Has anyone been able to get into Trader Sam's?

[Uno Mas]

I arrived at 4:30, they open at 4:00, figured it wouldn't be an issue getting a seat at the bar or even standing at the bar for a cocktail. When I arrived I was told it was a 90 minute wait for even just a bar seat! How could it be 90 minutes after being open only 30? The hallway was crowded with people waiting. I took a look inside and it's a great theme but way too small. I was so excited to try a new bar stop at Disney and highly disappointed. Disney must realize fans are starved for anything new that opens - at least make it large enough to fit more than a few tables and small bar.

 

[megster1123]

I arrived at 4:30, they open at 4:00, figured it wouldn't be an issue getting a seat at the bar or even standing at the bar for a cocktail. When I arrived I was told it was a 90 minute wait for even just a bar seat! How could it be 90 minutes after being open only 30? The hallway was crowded with people waiting. I took a look inside and it's a great theme but way too small. I was so excited to try a new bar stop at Disney and highly disappointed. Disney must realize fans are starved for anything new that opens - at least make it large enough to fit more than a few tables and small bar.

If you arrived at 4:30, you were already 1/2 hour behind all of the guests that arrived prior to the bar opening, and then behind the guests that arrived prior to you. 90 minutes shouldn't be too surprising because you'd be waiting for one, potentially two, table turns.

 

[smiths02]

We got right in when we went. We went later though, around 8:30-9pm, and it was early February. Kids are not allowed in after 8pm, so I wonder if it is better to go then.
As were were leaving, we did have the server ask if another couple could sit at our table with us (the table had enough room for 4), it was fine since we were finishing up anyhow. We would have been more social but they didn't really speak English well (they were Japanese, I think), so we just finished up and left.

 

[2hapykdz]

I arrived at 4:30, they open at 4:00, figured it wouldn't be an issue getting a seat at the bar or even standing at the bar for a cocktail. When I arrived I was told it was a 90 minute wait for even just a bar seat! How could it be 90 minutes after being open only 30? The hallway was crowded with people waiting. I took a look inside and it's a great theme but way too small. I was so excited to try a new bar stop at Disney and highly disappointed. Disney must realize fans are starved for anything new that opens - at least make it large enough to fit more than a few tables and small bar.

Yeah....all the crazies are lining up at 3:30-4:00. If you go later on....should never have more than a 30 min wait.

 

[Uno Mas]

And I thought I was getting there early! My intent was to get there at 4, but it sounds like that wouldn't have mattered. Next time I'll take this advice and go after 8 PM, but it's always so hard to drag myself away from Epcot in the evening!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I get in all the time.

I would think that when you go right after it opens, they pack in the first 50 who were waiting, they all order at once, and anybody who shows up after that has to wait for them to leave. You don't get people leaving at staggered times, like you would at a later hour.

They kick out anybody under 21 right at 8 PM, and when I've been there around 8 there have been several groups leaving at once, so that could be a good time to try.

They keep capacity low for a reason. Same with the Disneyland version. Not to frustrate fans, but to preserve the atmosphere. It would not be nearly the same if they'd put this bar into a cavernous room.

 

[crabbygal902]

We arrived at about 4:30 on a weekday in February and were seated at a table. Perhaps we were lucky that the "crazies" hadn't lined up early that day. (2hapykdz, I just about spit out my drink when I read that! Thanks for the laugh!)

 

[SurferStitch]

We must have been very lucky. We arrived around 4:20 when we went in December, and sat at a table near the bar. We shared a small table with another couple that was already there. We loved it, and can't wait to go back next month!

 

[christianweecare]

DH & I went last December. We arrived before opening and were the first in the door.

 

[HopperFan]

It is very cool, and would be nice if a wee bit bigger but too big would lose some of it's coolness.
I think being able to sit in one place and see all is key.
But it is pricey ..... and wish appetizers better but guess they want turnover.

 

[Skywise]

I have never gotten inside in the late afternoon/early evening - outside yes, but not inside. Now, after 10pm I've had no problem.

It's fun and worth one visit but I prefer the Lapu Lapu at the Tambu Lounge.

 

[Regan117]

We go in late at night, after 9pm, and don't have any issues. Just try later

 

[Micca]

We arrived at about 4:30 on a weekday

Not sure when OP tried to get in, but I think the difference between weekday & weekend could be critical. Are they still distributing pagers? I could kill some time around the Poly, maybe even get a warm-up drink at Tambu Lounge.

 

[smiths02]

Not sure when OP tried to get in, but I think the difference between weekday & weekend could be critical. Are they still distributing pagers? I could kill some time around the Poly, maybe even get a warm-up drink at Tambu Lounge.

I guess I should add it was 8:30-9pm on a Wednesday in early Feb (no marathon or President's Day yet)

 

[samsteele]

I'm one of the crazies who line up at 3:30pm on a weekday for the 4pm opening. Done it 4 plus times. Go figure . . . if I want in & I have a day off w/o parks I go early & go big. I meet incredible, interesting people in line. I have a chat & visit w strangers who then become WDW friends. They share tips & tricks that are WDW wide. I always get my choice of table with great views of the drink effects. Often, the strangers I meet in line ending up being table mates at nearby tables. We laugh, swap stories & have a fantastic time. I love my hour or so of fun & drink. Then I'm off for my ADR or DIS Springs. All part of the Trader Sam's experience. If you want a more anonymous experience, go late. If you want a more intimate & friendly take-away, go real opening early.

 

[got2sammies]

Do they still
Let under 21 on the patio?

 

[Boopuff]

Later the better. We had a party of 7 and started out sharing the big table(standing) and a group left and we got their table to sit down. We arrived around 9:30

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Wow! I had heard when it first opened that waits were crazy, but I was assuming it would have died down by now! We'll be staying at the Poly for the first time for W&D Half and were hoping to try it. Sounds like later is our best bet...

 

[MakiraMarlena]

There is no age restriction on the patio at any time. Just inside the bar.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

That popularity is why the Disneyland version opens at 11:30 a.m. Considering how super popular it is in Anaheim, it's amazing they didn't build greater capacity and don't keep open for longer hours in Orlando.