Trader Sam's confusion

JCH · Apr 27, 2015

We are going to try to stop by the Polynesian on Thursday to try out Trader Sam's. I am hearing of waits of up to 2 hours on weekdays. Would that be to get into the indoor part, or does it include the outside? In other words, if we get there at around 8:00, can we check in and get a drink and hang out on the patio until we are called? A 2 hour wouldn't be an issue at all if we could sit outside and enjoy a drink while we wait! Thanks!

Quellman · Apr 27, 2015

Outdoor seating is first come first served. The reason people want inside is because it is
1. New
2. Has interactive elements
3. Is climate controlled

JCH · Apr 27, 2015

I've been to the one at DL. I just want to know if we can hang out there while we wait, or if going out there means we lose our spot in line.

Bluegrrl · Apr 27, 2015

Yup, it's because it's new and all the locals want to try the hype. In DL, it's no big deal. There is a little qs type place and Trader Sam's is right next door. So the two next door provide amble seating.
And DL is very different to WDW. You have people from around the world trying to fit into a very very tiny place.

Bronte · Apr 27, 2015

Is it still long waits to sit at the bar ...
We will be checking in Saturday May 9th and would love to try but 2 hrs is kinda crazy (we will staying at the poly till the 17th)

buzzgirls&dad · Apr 27, 2015

We went to the Poly opening week of Trader Sam's and it was 2 hours to get in the door anywhere there.

DrivenByDisney · Apr 27, 2015

buzzgirls&dad said:
We went to the Poly opening week of Trader Sam's and it was 2 hours to get in the door anywhere there.

We did as well and experienced the same wait time.

I recently went by myself last Wednesday and arrived around 4:30ish and set at the bar no wait at all. Though as I said, I was by myself. Another thing to remember for those that may not know ... After 8:00 pm it is 21 and up only to get in and it stays open until midnight.

Bronte · Apr 27, 2015

So do you think if we go around 4 during the week day we can just sit at the bar with little wait (not interested in eating just having a drink at the bar.)
What about 2 or 3 in the afternoon ???

DrivenByDisney · Apr 27, 2015

Bronte said:
So do you think if we go around 4 during the week day we can just sit at the bar with little wait (not interested in eating just having a drink at the bar.)
What about 2 or 3 in the afternoon ???

They do not open until 4:00 so you can get there earlier than that and almost be assured of sitting at the bar. Also, the out door seating is first com first basis if you want to go that route as well.

Weekdays are obviously a lot better than weekends for anything at Disney (to me). I don't think you'd run into too much of a wait if at all.

mummabear · Apr 27, 2015

Quick wuestion: at DL TS Is adults only after 8pm is this true at the Poly as well?

DrivenByDisney · Apr 27, 2015

mummabear said:
Quick wuestion: at DL TS Is adults only after 8pm is this true at the Poly as well?

Yes. 21+ after 8:00 pm at Disney World as well.

Stefecatzz · Apr 27, 2015

DrivenByDisney said:
I recently went by myself last Wednesday and arrived around 4:30ish and set at the bar no wait at all. Though as I said, I was by myself. Another thing to remember for those that may not know ... After 8:00 pm it is 21 and up only to get in and it stays open until midnight.

This is great news! I was kind of discouraged for my trip next week b/c I was going to try to show up around 4 & hopefully get a seat at the bar for myself. I don't do weekends at Disney unless I have to for some reason so I will definitely be there on a weekday to check it out!

If you show up later & there is a wait, do they give you a pager that you could wonder around the lobby area with? I also thought that if there was a wait, I wouldn't mind as long as I could do my normal thing & get a drink to-go from Tambu & hang out in the vicinity of the lobby (I like the outdoor area just outside the lobby next to Capt Cook's; it's pretty even with the construction going on now).

DrivenByDisney · Apr 27, 2015

Yes, they do give you a pager until they run out of them

That sounds like the plan for a solo visit. I don't think you will have any issues getting in. Enjoy!!

loveshak22 · Apr 27, 2015

I'm planning a trip the week before Thanksgiving and I'd love to go to TS on our arrival night. We arrive on a Saturday though so I'm hoping the crowds will be much lower given the time of year and that after 7 months maybe some of the "newness" will wear off!??! Maybe that's just wishful thinking!

Is it usually busier between 4:00 and 8:00 or 8:00 and midnight? We'll be there closer to 10:00 when we do go so I'm hoping it's busier earlier in the day?

Also - I wish the bar was open later than midnight for us adults who like some late night drinking :drinking1

DrivenByDisney · Apr 27, 2015

Whoever told you near Thanksgiving was slow was ... Off. It's rather busy during that time.

However, I have seen that it does start to clearout more after 10:00 than closer to opening time.

Newness here has a different meaning. New to locals by then? Maybe. Not new to guests though.

I wish it was open later as well.

loveshak22 · Apr 27, 2015

DrivenByDisney said:
Whoever told you near Thanksgiving was slow was ... Off. It's rather busy during that time.

However, I have seen that it does start to clearout more after 10:00 than closer to opening time.

Newness here has a different meaning. New to locals by then? Maybe. Not new to guests though.

I wish it was open later as well.

Good news about slowing down after 10! But I've always read that the week before Thanksgiving had pretty low crowds...Jersey week is over and the Thanksgiving crowds start the weekend before Thanksgiving....I so hope that's not too far off?

DrivenByDisney · Apr 27, 2015

It's not overly crowded, though the crowds start to swell right in that window to me.

It is no where the weekend before and the week of I can tell you that. Still a good time, weather wise as well to be here. You will have a blast!!

loveshak22 · Apr 27, 2015

DrivenByDisney said:
It's not overly crowded, though the crowds start to swell right in that window to me.

It is no where the weekend before and the week of I can tell you that. Still a good time, weather wise as well to be here. You will have a blast!!

Whew - that makes me feel better! I was trying to find a slower week to go, although these days there doesn't seem to really be any true 'low crowd' days any more.

Our plan is to get there on Saturday and only do three park days and we plan to do those during the week and avoid weekends. Then we plan on being out of there on Friday.

Weather was my other worry because this is the first trip where I'm hoping for a lot of pool time and was hoping it would be warm (and sunny) enough!!

DrivenByDisney · Apr 27, 2015

I know that May is the lowest hotel occupancy month in Orange county. Take that for what it's worth.

But yeah, tough to find those low crowd weeks anymore.

Stefecatzz · Apr 27, 2015

DrivenByDisney said:
I know that May is the lowest hotel occupancy month in Orange county. Take that for what it's worth.

But yeah, tough to find those low crowd weeks anymore.

ITA! I'm an AP holder & since New Fantasyland, in the MK especially (but still overall) it is tough to find low crowds like you did in the past!

Sorry, OP. This is kind of :offtopic:

Just thought I'd add my 2 cents...

Trader Sam's confusion

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