Strategy to Get Seated Inside Trader Sams at WDW

[Little E]

Hi Disfriends!

DH and I have tried to get seated inside at Trader Sams a couple of times. It's mostly when we're taking a break from MK and think of TS. So, it's always crowded and always has a long line, so it's never worked out for us. We have been outside on the terrace, but we'd love to experience what it's like inside at least once.

Our next trip is coming up at the end of October. What's the best "strategy" to snag a table indoors at TS? We'd like to experience the fun I've always heard about this lounge. I've checked the WDW website and I know they don't take ADRs. I know it opens at 3 pm. Do we arrive at 3? Do we arrive sooner than 3? If we arrive after 3, can we get our names on a list and get a text when a table is ready? I just wasn't sure how TS works.

Any advice anyone could offer would be great. Thanks so much!

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Basically you just have to go and get your name on the list and then be prepared to get there within 10 minutes from the time they text you.
This means you really have to be willing to just hang around.
Its much nicer to be staying at POLY or GF and go there vs coming from a park because you may be waiting some time where as if you're staying at the resort you can at least go hang out in your room and be more relaxed.

 

[Little E]

@Kooks and Bay Bay thanks for the intel. We tried to get in TS in March and wound up sitting on the terrace, but I couldn't remember anything else. I couldn't remember if there was a "getting on a list and texting" option. Good to know! If I'm understanding you correctly, we have a 10 minutes window after we receive a "your table is ready text" to get to TS? So therefore, if we hang out somewhere in a resort on the monorail...GF/CR/Poly while we wait, we should be OK?

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

@Kooks and Bay Bay thanks for the intel. We tried to get in TS in March and wound up sitting on the terrace, but I couldn't remember anything else. I couldn't remember if there was a "getting on a list and texting" option. Good to know! If I'm understanding you correctly, we have a 10 minutes window after we receive a "your table is ready text" to get to TS? So therefore, if we hang out somewhere in a resort on the monorail...GF/CR/Poly while we wait, we should be OK?

Yes the 3 times I've been to TS they have told me I have 10 minutes from the time of the your table is ready text.

If they tell you its going to be a long wait then yeah you could probably head to another resort but NO I would not say you'd be good if you were at Contemporary and got the text. You'd basically either want to be at POLY or GF where you can quickly walk back.
So if you want to go hang at Contemporary for a bit I'd do it immediately and not stay too long and then head back over to POLY.

 

[leebee]

@Little E Go over to the Poly at 1pm and wait outside Trader Sam's. They'll open between 1 and 1:30 to take names for the waiting list. Then go to Captain Cook's for lunch and explore the resort. Head back to wait outside CC's at 2:45. The TS folks will text you that it's time for your reservation between then and 3pm... but once they text, you only have 15 minutes to get there. Go to Trader Sam's and they'll show you to your table.

This is what worked for us in August. I was first in line to put my name on the list, and DD and I were second to be seated (the folks who'd been behind us in line got to TS ahead of us, so they were seated first). We were seated AT the bar and I gotta say, if I ever go back, this is where I want to sit! Good luck..,. this was our third try, and like they say, three's a charm!! (the second time we tried, we got in line at 1:45 and they called us back at 6:15, when we were on our way to Boma for dinner)

ETA: Trader Sam's becomes "over 21 only" after 8pm. I have heard that if you show up about 30 minutes before closing time, it's a walk-in, but haven't tried it so can't attest to that.

 

[Little E]

@Kooks and Bay Bay thanks for the clarification...hang out at GF or Poly...no to CR for us.

@leebee This is interesting info! The WDW website says TS opens at 3 pm. I would not have guessed that they open between 1-1:30 just to take names for a waiting list. Thanks for the intel! Also good to know that being seated at the bar is super great! Not sure if it will be just DH and me or if the other couple we will be with off and on during our week there will want to come too. Either way, if we get in, I'm sure it'll be fun!

Thanks for the info!

 

[Smugpugmug]

ETA: Trader Sam's becomes "over 21 only" after 8pm. I have heard that if you show up about 30 minutes before closing time, it's a walk-in, but haven't tried it so can't attest to that.

I've done this multiple times and it's never a walk in. The wait is maybe an hour? For context I almost always go with a party of 2. Last time we were sat at the bar and it was super fun to chat with the bartenders. I exclusively go at night now due to it being adult's only lol

 

[Little E]

@Smugpugmug This is good to know. So, if we put our TS time off til later at night, it'll be kid free but still a wait.

 

[Marthasor]

Follow leebee's advice. Do not wait until later in the day/evening to put your name on the list or you run the risk of not getting in. We like to go to the TS hallway around 1 pm and wait for the list to open so we can be in the first wave of people, otherwise you could have a very long wait. They can only fit 50 people in there and they won't let others in until people leave. They also won't guarantee you will even be sitting or standing together in your group. We get our name on the list and then go back in the hallway around 2:45 pm to hear names called for the first wave. When you put your name on the list, they will be able to tell you if you are in the first wave of people or not.

 

[Little E]

@Marthasor Excellent! Thank you for that info! Our plan will be to head to the TS hallway around 1 pm, and we'll see what unfolds from there.

I knew I could count on the Disboard folks for guidance on this! Thank you so much!

 

[gregskellington]

I've been told as early as 8PM that the list is closed for the night, so while waiting may work in your favor, I wouldn't count on it. Going at 1, sadly, is the best route if going is important to you. For me it's no better than one of the multiple tiki bars in my city so no longer a stop on my trips, but I get why people like it.

 

[Mle8308]

Is the walkway between the Poly and GF open? I thought it was still closed due to construction. I would not leave the Poly if you need to return within 10 minutes.

 

[DVCkidz]

We're going next month. I've been to TS's in DL but not in DW. I'll be using all of the advice in this thread to try and get in. Thanks!!

 

[pixiegoose]

We went on Saturday during our July trip. We got in line outside Trader Sam’s around 12:45 and there were probably 5-6 parties in front of us. Cast members came out around 1:30 to start taking names (by which time the line was past Captain Cook’s). We put our name and cell number on the list and then wandered/shopped/ate some Dole Whip. We got a text when Trader Sam’s opened at 3 and were seated right away.

 

[Cabius]

I've done this multiple times and it's never a walk in. The wait is maybe an hour? For context I almost always go with a party of 2. Last time we were sat at the bar and it was super fun to chat with the bartenders. I exclusively go at night now due to it being adult's only lol

The only times I've been able to walk in were as a party of one, about the last hour before they closed. Even then, I was basically standing at the bar. It's a popular place!

 

[Little E]

@pixiegoose OP again...I just have a quick question re: your strategy in July. You got in line at 12:45 pm to get your name on the list. After that did you have to stick around, or could you go do other things/return to MK? I was just a little confused because they don't open until 3. Is it a 10 minute return time text after they open at 3, that you should really be close by?

Just trying to clarify and get all the info so we do this right. Thanks so much!

 

[pixiegoose]

@pixiegoose OP again...I just have a quick question re: your strategy in July. You got in line at 12:45 pm to get your name on the list. After that did you have to stick around, or could you go do other things/return to MK? I was just a little confused because they don't open until 3. Is it a 10 minute return time text after they open at 3, that you should really be close by?

Just trying to clarify and get all the info so we do this right. Thanks so much!

We could have left and come back for 3:00 but we chose to stay. It was our arrival day and we didn’t have park tickets, so we were happy to shop, eat Dole Whip, and stay in the ac after a reeeeeeeally early morning. Had it been Christmas time, we probably would have gone to GF or CR for gingerbread displays but wouldn’t have gone to a park. You do need to make it to the host desk within 15 minutes once you get the ready text, so most times it is best to stick around.

 

[jenjersnap]

Last week we arrived a a little before 2 pm and were about 15 people back. They took names around 2:15. We had a drink at Tambu and called into Trader Sam’s in first wave at 3 pm. Sounds like we were a little lucky they had a late start in collecting phone numbers.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

It's easier if staying at the resort. I'll usually walk over there an hour after they start taking names, give my info, and they tell me 3 hours. I go back to the pool, and then I always end up getting the text.. at some point. When your not staying in the resort, its more difficult

Text 1 is if you still can make it
Test 2 is come on down

 

[Little E]

@0FF TO NEVERLAND that's good info. So, you get two texts instead of just a "get here asap" text?