Teenager at Trader Sam's Grog Grotto?

[timsueshd]

I know after 8 pm Trader Sam's Grog Grotto turns into a 21 and over bar ...

But how is it for teenagers before that? I have seen some posts where people were mad kids were even in the bar.

We have a 7:15 reservation at O'Hana and was hoping to stop in for one drink before dinner. Do they move people in and out pretty quickly?

Also, are the drinks including the cups worth the $25 - $30 per drink?

 

[BrianL]

I don't think it should be a problem. They have some mocktails I believe. AS far as I'm concerned, if under 21 is allowed before 8 PM, then I should expect to see them in there. Keep in mind that the place is always busy and sometimes there is a long wait. I'd go early!

Personally, I LOVE the mugs and find them worth it. I don't even drink, so I give my drink to someone else. Now, if you don't want the mugs, I can't really speak to if the drinks are worth it. My friend said it was really good and decently strong too (he drank a Krakatoa for me). Generally, I just consider the cost my price to purchase the mug. I HAD to have a Nautilus, and that was well worth it to me. You do not have to buy the mugs just to order the drinks I believe and the price will be lower.

 

[SteveH]

Go and enjoy it, let the the 'get off my lawn' types sulk in their "beer".

As for the cost. Tiki drinks tend to be more expensive, not just because of the mug. But when you use better quality ingredients (rum) and fresh juices it gets expensive. You can order without the mug, so if you're not into the Tiki mug thing you don't have to be.

I can blame Trader Sam's for my obsession with mugs now, but I've enjoyed every Tiki Bar I've been to!

 

[MomOTwins]

I know after 8 pm Trader Sam's Grog Grotto turns into a 21 and over bar ...

But how is it for teenagers before that? I have seen some posts where people were mad kids were even in the bar.

We have a 7:15 reservation at O'Hana and was hoping to stop in for one drink before dinner. Do they move people in and out pretty quickly?

Also, are the drinks including the cups worth the $25 - $30 per drink?

There is zero concern with bringing a teen. There will also likely be small children (we brought our baby once and there were a couple of others there when we went in the early afternoon).

My concern with your plan is you want to go at a very peak time, and it is a very small room. We showed up shortly after opening at around 4:30 and it was almost completely full, and they do not allow people to come in and just stand around the bar; if they don't have a seat open, you won't be let in. And it is kind of a fun place so people linger to see the various special effects (we stayed till a little after 6pm). So I wouldn't say they move people in and out pretty quickly, and if you are planning show up before your dinner, there will almost certainly be a considerable wait to get in.

 

[Moliphino]

There is zero concern with bringing a teen. There will also likely be small children (we brought our baby once and there were a couple of others there when we went in the early afternoon).

My concern with your plan is you want to go at a very peak time, and it is a very small room. We showed up shortly after opening at around 4:30 and it was almost completely full, and they do not allow people to come in and just stand around the bar; if they don't have a seat open, you won't be let in. And it is kind of a fun place so people linger to see the various special effects (we stayed till a little after 6pm). So I wouldn't say they move people in and out pretty quickly, and if you are planning show up before your dinner, there will almost certainly be a considerable wait to get in.

Not entirely correct, there is standing room at the bar on the left side. They let in up to capacity, which is higher than the number of seats. Once they reach capacity nobody is let in until someone else leaves. When you're let in there's no guarantee there is a place to sit open, or seats together if you're a group.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

As others have said, there is zero issue with bringing a teen in there before 8 pm. My DS has been going there yearly since it opened when he was 7 years old. If you don't want to spend a ton on the souvenir mugs, you can order the drinks without the mugs or order something else entirely. No one in my family drinks so we are quite happy sitting back with our $5 mocktails and watching the effects and antics as others order the souvenir mugs. As others have said, your bigger concern will be your wait time both in getting in and in getting served (I've found service to be a bit slow). I would suggest arriving around 5:30/5:45 pm to allow ample waiting and service time so you can get to O'hana for your ADR.

 

[gharter]

I would have no concerns bringing in a teen.
i would be in line before 3:30 to get you name on the list for the 4 pm opening. You can wonder around after that, but be there by 3:55. They call your name, if you are not there, they text you and call the next name.
There are no assigned seats. You find your own seat. Once its full, nobody enters until somebody leaves. We entered at 4 pm. Saw the first group leave at 5:30.

 

[Monorail_Man_NJ]

Its DISNEY you can literally bring a child anywhere on property and noone should say a thing.

That being said the outdoor section would work as well. Same drink menu.

 

[goofygal531]

Its DISNEY you can literally bring a child anywhere on property and noone should say a thing.

That being said the outdoor section would work as well. Same drink menu.

Is seating easier to obtain outside?

 

[Monorail_Man_NJ]

Is seating easier to obtain outside?

Yes they have a nice outdoor deck with tiki torchs, bar food view of Seven Seas Lagoon and sometimes entertainment.

 

[crabbygal902]

Is seating easier to obtain outside?

I actually prefer the Tiki Terrace, the outdoors area, over Trader Sams. The views of Cindy's castle are great (choose your seat carefully if this matters to you), the setting with its waterfall very relaxing, and there's often live entertainment. I'll get a rum flight and some apps and be very happy.

 

[Moliphino]

There are no special effects outside. If that doesn't matter, the Tiki Terrace has pretty much the same menu.

 

[nkereina]

FWIW, the outdoor bar is no different than an outdoor bar anywhere else. You can order the drinks in the unique cups, but there's nothing else about the outside area that relates to Trader Sam's. You'd miss the whole inside shtick with the staff and the effects.

 

[bumbershoot]

I have seen some posts where people were mad kids were even in the bar.

Random peoples' misunderstandings of Florida blue laws means nothing. It's legal, it's allowed, it's fine.

Is seating easier to obtain outside?

Yes. But no special effects.

 

[Anthony1971]

Ok since few else answered.. the drinks. If you like rum you are ok but some are spiced rum which some people do not like. You can get a lot of other drinks should you not like what is on the menu BUT they do not have a blender so no frozen drinks or like... the blender things was the joke of the week for one person with us... and that person also hated spiced rum so one drink went in the garbage. Prices without the mugs are the same as other drinks at other Disney owned bars in the 10-11 range for most some a little more... as far as quality it is the same liquor brands they use everywhere else. They will also as other have said have virgin drinks (non alcoholic) for kids.

 

[SteveH]

Ok since few else answered.. the drinks. If you like rum you are ok but some are spiced rum which some people do not like. You can get a lot of other drinks should you not like what is on the menu BUT they do not have a blender so no frozen drinks or like... the blender things was the joke of the week for one person with us... and that person also hated spiced rum so one drink went in the garbage. Prices without the mugs are the same as other drinks at other Disney owned bars in the 10-11 range for most some a little more... as far as quality it is the same liquor brands they use everywhere else. They will also as other have said have virgin drinks (non alcoholic) for kids.

I think the only drink with Spiced Rum I can think of is the Krakatoa Punch, were there others on the menu with Spiced Rum? It is worth asking the Skipper if they will sub out a Spiced Rum for something else. I really enjoy the Krakatoa, I make it at home but IMHO Spiced Rum is for Rum and Coke not a good Tiki drink.

The online menus between GG & ETB are odd, in that GG shows which rums they use and ETB just says Dark/Light.

Shrunken Zombie Head at GG
Gosling’s 151 Black Seal Rum, Appleton Estate Reserve Rum, Bacardi 8 yr Rum, Tropical Juices, Falernum, and Cinnamon. Served in a souvenir Shrunken Head

Shrunken Zombie Head at ETB
Reserve and Aged Rums, Tropical Juices, Falernum and Cinnamon

If you have a good Skipper, ask what their favorite off menu drink is. While I was at ETB mine made a very good Navy Grog!