Three Questions about Three Restaurants

[bcrook]

Can anyone give me information on the following? I particularly am interested in insights about how crowded it is and best times to slip in...

Trader Sam's Grog Grotto - Polynesian
The Brown Derby Lounge - DHS
Spice Road in Epcot...

All new since I was there last. I do not like making credit card guaranteed ADRs, so I have to be creative with my eating times!

Thanks for any information.

 

[JennyDrake]

Can anyone give me information on the following? I particularly am interested in insights about how crowded it is and best times to slip in...

Trader Sam's Grog Grotto - Polynesian
The Brown Derby Lounge - DHS
Spice Road in Epcot...

.

While _I_ have not been there, I understand that Trader Sam's is RIDICULOUSLY crowded ALL the time. 60-120 min wait *just* to get in.
Spice Road is very very accessible for any seating up until sunset. Good service. OK< this is going to sound really dumb, but here goes. ...I went as a guest of another person. I'm very wimpy when it comes to spicy/hot foods. I had a hard time even ordering several tapas finding something that did not catch me on fire.

 

[Hopefully]

Trader Sam's is not a restaurant it is a bar. Recent reviews are saying a 30 minute wait to get in on weekdays, closer to an hour on weekends.
Brown Derby Lounge is not a restaurant it is a lounge. Wait time varies by time of day and day of week
Spice Road Table now takes ADR's so you can plan your meal time if that helps you
Good Luck

 

[bcrook]

Trader Sam's is not a restaurant it is a bar. Recent reviews are saying a 30 minute wait to get in on weekdays, closer to an hour on weekends.
Brown Derby Lounge is not a restaurant it is a lounge. Wait time varies by time of day and day of week
Spice Road Table now takes ADR's so you can plan your meal time if that helps you
Good Luck

I understand. They all serve food. I don't have to have restaurants. I just like places to grab a little food, have a cocktail, and not make ADRs. I am a veteran of managing this at other establishments, but I know nothing about these three locations. So any info on these dining options would be fantastic!

 

[bcrook]

While _I_ have not been there, I understand that Trader Sam's is RIDICULOUSLY crowded ALL the time. 60-120 min wait *just* to get in.
Spice Road is very very accessible for any seating up until sunset. Good service. OK< this is going to sound really dumb, but here goes. ...I went as a guest of another person. I'm very wimpy when it comes to spicy/hot foods. I had a hard time even ordering several tapas finding something that did not catch me on fire.

I appreciate your feedback on Spice Road.

 

[mare1203]

Depends on when you go to Trader Sam's. Friday and Saturday are most crowded. I haven't heard of ridiculous wait times outside of those peak periods. Many have reported 15-20 minutes on TikiMan's page, though often longer once nighttime hits (usually around 730, 8:00). Also, they have the full menu available on the patio as well, with a large seating area and live entertainment. I haven't heard of any major waits for the patio. So that might also be an option, though you would miss out on the fun of the bar!

We've gotten drinks at the HBD Lounge before. It was always full, but never crowded. This is not a place for large parties, though that didn't stop some from trying. 3-4 people per table is comfortable, maybe 5. We saw a few parties try to squeeze 6 or more and it just didn't work (not that this is you, just relaying the information). They also have a walk-up bar, which a lot of people would use rather than wait for a table. We were there in the early afternoon, 2:00ish. The food looked really good, but we didn't try anything. A nearby table we were chatting with said their food was great.

Also only gotten drinks from Spice Road, but that has never seemed overly busy to me.

 

[bcrook]

Depends on when you go to Trader Sam's. Friday and Saturday are most crowded. I haven't heard of ridiculous wait times outside of those peak periods. Many have reported 15-20 minutes on TikiMan's page, though often longer once nighttime hits (usually around 730, 8:00). Also, they have the full menu available on the patio as well, with a large seating area and live entertainment. I haven't heard of any major waits for the patio. So that might also be an option, though you would miss out on the fun of the bar!

We've gotten drinks at the HBD Lounge before. It was always full, but never crowded. This is not a place for large parties, though that didn't stop some from trying. 3-4 people per table is comfortable, maybe 5. We saw a few parties try to squeeze 6 or more and it just didn't work (not that this is you, just relaying the information). They also have a walk-up bar, which a lot of people would use rather than wait for a table. We were there in the early afternoon, 2:00ish. The food looked really good, but we didn't try anything. A nearby table we were chatting with said their food was great.

Also only gotten drinks from Spice Road, but that has never seemed overly busy to me.

Excellent info. Thanks. Although I will be with a big group, these places will be get aways for just me and wife or grown daughter. The HBD menu looks good.

 

[L&Lfan]

My boyfriend and I love the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge. The food and drinks are great. We've been there three times but we always go right when they open. We have only had to wait for a table once.

 

[NJlauren]

Just to clarify your trying to walk up to all of these?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We went to Trader Sam's on a Sunday very soon after it opened. We got there at 3:40 pm and were about 20th in line and got in no problem. If you don't mind going early, I would suggest lining up around 3:15 - 3:45 pm so you can get in when it opens.

I've never been to HBD lounge.

We've been to Spice Road Table twice. Once with an ADR and once as walk-ups. We had no problem walking up, but we arrived around 1 pm, so a little after the traditional lunch time. The restaurant was quite empty. The food and service were very good. CM's were so friendly! I was just disappointed that they took the greek salad off the menu as we are big salad appetizer eaters.

 

[bcrook]

Just to clarify your trying to walk up to all of these?

Yes, walk up. I don't mind eating at the off times.

 

[bcrook]

My boyfriend and I love the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge. The food and drinks are great. We've been there three times but we always go right when they open. We have only had to wait for a table once.

Thanks for this information. I think right at opening sounds great.

By the way your timeline of travel looks like mine. My trips started in 2004, and we have been regular visitors ever since. Except, I haven't been to the Grand Californian yet... Checking in next week!

 

[bcrook]

We went to Trader Sam's on a Sunday very soon after it opened. We got there at 3:40 pm and were about 20th in line and got in no problem. If you don't mind going early, I would suggest lining up around 3:15 - 3:45 pm so you can get in when it opens.

I've never been to HBD lounge.

We've been to Spice Road Table twice. Once with an ADR and once as walk-ups. We had no problem walking up, but we arrived around 1 pm, so a little after the traditional lunch time. The restaurant was quite empty. The food and service were very good. CM's were so friendly! I was just disappointed that they took the greek salad off the menu as we are big salad appetizer eaters.

Great news. Thank you! It looks like Spice Road will be the easiest to slip in!

Getting to the Polynesian might not happen this trip. If I get anywhere near GF Cafe, I go there for the key lime pie!
But I do want to see and try Trader Sams along with the lounge at Artists Point.

 

[L&Lfan]

Barry, at the HBDL my boyfriend usually gets the charcuterie and cheese platter and something fruity like a Bahama Mama or a Melon Ball. I usually get the sliders and either the Margarita Flight or Red Carpet (their Bloody Mary) . The HBDL is also a great place to people watch and you can hear whatever's going on in front of the Chinese Theater. You're gonna love it!

 

[mckennarose]

We ate at Spice Road Table for Illuminations 3 weeks ago on May 10th. There were a lot of good food choices and none of us found the food too spicy, but we like bolder flavors. I had the mixed grill skewers and the chef told me I could get the harissa on the side. (that's the spicy sauce) I am gluten free so the chef came out to talk to me before I ordered. The skewers were good! DH got the rack of lamb and it was delicious too! You can ask for the spicy sauce on the side if you're concerned about the heat. I love heat and I can say the harissa was HOT.

Our ADR was for 8:20 PM and we arrived about 15 minutes earlier and they got us right in. We stayed for Illuminations and they pipe in the music and lower the lights in the restaurant. It was really nice. We asked for an indoor table by a window and there were probably 2 other tables that were open and stayed unoccupied for the show. They had no problems accommodating us, of course it wasn't the middle of summer either.

 

[HopperFan]

Spice Road is a great option for walk up. That is how we ate there. I do think many do not realize there are indoor tables and I think next time I might want to try that. I do not like spicy food at all so I was worried about it. While a few things had some heat, the flavors were so bold I didn't feel it. We also had hummus which I normally won't eat but I seriously couldn't get enough of theirs.

Had some good drinks as well.

 

[JZCubed]

Can anyone give me information on the following? I particularly am interested in insights about how crowded it is and best times to slip in...

Trader Sam's Grog Grotto - Polynesian
The Brown Derby Lounge - DHS
Spice Road in Epcot...

All new since I was there last. I do not like making credit card guaranteed ADRs, so I have to be creative with my eating times!

Thanks for any information.

Trader Sam's:
http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorize...ion-club-studio-and-trader-sams-patio-review/

Brown Derby Lounge seems likely to have more reasonable wait times. But I think I read there are walls there right now(??)

Spice Road - if going near time for Illuminations - good luck. Additional option includes Tutto Gusto in Italy.

 

[mgentry210]

Spent many an hour at the outdoor patio at HBD. Even during super busy christmas week I could grab a table. Add to your list La Cava in Mexico. Good margaritas. This is coming from a Texas girl! It's cool and air conditioned. Also good is the new Tutto in Italy. Great little sandwiches and wine flights.

 

[bcrook]

Trader Sam's:
http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorize...ion-club-studio-and-trader-sams-patio-review/

Brown Derby Lounge seems likely to have more reasonable wait times. But I think I read there are walls there right now(??)

Spice Road - if going near time for Illuminations - good luck. Additional option includes Tutto Gusto in Italy.

I love Tutto Gusto! Thanks for the information.

 

[bcrook]

Spice Road is a great option for walk up. That is how we ate there. I do think many do not realize there are indoor tables and I think next time I might want to try that. I do not like spicy food at all so I was worried about it. While a few things had some heat, the flavors were so bold I didn't feel it. We also had hummus which I normally won't eat but I seriously couldn't get enough of theirs.

Had some good drinks as well.

Great photos. I will definitely go there.