Difference between Trader Sam's outdoor lunch and Tangeroa?

[WishUponAStar3]

So, I've been trying really hard to get a reservation for Trader Sam's next week while we're staying at DLH, and I just noticed that the menu is virtually identical to Tangeroa (minus the booze, of course!). Since we won't be drinking, and we have to dine outdoors due to our 4-year-old being unvaccinated, I was just wondering if there is any benefit to still trying to get Trader Sam's as a walk-up? I remember indoors at Sam's being a ton of fun, but does the outdoor seating area have any fun theming as well?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

The outdoor area over by Trader Sam's is nicer than Tangeroa, which is just a few tables overlooking the pool (it looked like they were not seating people inside but I may be wrong about that). Additionally, there is an outdoor bar in between the two that you can walk up to and order drinks, coffee and Dole Whip. You can also mobile order food from either menu to take to go and eat at the pool or your room (you can also order it from pool wait service, but it would have taken longer so I just mobile ordered and got it myself).

Edited to add: I have been told that Trader Sam's reservations will be seated inside and walkups will be seated outside. So if you do get a reservation it will be inside.

One more edit, sorry! I saw that you said you have to dine outdoors due to your child being unvaccinated. I just wanted to point out that this is not a Disney rule or anything... I imagine that you mean that you prefer to dine outdoors for this reason. However, I believe that Trader Sam's indoors is 21+ after 8pm.

 

[zurgmouse]

We stayed at the DLH from 8/15 - 8/20 and I had similar concerns, but I wouldn't worry.

Tangeroa serves breakfast in the morning and at lunch becomes an extension of Trader Sams. Same food, drinks, etc. just none of the indoor Sam's ambiance (but the outside is fantastic!) I thought the bartenders inside were better, but that may have been a coincidence.

With that said, we didn't think reservations were worth it. The wait for 4 for the interior of Sams was never over 30 min and outside was 10 minutes (if at all).

If I were to go again today, I wouldn't bother with reservations.

 

[WishUponAStar3]

We stayed at the DLH from 8/15 - 8/20 and I had similar concerns, but I wouldn't worry.

Tangeroa serves breakfast in the morning and at lunch becomes an extension of Trader Sams. Same food, drinks, etc. just none of the indoor Sam's ambiance (but the outside is fantastic!) I thought the bartenders inside were better, but that may have been a coincidence.

With that said, we didn't think reservations were worth it. The wait for 4 for the interior of Sams was never over 30 min and outside was 10 minutes (if at all).

If I were to go again today, I wouldn't bother with reservations.

Thank you both for the great feedback! So sounds like my best bet would be to try for Trader Sam’s outdoors as a walk-up, but if unavailable, Tangeroa isn’t too far off ambience-wise? Can’t wait either way!!

 

[SherylLC]

Edited to add: I have been told that Trader Sam's reservations will be seated inside and walkups will be seated outside. So if you do get a reservation it will be inside.

Aha! So good to know! Thank you!

 

[l4dyj8]

This was a year or so ago (preCovid) but we have young children. So I have never been inside of Trader Sam’s. We have sat at both the Tangeroa and Trader Sam’s side. It’s not much of an issue if you aren’t drinking. But you can pretty much order both. But Trader Sam’s side you get direct service from their menu. But on Tangeroa side, you can still order Trader Sam’s dishes and drinks but you have to walk up to the bar or find a server. Basically you don’t have direct service and you have to seek it out. But they still accommodate

you can still order Tangeroa from Trader Sam’s side, but it may take awhile and may be easier going there directly and they take the food to you. (Aka if you need the kids menu)

this may be outdated information. Our last visit was 2019