge of the Caribbean and the South Pacific he gained during his travels as a youth, Donn was able to bring this world to the average American. With his expert knowledge of rum and his vast collection of artifacts, Americans didn’t need to visit this part of the world. The tiki bar brought adventure to them.
The sense of adventure and romanticized locations tiki bars brought Americans in the 1930s is now done by Disney in the present day. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is to bars what Galaxy’s Edge is to fully immersive themed lands. As soon as you walk into Trader Sam’s, the outside world ceases to exist. Instead, you are now in the South Pacific, with a Disney touch.
Various artifacts and easter eggs from the world of Disney build the world of Trader Sam’s. If given the chance, explore the bar. Discover its secrets. Learn about its theming. You won’t be disappointed. I won’t spoil anything here in this review, but Trader Sam’s includes some awesome Disney memorabilia.
Like its predecessor at Disneyland, the Jungle Cruise and The Enchanted Tiki Room make their presence known, in more ways than one. But so does 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, a vastly underrated Disney adventure film set in the South Pacific. Funny how a film built on adventure in the South Pacific makes its way into a tiki bar.
Drinks
The theming and atmosphere continue with Trader Sam’s excellent drink lineup. Once you familiarize yourself with the bar setting, it’s time to drink. After all, tiki bars are known for their exotic and potent cocktails. Trader Sam’s is no exception. The bar lists 11 special concoctions. Some are exclusive to Trader Sam’s, while others are based on classic tiki drinks from tiki’s golden era.
But what makes a tiki drink a tiki drink? I mentioned the tiki theming and atmosphere continues from the bar setting to the drinks. To do this, its about the flavor. The drinks are based on different Caribbean rums. From Barbados to Jamaican rums, each rum has its own distinct flavor. These different flavors, mixed with different juices, such as lime or pineapple, bring you to the South Pacific through your nose and tongue.
The senses are further explored with your eyes. The drinks are served in lavish souvenir glasses reflecting the theme of the drink. For example, the Nautilus, named after Caption Nemo’s feared submarine in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, is served in a replica of his sub. The Shrunken Zombie Head is served in a shrunken zombie head. And the Krakatoa Punch, named after the massive volcano in the South Pacific, is served in a volcano glass.
The theming doesn’t end once you receive your drink. It’s time to activate your ears. Order the Krakatoa Punch. As your “skipper” (waiter/waitress) brings your liberation, the bar all of sudden erupts into a violent storm. Off in the distance, a volcano eruption can be heard. Or order the Uh-Oh, the drink of the tiki gods.
Once it arrives at your table, the drink is on fire and you must please the tiki gods as the bar once again is in a violent state of disarray. Look up and you might see a tiki god herself. I’ll let you figure out where she came from when you visit.
Finally, your sense of feeling is activated as the drink makes its way from its glass to your body. Shortly thereafter, you’ll be praying to the tiki gods as you order rounds two and three. Don’t worry, you’ll be feeling real good.
Ordering a drink at Trader Sam’s evolves all five senses. It is a fully interactive experience. From the moment you enter the bar to the moment you take your final sip, the experience is consistent. It is all encompassing and it never ends. Donn the Beachcomber knew mixing potent rum beverages with fresh juices and creating a romanticized setting from his travels was a game changer. And so did Disney.
Already known for excellent showmanship and quality, Disney took the tiki concept and perfected it. I dare you to take a sip from the Nautilus and tell me I’m wrong. When your skipper arrives in her floatie blowing bubbles, I dare you to tell me you are not having a great time. And when you kill the Nautilus, I dare you to not order another one.
Food
After a couple Shrunken Zombie Heads, it will be time to eat. Trader Sam’s doesn’t serve traditional bar food. Like its drinks, Trader Sam’s extends the theming to its food. The food has a distinctive Polynesian flavor that fits perfectly with the South Pacific theme. Trader Vic introduced Cantonese food at his restaurants for its “exotic flavor” (that was 1940s America). Trader Sam’s builds on that concept with its solid lineup of dishes.
The plates are small and are meant to be shared. Don’t expect full meals. Food takes a backseat to drinks. Instead, the food is meant to complement the drinks. We’ve had everything on the menu and loved everything. We recommend the Headhunter Sushi Roll or the Hawaiian Poke. If you are not an adventures eater, it’s time to change. Down a Nautilus and you’ll love everything. Trust me.
Conclusion
We love Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. In my opinion, it executes the tiki theme developed by Donn the Beachcomber and Trader Vic exceptionally. Disney spared no expense in creating the prefect tiki bar to complement its “tikiesque” franchises. Set at the beautiful Polynesian Village Resort, the tiki bar has the best possible home at the best tiki hotel in world. Without a doubt, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is a relic and experience. Words cannot describe the impact of Trader Sam’s and how it is so much more than just a bar.
Once Walt Disney World reopens, visit Trader Sam’s. Order a Nautilus and marvel how the bar takes control of your senses and takes you to a timeless place found nowhere else. As the rum takes control, remember you are one of the few humans in the world who will ever step foot in Trader Sam’s.
As you pay your tab and depart, say thank you to Donn, Vic and of course Disney Imagaineering for bringing joy into this world. As the world changes before us, it is good to know there are still some spots left on this Earth where we can leave reality behind. If only for a moment, it is worth it. And I’ll say cheers to that any day.
Notes
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is open daily from 3PM to 12AM. Seating is limited in order to create an intimate atmosphere. We recommend arriving at 2:30PM for a seat. If the bar is full, the hostess will take your number and send a text when your table is ready. Or, you can order off the full menu at the outside Tiki Terrace (minus the atmosphere and “shows” found within the bar). Children are allowed in the bar until 8PM. In addition to tiki cocktails, the bar serves beer and wine along with a full bar. Reservations and the Disney Dining Plan are not accepted.
Thoughts?
Thanks for reading our review of the best bar at the Walt Disney World Resort. As we wait for the resort to reopen, check out our review of the Disney’s Polynesian Resort HERE and our review of the Polynesian’s Club Level HERE. And, to learn about the bar that started it all, read our review of Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar HERE!
Have you been to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto? Did you try a Nautilus? Did you get kicked out? Let us know in the comments below!
