Anyone eat at Tangaroa Terrace or Trader Sam's?

[Rhonna]

I'd love to hear any reviews/impressions of both the food and atmosphere if you've been to either of these two new places at DLH.

Are the outdoor eating areas right by the pool? Are they fenced off somehow? What were your favorite foods/appetizers/drinks? Thanks!

 

[been2marceline]

The outdoor area is near the pools, but not really that close - definitely not a pool bar thing.

I've not been in TT, but ate the some of the same food outdoors in the TS area, only difference is that there is no table service for food or drink orders in the TT outdoor patio.

They had a good singer outdoors on the patio at TS.

Food was good - not great, drinks were a different story!!!

The inside of TS is way cool....hard to get a seat unless your timing is perfect. It is pretty small inside - if they quadrupled the size, I think it would still be packed. It seats maybe 25-30 people max.

The interior at TS is pure, Disney style, over the top tiki bar - some of the items are interactive, order a certain drink and things happen. From what I heard, some of the stuff from the Adventurers Club in FL was reused here, but I never made it into the AC so I can't vouch for that.

I am going back the next chance I get!

 

[skiingfast]

PP is right if you can get a seat inside TS it is worth it 100%. If you drink, you should there.

TT is very decent but unless you really like the offerings not great.

The best seating is near the fire place not the pool, it's slightly raised but the pool area is so big and spread out it isn't like being on the pool or slide area and lots of vegitation cuts off the views.

If you are thinking more of which to do for the food check the menus out.
Trader Sam's
http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_tsam.htm
Tangaroa Terrace
http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_tang.htm

 

[Rhonna]

Thanks. The photos looked kind of like both places had an outdoor seating area with heat lamps for cold weather and maybe short fencing for patio dining? We actually prefer it not being close to the pool. The fireplace area sounds nice. We'd like to try some of the appetizers. Don't really drink but might have one just to experience TS.

That's kind of strange that TT doesn't have outdoor table service when it's a restaurant and TS does have outdoor table service when it's basically a bar.

How casual is the dining at TT? Do they have indoor table service or is it pick up your food at the counter?

Several of the food/appetizer items sound really good - if they are reasonably good for theme park type food?

 

[gmi3804]

I went to TS on Friday, around 9:00. Not too busy inside, but a goodly number of tables outside were occupied. I sat at the bar - fun! The bartenders are chatty, as were the other patrons. Appetizers are decent tiki-bar bites. THe bartender told me I could order dinner from TT next door and they'd bring it to me at the bar at TS. Not sure if I'd have to actually go there to order or if they'd take my order at the bar. Either way is fine with me.

 

[skiingfast]

TT is a counter service, or quick service location, that is why no servers.

TS is a bar that uses servers.

 

[gmi3804]

TS is a counter service, or quick service location, that is why no servers.

TT is a bar that uses servers.

...or vice versa..

 

[aurorae]

The interior at TS is pure, Disney style, over the top tiki bar - some of the items are interactive, order a certain drink and things happen. From what I heard, some of the stuff from the Adventurers Club in FL was reused here, but I never made it into the AC so I can't vouch for that.

I am going back the next chance I get!

Although I was hoping that about the AC, I recently heard an interview on one of the podcasts with Joe Rhode, who said that parts of the AC were used in the new Aulani resort in Hawaii.

 

[ArchOwl]

I have been to Trader Sam's several times and the food is decent, but nothing spectacular. The longbeans are good, the fish tacos were meh, the chicken lettuce wraps have good flavor but the texture of the chicken was weird, and the ahi poke was decent. The drinks tend toward the sweet side, but that is to be expected. The bartenders are more than happy to customize as needed and are very friendly.

It is a very fun place to hang out as others have noted. DH and I usually find ourselves here for a drink at least once during a trip. But we don't usually eat a full meal here. Much better to snack and have a drink and then mosey over to Napa Rose for dinner.

 

[wdwmickey]

Just curious--since Trader Sam's is technically a bar would DD (16) be able to have a non-alcholic drink and a snack there or is it stricly 21 and over?

Jungle Cruise is her favorite ride; her "dream" job is to be a Jungle Cruise Skipper.

Thanks

 

[skiingfast]

Just curious--since Trader Sam's is technically a bar would DD (16) be able to have a non-alcholic drink and a snack there or is it stricly 21 and over?

Yes at all of the DLR bars/lounges, minors are allowed in but can not sit at the bar itself only the tables.

 

[ArchOwl]

Yes at all of the DLR bars/lounges, minors are allowed in but can not sit at the bar itself only the tables.

I don't think it is enforced since last time I was sitting at the Trader Sam's bar, a baby was sitting next to me!

 

[wdwmickey]

Yes at all of the DLR bars/lounges, minors are allowed in but can not sit at the bar itself only the tables.

Awesome thanks!!!! DD will be thrilled

 

[Rhonna]

THe bartender told me I could order dinner from TT next door and they'd bring it to me at the bar at TS.

Good to know.

I have been to Trader Sam's several times and the food is decent, but nothing spectacular. The longbeans are good, the fish tacos were meh, the chicken lettuce wraps have good flavor but the texture of the chicken was weird, and the ahi poke was decent.

Anyone have any reports on the food at Tangaroa Terrace - or is it basically the same food/kitchen as Trader Sam's?

 

[skiingfast]

Anyone have any reports on the food at Tangaroa Terrace - or is it basically the same food/kitchen as Trader Sam's?

They share a kitchen, they are all located in a single building. Up above I posted the menu for each, and as gmi3840 noted in Trader Sam's you can order things of the Tangaroa Terrace menu also if you simply ask to see thier menu. Just don't go to TS because you can sit there and order off the TT menu, order a drink too because that is how the servers earn thier tips, they don't want gawkers filling the tables.

I can agree with the other posters who said the food is good not great and not bad either. What makes the place nicer and worth dining at is the ambiance.

 

[Saskiwi]

We sat outside twice at TS Halloween week - too crowded inside sadly - once we actually sat at the TT seating area which was deserted - we were told we could eat TS food there, but would have to order at the bar and get it ourselves as the TS CMs can't bring it to the tables in the TT area.

We had a pretty substantial - if snacky- meal by ordering the flatbread, beans, pork ribs and chicken wings for ourselves and two kids.

Drinks were good - but pricey - but then we did order the souvenir tiki mug ones so we could bring a little tiki magic home..

No one seemed to mind our kids hanging out inside for a bit to check out all the stuff on the walls and the special effects - it's a pretty laid back place...

 

[Rhonna]

Just don't go to TS because you can sit there and order off the TT menu, order a drink too because that is how the servers earn thier tips, they don't want gawkers filling the tables.

We want to enjoy the new things at the DLH since the updates so we will probably go to each place at least once and spend some time at the pool - which we never did with the old pool (I love slides and the new one has a bigger slide). I wouldn't go to a bar and not order a drink (especially a small, overly popular one like TS), if I wanted to see the inside so badly and not drink, I'd just walk inside for a few minutes to glance around and then leave.

I just wanted to be sure it's decent enough food. For example, the majority will say Blue Bayou is not great food but has wonderful ambience. We always find something decent to eat there. I know it's not Napa Rose but that's okay, it's not Napa Rose prices either.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Why don't you have a look at the blog that DIS podcaster, Tony, did on the Tangaroa Terrace experience. Lots of photos.
http://www.disunplugged.com/2011/05...ngaroa-terrace-opens-at-the-disneyland-hotel/

Also, we talk about it extensively on this show edition - which can also be found on iTunes.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/podcast/roundtable280-060211-DL.mp3

Podcaster Wayne wrote this one up on Trader Sam's.
http://www.disunplugged.com/2011/06/06/trader-sam’s-enchanted-tiki-bar/

Also, we talk about it extensively on this show edition - which can also be found on iTunes.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/podcast/roundtable295-062411-DL.mp3

 

[Rhonna]

Why don't you have a look at the blog that DIS podcaster, Tony, did on the Tangaroa Terrace experience. Lots of photos.
http://www.disunplugged.com/2011/05...ngaroa-terrace-opens-at-the-disneyland-hotel/

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Podcaster Wayne wrote this one up on Trader Sam's.
http://www.disunplugged.com/2011/06/06/trader-sam’s-enchanted-tiki-bar/

Thank you! I had seen some photos and limited info. but these were very helpful.

 

[nicolispicoli]

Stayed at the DLH this past weekend/week, the 11-15th and ate at TT everyday we were there. The breakfast is an awesome value and they were always quick. It was nice to go down, order on the digital board and take it back to the room. It beat the heck out of room service who took over an hour to bring a carafe of hot water for tea and one of hot chocolate. Wish we had known that night that TT is open until 10pm and it would have cost us $5 over the $20 we paid through room service.

We ate breakfast there 3 mornings and had dinner there two nights, all the things we had were excellent and completely worth the value.

Didn't make it over to TS, so I can't comment on that one