Trader Sam’s with ADR—inside or outside?

[Araminta18]

Today is the first day for reservations at Trader Sams. Anyone able to report back if the ADRs get you inside before 4 pm, or if it’s still outside only until 4 pm?

 

[wabbott]

Just got back from our 5 PM reservations. We were directed to enter through the Tangaroa Terrace entrance to check in. The reservation/standby line was one and the same, so once we registered, we stood to the side until a waiter seated us. We were seated dot on time at the bar, inside, and as it was kinda warm this afternoon, that would have been our preference. This was a first time visit for us.

We ordered the Uh Oah, and the show that goes along with the serving was worth the visit, IMO. Good vibes in the place offset the so-so food. Service was not the best, but these days, no place is anymore, Disney or no.

We would go back for the atmosphere, but not the food. Can't answer your question about the 4 PM issue.

 

[Araminta18]

anyone else have experiences with Trader Sam's with ADRs? Specifically pre-4pm ones?

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

anyone else have experiences with Trader Sam's with ADRs? Specifically pre-4pm ones?

We had a 1:20 ADR last Friday and we were seated inside. It was full inside but there was lots of outdoor seating when we were there. It made me think that ADRs get seated inside and walk ups get the outside.

 

[DizMe]

We had a 1:20 ADR last Friday and we were seated inside. It was full inside but there was lots of outdoor seating when we were there. It made me think that ADRs get seated inside and walk ups get the outside.

We had friends who went recently and we asked them to find out whether ADRs were whatever came available or indoor. They were told by the CMs that ADRs are for indoor only. It's kind of too bad, because we have a reservation coming up and we'd prefer outdoor. We're also a group of 6, and they will only do ADRs for 4 so we had to book 2 spots, one for 4 and one for 2, so we don't even know if we'll be seated together.

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

We had friends who went recently and we asked them to find out whether ADRs were whatever came available or indoor. They were told by the CMs that ADRs are for indoor only. It's kind of too bad, because we have a reservation coming up and we'd prefer outdoor. We're also a group of 6, and they will only do ADRs for 4 so we had to book 2 spots, one for 4 and one for 2, so we don't even know if we'll be seated together.

Thanks for the confirmation. You would think they could do something like have ADRs get their preference of indoor/outdoor and then walk ups can just fill in the tables. Because how you would have preferred outdoor, I am sure some walk ups would prefer indoors. We went for our adult trip (so just 2 couples) and wanted to sit inside, so it worked out for us. But when we go back with the kids I think we will try a walk up lunch (seems not as busy) or skip Trader Sam's. Because we are a family of 6 and our youngest has sensory issues, ADRs for the inside are just not going to work for us.

 

[DizMe]

Thanks for the confirmation. You would think they could do something like have ADRs get their preference of indoor/outdoor and then walk ups can just fill in the tables. Because how you would have preferred outdoor, I am sure some walk ups would prefer indoors. We went for our adult trip (so just 2 couples) and wanted to sit inside, so it worked out for us. But when we go back with the kids I think we will try a walk up lunch (seems not as busy) or skip Trader Sam's. Because we are a family of 6 and our youngest has sensory issues, ADRs for the inside are just not going to work for us.

I totally get that! We're a family of 5, but all 3 are in college as of this fall. The oldest has what used to be called Asperger's, and while Disneyland was her very favorite place, there were things that were challenging when she was younger (fireworks, booming sounds, overstimulation, self-flushing toilets, etc). She developed coping strategies that helped enormously. She's now a senior at UCI and it's nearly impossible without knowing her well to recognize the signs, but she uses scripting and basically acting out "normal" to avoid notice. She was actually an entertainment CM until she got laid off.

Anyway, this trip I'm going with a group of friends and we're all coming in from different places to meet up at TS's. I wish they'd use your idea of letting ADR's have their choice of indoor or outdoor, or at least give you the option to book a group of 6 on an ADR, knowing you will be seated outside.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I would be shocked if they wouldn't seat an ADR outside if you told them you preferred it. You might have to wait if outside is full. But outside is a "downgrade."

As an example, Oga's is doing ADRs and walk-ups. It's been reported on the boards that you can't walk-up and get a booth - you have to have an ADR to get a booth. When we went on Sunday (as walk-ups), we saw someone get seated at a booth and ask if they could stand at the bar instead (for photo purposes, presumably, as they had a professional-looking camera and took a bunch of photos). They were moved to the bar. I would think asking for outside at Trade Sam's would be similar.

Also, fun fact, I had a Trader Sam's ADR for lunch on Friday, but when I checked here on Thursday night, there still weren't updates on whether the inside is open for lunch, so I cancelled it. Then on Friday, all you helpful people come post and I find out I could have been inside. Oh well, I got a lot more done yesterday eating lunch at home anyway, and my husband was probably too busy for it to have been the "fun surprise" I had planned for us. Now I know for next time!

 

[Araminta18]

We had friends who went recently and we asked them to find out whether ADRs were whatever came available or indoor. They were told by the CMs that ADRs are for indoor only. It's kind of too bad, because we have a reservation coming up and we'd prefer outdoor. We're also a group of 6, and they will only do ADRs for 4 so we had to book 2 spots, one for 4 and one for 2, so we don't even know if we'll be seated together.

Oooh awesome. I have a lunch ADR I was really hoping would be inside, but was contemplating canceling cause if it's just outside that wouldn't be what I wanted. Thank you for the info!