Our Trader Sam Experience...........

[bom_noite]

This is a Unique Bar with Unique Twists. Some of this will give a very minute portion of the show away. If you have not been there but want to go there and do not want to know this - be warned. .

To set this up, we have two kids - both 21+ and they invited 3 friends / BF's / GF's etc who were also 21. We all like a Nip, and we really had heard lots about TS's - so a Bucket Item Lister for sure!

I think they open at 4:30 each day (Check That), the problem was that we had 3 separate groups coming from 3 different sections of the resorts. We finally all got there at 4:15 and went out to the TS's area. They have a long line out the back area you need to line up in. There is limited seating - I would say about 40 folks only.

Overall I rate this is a fun experience you must try once. On the other hand - we all agreed we would probably never go back. The reasoning for this:


The Good:

• The Drinks were good. Were they better then the traditional drinks at other Disney Resorts / Bars? I am not sure.
• They were more expensive, but, you get more for your money.
• They have a limited but creative Mixology Menu. I am sure you can order just a standard drink - we did not - that is part of the allure here.
• We had 6 folks that ranged from A) Once a year drinker, B) Once a month to C) Make it a Double. We all looked at the menu, and found multiple options to choose from and everyone loved what they chose.
• The atmosphere is fun and interesting.
• Without a doubt - it is a unique experience.

The Not so Good:

• We had to stand in a line for 15 minutes. Ok, if my kids were 8 and they wanted to meet Elsa it would be worse! But, it was 15 minutes in 95 degrees and 100 percent humidity. We sucked it up - small gripe.
• Before opening they come out and greet you and they count you off and validate how many folks are coming in. We were customers 32 thru 38 - we were granted entry. A family behind us who had 5 were told they were on the wait list.
• When we were granted entry everyone in front of us took the Tables and the Bar Stools. We were left with 2 Bar Stools with four standing. 40 Minutes in one family left and we got a table were we all could sit. I think they should have given out designated seating areas. Had we known - we would have come back earlier (in the hot sun - albeit).
  • When 40 people entering simultaneously. You have limited servers and bartenders creating the drinks. Thus, it took 25 minutes to get our order.
  • There were 2 four top tables with 3 guests. We asked the bartender if we could ask them for those open chairs - and were told no as it would limit the space in the through way for the bar tenders.
• Spoiler: My wife and son;s GF got the two bar chairs. About 20 minutes in the Bar Stools go from 3.5 feet to 2 feet. Others in another portion of the bard did the same. So, we spend 2 minutes trying to raise the seats. A Server comes by and we say "Excuse me - help us out here?" He says "Rotate the chairs counter clock-wise and they will go up". Then, another experienced customer was telling us - you just have to do it alot. We did that for 2 minutes and nothing. Finally, 5 minutes later they magically go up again. Ok, have a joke - but the joke should not be on the customer. I am an idiot and claim to be one - I am paying money for 6 expensive drinks - I dont get it!
• When the one family left and we were able to scarf the table the Hostess came up and said: "Excuse me - I was going to sit others here." My reply:

1. 1. "Wait - you let us in without adequate seating! When you couple the wait in the sun and in here four of us were forced to stand a long time! I just paid the $100 Tab and am now told to stand up for another 30 minutes? Do you think that is acceptable?"
   2. "You then play the magic seat trick and have your staff play a joke on us!"
   3. We explained that we asked to move open chairs over and were told no.
   4. "I know you want to let others in - but - let them take the Magic Bar Stools we abandoned"
   5. "The Hostess - said - "Fair Enough!"

Conclusion:

• We all enjoyed it. The drinks were good. The atmosphere and show fun.
• I would recommend you go and try it.
• Would we go back? Probably only if were bringing newbies.
• Been there done that.

 

[AngiTN]

We really disliked our experience there last May.
DH and I dropped DGD off at Lilo's Clubhouse and thought it was a great time to check out Trader Sam's.
Well, we got there, put our name on the waiting list and got a buzzer.
We went out to the patio and ordered some drinks. We got a table on the water and they had a musician. We thought it was rather nice outside, though slightly hot.
We still thought it would be fun to go inside to check it out so we held on to the buzzer
It wasn't long before we got buzzed in. We paid up and headed inside
Well, get inside and yes, we could come in. There were no seats though.
And as you know, there is no standing room really. The staff seemed totally disinterested in the fact that we had been buzzed in but had no where to go. They said just ask someone to sit with them. Well, that would be fine but there were not even any empty seats at other tables.
So we just said forget it and went back outside. We'd lost our lovely table on the water but we did find another seat and enjoyed some more drinks and food.
Both of those were great. No complaints.
But the entire way they seat folks is ridiculous.
We went to the original in DL the following month. We did not encounter any of those issues and it wasn't full of crazy tricks on the customers either.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Total different experience- or view maybe...

DH and I went in May after taking kids to Lilo's playhouse- arrived around 8pm? were able to go in after maybe 10 minute wait- found two open seats at this longer high top table- sure we had to join another family and sit with people we didnt know but- that was AWESOME. We met great people who ended up getting us a shot or two. The antics and "jokes" are what make the place unique and fun- I guess if you werent expecting them you might be a bit put off by them but- I don't know.

I can't wait to go back- even if we have to stand- its a crazy intimate place and we had a ton of fun!

 

[AngiTN]

Total different experience- or view maybe...

DH and I went in May after taking kids to Lilo's playhouse- arrived around 8pm? were able to go in after maybe 10 minute wait- found two open seats at this longer high top table- sure we had to join another family and sit with people we didnt know but- that was AWESOME. We met great people who ended up getting us a shot or two. The antics and "jokes" are what make the place unique and fun- I guess if you werent expecting them you might be a bit put off by them but- I don't know.

I can't wait to go back- even if we have to stand- its a crazy intimate place and we had a ton of fun!

We would have totally done that without hesitation. Heck, we did it on Sunday night at a local place for dinner.
But there were no seats at any table. And without adequate standing room that just wasn't possible either. It's not fun to stand and have to move everytime a staff member walks by.
If they could fix the issue of buzzing people in when there is no room for them we'd return. Though we'll probably still return and just sit outside.

 

[bom_noite]

I wanted to be fair and add a GOOD to this and a comment:

Good:

• They have a limited but creative Mixology Menu. I am sure you can order off it - we did not - that is part of this place We had 6 folks that ranged from A) Once a year drinker, B) Once a month to C) Make it a Double. We all looked at the menu, and found multiple options to choose from and everyone loved what they chose.

Comment:

• My personal Favorite Bar in the World is the Pool Bar at they Poly! We left Trader Sam's and went out there - paid less and got quality drinks. I kept thinking when in TS's was: Why am I letting my degenerating back sit in here and pay more?
• DisneyFirstTimer10: we were at the same table I think you were at - not the Bar but a Bar behind the Bar. We had 4 standing so the Wait Staff was getting annoyed with us - or so we felt. We did not mind sitting with others - but - only 2 of 6 were sitting. That was our issue.
• I am not at all calling this a terrible place. But, when we take our yearly pilgrimage we have Iconic places which must be hit. Earl of Sandwich, Bar at Poly, are some of ours. We just love those spots. Am sure others have their own. We did not dislike TS's - but not added to our list of Iconic and not to be missed spots.

 

[Redwitch]

Different perspective - My daughter got the shrinking bar stool and it was a highlight of our trip. The bartender called maintenance to come fix it and attached six straws together so she could continue to drink. I can't remember the last time we laughed so hard.

 

[soniam]

Thanks for the reviews everyone. I am hoping that by next June the crowds and wait will have lightened up a bit. We really want to go. The Tiki Room is our favorite attraction, so Trader Sam's sounds like our kind of place. I guess if you were staying at Poly it would be a lot easier to just go when it's not crowded, but I don't know if we will be staying there anytime soon. I'm still peeved about the waterfall in the lobby However, I don't think I could go to WDW without visiting at least.

 

[Lesverts]

AngiTN: I agree with you that sitting outside overlooking the pool/water/resort was awesome and in my taste a lot better compared to being inside Trader Sam's. I was just not overly impressed or wowed by TS at all. The drinks were good, but the service sucked when I was inside. The patio on the other hand had great service. My favourite spot to go for a drink was the Crew's Cup Lounge at the Yacht. Much more my style and speed.

 

[Scottishbrit]

Ours At the Disneyland Hotel is small and ALWAYS crowded. I have waited over an hour to be seated let alone waiting for food. But it's still fun and I cant wait to go to the one at WDW In September.

 

[bom_noite]

Ours At the Disneyland Hotel is small and ALWAYS crowded. I have waited over an hour to be seated let alone waiting for food. But it's still fun and I cant wait to go to the one at WDW In September.

I would love to go the DL version. Bucket list item!

I think our basic gripe had little to do with product / service but with the seating arrangement and how they do it. Maybe this is early issues which will be corrected in the future.

Please report back after you go!

 

[AngiTN]

Ours At the Disneyland Hotel is small and ALWAYS crowded. I have waited over an hour to be seated let alone waiting for food. But it's still fun and I cant wait to go to the one at WDW In September.

We hit it early in the afternoon and got right in. Either got lucky or it's just not busy till later at night. Part of the problem at WDW is it's not open till early evening and it's busy most all the time, at least while it's so new. The one at WDW is even smaller than the one in DL too.

 

[Scottishbrit]

Ya, Disneyland's is open pretty much all day so If you do hit it before 1 you'll get seated a lot faster and feed a lot faster to.

 

[SnapesGirl]

Different perspective - My daughter got the shrinking bar stool and it was a highlight of our trip. The bartender called maintenance to come fix it and attached six straws together so she could continue to drink. I can't remember the last time we laughed so hard.

The same thing happened to me in May! My mom and I were sitting at the bar and my bar stool went waaaay down. I asked the bartender how to get the seat up and he kept telling me to touch my magic band to the seat. Omg, we had such a good laugh and I couldn't figure out if it was just me and my chair, but 10 minutes later, it went up waaay too high. We still laugh about it.

 

[Ismo]

Thanks for all of the feedback everyone! We're staying at VGF so it's a short walk over to Trader Sam's. We will definitely give it a go at least!